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Laura Dolci Travels
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Destination Tips , Destinations , Italy , Pick What You Need · November 24, 2023
How To Visit The Florence Duomo: 15 ESSENTIAL Tips
Visiting the Cattedrale di Santa Maria del Fiore is one of the best things you can do for yourself, especially if you love Renaissance. Famously nicknamed the Florence Duomo or Florence Cathedral, this is the third-largest church in the world. 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.😍
If you are planning to visit the Florence Duomo, this is important information! Keep reading to discover the ESSENTIAL tips for visiting the Florence Duomo and everything you need to know!
Disclaimer : This post has affiliate links that can help me earn a small commission, at no extra cost to you. If you click through and purchase with these links, thank you in advance for the extra support .💖😊
Table of Contents
Here are the 15 Essential Florence Duomo Visit Tips👇
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 – This is the area that has free entrance. The Cathedral allows you to see the marvelous Brunelleschi Dome’s ceiling.
- The Brunelleschi Dome – This ticket allows you to go to the top of the Dome and see the work of art from up close, and beautiful views over Florence. As wonderful as that sounds, it is not for the faint of heart. To get up there, there is a stair of 463 steps. *Que “It’s the Climb” by Hannah Montana*. As mentioned above, you can see the spectacular Dome from inside the Cathedral for FREE (these are the views).👇😍
- The Giotto’s Belltower – Similarly to the Brunelleschi Dome, the Giotto’s Belltower offers beautiful views over Florence, for the “easy-breezy” price of 413 steps. 👇
- The Baptistery of St. John – This is an octagonal masterpiece, adorned with intricate marble panels, gold, and a beautiful dome. This baptistery is dedicated to St. John, 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 2 months in advance – even three!
The Belltower of Giotto and the Baptistery of St. John do not need as much of an advanced booking. However, if you are planning to visit every site you may as well get a bundle pass!
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!👇
3. 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.
4. What is the Dress Code for the Duomo?
Women and girls need to follow the Florence Cathedral’s dress code, or they will not be allowed to enter. The dress code does not allow crop tops, short skirts, or sleeve-less/shoulder-showing tops.
If you visit Florence during the summer, don’t worry! As long as you have a large scarf to cover yourself with, you will be allowed to enter. If you forget the scarf, there are various stores and stands that sell them for cheap.
5. 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). Power banks are a traveler’s best friend.
6. Wear Comfy Shoes
This can serve as a general tip for traveling in Florence, but PLEASE… make sure to wear comfy shoes if you are visiting the Brunelleschi Dome and 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.
7. 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 ! Are you planning to climb the tower or the dome? If you are, I recommend eating something not too hearty, as you want to avoid feeling sick! Some great options for lunch, pre-400-stairs, are the Lampredotto , Schiacciata , and Pappardelle !
If you are not planning to climb the Brunelleschi Dome or the Giotto’s Belltower, the (lunch) world is your oyster!
8. 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.😂
9. 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.
10. 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.
11. 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.
12. 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. Here are the options you have:
Visit the Without a Guide – If you want to focus more on the small details and simply wander around – this is the best option for you. Note: This is why I wrote Tip #8 – I think it’s important to learn about the Cathedral pre-visit for a deeper appreciation but is not necessary to have an audio guide throughout the visit. Get yourself the dream entry ticket – fast-track! 👇
If you are not interested in a skip-the-line, get your tickets directly here .
Private Florence Duomo Tour – This is the perfect option if you want to have a one-on-one/small group tour, where you can ask all your questions. Here is a highly-rated Get Your Guide experience that includes skip-the-line tickets.
Group Tour – This is a great option if you want a more economical tour and the opportunity to meet other people. Check out this highly-rated group tour!👇
13. 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 strolling around the city. By doing so, you will be able to take everything in and appreciate all the sites you’ve visited.
14. Put your Patience Pants on
Depending on the time of the day, you may find some longer lines – especially for the Cathedral as it has free entrance. Aside from the long lines, there could be many people – most of whom will want to get their perfect pictures. In addition, if you are climbing the Dome or the Belltower of Giotto, it will be easy to feel tired and impatient with all the stairs. Long story short, things may get overwhelming – so make sure to remind yourself to be patient and be present!❤️
15. 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.
Want more help with your travels? Check out my services!
One of the main reasons I became I travel blogger is my love and passion for helping others experience the best of their destination. I offer three services on Thatch: Customized Itineraries , Customized Recommendations , and Consultation Calls .
If you want extra help on your Florence, or Italy travels, check out my Thatch page and book my services!
Learn More About Florence
To prepare further for your upcoming Florence travels, check out these blog posts!👇
- One day in Florence Itinerary
- Two days in Florence Itinerary
- Florence Food: All the Must-Eats and Everything to Know
- Day Trip from Florence to Pisa: Everything You Need to Know
I have to ask…
Which of these tips did you find most helpful, or surprising? Let me know in the comments!
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