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Piazza del Duomo
Piazza del Duomo
4.5
About
This large city square contains the Basilica of Santa Maria del Fiore, the third largest cathedral in the world after St. Peter's in Rome and St. Paul's in London.
Duration: < 1 hour
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The area

Neighborhood: Duomo
Florentia, as it was called by Latins, is permeated by an eternal beauty spread in all corners of the city. The historic center is characterized by the immensity of the Duomo, able to transport tourists into the brightest age of Florence: the Renaissance. Who does not know the Brunelleschi Dome, San Giovanni Baptistery and the Giotto’s Campanile? Everything is enclosed here and it would be easy to imagine the city as it was in ancient times, with maids walking in the main square and horses carrying coaches. Nowadays, roads are busy with street artists. Rustic Tuscan bakeries give way to fashion shops; just stop for a few minutes in the middle of Piazza della Repubblica to enjoy the colors and sweet melody of the carousel that will bring back great memories from anyone’s childhood.

See what travelers are saying

  • Marchell
    Leicestershire, United Kingdom1,141 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Fantastic climb up!
    Thankfully we rebooked online our trek up the Duomo. Sold out slots on the day as so busy! Truly magnificent buildings. The climb up was pretty easy. Two stops along the way. Incredible views both inside and outside of the Duomo. You simply must visit!
    Visited October 2023
    Traveled as a couple
    Written October 17, 2023
  • BostonJandP
    Beverly, Massachusetts189 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    A very spectacular exterior
    The outside of the cathedral is amazing and very beautiful. The interior is interesting and the dome spectacular. Also in the basement you can see some of the original structure from 5 centuries ago. However, the cathedral in Siena has a much more spectacular interior. We didn't climb the hundreds of steps to the dome nor the hundreds of steps in the bell tower.
    Visited October 2023
    Traveled as a couple
    Written October 24, 2023
  • Johnny Novo
    New York City, New York344 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Ode to Firenze
    I'm hijacking this review to write a sort of Ode to Florence here: Florence has become my favorite place in the world, and I'm sure many people share the same sentiment. Like any person, place, or thing that gets an abundance of love; criticism and hate will follow. Florence gets a lot of criticism. "It is overrun with tourists,"... "I've had much better food in Italy" ... But they never built a statue for a critic. Well I just looked it up and I guess Roger Ebert has a statue. Fairplay Robert. From the first time I came here when I was 16, I have felt a special connection to this place like nowhere else. I didn't know what it was then but have started to scratch the surface. After quitting my job, I decided to take 10 days and just soak in the city and the culture. This is the birthplace of the renaissance, which to me, is the birthplace of modern day life and culture. It placed an emphasis on individualism which I believe is the spark of creativity, ideas, and innovation. One can almost feel the presence of the talented artists, innovators, and leaders that used to walk these streets. It hurts my head to think that Da Vinci, Michelangelo, Machiavelli, Vespucci, Raphael, Brunelleschi, Donatello etc. all walked these streets around the same time. They competed against one another, but also collaborated. This blend of competition and collaboration formed an unparalleled amount of innovation and progression. It's so inspiring and motivating to learn how much came from this one small city in the middle of Italy. Its ideas and culture spread like a virus across the world through time and space inspiring everyone from Rembrandt to Steve Jobs, who sites Da Vinci as a major influence. I feel the creativity almost rub off on me when I am walking through these streets, thankful that so much of this place is intact from the 16th century. You can walk through the narrow streets appreciating the architecture, looking up and seeing Brunelleschi's dome in the skyline at literally anywhere you are in the city. You can see the house Michelangelo grew up in. The Ponte Vecchio is the same bridge that these legendary Florentines used to walk across. Where else can you walk the same streets that these geniuses used to walk and get the best gelato you've had in your life? THANK YOU FIRENZE! IG @jnov_ Tiktok @jnov__
    Visited May 2023
    Traveled solo
    Written January 16, 2024
  • Rob007Kent_UK
    Wye, United Kingdom3,751 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Stunning architecture
