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
Suggest edits to improve what we show.
Improve this listing
Tours & experiences
Explore different ways to experience this place.
What is Travellers’ Choice?
Tripadvisor gives a Travellers’ Choice award to accommodations, attractions and restaurants that consistently earn great reviews from travellers and are ranked within the top 10% of properties on Tripadvisor.
Top ways to experience Piazza del Duomo
The area
Address
Neighbourhood: 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 travellers are saying
  • BernardWYLee
    Singapore, Singapore38 contributions
    Beautiful baptistery church in Florence
    This was basically the most beautiful Church that we have visited in Italy so far! The baptistery architecture and its exterior was simply amazing making using different colors of marble slabs. The surrounding of the church was lively and full or eateries, cafes and shops. Do beware of pickpockets when it’s getting crowded Overall a must visit when in Florence!
    Visited December 2022
    Travelled with family
    Written 12 December 2022
  • Angelo S
    Hilliard, Ohio3,581 contributions
    Important Piazza in Florence
    What I would consider one of the two "core" piazzas of Florence (the other being Piazza della Signoria). This piazza contains a number of important buildings of Florence: duomo, baptistry, campanile di Giotto, and flows into Piazza di San Giovanni along with some assorted restaurants, bars, and gelaterie. Certainly a must-go when in Florence.
    Visited October 2022
    Written 15 December 2022
  • Alessia F
    London, United Kingdom33 contributions
    Simply beautiful
    My daughter and I went to Florence on a day trip from my beautiful Umbria. First time for her ( we live in the UK) so we hit straight away Piazza del Duomo. She was amazed by the beauty of the cathedral’ s façade and the complex including Giotto’ bell tower. Simply one of the best churches in Italy, the colours of the marbles are amazing and spectacular during sunset when they turn pink like the sky.
    Visited December 2022
    Travelled with family
    Written 27 December 2022
  • Rosalind
    Rome, Italy24 contributions
    If you are Catholic, consider attending mass.
    I went to 10 am mass on a weekday (English masses are at 5 pm on Saturdays). It was solemn (definitely no cameras, please) and afterwards we migrated over the the main alter to contemplate, pray or go to confession. All of this out of sight of the madding crowds shuffling along in the nave. For me, this is the best way to experience a place like the Duomo.
    Visited January 2023
    Written 8 January 2023
  • Arthur M
    Hamilton, Canada1,038 contributions
    The icon of Florence
    This square hosts the legendary Duomo cathedral and the smaller Baptistery of St. John. This area is pretty busy throughout the day and the evening and it was nice to walk around the Duomo and appreciate its beauty and grandeur. Shops were aplenty and just watch out for city vehicles roaming the area. But it is mostly car-free, pretty dominated by pedestrians. And to confirm, there was no hay for Ezio and prospective assassins who want to follow his footsteps to land on. Do not attempt, you will desynchronize. And yes, that was an Assassin Creed reference. Firenze was signature place for the game's fans.
    Visited December 2022
    Written 15 January 2023
  • Samuel Armbrust
    Porto Alegre, RS17 contributions
    A beautiful place
    The Duomo’s square is a beautiful place. You feel like you are close to a giant, an amazing, pleasurable and magic giant. Everything around the Duomo is impressive and visit is certainly worth it. You have several restaurant options around it so you can stay for hours there.
    Visited July 2022
    Written 5 February 2023
  • Anne D
    United Kingdom20 contributions
    One of the incredible sights of Florence
    Seeing the Duomo for the first time was incredible. The queues outside however were a bit daunting so didn't go inside until later in our trip. Think the outside definitely more awe-inspiring than the interior, which I was somewhat under-whelmed by.
    Visited February 2023
    Written 27 February 2023
  • exploretheworld29
    Hove, United Kingdom466 contributions
    Worth the climb
    Amazing view and a memorable climb. The structure of the dome was fascinating considering how and when it was built and to climb inside this was amazing. The view was incredible once outside! And you could see for miles across Florence.
    Visited March 2023
    Travelled as a couple
    Written 5 March 2023
  • DAuntDeb
    331 contributions
    Monumental
    It was totally cool walking around the corner and it was there. Right in your face. The outside is amazing. That's the star of the show. Inside is big but it is the ugly sister to the facade. Free to go inside but you pay to go to the top and inside the bapistry. Good gelato in the square.
    Visited January 2023
    Written 7 March 2023
  • Buzios_PW
    Hayling Island, United Kingdom84 contributions
    An absolutely stunning building
    The Duomo (or Florence Cathedral) is of course the most iconic attraction in Florence and it cannot be missed. The amount of detail on its facade is just mind-blowing. The dome itself is made up of a staggering 37000 tons of brick. We spent quite some time walking around the exterior of this huge building just staring at its magnificence. It is free to get inside but there are quite long queues (which actually move quite quickly), however the inside, though huge, is nowhere near as impressive as the outside and the interiors of many other basilicas in Florence are far more impressive.
    Visited March 2023
    Written 22 March 2023
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
Popular mentions

