Piazza del Duomo

Have advance ticket. Lines for the main church are busy. Bell tower line isn’t AS bad and no timed pass needed

We visited all the sites you get in the ticket around the Piazza del Duomo. We went inside the cathedral, climbed to the top of the dome and bell tower and visited the baptistery. Climbing the dome and bell tower was a great experience going through narrow passages. It does get very busy, recommended to purchase tickets with an early climb time, this way you get up and miss the traffic. You can in-vision the great architecture and history and you get a sense of community and how Florence was built. Would recommend going to see this and enjoy the beauty.

Perhaps the most stunning exterior of any cathedral, so well worth the jaw-dropping time walking around the piazza. Catching a misty evening was particularly special.

One of the world's best for a very good reason. Show up early and do the app recorded tour. Great use, self paced, and value. Works straight off your mobile. Just make sure you have your earbuds.

It was closed. :( It's closed on all Sundays so plan your visit accordingly. It only opens for mass on Sundays at 5 pm as per the the security at the entrance. So many tourists had to turn back who hoped to visit the duomo. Some of the online websites were selling tickets for Sundays! Nevertheless it's enchanting from the outside too..admired it's beauty in sunlight & at night with the Christmas tree lights :) P.S. Tower open on sundays, 400+ stairs, no elevator. See pics 📸

Nothing but breathtaking, you cannot miss this place if you’re planning to visit Toscana. Recommended to visit every time of the year, yet it becomes even more spectacular with the Christmas tree and lightenings in December! Atmosphere is really priceless here

We stayed very close to the Piazza.. loved all the music and local pop up shops. So many great restaurants and stores we really enjoyed our time here. A must visit

If you have limited time exploring Florence’s historic center on foot in one day is a delightful way to immerse yourself in its art, history, and culture. Here’s a walking guide, complete with must-see landmarks and vegan-friendly dining options: Morning: Start with the Heart of Florence 1. Piazza del Duomo • Visit the Florence Cathedral (Santa Maria del Fiore) and admire its iconic dome by Brunelleschi. • Stop by the Baptistery of St. John and see the intricate bronze doors (the “Gates of Paradise”). • Climb the bell tower (Giotto’s Campanile) for panoramic views. 2. Piazza della Signoria • Walk 10 minutes to this square, Florence’s political center. Admire the Palazzo Vecchio, the Loggia dei Lanzi, and the replica of Michelangelo’s David. If you’re hungry the famous All’ Antico Vinaya also have 3 vegetarian and 1 vegan sandwich — fresh and delicious and a good size (could be split between two people to snack and get full but also be ready for delicious lunch). Despite the line being long it moves incredibly fast, also they have multiple locations some of which are less famous and less busy. Midday: Cross the Arno River 3. Ponte Vecchio • Stroll across Florence’s famous medieval bridge lined with shops. Enjoy the views of the Arno River. 4. Oltrarno District • Head to the Pitti Palace and Boboli Gardens for a quick exploration of Renaissance opulence and tranquil greenery. 5. Lunch Break: • Brac Libreria (Via dei Vagellai, 18) – A cozy bookstore café serving delicious vegan and vegetarian dishes like pasta, soups, and salads. • Shake Café (Via del Corso, 28) – Great for vegan wraps, smoothies, and light bites and desserts. Afternoon: Dive into Art and History 6. Uffizi Gallery (Optional, 2 hours) • If you love art, book tickets in advance to see masterpieces by Botticelli (The Birth of Venus), Michelangelo, and Leonardo da Vinci. 7. Santa Croce Basilica • Visit the burial place of Michelangelo, Galileo, and Machiavelli. Marvel at the stunning frescoes by Giotto. Evening: Sunset and Dinner 8. Piazzale Michelangelo • Walk or take a short taxi ride uphill to this viewpoint for breathtaking views of Florence at sunset. 9. Dinner: • Il Vegano (Via San Gallo, 92R) – A casual spot with vegan Italian dishes like lasagna, pizza, and desserts. • Veg & Veg — A vegetarian spot for various burgers including “protein style with no bread”, poke bowls, salads, juices etc. Tips for Your Day: • Brunelleschi Dome: If you want to climb over 400 stairs to climb to the top for an unobstructed iconic view of the Florence and see the Last Judgment frescoes closer — book tickets in advance. When we were booking the reservations to get to the top of the dome were sold out on the official website and we bought one from Accord Audioguides that ended up great — priority enter, a shorter line. The audio tour is offered in different languages and hearing about history and challenges made us appreciate it more. During sunset we went to Giotto Bell Tower and the view is obstructed with a lattice all around. So if you have enough of time I’d suggest to go to Brunelleschi Dome reservation for sunset time! • Start early to avoid crowds at major attractions. • Wear comfortable shoes; Florence’s cobblestone streets can be tricky. • Pack light and bring a reusable water bottle (refill at fountains). And remember, if you’re tight on time—just skip on long museum visits Florence itself is an open-air museum!

