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Travel bucket list idea:

Last updated: 24 June, 2023
Expert travel writer: Nicky Swallow

Completed in 1436, this multi-colored marble megalith is crowned with one of the marvels of the Renaissance world; Brunelleschi’s vast double-shelled dome – built without scaffolding – was a breathtaking feat of engineering.

If time is short, skip the cathedral’s barn-like interior and visit the dome (463 steps) and Giotto’s magnificent bell tower (414 steps).

While you’re there

Head across the road to the Cathedral Works Museum to see Michelangelo’s Pietà along with sculptures from the Duomo’s façade and the original bronze doors of the Baptistery.

The octagonal, Romanesque Baptistry is thought to date from the Dark Ages making it one of the oldest buildings in the city. It’s famous for its three sets of ornate bronze doors made by Andrea Pisano and Lorenzo Ghiberti: the originals are in the Cathedral Works Museum.

Price from: £16
Minimum age: Any
Age suitable: 18+
When: All year around

Getting there & doing it

The Duomo is a 10-minute walk from Santa Maria Novella train station.

To circumvent the inevitable long queues, book a tour (group or individual), or you can book to see different combinations of the buildings you’re interested in (museum, dome, bell tower, baptistery and the crypt of Santa Reparata). There are also audio guides available at an audio guides desk inside the cathedral.

When to do it

The cathedral is open all year round, seven days a week. Different elements open at different times of the day. If you’re pre-booking, go in the early morning or early evening when views are at their most spectacular.

Our selection of the best Viator tours of this attraction or activity

Best of Florence: Small Group Tour Skip-the-Line David & Accademia with Duomo

Florence

Best of Florence: Small Group Tour Skip-the-Line David & Accademia with Duomo
Experience the Tuscan capital's top attractions on a small-group walking tour through Florence. Begin with skip-the-line access to view Michelangelo's 'David' in the Accademia Gallery, and learn how the House of Medici shaped Florence. Then see the Duomo, the city's iconic, Gothic-style cathedral with your skip the line access. Afterwards your guide takes you to Piazza della Signoria, an open-air art gallery where Michelangelo's David was originally supposed to stand. Then explore the streets of Florence, taking in landmarks like the Ponte Vecchio bridge, Palazzo della Signoria e Piazza della Repubblica.

Price: €67

Min age: 0

Rating 4.74 / 5 [717 ratings]

Tour supplied by:

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Duomo Dome Skip the Line Tour

Florence

Duomo Dome Skip the Line Tour
Enjoy our exclusive 1h 10m  dome skip-the-line tour and have a breathtaking view of the city. Climb up to the top of the famous Cupola along with the commentary of our expert guide in order to admire the inside of the building up close, the wonderful Vasari's frescoes in particular. From the top you will have a wonderful Panorama view on the city.

Price: €69

Min age: 0

Rating 4.19 / 5 [360 ratings]

Tour supplied by:

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Florence Baptistery The Opera del Duomo Museum: Tour with Brunelleschi's Dome

Florence

Florence Baptistery The Opera del Duomo Museum: Tour with Brunelleschi's Dome
• 1.35-hour guided tour with an expert guide. This includes Duomo Square with a full explanation of the Baptistery's Paradise gate, history of Santa Maria del Fiore Cathedral and climb of Brunelleschi's dome • Discover the incredible history of Santa Maria del Fiore Cathedral • Detail explanation of the Cathedral – masterworks by Michelangelo, Donatello, and Ghiberti (Exterior only) • Climb up to the top of Brunelleschi’s Dome. Museum Entrance Tickets Baptistery entrance tickets Dome climb entrance Tickets See Florence the right way with us Want to see Florence with a guide but are not keen on being herded around in a large, impersonal group or spending a fortune for a private tour? Look no further. “ Florence & Global ” tours are designed for the selective traveller,  providing all the benefits of a private tour with the group tour value.  

