Planning to cross the Florence Cathedral off of your bucket list? Then you’re in the right place! Visiting the Cattedrale di Santa Maria del Fiore is one of the best things you can do for yourself, especially if you love Renaissance. With an average of 4.5 million visitors per year, I’m here to help you get your tickets, avoid common mistakes, and prepare for the smoothest experience!
Famously nicknamed the Florence Duomo or Florence Cathedral, this is the third-largest church in the world and nothing short of a Renaissance masterpiece. This wonder is part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site that is the Historic Centre of Florence, Italy.
The Cattedrale di Santa Maria del Fiore dates back to the late 13th century, with its construction ending in the early 15th century. Why is the Florence Cathedral famous? There simply isn’t anything else quite like it. The façade, for starters, is personally one of the most breathtaking works of art. When you visit the Duomo, you will understand.😍
Keep reading to discover the ESSENTIAL Florence Duomo tips, including dress code and climbing the Florence Duomo, and everything you need to know!
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Here are the 16 Essential Florence Duomo Visit Tips👇
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1. Know the Different Parts That Make Up the Florence Duomo
The Cattedrale di Santa Maria del Fiore is made up of several parts: the Brunelleschi Dome, the Cathedral, the Belltower of Giotto, and the Baptistery of St. John.
The Cathedral is the area that has free entrance – for which I recommend lining up at 9:45, 30 minutes before it opens. Personally, the Cathedral is pretty empty on the inside, until you reach the end and can admire the Brunelleschi Dome’s spectacular ceiling.😍
The Brunelleschi Dome is the main wonder of Florence and one of the largest domes in the world. With 463 steps to climb, visiting the Brunelleschi Dome is not for the faint of heart – but can certainly be worth it as you get to admire this work of art from up close, and enjoy spectacular views over Florence.
As mentioned above, you can see the Dome’s art from inside the Cathedral – so if you aren’t able to climb it, for whichever reason, don’t worry!
The Giotto’s Belltower offers beautiful views over Florence, for the “easy-breezy” price of 414 steps. 👇
The Baptistery of St. John is an octagonal masterpiece, adorned with intricate marble panels, gold, and a beautiful dome. St. John, to whom the baptistery is dedicated to, is the patron saint of the city. 👇
2. Do You Need to Book in Advance?
If you’re planning to climb the Brunelleschi Dome… YES YOU DO!
With millions of visitors each year, buying tickets in advance for the Brunelleschi Dome is simply a must. Especially if you’re planning to visit in the summer, you may need to book at least ONE month in advance!
Important Note. I’ve recently noticed that on Get Your Guide you are able to book your tickets months in advance, while the OFFICIAL site only allows booking one month in advance. By booking through the official site, you will get the BEST deal as the Brunelleschi Pass is 30 euros for adults and 12 euros for 7-14 year olds.
If you don’t mind about the higher prices and want to book your tickets ASAP, then you can get your entry tickets here.👇
When you book the Brunelleschi Dome Pass/Entry Tickets, you have access to all the other buildings too – including the Belltower of Giotto and the Baptistery of St. John. If you can’t visit the Brunelleschi Dome, but still want to visit the other sites, there are different entry tickets and they do not need as much of an advanced booking.
3. How to buy the Duomo tickets
The best way to buy the entry tickets is directly on the Opera di Santa Maria del Fiore site, which offers 3 different passes. By getting your entry ticket bundles directly, you will get the best deal. If you are looking to climb the Dome, the Brunelleschi Pass is the pass for you!
However, if you are interested in tickets that offer skip-the-line, or guided tours, the best way is through Get Your Guide’s experiences. Check out these highly-rated experiences and see which one is the best for you!👇
4. Best Time to Visit the Florence Cathedral
The Florence Duomo opens at 10:15. The best time to line up is at 9:45, 30 minutes before the doors open. At 9:45 there will already be a line of people, but it goes by quickly when the doors open and is nothing compared to the lines later in the day.
If you line up later in the day, the longer lines will not be the only cons. The additional consequence will be the sun hitting right above you, something no one wants.
5. What is the Dress Code for the Duomo?
To be able to enter the various sites of the Duomo Complex, everyone must follow the dress code. Being a strict dress code, you will quickly be denied entrance if you show up with bare legs and shoulders, wearing sandals or hats (this you can simply remove).
When it comes to summer weather, for what I’ve personally seen, as long as your pants or skirts are knee, or below knee length, you should be fine. However, if you are wearing crop tops, shoulder or chest-revealing tops, you will need to cover up.
As long as you have a large scarf to cover yourself with, you will be allowed to enter. If you forget the scarf, don’t worry – there are various stores and stands that sell them for cheap.
6. Bring a Fully Charged Phone/Camera
It’s not a possibility… it’s a fact that you will be taking an infinite amount of pictures and videos – trust me.📸
Make sure your phone and/or camera are fully charged. If you don’t have one already, I highly recommend purchasing a Belkin power bank and bringing it with you (fully charged). This is one of my many travel essentials and I cannot recommend it enough!
7. Wear Comfy Shoes
This can serve as a general tip for traveling in Florence, but PLEASE… make sure to wear comfy shoes!
This is especially important if you are visiting the Brunelleschi Dome and/or the Belltower of Giotto. The two sites have well over 400 steps to climb – making it crucial to stay comfy and have closed-toe shoes.
8. Eat Well and Hydrate Before Your Visit
As mentioned above, the Brunelleschi Dome and the Belltower of Giotto involve A LOT of physical work. Make sure to stay hydrated and eat well before your visit, this will allow you to enjoy the sites to their fullest.
