How to Plan Your Visit to the Duomo Complex in Florence, Italy
Planning on climbing the Duomo in Florence? Read on for a step-by-step guide!
I finally had the chance to cross off one of my bucket list destinations: Florence in Italy! It was about bloody time, seeing as it is my namesake city, and it was everything I had imagined and more. Its history as a cultural, economic and political center cemented its position as a flourishing and well-to-do city in Europe, and the preservation of its monuments has been incredible.
From the Ponte Vecchio and Palazzo Vecchio to Uffuzi Gallery and Gallerie Dell’Accademia, almost every structure has been painstakingly and delicately restored and maintained; with a few exceptions (Uffuzi Gallery! *shakes fist*), the visiting process is streamlined and efficient, enabling visitors to Florence to truly enjoy their trip and take in the sights without wanting to yank all their hair out.
The panoramic skyline of Florence is not complete without the famous Duomo, or Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore and Brunelleschi’s Dome, but the Duomo is only one monument within the greater complex housed within Piazza del Duomo and Piazza San Giovanni. These monuments in the UNESCO-listed historic centre of Florence date back to the 13th and 14th centuries and are a testament to the creativity and innovation from the Italian Renaissance.
The five monuments that make up the Duomo complex include the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore, Brunelleschi’s Dome, Giotto’s Campanile (Bell Tower), the Baptistery of San Giovanni, the Crypt of Santa Reparata and the Opera Museum. All of these monuments are unique and take time to properly explore, so the best way to plan your tour is to spread out the monuments over two (or more) days.
Don’t have a lot of time to spend in Florence? Then you’ll want to stay near the Duomo Complex – don’t worry, it’s easy to get around the city on foot! Click here for accommodation options in Florence, Italy!
This complex is probably the most popular landmark in Florence – it goes without saying that there are often what can only be described as “hordes” of people visiting each of the monuments. I’ve now visited the Duomo complex a handful of times and climbed Brunelleschi’s Dome twice – here are some of my best tips. If you want a hassle-free visit, read on for my recommended two-day itinerary to get the most out of your time at the Duomo complex! Here’s what you need to know before visiting the Duomo in Florence.
Is it your first time to Italy? Click here for 14 things you should know before your trip!
Duomo Florence Ticket Options
Option 1: This is perhaps the most critical step to ensuring an amazing and stress-free visit if you want to climb the Duomo in Florence – while it’s not 100% compulsory, it will guarantee a unique and exclusive view of Florence and the Duomo. The “Little Peek on Florence” tour (it is AKA the “A Glimpse of Florence” tour) is a guided tour of the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore, exclusive entrance into the private north Terrace (normally kept under lock and key and not open to the public!), and allows you to skip the massive queues for the climb up to Brunelleschi’s Dome.
Group sizes are kept small and the guide walks you through the rich history and significance of the Duomo complex – better than any for-hire audio guide, guaranteed. The tour includes access to the Brunelleschi dome so it is not necessary to book the access time separately.
The tour takes about an hour and a half and costs โฌ33 per person (double the price of a regular ticket, but worth it – believe me). The ticket also provides one entry to each of the other monuments (except for the Cathedral which you can re-enter as it has no admission fee) within the Duomo complex within 48 hours of the first entry, and is usually hosted at 10:30 AM on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from January to March, and Monday to Saturday from April to December.
Update: Unfortunately it looks like this tour is no longer running due to various reasons. You can however still book a guided tour to the Dome with priority access to the climb independently after the tour is over. This tour only runs during certain months of the year (May 31 – Oct 31 but this is subject to change) and you can book it online for โฌ40 per adult here. This ticket will also allow you to visit the other monuments of the square (not including the terraces) on your own within 3 calendar days of the validity of the ticket. The Cathedral Terraces are currently only accessible by private guided tour (minimum 10 pax at โฌ50 per person) and can not be booked online. You will need to contact [email protected] well in advance of your trip to schedule this private tour.
The Little Peek on Florence tour has undergone several “rebrands” over the years and might be brought back into the rotation in the future – I will update this post as I know more!