Brunelleschi's Duomo at the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore is the main architectural landmark in Florence and it's a stunning sight to behold! A single entry ticket gives you entrance to the main Basilica, as well as the ability to climb, both the dome itself and the adjacent Belltower. You also gain entry to the baptistery and the museum. Tickets are purchased online or at the museum office and are good for 3 days - so you don't have to do it all at once! As with all attractions, my recommendation is to arrive early before it gets crowded! Although you may have timed entry for the tower. It's a lot of steps, but it's absolutely worth it. The view is simply breathtaking and it's a once in a lifetime experience.

Piazza del Duomo is one of the more noteworthy areas of Firenze in my opinion. It's located in the heart of the historic area of the city, and contains several noteworthy attractions. The main attraction by far is the Florence Cathedral, formally called the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore. I honestly couldn't take my eyes off it - this might sound weird but due to the materials used to construct the building it almost looks fake; the contrasting greens and whites are striking. The cathedral also contains one of the largest domes in the world, and I believe it's still the largest dome in the world that's constructed of brick. The Bell Tower and Baptistery are the other two main attractions in the area, with guided tours and tickets available for all of them. Besides that, there are several restaurants and shops surrounding the Piazza so it's a really great place to spend some time. If you're looking to gain more insight into the buildings, there's a small museum that provides a good history and contains many of the original structures that adorned the buildings. Overall, if you're in Firenze do plan to spend some time here - it's a gorgeous area of the city with a lot to do and a rich history.

The Piazza del Duomo is located in the center of the historic center of Florence. It is probably one of the most visited places in Italy, Europe, and the world. It attracts tourists from all over the places, and there's so much to see in this cathedral square, and I strongly suggest at least plan an entire day for this area.

Yelp Review 2024 #65: You can't visit Florence without visiting Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore especially for 2 particular reasons: Ghiberti's Gates of Paradise (baptistery) that is on every Art History book, and Brunelleschi's Duomo. The cathedral itself, terrace, bell tower and museum are also worth checking out. It is one of the biggest churches in the world built in the 1200's by di Cambio and completed in the 1400's at a time when Florence was the heart of the Renaissance. It is the most recognizable landmark in Florence. It's also the tallest building in Florence. You can't miss it. The dome itself is architecturally and historically interesting. Brunelleschi designed a herringbone pattern so that the bricks don't fall apart creating a stable dome structure. The Duomo is close to Galleria dell' Accademia where David resides, and a bunch of good sandwich spots. To go in the cathedral is free but to see the dome, you have to buy a ticket and there are several types of tickets and different prices depending on what you're interested in seeing and how much time you have. I didn't get to see the inside of the dome because I had other places to visit and I wanted a sandwich.

If you like crowds of oblivious people and tour groups trying to run you down, this square is the place to be. Yes, I am very sarcastic, but in all honesty, the throngs of annoying people are bearable when you get to marvel at the amazing structure of Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore. This square is also bustling with people selling souvenirs, people taking horse drawn carriage rides, ambulances and taxis driving through so just keep aware and soak it all in. I couldn't personally enjoy the people watching because there were too many people but I'm sure if you sat at a café or something you may be able to do that. No matter what time of day we came by, it was busy as well, even early morning. Definitely worth it though so brave the people and the elements and check this place out.