    The Dumo is a really impressive and imposing building which forms the centre piece of the square. The façade appears white at night – almost fake. We purchased the Brunelleschi pass which gives you access to 5 attractions (Brunelleschi's Dome, Giotto's Bell Tower, the Baptistery, the Opera del Duomo Museum and the Church of Santa Reparata with a single ticket). We queued 10 minutes before our appointed time and the tour is incredible taking you high up internally to the ornate and intricate ceiling of the dome and then externally after several narrow flights of staircases. The effort is wel worth it with stunning views of the City.
    Visited January 2024
    Traveled as a couple
    Written January 28, 2024
  • Herbert C
    1,791 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    Epicenter of Florence’s Renaissance architecture
    Located in the heart of Florence's historic center, Piazza del Duomo is undoubtedly the epicenter of Florence's recognition by the UNESCO World Heritage Site as the centre of Renaissance humanism. With the Florence Cathedral taking centrestage, surrounded by the Giotto's Bell Tower, the octagonal Baptistery of St John, and the Opera del Duomo Museum, this public square is the starting point of your Florence Renaissance adventure. Unlike most public squares in Italy or around Europe, my first impression of this piazza is the lack of sense of space with buildings haphazardly cluttering around the square, with no one spot where you can get a view of all its buildings. Nevertheless, it is still an excellent place to stroll or simply to relax whilst enjoying gelato from one of Italy's best gelato shop located right at the square itself, Gelateria Edoardo il Gelato Biologico.
    Visited January 2024
    Traveled as a couple
    Written February 6, 2024
  • Strike_right
    Tunis, Tunisia87 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    Great View
    We stayed outside, but could not get in due to the long queue- it is really important to book in advance, though there was a queue of ticker holders to enter longer than the queue for tickets. The outside is amazing, an essential Italian Piazza experience. Choose your season if you really want to save time. Must do.
    Visited February 2024
    Traveled with family
    Written February 17, 2024
  • Brad
    Hong Kong, China177,658 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Heart of sightseeing in Florence
    This is the public square where you can find the iconic and landmark Duomo, Campanile di Giotto and Baptistry buildings in the Historic Centre of Florence. There are other attractions in the area such as Loggia del Bigallo (museum), lots of souvenir shops, casual eateries and unfortunately massive crowds of tourists as well due to the relative small size of the square where people congregate to visit the Duomo attractions. If you want leisurely visits wandering the square, visit first thing in the morning prior to the attractions opening and the tour groups arriving. Or pass by in the evening when the majority of people have left and returned to their hotels. However, it is difficult to beat viewing the remarkable buildings here during midday when skies are blue and sunlight shines upon the charming marble patterned building facades. Note that you can enter Duomo (free) but do expect quite a queue as everyone else is doing the same and they actively try to manage the number of people going inside to see the inner frescos of Brunelleschi's Dome. If you want to climb the dome to get up close look at the frescos, you need to acquire one of the Duomo Pass tickets that includes this attraction. Passes also include different combinations of access to Baptistry, Duomo Museum and a climb up the steps of Campanile as well.
    Visited February 2024
    Traveled with family
    Written April 14, 2024
  • Adamo B
    2 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Stunning Historical Gem in the Heart of Florence
    Piazza del Duomo is an absolute must-visit when in Florence. The square is surrounded by magnificent historical buildings, including the breathtaking Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore, with its stunning facade and iconic dome. The intricate details and grandeur of the Baptistery and Giotto’s Campanile add to the overall splendor of the piazza. It's a vibrant spot bustling with energy, yet you can still find moments of tranquility to soak in the beauty and history. Whether you're an architecture enthusiast or just looking for a beautiful place to visit, Piazza del Duomo will leave you in awe. Don't forget to climb the dome for an unforgettable panoramic view of Florence!
    Visited June 2024
    Traveled with family
    Written July 31, 2024
  • NICHOLAS T
    Dubai, United Arab Emirates10,441 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Magnificent square
    The cathedral and baptistery around which the piazza sits is probably the most famous sight in Florence and one of the most famous in Italy. The cathedral with its iconic dome and bell tower are a spectacular sight and accessible with tickets. The square does get incredibly busy with tourists and as such you pay a significant premium to sit in any of the restaurants and cafes which surround it.
    Visited September 2024
    Traveled as a couple
    Written September 21, 2024
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.

Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.

Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.

Popular mentions

4.5
4.5 of 5 bubbles22,765 reviews
Excellent
17,313
Very good
4,559
Average
730
Poor
98
Terrible
65

John D
Lisburn, UK69 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Oct 2020 • Couples
This is a beautiful square accentuated by Filippo Brunelleschi's iconic dome. The climb to the top of the dome, whilst a rather tough 400+ steps, is worth it for the views. The thrill at the top as you take in the sights of Florence is a memory that will last a lifetime. The cathedral is a delight to admire, whilst square itself is spacious and spotted with restaurants that won't cost an arm and a leg (though a 5min walk in any direction will save you a few euros). Look out for the statue of Brunelleschi himself gazing up at his dome.

Note: be wary of people approaching you in the square who typically greet you in English (easy way to identify they are targeting tourists) by asking the time, or where you are from. Politely usher them along ("no grazie" usually works) without engaging in conversation.
Written October 6, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Luke T
9 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jul 2022 • Friends
The entire plaza in Florence is well worth a visit and we would 100% recommend visiting it. It was the most beautiful city we saw when we were travelling around Italy and it is a must-see! If you book the tickets on the official website for the landmarks (see here - Opera Duomo Firenze) you can choose different types/groups of tickets to suit you. We would have loved more time in Florence as we were only there for 2 days, 3 days would be perfect as it is quite expensive to eat/stay (more expensive than Rome!) but the views from the dome and tower are breath-taking!

The opera del duomo museum is not to be overlooked either as it gives you so much history and background to the city of Florence as well as the Piazza del Duomo.
Written August 12, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

436Mimi
London, UK243 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Aug 2023 • Family
A busy tourist spot. I highly recommend you visiting a lovely, traditional ristorante in this area. Be prepared for the queues to see attractions like the Duomo as they are long, so you might want to pre-book these, alternatively you might be happy just strolling the narrow streets and plazas. Florence has some of the finest leather and jewellery shops, but these can be pricey. There are no public toilets in Florence but cafes (for the price of a coffee) will let you use theirs and you may as well stop and absorb the hustle and bustle of this beautiful busy city. Remember to take plenty of water if visiting in the summer, small newsagents sell refrigerated bottles of water and other drinks for approximately 1-3€
Written August 18, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

SunriseSki
Singapore1,080 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Aug 2021
The Duomo is one of the most beautiful of the world (if not the most beautiful). You can so tell how wealthy this town was when it was built. There is the possibility to climb the tower and the Cupola, however you need to reserve well in advance including the time you want to get it. You have not seen Florence if you did not visit the Duomo.
Written August 10, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Kendall K
1,159 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Sep 2021 • Couples
My girlfriend took me here to share in an experience she had when she had visited once before with her best friend. Seeing this massive historic structure was beautiful. Not only that, the bustling traffic surrounding it is a joy, seeing people take photos, artist selling their paintings, and other various activities. I recommend taking a seat at one of the many restaurants near by and enjoy the view with some good Italian food and wine.
Written October 1, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Bill B
Pueblo, CO1,381 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jan 2020
This is clearly a destination in Florence...the Duomo. There is plenty of space for the crowds that gather around the Cathedral, Baptistery, and Giotto's Bell Tower. There are some incredible caffes' situated around the Piazza where you can sit and enjoy coffee and pastry.
Written January 21, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Dana S
Denver, CO132 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Dec 2019
The structure of the Duomo is breathtaking, a vision when you see it the first time. However, the lines to get into the buildings are prohibitively long. I was unable to get into the Duomo, as I didn't want to spend hours in line to get in. I did, however attend mass in the church, and the inside of that is beautiful!
Written January 9, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Timzorrr
Edmonds, WA1,598 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Feb 2020 • Couples
Piazza del Duomo is the cobblestone square in surrounding the front of the MASSIVE Basilica of Santa Maria del Fiore.
All sorts of shops form the perimeter of the Piazza del Doumo.
There are benches to rest on.
It fills with people during the day and often quite empty in the later evening.
It is centrally located, so if you stay near this piazza you will be right in the center of things.
Written February 28, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Brad
Hong Kong, China177,658 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Feb 2024 • Family
This is the public square where you can find the iconic and landmark Duomo, Campanile di Giotto and Baptistry buildings in the Historic Centre of Florence. There are other attractions in the area such as Loggia del Bigallo (museum), lots of souvenir shops, casual eateries and unfortunately massive crowds of tourists as well due to the relative small size of the square where people congregate to visit the Duomo attractions.

If you want leisurely visits wandering the square, visit first thing in the morning prior to the attractions opening and the tour groups arriving. Or pass by in the evening when the majority of people have left and returned to their hotels. However, it is difficult to beat viewing the remarkable buildings here during midday when skies are blue and sunlight shines upon the charming marble patterned building facades.

Note that you can enter Duomo (free) but do expect quite a queue as everyone else is doing the same and they actively try to manage the number of people going inside to see the inner frescos of Brunelleschi's Dome.

If you want to climb the dome to get up close look at the frescos, you need to acquire one of the Duomo Pass tickets that includes this attraction. Passes also include different combinations of access to Baptistry, Duomo Museum and a climb up the steps of Campanile as well.
Written April 14, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Coryy20
Port of Spain, Trinidad6,364 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jan 2020 • Solo
This Piazza del Duomo is by far nicest most lively Piazza. Here the main attraction is the Duomo cathedral, the most beautiful and unusual Cathedral worldwide and all the other beautiful buildings surrounding.
The area is lively with restaurants, shops and many tourists milling around enjoying the scenery. Every building in the area is a beauty.
I will definitely recommend this area to all visiting Florence.
Written June 14, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

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Piazza del Duomo - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (2024)

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