How to Visit the Florence Duomo: The Ultimate Guide

You’d think visiting a church wouldn’t require planning. But when said church is a complex with six attractions, timed entrances, and three types of tickets, you’re like… Oh.

I had exactly that reaction. Then I proceeded to look at the Duomo website, read about the types of pass, became less confused, checked the complex on Google Maps, started second-guessing everything and became more confused again.

But in the end, I successfully saw everything in the Florence Duomo complex. Did it all in eight hours, and I’ve learned from that first-hand experience what not to do and what I should have done instead.

The most important thing to know is it doesn’t really matter what time you climb the dome. You always go up with a bunch of other people with tickets for the same time slot. Just make sure to book yours beforehand because they ALWAYS sell out.

I also don’t recommend going up Giotto’s Bell Tower close to the hour mark. I did, and the bell rang when I was right underneath it. Nearly died.

There’s much more to this. I’ll share everything from what the attractions are, pass types, more flexible buying options, and other mistakes to avoid!

A Quick Background on the Florence Duomo

Cattedrale di Santa Maria del Fiore is the 3rd largest cathedral in the world, smaller than only St. Peter’s in Vatican City and St. Paul’s in London.

Before those other two came along, it was the biggest cathedral in Europe.

The project to build this church was first approved in 1293, roughly 200 years before St. Peter’s Basilica. It was intended to replace the city’s old cathedral, Santa Reparata, as the economy and population rapidly grew from the textile and banking industries.

The cathedral took 140 years to complete, and it stayed without the marble façade until 1887. So if we’re including the façade as part of the construction, then it took nearly 600 years!

Overview: What Are Inside the Duomo Complex?

It’s always hard to wrap your head around what else could make up the complex at first.

What most people are used to seeing on the internet are just the cathedral, the dome, and the bell tower. What are the other three attractions? Here they are.

• Santa Maria del Fiore Cathedral: Free entry
• Brunelleschi’s Dome: Ticketed and timed entry, sells out the fastest
• Giotto’s Bell Tower: Ticketed entry
• Santa Reparata Crypt: Under the main cathedral. Ticketed entry
• Baptistery of St. John: Across the square from the main cathedral entrance. Ticketed entry
• Opera del Duomo Museum: Across the square from the back of the cathedral. Ticketed entry

💡 Quick Note: Duomo is the Italian word for Cathedral or a grand church. It derived from the Latin word “dopus dei,” which means “house of god.” While “cattedrale” only refers to an official cathedral (seat of the bishop), “duomo” can refer to any major church in a city.

Understanding the Geography of the Attractions

The further I got in writing this guide, the more I realized that nothing I explain will make sense unless you understand where everything is around the entire piazza first, so I added this section.

This is what I would’ve wanted to know first, too.

From the official map below, which is flipped, by the way (the bottom of the image is north), you’ll see almost a dozen points of interest in the complex.

The most confusing part for anyone (myself included) are the three attractions that require you to enter the same cathedral building, which are the dome, Santa Reparata crypt, and the cathedral.

Although the dome entrance (cupola) is marked as the side door closer to the back of the cathedral, they moved me to the guided tour entrance, closer to the front of the cathedral instead.

So when you go, head to that side of the cathedral and notice where the line is.

The stairs down to Santa Reparata crypt is inside the main cathedral, but you’ll have to show your ticket at the entrance (the door closest to the bell tower) to go in.

This means that if you have the pass, you can visit the crypt first, and then exit the crypt right into the cathedral without having to wait in line out front.

Also note that backpacks are not allowed into the dome, the baptistery, the bell tower, the crypt, and on guided tours. If you need your backpack with you for the day, you can deposit it at the luggage storage next to the museum for free.

Types of Official Duomo Passes

There are three types of official passes to the complex. Each grant a different level of access to the attractions and are valid for 3 consecutive days from the selected date of entry.

For each type of pass, one particular attraction will be a timed entry, meaning you pick a time slot for that attraction, and have to enter at the specified time.

I highly recommend booking a pass before you go, especially if you plan to climb the dome and the bell tower. Both usually sell out months in advance!

Again, the main cathedral is free entry. You won’t need any of these if that’s all you want to see.

