Magnificient, multi-colored, and imposing, the dramatic Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore (or Duomo di Firenze) deserves its status as one of the most iconic buildings in Italy–but in order to get the most out of visiting the Duomo in Florence, you’ll need to do more than simply step inside!
Thanks to the many things to do in and around the cathedral, visiting Florence’s Duomo can be an all-day or even multi-day affair.
In fact, when visiting Florence, you’ll notice that the area surrounding the cathedral is referred to as the Duomo Complex, thanks to its numerous sightseeing points.
I’ve lost track of how many times I’ve visited the Duomo at this point–if you count strolling around the outside, it’s definitely over 50–and continue to be fascinated by this extraordinary building.
Whether you have one day in Florence or several, here’s how to make the most of your time at the Duomo Complex!
Table of Contents
- A (Very) Brief History of the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore
- Do you need a tour to visit Florence’s Duomo?
-
The Best Things to Do at the Duomo Complex in Florence
- Circle around Santa Maria del Fiore on the ground level.
- Step inside the cathedral.
- Admire the baptistery (inside and out!).
- Climb Giotto’s Bell Tower.
- Enjoy the view from the exclusive Duomo Terraces.
- Climb to the top of the cupola.
- Explore the Museo dell’Opera del Duomo.
- Visit the Crypt of Santa Reparata.
- Spot the secret bull statue.
- A Quick Overview of Duomo Ticket Levels
-
Essential Tips for Visiting the Duomo in Florence, Italy
- Plan ahead, especially if you want to climb the cupola.
- Dress appropriately for touring the church.
- If you visit the Duomo independently, be sure to still book your tickets online.
- … But if you need to buy them on-site, you can.
- Admire views of the cathedral from a distance–it’s worth the effort.
- You don’t have to see everything in one day.
- Don’t bring large bags to the Duomo, especially if you’re going to complete a climb.
- Go early… or late.
- Read More About Visiting Florence (+ Tuscany)
A (Very) Brief History of the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore
In 1296, ground broke on the new Gothic-style cathedral that was to be built in the center of Florence… and in 1436, a whopping 140 years later, it was consecrated and considered complete.
Today, the famous Florence Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore is considered one of the defining pieces of Renaissance architecture–because, as it turns out, styles can change in almost a century and a half.
But that is far from the full story!
When ground broke on the cathedral, no one actually knew how to complete a dome as large as the Duomo’s, especially without using the flying buttresses that were so iconic in Gothic architecture (see Milan’s Duomo for a great example of these).
The cathedral stood, incomplete and without a dome, for more than 100 years before a contest was held in 1418 to allow architects to compete for the chance to complete it.
Filippo Brunelleschi won and pulled off an engineering marvel (I highly recommend the book Brunelleschi’s Dome if you’re interested in the full story–it’s compelling!).
While the cathedral was considered complete in 1436 as it was consecrated ground past that point, it took until the 19th century for every last piece of the intricate marble exterior (with marble sourced from Carrara, Prato, and more) to be finished.
Do you need a tour to visit Florence’s Duomo?
A tour isn’t required to visit the Duomo in Florence, but if you want historical context and/or to climb to the top of the cupola, it definitely helps to have a guide!
In the fall of 2024, I splurged on this exclusive Alone in the Duomo Tour with Walks in order to climb Brunelleschi’s Dome without the crowds, and it was an incredible experience (it also includes a multi-day ticket to visit the rest of the Duomo Complex at your leisure).
If you’re looking for a more affordable option, this popular tour is a great way to gain context for your visit to the Duomo and you can upgrade your ticket to get access to all of the Duomo Complex sites.
If you’d prefer a longer tour that also encompasses the Galleria dell’Accademia, where the statue of David is located, you can’t beat this extremely well-reviewed tour.
As you’re planning your visit to the Duomo Complex, keep in mind that climbing to the top of the cupola/dome is by far the most competitive part of the visit, and visiting needs to be reserved in advance.
If you have your heart set on summiting those 463 steps, planning ahead is a must!
Book the Duomo Complex tour that I loved today!
Prefer to visit independently? You can shop 3 different levels of Duomo tickets here!
The Best Things to Do at the Duomo Complex in Florence
Circle around Santa Maria del Fiore on the ground level.