Where should you have breakfast? Ala Grande Café or Shake Café. 8 minutes away from the Duomo, Ala Grande Caffè is the perfect spot for a hearty breakfast and delicious drinks. Here you will find everything from pancakes to omelets and pastries. If you prefer smoothies and juices, Shake Café is the perfect place for you!
If you are visiting the Florence Duomo complex later in the day, here are the must-eats of Florence Food! My only tip, if you’re planning to climb the tower or the dome, is to eat something on the lighter side, to avoid feeling sick! Some great options for lunch, pre-400+ stairs, are the Lampredotto, Schiacciata, and Pappardelle.
Check out the 10 Best Restaurants in Gluten Free Florence – including GF Schiacciata!😍
If you are not planning to climb the Brunelleschi Dome or the Giotto’s Belltower, the (lunch) world is your oyster!💃
9. Learn About the Duomo Before Your Visit
By learning about the Cattedrale di Santa Maria del Fiore before visiting, you will be able to appreciate the wonder that it is even more. This cathedral is the third-largest church in the world, and its construction began in the late 13th century.
The iconic dome, by Filippo Brunelleschi, is the largest masonry dome in the world – but that’s the least interesting thing about it. The Brunelleschi Dome is a wonder for many reasons. For starters, Filippo Brunelleschi had no architectural training. Second, he won the contest to become the Dome’s architect by impressing the judges with a seemingly simple gesture… making an egg stand upright on a table.😅
This fact will either blow your mind when you see the Dome or will make you rethink your tickets. Let me know in the comments how you feel about it.😂
10. Slow down and take it all in
My most important advice for visiting the Duomo and for traveling in general: SLOW DOWN AND TAKE IT ALL IN! It happens to the best of us to mainly focus on seeing everything and doing so at a fast pace. Instead of simply taking pictures and moving on – take a moment to be off your phone and simply wonder. Look at the TINY details, that make up the magical big picture. The small details will give you a deeper appreciation of the Italian’s stupendous Renaissance architecture.
11. Bring Your Documents!
Always bring some form of documentation with you. For the Florence Duomo Complex, international visitors are required to provide their visa and passport details.
12. Explore the rest of the city for context
The Florence Duomo is part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Historic Centre of Florence. Walk around the historic center to take in all of Florence’s magic and absurdly beautiful Renaissance architecture.
13. Guide or No Guide: Can you visit without a guide?
To get a guide, or to not get a guide… That is the question. The answer will be based on what you want to get out of the experience.
When you visit without a guide, you are able to go at your own pace and stop to truly admire what’s in front of you, and you are also free from any group your guide might be leading. However, if you are looking to dive deeper into the history and learn more about the Duomo – a guide would be able to give you insights that deepen your understanding and appreciation.
This is why I mention, in Tip #9, the importance of reading about the Florence Duomo Complex pre-visit for a deeper appreciation – should you choose to not visit with a guide, or audio guide.
If you want a tour, without the crowds and be able to ask 1-on-1 questions, than this highly-rated, Private Florence Duomo Tour is the perfect option for you!👇
If you want to go on a guided group tour, but want a more economical experience and the opportunity to meet other people, then this Group Tour is a great option!👇
14. Make the Florence Duomo the Event of the Day
If you are planning to visit all, or most, of the sites of the Cattedrale di Santa Maria del Fiore, make this the day’s main event.
Why? Because it will be a physically draining experience, but a wonderful one nonetheless. I recommend spending the morning exploring the Florence Duomo complex and spending the rest of the day simply strolling around the city. By doing so, you will be able to take everything in and appreciate all the sites you’ve visited.
15. Put your Patience Pants on
With an average of 4.5 million visitors a day, the Florence Duomo complex is always busy and full of admirers. From long lines to everyone trying to get their perfect picture, it’s easy for people to quickly lose their patience – especially on warmer days.
Plus, if you are climbing the Dome or the Bell Tower, you will feel tired and possibly impatient with all the stairs to climb.
In other words, things may get overwhelming – so make sure to remind yourself to be patient and most importantly, be present!❤️
16. How to get to the Florence Duomo & Correct Entrance
The Florence Cathedral is a short, 10-minute walk from the Santa Maria Novella train station.
While the Cathedral is easy to get to, it’s important for you to know that depending on the site you are seeing, you will be lining up at different entrances! When you have your tickets, make sure to read all the instructions they provide you with.
Florence Duomo FAQs
Are backpacks allowed in the Duomo Florence?
If you’re climbing the Brunelleschi Dome or the Bell Tower, you will need to place your backpack in a luggage storage. If you’re visiting the Cathedral, you should have no problems with a backpack.
Is it free to climb the Duomo in Florence?
No, the only place in the complex with free entry is the Cathedral. To climb the Duomo you will need to book your tickets at least one month in advance!
Is Brunelleschi’s dome the same as Duomo?
Yes, Dome means Duomo in Italian – so when people mention Brunelleschi Dome or Duomo they are referring to the same place. Something I’ve noticed is that everyone calls the complex the Florence Cathedral or Florence Duomo. So just keep in mind, from my first tip, that there are different buildings besides the Cathedral and the Dome.
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For free information, here additional posts that will help you out with your upcoming Florence and travels!👇
- One day in Florence Itinerary
- Two days in Florence Itinerary
- 22 BEST Things to Do in Florence
- 26 Unusual Things to Do & Hidden Gems in Florence
- Florence Food: All the Must-Eats and Everything to Know
- One Day Trip to Florence from Rome
- Day Trip from Florence to Pisa: Everything You Need to Know
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Which of these tips did you find most helpful, or surprising? Let me know in the comments!
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