⚠️ The official passes are non-refundable. Despite their lower price compared to privately-sold tickets, which was the reason I backed out.

1. Ghiberti Pass (The Smallest Pass)

• Includes: Museum, Baptistery, Santa Reparata
• Does NOT include the dome and the bell tower.
• The entry to Santa Reparata is timed on this pass.

If you’re not a good friend of height, this pass would be the perfect option for you.

2. Giotto Pass (The Medium Pass)

• Includes: Museum, Baptistery, Santa Reparata, Bell tower
• Does NOT include the dome.
• The entry to the bell tower is timed on this pass.

If you want a good view of the dome, but have no interest in climbing the dome itself, go with this pass.

3. Brunelleschi Pass (The Complete Pass)

• Includes: Everything
• The entry to the dome is timed on this pass.

This is unsurprisingly the most popular pass among the three. Only the dome entry is timed, which means you can show up to the bell tower and Santa Reparata whenever’s most convenient for you.

You’d still have to check the hours of those attractions, of course.

Refundable Pass Option With Audio Guides

In the end, I bought my pass privately through GetYourGuide, mainly because I wanted their audioguide so I wasn’t walking around clueless about what I was seeing.

I planned my trip 4 months in advance (😅) so I also appreciated the refundable option.

It was the best experience! I was a little anxious at first, because the tour operator would send me my ticket and information right at 7 PM the night before. But they sent it through right on time with all the information I needed.

As for the audio guide, I just had to download an app to have access, then I was able to explore the museum, cathedral, and dome with my airpods in, listening to all the juicy details.

If you want the same nerdy narrations and the flexibility to cancel, book your pass here! 👈

Buying the Ticket On Site

If you’re not climbing the dome and the bell tower, you have a higher chance of securing a pass for Santa Reparata a day or two before you visit.

This means you can buy your tickets on site instead of booking ahead.

The ticket office is right across the square from the entrance to St John’s Baptistery. It sounds simple enough, but it’s kind of hidden inside a building courtyard, so look hard for the blue signs!

The Duomo Complex Visitors’ Information

Before you move on to read about my experience, here are the last few pieces of information to make sure we’re leaving NO details out before you go!

Opening Hours

Here are the hours of operation for everything included on the pass. Pay close attention to each, so you don’t show up anywhere after it’s closed.

• Cathedral: 10:15 AM – 3:45 PM (Closed on Sundays)
• Santa Reparata Crypt: 10:15 AM – 3:45 PM Monday to Saturday
  • Sunday Hours: 1:30 – 3:45 PM
• Giotto’s Bell Tower: 8:15 AM – 7:30 PM daily (Last entry 6:45 PM)
• Baptistery of St. John: 8:15 AM – 7:30 PM daily (Last entry 6:45 PM)
  • Closes at 1:30 PM on the first Sunday of the month
• Opera del Duomo Museum: 8:30 AM – 7:00 PM daily
  • Closed on the first Tuesday of the month

What to Bring on Your Visit

• Your phone, fully charged
• Ticket (scannable on your phone so no need to print)
• Power bank for your phone
• Headphones (for the audio guide)
• Comfortable shoes
• As little belongings as possible to limit the weight on your climbs

Backpacks are not allowed. You can deposit it at the luggage storage next to the museum for free.

Dress Code

Keep your shoulders and knees covered, same as when you visit any other religious sites.

I didn’t see any signs forbidding sandals, but Italians don’t wear them anywhere outside of beaches anyway, so don’t do it!

Time Needed for Each Attraction

I wouldn’t be surprised if the question I ask myself most frequently would be “how much time do I need for this?” Here’s so that you don’t have to go ask some random person on TripAdvisor.

• Cathedral: 15-20 minutes
• Crypt: 30 minutes
• Dome: 45 minutes
• Bell tower: 30-45 minutes (depends on your climbing speed)
• Baptistery: 20-30 minutes
• Museum: 90-120 minutes

Everything can be done in about six hours if you rush through it. I took eight hours.

Cafes and Restaurants Near the Complex

If you’re planning to spend a day visiting everything, it’s important to have breaks nearby to avoid wasting unnecessary time. I highly recommend these spots below.

