See & do · Landmarks & architecture
Cattedrale di Santa Maria del Fiore (Duomo)
Opening hours
- Monday: 10:15 AM – 3:45 PM
- Tuesday: 10:15 AM – 3:45 PM
- Wednesday: 10:15 AM – 3:45 PM
- Thursday: 10:15 AM – 3:45 PM
- Friday: 10:15 AM – 3:45 PM
- Saturday: 10:15 AM – 3:45 PM
- Sunday: Closed
Images provided by Google Places
Landmark 1200s cathedral known for its red-tiled dome, colored marble facade & elegant Giotto tower.via Google
The defining symbol of Florence, featuring Brunelleschi's revolutionary double-walled brick dome and a green-and-white marble facade.
- Good to know
- Entering the cathedral is free but lines are long; climbing the dome requires a specific, timed ticket.
Reviews from Google
The Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore was one of my favorite places in Florence. The outside is absolutely stunning, and the colorful marble details look even better in person. I was amazed by how huge the dome is when standing right underneath it. The inside is much simpler than I expected, but it still feels impressive and peaceful. Climbing to the top was definitely worth it for the amazing views over the city. Overall, it’s a must-see spot that made my trip to Florence even more memorable. The atmosphere around the cathedral is lively and full of energy, with people gathering in the square throughout the day. I also enjoyed taking photos because every angle seemed picture-perfect. It’s one of those places that truly lives up to the hype. Ticket is required to visit the top of the dome and recommend to get it in advance.
The cathedral is certainly more impressive from outside then inside and it is an iconic monument of Florence. In practical sense, there is this all-in-one ticket including 1) cathedral 2) tower 3) dome (cupola) 4) baptistery 5) cathedral museum. Note that the only thing with the fixed time is it the dome climb because of the limited space. If you have this ticket you do not have to stand in the long line before the cathedral and can enter from the right side with priority. Tower is only about climbing lots of stairs and fighting your way through narrow stairways passing other tourists. Dome is the most impressive and highest point, you get to see the cupola up close. Baptistery is probably amazing, but was under restoration so the mosaic was not visible. The museum is also great - some remarkable sculptures and paintings and other art. Note that you cannot enter anything with your backpack which can be stored free of charge behind the cathedral (and multiple times!). Totally worth the money and essential Firenze attraction.
The Cattedrale di Santa Maria del Fiore is truly impressive and definitely one of the highlights of Florence. The cathedral itself is stunning and the whole complex around it is worth exploring. I’d definitely recommend getting the combined ticket (around €30), which gives access to all the monuments and is valid for 3 days. It includes the Dome, Bell Tower, Museum and Santa Reparata. In reality, everything can be comfortably done in about 2–3 hours if you plan it well. We climbed both the cupola and the campanile (bell tower). The stairs are quite challenging, lots of narrow steps and it can be a bit tiring but the views from the top are absolutely amazing and make the effort completely worth it. Seeing Florence from above like that is something you won’t forget.
They say this cathedral is eight hundred years old, but if you see with your own eyes you will be stunned. If beauty is eternal then Santa Maria del Fiore is the evidence. The red bricked dome and the marbled walls of the church, just makes you sit and marvel at it. And then the Giotto bell tower from which you can see the beauty of Florence. You will not regret climbing the tower, that's for sure and Its best place for some scenic photography as well.
(Visited December 2025) Although I haven’t had the chance to explore the interior, my experience from the outside of the church was truly awe-inspiring. The structure is absolutely breathtaking, and I can only imagine how much more incredible it would be to see it up close. Its majestic presence is undeniable, and I found myself wanting to take in every intricate detail of the exterior. The photos I captured don’t fully do it justice. Additionally, the lively atmosphere was enhanced by the numerous talented buskers performing outside, adding a delightful musical backdrop to the scene.