This is a spectacular place and must see when in Florence. The Cathedral is magnificent as is the Tower and Baptism area. Tons of shops and restaurants dot the periphery and it is an easy walk from here to tons of other spots. That being said it is fairly crowded although that eases off a bit early and late. This was also the only place we encountered aggressive panhandling and the like. Despite this it is a must visit and make sure to walk the entire way around.

We had reserved tickets over a month in advance for 2 p.m. on a Friday. This combo ticket included all the major sites associated with the Duomo, which I'll detail in turn. I think it allowed you access for 48 hours from the start time. The ticket company also noted that you could download an audio guide to go with your tour. Two of us tried loading this on 3 devices without success. It was sprinkling rain as our tour time approached. The ticket directed you around the left side of the church (facing it) to a side entrance. There somoene with an orange umbrella would meet the ticketed group and provide the actual tickets, etc. We were the first to arrive and found our contact. She was very nice. As she gave us the tickets (with us providing shelter under our umbrellas as she dug around in her bag), she asked if we had got the audio guide. We told her that it failed to download. She was enthusiastic about trying to download it again now. However, to me, given this process failed consistently in a dry hotel room with WiFi, and that we're currently standing in the rain in a random spot in Florence where we may or may not have a strong cell signal, it seemed optimistic to try this further. Plus, other ticketed people started queuing up behind us, so we politely dissuaded her from further I.T. assistance. She then noted that we'd need to check our bag in a location just down the block (specific for this purpose, run by the church, I guess). We accomplished that and got the bag check token on a string to wear around a neck. The rain increased until our tour time came. we were then ushered inside the side door to the Duomo. It was dark inside initially. We did a bag check for purses and cameras. And then we were immediately directed up the stairs on the dome climb. My wife had been on the fence about wanting to do this, but the decision got made for her. I guess you could probably have deferred, but it seemed expected that you'd go. We climbed about 1/3 of the way up and stopped in a room with sculptures and signs. After lingering for 30 seconds, a staffer informed everyone that you could not stop here. I felt like asking why they had signs to read then, but I just hiked on. It takes a while, but you eventually come out at the base of the dome (inside) and circle around to where you ascend inside the dome itself. Finally you emerge at the top of the dome where you have a great view of Florence. You have time to circle it once or even twice to take in the views. We did this and took some photos, but then we wanted to descend (it was chilly and the rain seemed to be re-starting). We were stopped by the staffer and everyone had to wait a while. It was some up/down traffic control. After getting a bit wet, we descended and exited on the opposite exterior side of the church. We next stood in a 10-minute line to enter the church itself. Entering here is free. The inside is impressive, more so if you haven't visited St. Peter's in the few days prior. We wandered around for a while. They also have a lower level here where you can see the floor plan of prior churches on the same site. It gives a good overview of how things changed over the centuries. This was included in our pass and is not free. We next visited the Baptistry, which is just a few yards in front of the Duomo. Apparently this pre-dates the church and may have started as some sort of Roman temple. It was under extensive renovation when we visited, so some parts were screened off. We didn't stay long, but it was interesting. Our final stop of the day was at the museum of the Duomo, which is located behind the church and across the street (next to the bag check place). This is fairly extensive and I wish I'd had more energy at this point. They have the original Ghiberti bronze baptistry doors (Gates of Paradise), an original Michelangelo Pieta, plus a lot of other sculptures. I wish they had devoted a bit more to the construction of the dome, but they at least had a room that touched on parts of it. It was highly worth a visit. We then retrieved our checked bags next door. The following afternoon, I used the tickets for the final site: the bell tower. It is a similar height to the dome, but slightly shorter. Also it is just a vertical square tower, so the stairs are just a long series of right turns until you get to the caged in top. It has nice views, but the wires obstruct photography somewhat. This site should be one of the centerpieces of a visit to Florence.

Magnificent. Impressive. A true marvel! Definitely a highlight of my visit to Florence!

Admission to the Duomo was free and I kept getting pulled back. This beautiful & massive structure. I climbed up and around the inside of the Dome up the bell tower, into the Baptistery and the museum. The cathedral was begun at the end of the 13th century by Arnolfo di Cambio, & the massive dome, was added in the 15th century on a design of Filippo Brunelleschi. A statue to each of these important architects is outside to the right of the cathedral, both admiring their work for the rest of eternity. It took two centuries for the cathedral to be deemed finished.

