Piazza del Duomo Tours

Piazza del Duomo showing outdoor eating, a city and heritage architecture
Giotto’s Bell Tower, the resplendent Baptistery, as well as the cathedral and its dome draw the crowds to this square in the heart of the city.

Join the bustling crowds, vendors and street performers in the cultural and geographical heart of Florence, the Piazza del Duomo. The cathedral for which the square is named is a spectacular centerpiece. In its shadow you will find several other historical, artistic and architectural treasures.

The Gothic facades of the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore and Giotto’s Bell Tower (Campanile di Giotto), make a striking first impression with pink, green and white marble designs standing out from the stone colors of the buildings around them. Enjoy an uninterrupted panorama of one of Europe’s most beautiful cities from the top of either building. Climb the dome’s 463 steps for breathtaking views towards the Tuscan hills.

Directly opposite the entrance to the cathedral is the Baptistery of St. John, one of Florence’s oldest buildings. It was built between 1059 and 1128. The octagonal structure is renowned for the three sets of bronze doors on the northeast and south entrances. Each set is made up of several panels depicting biblical scenes. The most famous is the Gates of Paradise on the east side. The interior of the baptistery is often compared to the Pantheon of Rome, with its ornately decorated walls and marble inlays arranged in geometrical patterns.

Explore the east of the piazza to see the Duomo Works Museum (Museo dell'Opera del Duomo). This building contains several artworks originally commissioned for the dome. Find a superb collection of Gothic sculptures by artists such as Donatello, as well as the original Gates of Paradise.

Walk through the grand arches of the Loggia del Bigallo on the corner of Via dei Calzaiuoli and Piazza San Giovanni and see more devotional works such as frescoes and a painted cross that date back to the 14th century.

You can easily spend a day taking in the attractions of the piazza. The crowds can be busy, but you needn’t feel rushed. Pull up a seat in the shade, enjoy a panini or gelato from one of the many food vendors and watch the comings and goings in the heart of one of the world’s most beautiful cities.

Plan a trip to see Piazza del Duomo

Aurum Uffizi
Hotel Balestri
Hotel L'Orologio
Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Browse tours and tickets to explore Piazza del Duomo

Reviews of Piazza del Duomo

4.7
Top Destination
5 - Excellent
899
" "5 - Excellent 74.91666666666667%
4 - Good
266
" "4 - Good 22.166666666666668%
3 - Okay
27
" "3 - Okay 2.25%
2 - Disappointing
5
" "2 - Disappointing 0.4166666666666667%
1 - Terrible
3
" "1 - Terrible 0.25%

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveler
Dec 2, 2019

Don't go hungry. Or be willing to walk a bit away from the main "attraction" to find some less touristy and less expensive places to eat. It's always worthwhile getting off the beaten path a bit to find food treasures. But we were starving so grabbed some food right off the plaza and it was pricy, but fun nonetheless. Keep a few Euros on hand for the potty too!

4/5 - Good

Verified traveler
Oct 25, 2019

If you go to mass, you can get in for free (but will only see a part of the church).

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveler
Oct 18, 2019

The long stairway up to the cuppola on top was well worth it. Make reservations as soon as you can as the narrow passageways preclude large numbers of people. You'll better understand this if you meet groups coming down as you're going up! Therefore it may take several days before you can be scheduled to ascend to the cuppola on top. Fantastic view of the city if you make it.

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveler
Oct 16, 2019

Stunning

2/5 - Disappointing

Verified traveler
Oct 11, 2019

There are a lot of aggressive street sellers over here that would harass you to buy something and then follow you shoving things in your face trying to make you buy it. I saw a “mime”(which was just a guy who painted his face white) run up to a couple taking a picture, then ruined the picture and kissed both the guy and girls hands, then demanded money from them and followed them around the plaza for a while aggressively demanding money from them. Also if you see a giant line by the cathedral, it’s only to enter the tiny little room inside the cathedral and to enter the crypts. If you want to climb the dome or campanile then there are separate lines for them so make sure you have your tickets and you look for the right line. DO NOT WAIT ON THE CATHEDRAL LINE. You’ll waste 2 hours of your time and won’t even get to see much. The crypts was basically a tiny boring museum. Beware if you climb the dome or campanile, there are ALOT of stairs. You will be tired and sweaty after, doesn’t matter how the weather outside is.

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveler
Sep 22, 2019

Beautiful from the outside - we didn't go into the Duomo but we did visit and enjoy the Duomo Museum.

Popular places to visit


Best Lodging Options Near Piazza del Duomo

The Social Hub Florence Lavagnini
The Social Hub Florence Lavagnini
4 out of 5
Viale Spartaco Lavagnini 70 72, Florence
The Social Hub Florence Lavagnini
c-hotels Ambasciatori
c-hotels Ambasciatori
4 out of 5
Via Luigi Alamanni 3, Florence, FI
c-hotels Ambasciatori
Globus Urban Hotel
Globus Urban Hotel
4 out of 5
Via Sant'Antonino 24, Florence, FI
Globus Urban Hotel
Hotel Calimala
Hotel Calimala
4 out of 5
Via Lamberti 5, Florence, Città Metropolitana di Firenze
Hotel Calimala
Hotel Cerretani Mgallery Collection
Hotel Cerretani Mgallery Collection
4 out of 5
Via De' Cerretani 68, Florence, FI
Hotel Cerretani Mgallery Collection
Grand Hotel Cavour
Grand Hotel Cavour
4 out of 5
Via del Proconsolo 3, Florence, FI
Grand Hotel Cavour
25hours Hotel Florence Piazza San Paolino
25hours Hotel Florence Piazza San Paolino
4 out of 5
Piazza Di San Paolino 1, Florence
25hours Hotel Florence Piazza San Paolino
Hotel Paris
Hotel Paris
3 out of 5
Via Banchi 2, Florence, FI
Hotel Paris
Bernini Palace
Bernini Palace
5 out of 5
Piazza San Firenze 29, Florence, FI
Bernini Palace
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.