4.5
22,729 reviews
Excellent
17,283
Very good
4,554
Average
730
Poor
97
Terrible
65

Ali921
Edinburgh, UK1,411 contributions
Oct 2023 • Family
Full of tourists but actually not a pleasant area in which to sit. Just two large lines of people waiting to get into the cathedral or up the tower
Written 26 October 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.

BostonJandP
Beverly, MA195 contributions
Oct 2023 • Couples
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.
Written 24 October 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.

Marchell
Leicestershire, UK1,017 contributions
Oct 2023 • Couples
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!
Written 18 October 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.

Ken T
Glen Oaks, NY603 contributions
Sep 2023 • Solo
The Duomo is simply majestic. The area is very crowded with people taking pictures. I did not take the tour of the inside, but just to look at the architect of the Duomo was amazing. A must see in Florence.
Written 30 September 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.

operalover939
Toronto, Canada2,977 contributions
Sep 2023 • Family
The piazza is overrun by tourists, but if you can find a cafe or restaurant with an empty table, you have found the perfect spot to admire the Duomo, the Baptistery and the Campanile.
Written 28 September 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.

L_K1509
London, UK1,312 contributions
Sep 2023 • Couples
The area is vast and circles the Duomo cathedral. There are places to sit and just take in the stunning building.

There are many restaurants / cafes and shops surrounding the square.

Here you can people watch the many visitors to Florence, just be careful of you belongings as it’s pickpockets paradise.
Written 27 September 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.

joeandstacey2015
Hertfordshire, UK38 contributions
Sep 2023
this has to be seen to be believed it is simply stunning architecture.
nice to walk around the exterior and admire the frescos but to get inside to tour is a nightmare of queueing.
Written 25 September 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.

Traveler O
Washington DC, DC1,001 contributions
Apr 2023 • Family
Most popular, and touristy, square in Florence. Located in the midst of the Duomo, there's no shortage of eateries, shops and panhandlers in this square. Beware of belongings though as pickpockets do work the crowd and others at times try to sell you cheap knockoff items. Come for the pictures and to visit the Duomo and the sites, then move on as the best eateries are not located in this square.
Written 24 September 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.

travel_in_fours
Emirate of Dubai, United Arab Emirates911 contributions
Aug 2023 • Family
Piazza del Duomo (Cathedral Square) includes the cathedral itself, Florence’s Battistero and Giotto’s Belltower.

The Cathedral is open from 10:00am to 4:30pm, while the opening times of the other Duomo Complex attractions vary between 8:15am and 7:00pm
Florence cathedral is part of a complex of buildings, one beside the other.
Do not forget to have the Dome climb. The view from the top of Brunelleschi’s Dome is breathtaking. 463 steps.
Written 28 August 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.

suzanne d
United Kingdom14 contributions
Aug 2023 • Friends
Beautiful city, fabulous atmosphere. Wonderful shops. A real experience. I wish we had planned our trip better and booked a slot to go into the cathedral and palace. The queues were long and we missed out on the palace. Will definitely return.
Written 26 August 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.

Showing results 1-10 of 8,225
Is this your Tripadvisor listing?
Own or manage this property? Claim your listing for free to respond to reviews, update your profile and much more.
Claim your listing

Piazza del Duomo (Florence) - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (with Photos) - Tripadvisor

Frequently Asked Questions about Piazza del Duomo