A stunning architectural wonder. No words can speak to its beauty. The excavation below the Baptistry is fascinating, a must see. The museum is an incredible collection of art and sculpture. The Duomo complex is a must see when visiting Florence. 53

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!

Love love love the duomo, we had the express pass so got to skip the line and started the hike to the top of the duomo. The stairs are tight and you are walking in a tight line behind a lot of people so if you are claustrophobic or not in the best of health I would not do it . While we were going up someone had shortness of breath and we all had to hug the side of the wall while they came down. At the end you have to climb a metal ladder but the view up top is simply amazing and I would do it again. You can see Florence Italy in all of its splendor

Piazza del Duomo is the most visited place in the Europe . It's a very ancient place in a historic town of Florence. This square has a lot places to visit and also a lot of awesome restaurants.

When in Florence, one can't be quite as breath taken as when they visit the Duomo cathedral. This is a must. Folks, I'm not WELL traveled but I've seen enough of the world at this point to feel confident in saying it is a "must" or an "optional". This one is a must. Let's throw a flag out there for you... we almost skipped it on this trip (I've seen it many times in the past) because the line was AT LEAST a quarter mile long. It was a million degrees outside and we were not feeling the wait. Don't give up. Hop in line. From the back of the line, to in the cathedral... less than 15 minutes. The line moves quickly. It is worth your wait. I don't want to kill your experience but this cathedral is magically breath taking and an absolute "must do" while in Florence. Don't miss out. Take your time. I'm not religious but it certainly can be a place of peace for anyone.

This is a beautiful church and a must see in Florence. It would actually be hard not to see while there due to the size and it being located centrally in the old part of the city. It is an amazing church and is so big that pictures can't get it all in and do the structure justice.

Alongside seeing the Statue of David, this is easily one of the highlights of my stay in Florence! The whole complex of structures is so magnificent and impressive! The Dome of the Duomo is pretty much distinguishable in any photo of the City of Florence! We didn't climb the Dome, but we did climb the Tower! Beware though, the stairways going up and down inside the tower are very tight and can feel VERY claustrophobic! Once you get up there though, the views are spectacular! Seriously, not a bad shot of the city to be had from up here! The Piazza del Duomo is an absolute must see when visiting Florence! You owe it to yourself to check out this amazing site! 5 stars.

If you are visiting Florence, you'll eventually find yourself in this piazza (plaza). Here, you're surrounded by some of the most beautiful and iconic buildings in the world. The Florence Cathedral itself is arguably prettier from the outside with its multi-colored marble. Giotto's Bell Tower and the Bapistery of St. John all share the same design. Together, it's an overwhelming experience that is mind-boggling in proportion. When I first visited Florence in 2003, this area was unsafe and crawling with scam artists and beggars. Getting pick-pocketed was highly probable. Now, the area is totally different. There are military police all over the place and the area is significantly less crowded and safer.

beautiful Duomo in the heart of Florence, kind of hard to miss it. even if you don't go inside, just admiring the outside and all the detail in the building is a must see. plenty of shops and restaurants nearby. we did not get a chance to go inside even though we stayed at an airbnb next to it. the line seems long unless you go there super early

The Duomo is beautiful, historic and absolutely worth the visit while in Florence. We did not have plans to climb the tower until we found ourselves with some free time after seeing the David. I'm really happy that we decided to do this because it was 100% worth it. The views of the city from the top are unparalleled. We grabbed priority tickets and did not have to wait on the line. The priority tickets are something like ten extra dollars each, so if you are spending limited time in Florence and don't like waiting I'd suggest this. Especially since the line appeared to be pretty long. The climb up takes around 15-20 minutes. It's not too strenuous or steep. It is important to note that many of the stairways are extremely narrow, hot and stuffy. You'll likely be making the climb with a large amount of people behind you and in front of you. If everyone keeps on a steady pace it's fine, but we did have a few panic moments when the line stopped moving. Something to be very aware of if you are claustrophobic, and this definitely had me a little stressed for a few moments. But again, the views from the top make this completely worth it. Not only do you get beautiful views of the entire church from inside the tower, but you also get beautiful views of the whole city from the observation deck that surrounds it.