Price: €75

Min age: 0

Rating 4.32 / 5 [31 ratings]

Tour supplied by:

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Florence Duomo and Brunelleschi's Dome Small Group Tour

Florence

Florence Duomo and Brunelleschi's Dome Small Group Tour
•Take advantage of exclusive access to the Cathedral with Brunelleschi's Pass. •Climb Brunelleschi's dome and soak up the spectacular views of the city and surrounding Tuscan countryside. •Enjoy the most famous architectural masterpieces of Florence's religious center in one tour, accompanied by an expert local guide. •Join our small group walking tour for a more personalized and interactive experience. •Focus on the highlights of the Museum of the Opera del Duomo in the company of an expert guide. •Visit the Baptistery of St. John to complete the exclusive tour.

Price: €79

Min age: 0

Rating 4.57 / 5 [97 ratings]

Tour supplied by:

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Skip-the-Line: Florence Duomo Tour with Brunelleschi's Dome Climb

Florence

Skip-the-Line: Florence Duomo Tour with Brunelleschi's Dome Climb
Skip the entrance lines and climb to the top of Brunelleschi's Dome with an expert guide! Majestically dominating the city skyline, the terracotta dome of Basilica di Santa Maria del Fiore (or Florence Duomo, as it’s more commonly known) is easily Florence's most iconic attraction. Experience this masterpiece of architectural genius. Please be aware that every 1st Tuesday of each month, the Cathedral Museum is closed and will be subsituted by a guided tour inside the Baptistry.

Price: €99

Min age: 7

Rating 4.79 / 5 [709 ratings]

Tour supplied by:

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Skip the line Florence Tour: Accademia, Duomo Climb and Cathedral

Florence

Skip the line Florence Tour: Accademia, Duomo Climb and Cathedral
Exclusive entry and pre-reserved tickets for Brunelleschi's dome (cupola) Pre-reserved tickets for the Accademia to admire Michelangelo's David Small groups for a more personalized attention Learn in the company of a local expert Visit the famous cathedral of Florence to enjoy all of its grandeur Benefit from the Brunelleschi Pass to visit the Baptistery, Museum, and Giotto's bell tower.

Price: €99

Min age: 0

Rating 4.58 / 5 [345 ratings]

Tour supplied by:

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The Duomo Complex and Its Hidden Terraces

Florence

The Duomo Complex and Its Hidden Terraces
Admire the magical aerial panorama and learn the secrets of the Duomo from a different point of view. Enjoy an exclusive perspective: admire Florence panorama from the Duomoʼs 32 metres high terrace and climb up to the top of the Dome! With this tour, you will also receive 72 hour full-access, skip-the-line passes to all parts of the Duomo Complex. This includes: Giotto’s Bell Tower, Giovanni’s Baptistery and Museo dell’Opera del Duomo. Spend your remaining time in Florence, without being rushed, visiting the city's top monuments.

Price: €105

Min age: 0

Rating 4.36 / 5 [306 ratings]

Tour supplied by:

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Florence Duomo Skip the Line Ticket with Exclusive Terrace Access

Florence

Florence Duomo Skip the Line Ticket with Exclusive Terrace Access
Discover Florence Duomo (Santa Maria del Fiore Cathedral) and see the city from an exclusive and breathtaking point of view: the Duomo terraces and Brunelleschi's magnificent Dome.

Price: €110

Min age: 7

Rating 4.77 / 5 [662 ratings]

Tour supplied by:

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Florence Cathedral, Crypt with Terrace Entrance and Dome Climb

Florence

Florence Cathedral, Crypt with Terrace Entrance and Dome Climb
Guided visit with direct access to the magnificent Santa Maria del Fiore Cathedral, a treasure chest of inestimable artistic works, led by your professional guide. Learn the history of the early Christian Crypt of Santa Reparata on which the present Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore was erected in the 13th century. Admire the elegance of the spaces of the three naves, the beauty of the splendid marble choir and the complex of the precious stained-glass windows, together with the mysterious clock by Paolo Uccello. Enjoy the marvelous carpet of polychrome marbles and looking up, the immense precious interior of the Dome, the biggest fresco in the world. Brunelleschi's Dome is the largest ever built in masonry and icon of Renaissance architecture.Then, get the exclusive access to its Terrace, and experience the sensation of almost “touch” part of the city. Your visit continues with the Dome climb to get up to the top and admire 360°Florence breathtaking view from its highest location.