• Breakfast + Coffee: Caffetteria delle Oblate, Caffè Scudieri
• Lunch: Osteria Nuvoli

Detailed Guide to the Duomo Complex

Now it’s time for me to yap about my experience so you know what to expect. To make things more exciting and on brand for our nerdy little club, I’ll also include some historical background as well.

1. The Main Cathedral (Santa Maria del Fiore)

I may get hate for this, but the inside of the cathedral was the most underwhelming part of the complex for me.

The outside? Absolutely stunning. I stood in front of the marble façade in the cold for over half an hour my first night in Florence just to admire everything.

All of this to say, spend all the time you need to admire it from the outside, because that’s the most beautiful part. You’ll likely walk by it a lot while you explore the city. Just stop and take it all in as many times as you want.

Because entry is free, you’ll see a long line of people waiting in front. We all love free things.

The most exciting moment for me was finally seeing the Duomo clock, designed by Paolo Uccello.

It has 24 hours in Roman numerals and only one hand moving counter-clockwise. Here’s the most bizarre part: Hour one is sunset, not midnight, and hour 24 is sunset on the next day!

You’ll find the clock right above the cathedral door. If you’re not climbing the dome, then don’t forget to look up at The Last Judgment by Giorgio Vasari and Federico Zuccari when you get closer to the altar.

💡 Extra Tip: Do not join the line if you have a ticket for Santa Reparata. There’s a better way to enter the cathedral, and we’ll talk about that too!

2. Brunelleschi’s Dome

After the main cathedral was completed in the early 1400s, the building remained without a dome, not even a roof to cover the central of the chapel.

The dome was featured in the design, but no technology existed to achieve it.

So in 1418, a contest was held to find the architecture who would complete the dome.

The winner, Filippo Brunelleschi, was a goldsmith who had no architectural training. But he convinced the committee of what’s possible by smashing the bottom of an egg, making it stand upright on the table.

The climb has 463 steps total, with a section of the climb coming indoors at the base of the dome.

This is your biggest chance to take a good look at Vasari and Zuccari’s The Last Judgment. Be ready to watch and take photos as you walk because no one’s allowed to stop for too long here.

Most of the climb was pretty chill, except towards the end, when the dome gets smaller and the path becomes narrower.

Make sure to hold on tight to the railings and watch your step very carefully.

The space up there wasn’t as tight as I imagined. There were benches people can sit on, and enough space along the railings for everyone to get good pictures. Most people left within 10-15 minutes.

Each session lasts about 45 minutes, which means between lining up, going through security checks, and climbing up, you’ll have around 20 minutes at the top to enjoy the view.

A staff member will usher everyone down when the session is ending.

3. Crypt of Santa Reparata

I entered the crypt as the next to last thing of the day, at around 3 PM. There was no line at all!

Literally located under the main cathedral, Santa Reparata was the original cathedral of Florence from around the 5th century to the 12th century.

Some legends say it dates back further than that. When the city started growing faster, the church was demolished to make way for a grander one.

Seeing the crypt was the only moment when I was legit close to tears. There’s something about standing on ancient sites, especially one that doesn’t exist anymore, that makes me so emotional.

The place is so well-arranged, too. There are bridges and walkways that lead you over and across the pillars, nooks, and stairs, with numbered plaques explaining the church’s history and the excavation project.

There’s a model that lets you see where you are in relation to the old cathedral’s space, which made your experience even cooler.

And once you reach the end of the exhibition, where the old altar is, you’ll see how tiny the church was compared to Santa Maria del Fiore. Not even half the size!

💡 Extra Tip: Exiting Santa Reparata, you’ll already be inside the cathedral, while there were no lines when you came in for the crypt. Stay inside and explore the place as people start to leave before it closes. This is my recommended way to enter the main cathedral!

4. Giotto’s Bell Tower

I entered the bell tower at 11:45 AM, which was a big mistake. I’ll tell you why in a second.

There was another security check at the entrance to the bell tower, which is behind the tower, by the way, right next to where you’d enter for Santa Reparata.

There are 414 steps to climb. It’s fewer than the dome, but I have to say that it felt a lot more overwhelming.