Review for Brunelleschi's Dome: It was a tiring climb but definitely worth it for the epic views at the top. The entrance is on the side and you get in based on your admission time. The views of Florence at the top are breathtaking. Just remind yourself this as you are climbing cramped steps, 463 if you are counting.

We came here at the beginning of our trip and knew that we had 1 week in Florence. I mention that because your ticket includes multiple sites and you have to schedule your time for the top of the dome. Bell Tower steps: 450 or so, it is fun and narrow to get to the top. Nothing too notable on the way up, but the view is great. There are resting points along the way on each floor. Basilica: A quick in and out...maybe 20 minutes unless you are really into it. The Cathedral: Line can be long, I rally liked the underground exhibit, which goes into the history of building it. The sanctuary itself is pretty, and they do a good job of limiting the number of people in there at once. The Dome steps: This is the part you have to schedule in advance. The nearest time was a few days out and we thought we scheduled on the self serve machine. We show up at the time and turns out we did not do it correctly. There needs to be a receipt printed or something to verify you did it right. That is why the minus one star. Otherwise, the experience was great and this too, had narrow stairs and great views.

Stunning, absolutely stunning. This is one of the most impressive things I've ever seen in Italy. I highly recommend coming to visit. Florence/Firenza is also a beautiful and lovely city. Easy to walk and get around. All the major sites and train station are in easy walking distance to each other. I would come back here again.

Finding a way inside this place is like trying to figure out the Da Vinci Code. It's no simple task I tell ya! We bought tickets and made our way to the front, but were told we needed reservations. Huh? We need tickets and a reservation? The next reservation is on a Wednesday afternoon when we will already be gone? What the? Either way, we were able to get into the tower and climb to the top which was a huge challenge on it's one. The piazza used to give me a hard time in the the video game Assassin's Creed to climb as this sucker is high! Even from the outside, it's a building to adore. Florence is an amazing city, without a reasonable doubt.

Such a magnificent example of history and architecture! While I didn't go inside (the line was waaaay too freakin long), admiring the structure from the outside was just as marvelous!! I was stunned at the smooth-as-butter white and green marble. The church looked like it was a paper doll house. With all the slick surfaces, my eyes completely missed all the little detailed cracks at first glance. I would definitely return to Florence, and the Duomo. The city life around Florence was quite invigorating!

Duomo is an italian term for a church with the features of, or having been built to serve as, a cathedral, whether or not it currently plays this role. Florence's cathedral stands tall over the city with its magnificent Renaissance dome designed by Filippo Brunelleschi, with the baptistery right across. The exterior is covered in a decorative mix of pink, white and green marble which is one of the reasons that has made it so unique.

One of the most striking piazzas in Italy, best enjoyed in late fall/early spring, due to the heat and noisy tourist crowds. Bessie definitely approves of the view.

This plaza is breathtaking... literally (all those steps)! We got skip the line timed tickets and we were glad we did. You technically still stand in line but you get in before the people that don't have a timed entrance. The Duomo is really the only one that attracts a lot of crowds, and the other structures remain pretty uncrowded. The views from the Duomo and the Bell Tower are worth the climbs, so definitely take a look!

Great central location with shops and eateries around. Part of the duomo is getting worked on, but it still doesn't take away from its beauty. The white paint job is actually quite striking when you see it at night. Most of the time we saw a big crowd around the duomo, but one day we were lucky to see a very short line so we went in. Another great freebie landmark to check out. I definitely do love the old architecture of Europe. The duomo isn't as ornate or nearly as large as St. Peter's Basicilia and it's slightly larger than the Sistine Chapel both in Rome, but it has its own charm as well.

A gorgeous cathedral that leaves you breathless every time you pass by. But don't bother waiting in long lines to get in- there is precious little interesting inside. The other churches in Florence are way better with fabulous art inside, like Santa Croce, Santa Maria Novella, Santo Spirito, etc. since our wonderful hotel was only 2 blocks away from the Duomo, we frequently passed by. One day we saw there was no line at all, so we thought, what the heck, its free, lets go in. We had been told that it was quite blah inside, and we found they were right!