Option 2: If you’re not interested in (or unable to) join the tour, you can also buy regular Florence Duomo tickets online or in person at the main ticket office at Piazza Duomo 14B. As of March 2022 there are now three new types of combined tickets to visit the monuments of the Florence Duomo: the Brunelleschi Pass which includes all the monuments for 30 Euros (Dome, Bell Tower, Museum, Baptistery, Santa Reparata) and only requires pre-booking of a time slot to access the Cupola; the Giotto Pass which includes all monuments except the Dome for 20 Euros (Bell Tower, Museum, Baptistery, Santa Reparata); and the Ghiberti Pass which includes three monuments for 15 Euros (Museum, Baptistery, Santa Reparata). Time slot bookings are not required for any monuments except for the Dome, and the Cathedral does not require any tickets or reservations. The Cathedral is closed to tourist visits on Sundays and religious celebrations.
I recommend scheduling your Florence Duomo climb and visit to the bell tower on 2 separate days unless you are a glutton for punishment – the stairs are no joke!
Again, you must book your Florence dome climb in advance. Once the online purchase process is complete you will pay and receive an e-mail with your tickets – print the tickets off and bring them with you.
If you are visiting during the peak season (July to October) make sure you purchase your ticket ASAP! It is not uncommon for the Dome climb to be fully booked for days. This photo was taken on a Monday in October 2017 – slots for the Dome climb were fully booked until Thursday! Imagine if you only had 2 days in Florence and the Duomo climb was fully booked – that would be the biggest bummer. Wondering to yourself, “is climbing the Duomo worth it?” Read on for my take on why it pays off to get organized ahead of your trip.
Dress Code for the Duomo
If you’ve visited the Vatican, then you’ll know that proper attire is pretty much non-negotiable – no bare shoulders and short skirts that sit above the knees!
Bring a shawl, scarf or cardigan if you’re planning to wear a tank/spaghetti top so you can cover your shoulders as the Duomo dress code is strict and people do get turned away, especially from the Cathedral and Baptistery. Wear comfortable shoes or sandals for the Dome and Bell Tower climbs, steer clear of flip flops.
Things to Bring to the Duomo
A shawl/scarf to cover bare shoulders, a small bottle of water for the climb and your camera/smartphone.
Duomo Florence Opening Hours
All of the monuments have different opening and closing hours and these may change on different days of the year, so it’s best to check the official website before your visit.
It’s also best to head to the monuments well before their closing time as some don’t permit entry within a certain time frame before closing. The best time to visit the Duomo in Florence is when it opens in the morning, or right before it shuts in the afternoon.
Where to stay around the Duomo complex
I’ve visited Florence a handful of times and these are the hotels that I find myself coming back to. You can also click here for other highly rated hotels near the Duomo in Florence.
Hotel Calzaiuoli is a 2 (yes, TWO!) minute walk away from the Duomo Complex. I’ve now stayed at Hotel Calziuoli a total of 3 times because the staff are extremely friendly and accommodating, rooms are bright, comfortable and spacious, and the breakfast spread was amazing. Click here to book your stay at Hotel Calzaiuoli!
La Tana Dei Leoni is an amazing guesthouse right in front of the Ponte Vecchio. It was an amazing room and great value for money – I would highly recommend this over Hotel Calzaiuoli for anyone with a slightly lower budget! Click here to book your stay at La Tana Dei Leoni!
Agnolo is a 2-bedroom apartment in the Santa Croce district of Florence. The apartment is extremely spacious and offers 2 separate bathrooms as well. The kitchen is well equipped if you want to self cater or keep some wine and food in the fridge, and the bedrooms were very comfortable. Perfect for anyone traveling as a group or with family! Click here to book your stay at Agnolo in Florence!
Planning your perfect trip to Florence? Click here for even more Italy hotel booking tips and recommendations!
What to see at the Duomo in Florence
Got your Duomo tickets sorted? Great! Now it’s time to plan your visit to the monuments of the Duomo complex in Florence. Here are the key places to visit in the Duomo complex.
1. Baptistery of San Giovanni
The Baptistery of San Giovanni is the oldest building in the square, with the original structure dating back to the 4th or 5th century (though it has undergone rebuilding since then).
The octagonal structure is famous for its three sets of large bronze doors with the oldest on the south side depicting the life of John the Baptist, patron saint of Florence.
The layout inside the Baptistery is reminiscent of the Pantheon in Rome, and its domed ceiling is adorned with opulent gilded mosaics dating back to the 13th century.
2. Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fior
Head into the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore, the most famous cathedral in Florence and the third largest church in the world. It was completed in the 15th century and was built on top of an earlier cathedral.