While I felt like I could focus on the next narrow path, the next turn, or the next type of stairs inside the dome, the bell tower stairs just shoot straight up for what felt like an endless climb each time.

It’s also a two-way thing, so you’ll have to squeeze past or make way for people once in a while.

There are four distinct levels where you can stop to read informational plaques on the bell tower. The first two levels give you the best photos of St. John Baptistery.

The third level has the best view of the dome, but the top is mostly for looking at views.

⚠️ Do NOT go up the tower close to the hour mark, no matter at what time. The bell will ring, and if you’re up higher than the first level, that vibration will knock your organs out of your body. I experienced it so you don’t have to 😂

5. Baptistery of San Giovanni

The only building in the complex that’s older than the duomo itself, the Baptistery of St. John has been around since the 11th century.

Entering with my ticket from the north side of the building, the interior was stunning to look at.

Dark green and white marbles covered the octagonal space, from the floor to every wall.

The ceiling, though. I knew it’s covered in stunning gold mosaics, but I unfortunately went when it was under restoration, so I couldn’t see it. I saw hints of it above the altar, however. Stunning.

Another famous masterpiece of the baptistery is outside, across the plaza from the cathedral.

The Gates of Paradise, one of Ghiberti’s most famous masterpieces, are bronze doors molded with episodes from the Old Testament.

These are duplicates, though. The original ones are preserved inside the museum.

6. Opera del Duomo Museum

I headed for the museum first thing in the morning, and I highly recommend you do the same.

Most people treat it like an afterthought because it looks painfully basic on the outside, but it holds some of the greatest masterpieces related to the complex. Many of those are originals.

The most impressive sight is right there on the first floor.

A massive exhibition hall dedicated to the space between the main cathedral and the baptistery, called the “paradise,” you’ll find the originals of Ghiberti’s gates here, as well as the life-sized remains of the partially-finished old façade on the opposite wall.

There was also an entire room dedicated to the works of building the dome, with Brunelleschi’s rigging system and models are on display.

Oh, Michelangelo’s Bandini Pietà (The Deposition) is here too!

💡 No matter what you plan to do for the rest of your day, go to the museum first. Putting everything into context will make your experience so much better!

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Dressing too comfortably ➡️ Comfortable is good for all the climbing you have to do, but keep your shoulders and knees covered!
• Skipping the museum ➡️ Seeing things without knowing what they mean is the same as not seeing them!
• Missing the Dome ➡️ Book your pass way in advance, especially if you’re going during high season!
• Climbing the Bell Tower on the hour ➡️ The bell vibration is violent 💀
• Wasting time in line for the cathedral ➡️ After the crypt, you’re already in there!
• Visit the crypt in the morning ➡️ There are no lines in the afternoon 😉

Prefer A Guided Experience?

There are a few solid options for guided tours. Below are the top two best-selling ones.

• Skip-the-Line Guided Tour of the Main Cathedral (No pass or ticket included)
• Duomo Complex Tour with Dome Climb (Guided tour with full pass included)

Plan the Rest of Your Time in Florence

Planning my trip to Florence was one of the most stressful times for me as a traveler, mainly because the duomo is such a big attraction, and I wasn’t sure how everything worked.

I have more resources and ideas to help make your time in Florence go super smoothly. Starting with choosing the right hotel in the most convenient area is a solid way to go.

Knowing which regional dishes to look for in Florence will also enhance your experience, since Italian cuisine looks very different depending on where in the country you go.

Lastly, here are all my favorite things to do in the city. They’re mostly cultural, of course!

If you feel overwhelmed about putting all this together, I have a 3-day Florence itinerary for you to follow, or at least use it as a jumping off point!

I have guides on Bologna, too, if you’re planning to visit the Italian food capital.

Below are resources to help you get ready for your trip. Don’t forget to check visa requirements.

• Make sure you protect your trip with a travel insurance.
• Stay connected in Italy with this eSIM
• Must-have Apps: City Mapper, Google Maps, AppTaxi

Grab My Trip-Planner Template

To help streamline your planning process, I’ve decided to share the template I’ve created and have personally used to plan my own trips. You can grab a copy of it for free below!

FAQs on Visiting the Duomo of Florence

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