Before doing anything else when arriving at the Duomo Complex, take a moment to fully encircle the Piazza di San Giovanni (on the far side of the baptistery) and the Piazza del Duomo (which surrounds the Cathedral).
The building is gorgeous from every side, and strolling around the exterior is an excellent way to start appreciating just how massive it is!
It’ll also give you a chance to get your bearings and see where different monuments are located, from the baptistery right in front of the cathedral to the entrance to the cupola climb on the north side.
While the cafes and restaurants lining the edge of the piazza are–unsurprisingly–not generally known for their affordable prices or mind-blowing cuisine, there’s no denying that they have one of the most scenic views in town if you’d like to enjoy a drink.
Gelateria Edoardo, located on the corner of the piazza, is delicious and is a great place to grab a cone to stroll around the cathedral with!
Step inside the cathedral.
The interior of the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore is the only part of the Duomo Complex in Florence that is free to visit (other than enjoying the exterior, of course).
As a result, lines get very long, so consider arriving first thing in the morning (the cathedral typically opens at 10:00 AM).
Keep in mind that the interior of the cathedral is surprisingly empty (though the inlaid marble floor and the interior of the dome are showstoppers).
This is due in part to the fact that much of art and many of the artifacts from the Duomo were moved after the devastating flood of 1966, primarily to the Opera dell Duomo Museum (more on that below).
Admire the baptistery (inside and out!).
Constructed in the 11th century, the Baptistery of Saint John–often simply referred to as the Baptistery–is both older and arguably more ornate than the cathedral located next door to it.
The mosaic gold ceiling of the octagonal building is an absolute marvel, and it alone is worth stepping inside the Baptistery for!
The exterior, though, might be even more famous.
The Baptistery features 3 different sets of golden, sculpted doors, the most famous of which are the “Gates of Paradise”, carved by Lorenze Ghiberti and named by Michelangelo.
The Gates of Paradise face the front of the Duomo–or their replicas do, anyway!
The replicas seen on the Baptistery today are magnificent, but if you want to admire the originals, head over to the Museo dell’Opera del Duomo–more on that in a bit.
Climb Giotto’s Bell Tower.
Built between 1334 and 1359, 3 talented architects are responsible for the stunning bell tower (or campanile) that accompanies the Florence Duomo–but the first to work on it, Giotto, gets top billing in the name.
If you hope to climb Brunelleschi’s Dome, you may wonder if it’s worth ascending the 414 steps up the bell tower, too!
While that depends on how much you love views and how much time you have to enjoy Florence, the view waiting at the top of Giotto’s Bell Tower is definitely worth the climb.
The view from the campanile offers absolutely magnificent views of the cupola itself, something not as easily admired from the top of the dome, as well as the rest of the Piazza del Duomo (including the Baptistery) and Florence.
It’s a magnificent view, and we absolutely loved the experience!
One downside, though is that caging around the bell tower blocks the view a bit–while it is stunning and well worth seeing (especially to appreciate the dome up close), don’t plan on getting any good pictures of yourself from there.
Enjoy the view from the exclusive Duomo Terraces.
Looking for one of the most unique views when visiting the Florence Duomo?
Try the Duomo Terraces!
These mid-level terraces are situated below the cupola, and can only be accessed via tour, not an independent visit.
This wonderful tour that I took included access to them, and visiting was a dreamy experience.
Only our group was on the terrace, and it was simultaneously peaceful and exhilarating to be so close to the dome and yet so far from the crowds.
If you’re looking forward to visiting the Duomo in Florence, the terraces alone are a good reason to consider booking a tour that includes them as opposed to visiting independently.
Book a Duomo tour that includes a visit to the terraces today!
Climb to the top of the cupola.
Of all the things to do at the Duomo in Florence, this is by far the most iconic–and also the most competitive ticket to get.
The cupola, the dome, Brunelleschi’s Dome… whatever you call it, ascending the 463 steps to the top of the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore is an unforgettable experience.
The stairs you climb were originally used by construction workers, so expect tight spaces and quite a bit of exercise along the way!
Once you get there, though, the view from the top is sublime.