The entire cathedral was once open to the public, but the Opera di Santa Maria del Fiore (the institution that manages the entire complex) soon realized that the marble floors were being damaged by the heavy foot traffic, and visitors were eating and drinking in the cathedral, often casually tossing their trash inside this place of worship. They therefore decided to create a boundary so that visitors could explore and walk along the walls of the cathedral but not in the heart of the cathedral.
Take the time to learn the history and cultural, civic and religious significance of the cathedral and the broader complex, and be regaled with stories of the construction of the cathedral, the dome, the influence and contributions of the Medici family and the attempted assassination of Lorenzo and Giuliano Medici during Sunday mass. Don’t miss the wonderfully intricate frescoes on the interior of the dome depicting the The Last Judgment by Giorgio Vasari and Federico Zuccari which took a total of 11 years to complete. The Cathedral is closed on Sundays.
Did you know that most tourist attractions in Italy have skip-the-line options? Click here for 14 things you should know before you go to Italy!
3. The North Terrace
A little under halfway up on the way towards Brunelleschi’s Dome, there is a set of discreet steel gates to the entrance of the North Terrace. The terraces mainly served as a path for workers who were involved in the maintenance of the Cathedral, and have only been open to visitors since 1985.
The terrace is not usually open to the public unless you join a guided tour which must be pre-booked in advance, and offers panoramic views across Florence as well as unobstructed views of the Dome. I can’t quite explain the feeling of being one of only a handful of people wandering along the terrace, taking in Florence’s skyline and sea of sunset-colored roof tiles – I highly recommend signing up for the guided tour to visit the “secret” Duomo terraces!
4. Brunelleschi’s Dome
After your tour of the North Terrace, you can continue on the long journey up to Brunelleschi’s Dome through narrow and slightly claustrophobic passageways. Is it worth climbing the Duomo in Florence? Yes! Climbing the Duomo in Florence is a must-do – the experience is unique and you are also rewarded with spectacular views across Florence.
There are a total of 463 steps up to the Dome but the stairways are so narrow that many areas are mostly single file, meaning you may have to power through so you don’t keep people behind you waiting, or you might have to squeeze aside and let those heading in the opposite direction pass (and use these precious moments to catch your breath).
The Duomo climb will take you anywhere from 20-40 minutes at a leisurely pace to make your way 91 metres up from ground level. The views from the Florence Duomo climb are out-of-this-world. The 360-degree, panoramic skyline will make you forget about all 463 steps you crawled up to get there.
See? Once you’ve soaked in the skyline and all it has to offer, mentally prepare yourself for the walk back down (jelly legs guaranteed).
What is the best time to climb the Duomo? The O.P.A has done a great job in managing the number of people who climb the Duomo at any given time (remember, reservations are mandatory) so in my humble opinion there is no real “best” time to climb the Duomo. If you’d like to catch the beginning of the sunset (during the summer months) then I’d recommend starting the climb in the late afternoon if you are not on a guided tour.
5. Opera Museum
The Opera Museum re-opened in November 2015 after renovation, and features 6,000 square metres of artwork, statues and reliefs across 28 rooms.
My favorite display? The Galleria della Cupola that houses centuries-old wood models, large modern models and a mini theater playing a short documentary of the history of the Dome. Did you know that when they began construction of the Cathedral, they had no idea how they were going to complete the Dome?
Want amazing views of the Florence skyline? Click here for 8 places to go for the best views of Florence from above!
6. Giotto’s Campanile
Climbing the Duomo in Florence is a must-do, but what many people don’t realize is that there’s more to the complex and other important monuments to visit. After the Dome itself, Giotto’s Bell Tower is probably the second-most recognized monument within the complex and considered the most beautiful campanile in Italy. A mere 7 metres shorter than the Dome, there are 414 steps up to the top and also offers amazing end-to-end views of Florence.
When you are planning your Duomo visit make sure you try to schedule your Duomo climb and entrance to the bell tower on two separate days – there’s no way I would recommend that anyone tackle both the Dome climb and Giotto’s Bell Tower in one day.
You might be thinking to yourself, “is it absolutely necessary to climb the Florence Dome and the Bell Tower?” And I would say yes! Both offer unique experiences, views and are covered by your ticket. There are just a few differences between the two climbs: the Bell Tower passageways are slightly wider, less claustrophobic and less crowded, the climb up is segmented with several landings on the way up where you can stop and rest, and unlike the Dome climb that offers you views around the Dome, the Bell Tower offers you a closer look at the Dome itself.
