Florence Duomo (Cattedrale di Santa Maria dei Fiori)
The Basics
A visit to the Duomo is essential for understanding and immersing yourself in both Florence and the Renaissance.Tickets to the complex include access to the dome, baptistery, bell tower, crypt, and museum, and are valid for 48 hours from use. As entry to the cathedral is free, there are often long lines. Many visitors opt to join a small-group guided tour to explore the more hidden corners of the complex—and to skip the lines. Audio guides are also available.
Things to Know Before You Go
The cathedral is open daily from 10am, but is closed for Sunday morning service and on major holidays.
Dress modestly. For women, it’s best to cover shoulders and knees (a scarf will do). Sandals, sunglasses, and hats are discouraged.
It is more than 400 steps to the top of architect Filippo Brunelleschi’s dome, so proper footwear and fitness level are recommended. There is no elevator.
Tickets can be purchased at the Duomo, but expect lines. You can also purchase tickets in advance, or access the complex through a private guided tour.
How to Get There
The Duomo is at the very center of Florence, fewer than 10 minutes walking from the train station. It is near the must-see Uffizi Gallery, with which it is often visited in combination. Independent travelers and guided tours alike often stop at the Accademia Gallery as well, where Michelangelo’s David resides.
Trip ideas
When to Get There
The museum is closed on the first Tuesday of each month. Crowds are unavoidable, but quieter times are early morning and late afternoon, especially outside of the busy summer months (May through September).
An Unforgettable View of Florence
The pink, white, and green marble facade of the Duomo is a sight in itself, but the real can’t-miss views are from the top of the cupola. Climbers are rewarded with an unforgettable vista of Florence’s red-roofed skyline, the Arno River, and the rolling hills beyond. There are panoramic views from atop Giotto’s Campanile, as well. Back on ground level, admire the famous stained glass and frescoes that line the cathedral’s interior. The cathedral’s crypt, which includes the tomb of Brunelleschi, is also worth a visit.
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- Brunelleschi's Dome (Cupola del Brunelleschi)
- Opera del Duomo Museum (Museo dell'Opera del Duomo)
- Bargello Museum (Museo Nazionale del Bargello)
- Giotto's Bell Tower (Campanile di Giotto)
- Leonardo Interactive Museum®
- Florence Baptistery (Battistero di San Giovanni)
- Gucci Garden (Gucci Museo)
- Fountain of Neptune
- Orsanmichele Church and Museum (Chiesa e Museo di Orsanmichele)
- Piazza della Repubblica
- Medici Riccardi Palace (Palazzo Medici Riccardi)
- Palazzo Vecchio
- Hard Rock Cafe Florence
- Piazza della Signoria
- Florence Via Cavour (Via Camillo Cavour)