If you want to climb the cupola during your Duomo visit, though, you’ll need to plan ahead: tickets virtually always sell out in advance.
Booking a tour like this is often a convenient way to get around sold-out tickets, as tour companies often have a pre-booked number of slots already available to them.
Alternatively, you can splurge on the Alone in the Duomo After Hours tour that I took, which was sublime, but definitely a bit pricier than a more standard daytime tour!
Explore the Museo dell’Opera del Duomo.
The Museo dell’Opera del Duomo–or to keep it simple, the Duomo Museum–is located directly behind the cathedral in the Piazza del Duomo.
If you have time, it’s well worth a visit.
This is where you’ll find the original doors to the Baptistery, as well as lots of intricate art.
You’ll also find an entire display on the building of the cupola, complete with some construction equipment dating back to the 1400s!
If you’re planning to climb the cupola during your trip to Florence, visiting the museum before you do will give you incredible context for the rest of your visit.
It took us several visits to Florence before we got around to visiting the Duomo Museum, and honestly, we should have gone sooner–it’s included with most Duomo Complex tickets, and it’s worth a visit!
Visit the Crypt of Santa Reparata.
During your time visiting the Florence Duomo, you’ll likely hear that the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore was built on the site of an earlier church.
Well, Santa Reparata was that church, and today you can visit it in its original location… right underneath the Duomo.
You’ll also find artifacts of even earlier Christian worship in the Crypt of Santa Reparata, not to mention many original mosaic floors!
And, if you want to visit, here’s a hint for limiting your time spent waiting in line in Florence: the line to enter the Crypt of Santa Reparata is on the south side of the Cathedral, near the bell tower, and it tends to be much shorter than the “free” line to access the interior of the Duomo that wraps around the west and (usually) north sides of the building.
You’ll have your ticket checked to get in… but once you’re in, you have access to both Santa Reparata and the Duomo itself.
The flip side of this advantage is if you want to visit Santa Reparata and enter the Duomo without a ticket, you’re out of luck–you can’t purchase tickets inside the building.
If you still want to see the basement, though, the (somewhat understated) tomb of Filippo Brunelleschi and a small gift shop are also downstairs, and those aren’t behind the ticketed turnstiles.
Spot the secret bull statue.
If you are standing in line to climb the cupola of Florenceโs Duomo on the north side of the building (or if you just walk by the line), youโll be able to look up and spot an unusual sight.
Underneath the dome, among the many carvings, one sticks out more than the rest: a bull.
No one is quite sure why this bull was carved into the third-largest cathedral in the world.
Rumor has it that it may have been either a tribute to the working animals who contributed to the building of the Duomo, or an act of petty revenge by a spurned loverโpersonally, I find the second theory more entertaining!
A Quick Overview of Duomo Ticket Levels
Know that you don’t want to take a tour, but not sure which Duomo ticket is for you?
After checking out the list of things to do at the Duomo in Florence above, you’ll want to start by narrowing down what’s important to you–in particular, whether you want to climb the cupola, bell tower, both, or neither (here’s our guide on choosing between the dome and bell tower).
If you only want to visit the ground-level attractions, a Ghiberti Pass is right for you.
If you want to climb only the bell tower, a Giotto Pass covers what you need (though note you’ll need to choose a timed reservation for climbing the bell tower).
If you want to climb the cupola, you’ll want to buy the Brunelleschi Pass (with this pass, you’ll need a timed reservation for climbing the dome–but the bell tower is also included and you don’t need a timed reservation for the bell tower with the Brunelleschi Pass).
As I mentioned above, the Brunelleschi Pass is the one that often sells out in advance, so if you have your heart set on climbing the Duomo and you’re booking at the last minute, tours like this can come in handy (and are lots of fun!).
Essential Tips for Visiting the Duomo in Florence, Italy
Plan ahead, especially if you want to climb the cupola.
Climbing Brunelleschi’s Dome is one of the most sought-after attractions in Florence, and its popularity combined with the small, tight spaces (at some points you’re climbing in between the two domes that make up the construction) at the top means that it often sells out far in advance!
If you are hoping to climb the dome, plan as far in advance as you can commit to dates.
Hoping to nab last-minute tickets?