You can't come to Florence without seeing the Piazza del Duomo. It stands in the middle of the city and at any given time is flooded with tourists both inside and out. The architecture of a building so old is amazing in itself, but to truly experience it, you must walk the steps to the top. The trek up is truly an adventure. The seemingly endless stairs twist and turn all the way to the top, with a few floors for photos and taking a break in between. The stairwell is incredibly narrow and serves as both an up and down path for visitors. If you are easily claustrophobic or scared of heights, definitely do not attempt this hike. If you love adventure, this is definitely for you. The views once at the top are second to none. You can see the entire city of Florence and provides for some amazing photos. Other than the hike to the top, the church itself is beautiful and truly takes your breath away when walking through and admiring the statues and history that surrounds you.

Bellisimo!!!!!!! Very busy, but it is exciting and beautiful! You must see in early morning or later 10 pm on to really appreciate its beauty! The entire piazza surrounds the beautiful church!

Oh wow, where to begin...Italy is full of wondrous sites and cities from antiquity and Florence is no different, maybe better on a smaller scale than Rome , but it's all subjective at this point. What is not an issue of "must see" is the Duomo both inside and out, above and below. Absolutely gorgeous facade all the way around. Ok, here's the choice you will have to make i.e. lines. I was there in low season in 19' and it's was about 30 minutes to get in the ground level main chapel. Then if you want to go up in the bell tower or the Dome themselves, get your tickets in advance on the Duomos website. I chose to go up to the dome....347 stairs, steep ones too, but the payoff is one beautiful view. Florence is awesome, just go, but here's a little secret, seriously, keep it under your hat. Go over the Thanksgiving holiday. Short lines everywhere I went all over Italy. The weather was a perfect 50-65ish degrees. Don't go in the summer.

Piazza del Duomo was my favorite Piazza I saw in Italy! Walking around, you can feel the Renaissance energy. It was like stepping through time. The buildings here are just amazing. All the buildings follow the same theme of white marble with greenish detail. Just stunning to stare at. The dome is one of the most famous shots of Florence. The plaza also has the Florence Cathedral and Baptistery and Campanile. This plaza is very busy and crowded. A definite tourist destination. A must see in Florence, you will regret it if you skip it!

From all the pictures I took on my Italian vacation. Florence's pictures of the duomo were my favorite. The details of the architecture are the most elaborate. And at the night, it totally seems like your in a different era with the feel of all these buildings and churches surrounding you etc ..., It almost feels like Florence is one big painting in a very nice dream. A must go to place. This cathedral is in the center of the hustle and bustle of city of Florence. You can enjoy just sitting on the steps of the cathedral and people watch. There are some great small shops, restaurants, gelato cafés all around it. I would like to recommend going there at day and night time to see the beauty of it. If you are staying in Florence overnight, get your hotel near by.

Breathtaking views here! This is probably the most picturesque place in all of Florence. The detailed art and architecture of the church is just incredible--as is the scale of the building. Definitely enjoy the shops and restaurants within the immediate area. So delightful!

Some tourist destinations are just friggin' worth it. Yes, this piazza is among the most crowded in Europe, but the breathtaking duomo and surrounding snacks are oh-so worth it! There aren't really many main hubs in the world that have taken my breath away, but Piazza del Duomo sure has. Plus, you can get that fun instagram with the replica of the David before you march to Accademia Museum to see it in real life. Might as well, I mean you are in Florence, you lucky duck!

Unfortunately, the day we were here there was some sort of event going on so the square was clogged with bleachers and scaffolding. This forced the huge crowds of people into a very small area around the edges of parts of the square. Still, the square was an incredible place. Of course, it's dominated by Florence Cathedral - an incredibly beautiful (and huge) church. It also includes an impressive statue of Dante and a number of shops and cafes housed in very old and beautiful buildings. We spent a fair amount of time here just relaxing and taking in the beautiful views.

Left me with the impression as one of the most beautiful and interesting piazzas I saw in Italy or ever. Bellezza! No words or pictures can do it justice. It was always crowded and we cant even be mad. I could sit there all day admiring it. Lucky that this Duomo was a reason for my smiles and that I was fortunate to feast my eyes upon it.