Just one small thing to note – while the view from the Bell Tower terrace is sublime, it is slightly obstructed by wall-to-wall wire frames.
The best time to climb the Bell Tower is when it opens in the morning because the lines tend to be shorter, but the Dome will be backlit in the summer months. You can also try to line up to climb the Bell Tower before it shuts if you are adamant on getting a perfectly lit shot of Brunelleschi’s Dome.
Want to know where the best viewpoints are in Florence, Italy? Read this article!
7. The Crypt
Inside the Cathedral is a stairway that leads down to the excavated ruins of the ancient cathedral of Santa Reparata, the original and smaller cathedral of Florence. Said to be built in the 5th century AD, the church became unable to host the increasing number of people flocking into its halls to worship, and so the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore was commissioned to be built in its place.
Prego! You have visited all the amazing monuments that make up Florence’s “Duomo Complex”. I hope this guide is able to help you to plan a stress-free and enjoyable visit!
Ready to book your trip to Florence? You’ll want to stay near the Duomo Complex – don’t worry, it’s easy to get around the city on foot. Click here for accommodation options in Florence, Italy!
Where to eat and drink around the Duomo complex
ToscaNino (formerly known as La Terrazza): Would you like a coffee or tea with that view? If so, this alfresco terrace is the place for you. Head into the Rinascente department store at Piazza della Repubblica and take the elevator up to the top floor for a lazy (and crowd-free) afternoon.
Trattoria Le Mossacce: a little hole-in-the-wall with delicious home-cooked Italian fare.
Golden View Open Bar: Slightly more upscale but the view and service can’t be beat. Book ahead and ask for a balcony table for an incredible view of the Ponte Vecchio.
La Posta: Hands down the best bruschetta, penne pomodoro, ravioli rose we had in Florence (we eat almost every meal here, on every single trip). This family-owned restaurant always delivers heartwarming service and outrageously good food.
La Petite: Sister restaurant of La Posta, try their twist on the classic carbonara but with duck instead of bacon!
Casa Del Vin Santo: Beautiful pizza, delicious wine.
Mercato Centrale: Such a fun building to visit! The food court upstairs offers everything from pizza to steak to sushi, and the fresh market downstairs is extremely photogenic and a great place to pick up souvenirs.
da Garibardi: Located right next to Mercato Centrale, da Garibardi serves delicious traditional Italian fare and offers a gluten free menu as well.
La Mรฉnagerรฉ: A beautiful, hip coffee shop offering a wide selection of salads, pastries and sandwiches if you want something light, or a more extensive menu if you want a sit-down lunch/dinner.
Divina Terrazza at the Grand Hotel Cavour: A beautiful rooftop bar located within a swanky hotel – come here for incredible cocktails and views of the Duomo. You must make a reservation in advance and may be asked to leave some form of photo ID with the reception desk downstairs. The reservation fee is 18 Euros per person with one drink included.
Ready to book your stay in Florence? I highly recommend Hotel Calzaiuoli, a luxury hotel in Florence just steps away from the Duomo landmarks. For something more low-key I also enjoyed our stay at La Tana Dei Leoni overlooking the Ponte Vecchio. For those traveling with family and friends look no further than Agnolo, a 2-bedroom apartment in the Santa Croce district. Click here to explore more accommodation options in Florence, Italy!
I hope you found this guide useful in helping you plan your visit to the Duomo in Florence! Don’t forget to read my other Italy-related travel guides if you’re visiting other regions in this beautiful country.
You might also like:
- Need more inspiration to travel to Florence in Italy? Here are 30 Florence travel photos that will make you want to jump on a plane
- Read this guide for where to find the best viewpoints in Florence
- Pisa is a popular day trip destination and can be easily reached by train from Florence in an hour. Here’s my guide to visiting the Piazza del Duomo & Leaning Tower in Pisa
- Siena is another UNESCO-listed city in Tuscany. Here’s my 1 day itinerary for Siena
- Wine lovers should venture outside of Florence to visit Tuscany’s wineries. Here’s how to get a taste of Tuscany in a day
- For even more Italy destination guides and travel tips head on over here
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I have just returned from a trip to Italy. I could have done with reading this before I went – an excellent post!