Booking a tour like this is often a convenient way to get around sold-out tickets, as tour companies often have a pre-booked number of slots already available to them.
Dress appropriately for touring the church.
Visiting the Duomo in Florence requires following the standard rules for visiting churches in Italy: no shoulders, cleavage, or shorts (men’s shorts that reach almost to the knee are usually fine, but nothing shorter).
If you’re visiting Italy during the summer, consider keeping a light scarf like this in your day bag so you can always be ready to duck inside a church if you would like.
Don’t worry if you forget, though–there will be approximately 82 salesmen in and around the Piazza del Duomo happy to sell you one if needed.
If you visit the Duomo independently, be sure to still book your tickets online.
Don’t want to book a tour?
We highly recommend still purchasing your tickets online, as the on-site office is both a bit hard to spot (you can’t buy tickets at any of the Duomo Complex sites themselves) and can have long lines.
When visiting the Duomo independently, you can choose from several levels of tickets depending on which places you would like to visit.
Bear in mind that the cupola often sells out well in advance, and always requires a reserved time slot to visit.
If you’d like to visit the other Duomo Complex sites independently but are hoping to score a last-minute ticket to the cupola, this skip-the-line ticket is an excellent option.
… But if you need to buy them on-site, you can.
If you need to buy Duomo tickets in Florence and don’t want to do it online, the office to purchase them is located on the south side of the Piazza del Duomo, on the side of the building where the bell tower is located.
Stand on the south side, toward the center of the building, and look directly across the street.
From there, you’ll see the ticket office in front of you (pictured below).
As of the time of updating this post, the office is (still) not marked on Google Maps.
Admire views of the cathedral from a distance–it’s worth the effort.
The Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore dominates the skyline of Florence, and no trip to the city is complete without admiring it from several angles!
While the views from Brunelleschi’s Dome and Giotto’s Bell Tower are magnificent, in order to fully appreciate the sight of the Duomo erupting from the center of Florence, you need a bit more distance.
Piazzale Michelangelo, the Boboli Gardens, and San Miniato al Monte are some of the most popular places to admire the Duomo, and they all have gorgeous views!
I’m also partial to the view from the Arnolfo Tower at the Palazzo Vecchio, where you can get a gorgeous side view of the Duomo (pictured below).
You don’t have to see everything in one day.
Duomo tickets to the complex sites come in multiple levels, depending on which attractions you want to visit.
All of them, however, include 3 calendar days from the first usage in order to visit the Duomo Complex.
If you’d prefer to, say, visit the baptistery one day and the museum the next, that’s completely fine–and I’d say that it’s probably the rare visitor who wants to climb both the dome and the bell tower in a single day!
If you book a tour, make sure that it includes access to all of the Duomo attractions (like this one) rather than just the noted attractions if you’d like to explore the other sites independently.
Don’t bring large bags to the Duomo, especially if you’re going to complete a climb.
If you need to check them, there’s a cloakroom at the Duomo Museum that you can use.
Keep in mind, though, that the cloakroom keeps the same hours as the museum, so make sure you pick up your bag in time if you’re planning, say, an evening climb up the bell tower.
Go early… or late.
Lines to enter the various things to do at the Duomo in Florence, especially at the cathedral itself, can get very long.
Plan to go early to beat the crowds… or alternatively, go around closing time!
The first time we climbed Giotto’s Bell Tower, we turned back from the long afternoon line and returned in the evening.
As a result, we walked right in and got to enjoy a stunning evening admiring the Duomo in Florence!
Read More About Visiting Florence (+ Tuscany)
If you found this blog post useful, we’d love to keep helping you plan your trip to Tuscany!
You can browse our 100+ Italy blog posts here, or check out these guides:
- How to Enjoy 3 Days in Tuscany: Itinerary Ideas With or Without a Car!
- 21 Best Day Trips from Florence (+ Detailed Travel Advice)
- Is Climbing the Leaning Tower of Pisa Actually Worth It?
- Spring in Tuscany: Things to Do + What to Expect When Visiting!
- 75 Fantastic Things to Do in Florence, Italy
Bravo. Excellent. We are going again this fall, can’t wait.
Thank you…great information..for 1st timers and even if you even before.
Thank you for the helpful info!
Happy to help! ๐