One of my favorite piazza's - and in Florence Italy that is saying much. The baroque is music playing, you don't even know where it is coming from. it is crowded and full of people lining up in every direction to see the Duomo. The golden doors - though you have to go to another museum to see the originals, these are fantastic replicates. It is very confusing on how to get your tickets. I encourage all that visit Florence (Firenze) to get a the Firenze pass - which can be picked up at several locations, gives you 72 hour access with "skip line" privelages at the Duomo and pretty much every museum you dream to visit, including Uffizi. Worth it! No lines! And you set your own schedule.

Duomo is my best place in the whole of Italy! Very beautifully created and stand out in the skyline! Whenever the word "Renaissance" comes up, it will always be the Duomo for me. We were debating between climbing the Duomo or Giotto's Bell tower, but ended up climbing Duomo because of the Fresco on the dome. While climbing, you get really close to the Fresco which is beyond words. You can see the exterior of the Dome once you are on the top and also see Giotto's Bell tower. The red roof of Florence are very pretty too! The hike up is not that stressful and the line moves slow, so you can get enough breaks on the way up. We were up and down in about an hour, including time for taking pictures on the top! Buy the ticket online in advance and start very early in the morning to avoid long lines. Visited May 2015

FIRENZE! Whether you are here for a few hours or for months, the first thing you have to do is to walk to this grand plaza where the famous Duomo is. No matter how many times you have seen the photos, I can bet that you will be stunned by the Duomo's magnificence in scale and details! Paralleled by only the nearby Piazza della Signoria, this piazza is the most festive square in central Florence. Aside from being such a photogenic square, Piazza del Duomo is great for people-watching as well. Don't worry about buying the food next to this popular tourist attraction; at least in Florence, even the "tourist traps" are delicious. In fact, this is where you can find one of the best gelatos I had in Italy - Edoardo. Don't bother preparing yourself because no matter how much you brace yourself for this marvel, you will be marveled nevertheless. Go ahead, and remember to catch your breath when you see the Duomo peeking out! --- tl;dr version: 1) Must-go, 1st thing for all Florence visitors 2) Most festive square with Piazza Della Signoria in central Florence 3) Even in midst of the famous Duomo, food is still good!

Visited 16 June, 2017: Magnificent! Not to be missed - which is impossible, really. Incredible in it's sheer size and scale, makes one feel humble. Queues are punishingly long during peak season, so get a Firenze Card and book your visit across at the tourist info line

You'll undoubtedly find yourself here time and again, en route to another location or here for the sheer awe and joy of taking in the Duomo, belltower and baptistry, as well as the famous bronze doors. Lovely early in the day before it's crowded, fine midday, and a must-see as the sun sets, to feel connected with the locals and tourists alike. No need to tour the interior, as the exterior is the highlight of these buildings.

This place is a must see, so add it to your itinerary when you visit Florence, Italy. You can see the duomo in movies and tv shows, but it does not compare to actually being here. See it from afar and see it up close. Go inside. See it at night. So beautiful, no matter the time of day.

Beautiful! I recommend seeing it, but I would stay away from the restaurants close to it. They seem to be lure for tourists. The food & wine at the place I went to was horrible. I wish I remembered the name of the place.

Could not wait to get out of this piazza. The Duomo is unique. I didn't go inside. Maybe that is what makes it a big deal. The piazza was so crazily crowded that I just wanted to leave. I kept ending up cutting through since the top of the Duomo is such a landmark. That one the saving grace of this piazza. A landmark to get around the city.

Our hotel Perseo is conveniently located within steps from this major major attraction so we were fortunate to be able to walk by it s f admire the beautiful architecture multiple times daily on our way touring this wonderful city. We did not get to go inside for seeing the lines just turned us away. However the exterior is just as charming and memorable. I think the best time to view it is at night and could not resist taking another shot walking by perhaps from a difference angle.

A historical experience. The building itself is stunning and the views you get from climbing to the top are breathtaking. With that being said it is quite a hike to the top so make sure you wear comfortable shoes and are prepared for some serious climbing. The spaces can also be somewhat small and tight at times so beware of that.

Beautiful, stunning and breathtaking! But you know what's more heart-stopping, literally? The 467 narrow, confined spiral stairs to the top of the dome. It definitely wasn't fun going up, but once you get there, you're greeted with some of the most spectacular views you'll ever see and a cornucopia of "it's so worth it!" in every language known to man.