Price: €114

Min age: 8

Rating 4 / 5 [42 ratings]

Tour supplied by:

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VIP David & Duomo Early Entry Accademia, Skip-the-Line Dome Climb

Florence

VIP David & Duomo Early Entry Accademia, Skip-the-Line Dome Climb
Explore Florentine art and architecture on a tour that gets you past the typical long lines at the Accademia Gallery and the Duomo. See Michelangelo’s David in the uncrowded morning hours, then get an in-depth tour of the Duomo, including the exclusive rooftop terraces, usually not accessible by the general public. With all entrance fees included and a small group of just 18 guests max for a more intimate experience, there’s no better way to see Florence’s top attractions.

Price: €134

Min age: 0

Rating 4.83 / 5 [421 ratings]

Tour supplied by:

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The Duomo Complex Private Tour

Florence

The Duomo Complex Private Tour
The Duomo square offers a breathtaking view, especially at sunset, when the sun's rays 'light up' the polychrome marble of the buildings that form the religious complex of the city: the Baptistery, the Cathedral and Giotto's Bell Tower. With our Certified and Private Guide you will have the opportunity to admire, inside the Baptistery, the stunning Byzantine mosaics of the vault while, outside, the masterpiece by Lorenzo Ghiberti, the east door of the Baptistery, commonly called 'the Gate of Paradise'. The second stage of your journey to discover the places of faith in Florence present in the square will reveal to you the massive cathedral, the Duomo, S. Maria del Fiore. The final destination of the tour will take us to the museum of "Opera del Duomo" where you will admire up close works of high value from the artistic heritage of the religious complex. If you select the corresponding option, you will also have the chance to visit Brunelleschi's masterpiece: the Dome.

Price: €139

Min age: 0

Rating 4.55 / 5 [52 ratings]

Tour supplied by:

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Climb Florence Duomo: Dome and Cathedral Tour

Florence

Climb Florence Duomo: Dome and Cathedral Tour
Enjoy the best view ever in Florence, climb this spectacular Dome and discover its secret in a one-hour small group tour. You will be amazed by the impressive views this Dome has to offer. Includes all entrance fees and tickets to the Cathedral and Dome. Also includes a local professional guide to help you along your way.

Price: €144

Min age: 6

Rating 4.5 / 5 [12 ratings]

Tour supplied by:

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VIP Private Tour Florence Cathedral Dome & Monuments

Florence

VIP Private Tour Florence Cathedral Dome & Monuments
You will have the opportunity to visit all the different monuments and attractions in the heart of Piazza del Duomo with our expert guides of Florence. What makes us different? We accompany you step by step through all the monuments that make up the Duomo, without you having to find where the seats are and skip the line whenever possible with carefree. If you let yourself be guided, you will visit the Baptistery of San Giovanni, the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore, the Crypt of Santa Reparata, the Museum of the Opera del Duomo and the Dome of Brunelleschi. Inside the museum you will have the opportunity to see with your own eyes the Gates of Paradise Ghiberti. Then you will continue through the entrance of the Cathedral, including a visit to the Crypt of Santa Reparata. At the end you will climb the Brunelleschi Dome where you can enjoy the incomparable view of the city of Florence. With the ticket valid 72h you can also enter the Campanile di Giotto, in complete autonomy.

Price: €195

Min age: 0

Rating 4.75 / 5 [16 ratings]

Tour supplied by:

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