#flyawayfriday
Maybe it will be useful for your next trip! ๐
I LOVE Florence! I studied abroad there back in 2011 and quickly fell in love with a summer in Tuscany. I hiked up the steps of the Duomo on one of my last days in the city, and the view at the top was so worth it. So glad you got to visit your namesake city, ha! ๐ #flyawayfriday
Thanks Mimi! I can’t seem to stay away from Firenze now ๐
Great post Flo! I was in Florence once, 7-8 years ago! reading this post made me realize: “Itยดs time to go back there!” :-*
Thanks so much for taking the time to read, Anna! ๐ Let me know when you make it back!
This comes in very handy, since we are going to Italy in October. Have made a note of your post for reference. Can you give some more eating suggestions for Florence, please?? In other areas. Also, can you a suggest a good food walk?
Hey Punita, definitely try La Petite and La Posta! Have fun! I didn’t go on a food tour so am not able to give a recommendation, I imagine you will have a blast though!
Awesome pictures
Cheers Stacey!
What a detailed post. Very good! I am into doing research and buying tickets before arriving into a destination. I do not want to spend time of my trip making plans, getting in lines and trying to figure out things. I have been to Florence but didn’t have time to ascend tot he Duomo or Campanile.
Thanks for reading, Ruth! I did a lot of research because I had heard the lines are outrageous. Hope this guide is helpful for the next time you visit Florence!
Stunning photos – I loved visiting Florence, although it rained most of the time we were there! Tanks for the tips, I will use this post the next time I visit!
Thanks so much for reading, Abbi! Florence is definitely one of those places you can visit over and over again – have fun!
I’ve climbed many church and town hall towers in Europe and I agree that you shouldn’t do more than one a day! Aside from the climbing, was there a lot of walking during the tour? I’m not familiar with the area or how spread out that place may be.
Not too much, Ava! Tons of interesting information about how the Duomo was the center of everyday life for the people of Florence. All the monuments are very close to each other in one complex.
Looks incredible! Florence is definitely one of those places that is on my bucket list… and I am hoping to get there next year. I love your tips for making the most out of visiting Duomo. I think the tour you joined would suit me really well – plus to skip horrendous long likes would be awesome.
It is SUCH an awesome city – be sure to check out my other post on the best viewpoints in Florence! And definitely book yourself on the tour – the guide we had was AMAZING.
I love Florence and your pictures did the city justice! I love that map too by the way! Great post ๐
Thank you for this informative post about the Duomo Complex. I have been to Florence but I didn’t have enough time to visit everything, I just went inside the Duome and that was it.
Thanks for reading, Joanna! The whole complex is so amazing and well organized – I would go as far to say that it’s better organized than some of the monuments in Rome!
I want to gooooo! This article is seriously so useful – so many great tips!
Thanks for reading, Courtney! ๐ I was so blown away by Florence – definitely visit if you get the chance!
Great post! I could’ve done with this when I went there! Your photographs are beautiful too, definitely do Florence justice!
Thanks so much Becca! The place is just breathtaking!
Florence is without a doubt one of my fave cities in Europe, and one I have been able to visit on several occasions. There is something about standing up at Michelangelo Square and looking down on the terracotta coloured roofs. The Duomo is also gorgeous and you’ve provided really great detail to get the most out of a visit.
Thanks so much, Kerri! Totally agree – it’s definitely become one of my favorite cities in the whole of Europe!
This is fab and your photos are beautiful… I will visit one day! When I’m back over that side of the world ๐
Yes, you absolutely must! ๐ Thank you for reading!
Ahh Florence is definitely on my list! Everything looks so gorgeous! Thanks for sharing ๐
I loved it! It’s a fabulous city to visit, I could have spent a month there. Thanks for reading ๐
Bookmarked your page for when I finally make the trip to Florence! The photos are stunning and everywhere just looks so grand ๐
Thanks lovely! Feel free to get in touch if you want any other recommendations for Florence ๐
This is nice:-) i hope to make it to Florence one day. nice input.
Thanks Rosi! Florence is absolutely beautiful and everyone is very welcoming – highly recommended!
What a great guide to the Duomo! Florence truly is magical ๐ Thanks for sharing!
Thanks for reading, Jessica!
The architecture is simply stunning! Those are such great photos. I now have this on my list of places to visit!
It’s such a beautiful city! Definitely add it to you list of travel destinations ๐