Florence Cathedral: Tickets, Dome Climb & What to Know Before You Go

The Florence Cathedral, the Duomo di Firenze, is one of the most recognizable buildings in the world, and yet seeing it for the first time still catches you off guard. The sheer scale and detail of the marble facade up close is something no photograph quite prepares you for.

We’ve now visited the Florence Cathedral complex twice: first on a family trip in July, and again on a return visit, just me and Tim, in September. Both times, we spread our visit to the Duomo complex across multiple days.

On our first visit, Tyler and Kara were 11 and 9, and the dome climb was the very first thing we did in Florence. Our kids tend to thrive on a challenge, so the narrow spiral staircases, uneven footing, and alternating surfaces were half the fun for them. If you enjoy that kind of physical, slightly adventurous experience, you’re going to love it. If tight spaces aren’t your thing, that’s worth knowing going in. Either way, the 360° views over Florence at the top make every step worth it.

On our return trip, we did the dome climb again and filled in everything we’d missed the first time. Staying just steps from the Duomo also gave us an unexpected advantage: we watched the lines build and thin at different points throughout the day, which shaped a lot of the advice in this guide.

A few things have changed between our two visits, including the addition of a mesh barrier at the top of Giotto’s Bell Tower that significantly affects photography, so we’ve noted throughout this guide what was true then versus now. We want you to have an accurate picture of what to expect, not an idealized one.

With multiple ticket options, several distinct sites within the complex, and a dome climb that requires an advance reservation, planning a visit here can feel complicated. It doesn’t have to be. Here’s everything we know.

At a Glance: Florence Cathedral

LOCATION | Piazza del Duomo, Florence, Italy

HOURS | Vary by site; cathedral open Monday–Saturday 10:15 am–3:45 pm (free entry)

TICKET TYPES | Ghiberti Pass, Giotto Pass, Brunelleschi Pass

DOME CLIMB | Brunelleschi Pass only · advance reservation required · 463 steps · no elevator

BELL TOWER | 414 steps · no elevator

BEST TIME TO VISIT | Later in the day; lines are longest right at opening

DRESS CODE | Shoulders and knees must be covered

TIME NEEDED | 1–2 hours for the cathedral and dome only · 4–5 hours for the full complex

GETTING THERE | Walking distance from most central Florence hotels

June 2026 Update: Verified all links, pricing, and hours, added new photos, added a sample itinerary to visit the Duomo complex.

What’s Worth Your Time at the Florence Cathedral

Most people come to the Florence Cathedral to see the dome, and the dome is absolutely the highlight. But the complex is larger than most visitors expect, and if you have limited time or limited interest in covering every site, it helps to know which parts earn their place and which you can skip without regret.

If you only have an hour or two: Prioritize the dome climb and the Baptistery. The dome climb requires a reserved time slot booked in advance and this is the one thing you must not leave to chance. The Baptistery takes only 15 to 20 minutes, and the golden mosaic ceiling is one of the most stunning things we saw in all of Florence. The bronze doors on the exterior are also worth a few minutes of your time.

If you have 3 hours: Add the main floor of the cathedral (free to enter, about 20 minutes) and the Opera del Duomo Museum. We almost skipped the museum on our first visit and it turned out to be better than we expected. The original Gates of Paradise doors are here, along with an exhibit on the construction of the dome that gives the whole experience much more context.

If you want to see everything: Add Giotto’s Bell Tower and Santa Reparata. The bell tower is a worthy climb, though be aware that a mesh barrier has been added at the top that affects photography. Santa Reparata, the excavated remains of the original church beneath the cathedral, is easy to combine with your cathedral visit since you access it from the main floor.

The one site we’d skip: The Duomo Terraces experience is a guided tour only, books up well in advance, and is harder to justify unless you’ve already done everything else. For views, the dome climb and the bell tower cover it well.

Things to Do at the Florence Cathedral

The Florence Cathedral is part of the monumental complex of Santa Maria del Fiore. This “complex” includes not only the cathedral, but also a museum, the bell tower, the dome, the baptistery, and Santa Reparata.

There are several ticket types, which we will get into a bit later, but first, here are the things to do at the monumental complex of Santa Maria del Fiore.

1. Main Floor of the Florence Cathedral

Visiting the main floor of the Florence Cathedral is one of the best free things to do in Florence, but the interior is surprisingly plain. For a cathedral with one of the most ornate marble facades in the world and a dome visible from almost everywhere in the city, the inside caught us off guard with how bare it feels. Compared to St. Mark’s Basilica or St. Peter’s Basilica, it’s almost austere. This may be one cathedral where nearly all the drama is on the outside.

That said, there are things worth seeing. The stained-glass windows were designed in part by Lorenzo Ghiberti, and there are paintings and frescoes throughout the cathedral. Construction began in 1296, designed by Arnolfo di Cambio, and the cathedral was consecrated on March 25, 1436 by Pope Eugene IV, so it took nearly 150 years to complete.

The Last Judgement frescoes covering the inside of the dome are the undisputed highlight of the interior. We’ll cover these more in the Dome section, but even from the main floor the scale of the painting is striking. Don’t leave without spending a few minutes gazing up at them.

Before you leave, look for the 24-hour clock above the entrance door, designed by Paolo Uccello. The dial runs counterclockwise and uses Roman numerals; a genuinely unusual detail that most people walk right past.

Florence Cathedral

The view of the dome from the main floor of the Cathedral

The line to enter the cathedral is a security line, similar to going through security at an airport. This line tends to be long but it moves fast, so don’t be discouraged. I got in line midday, getting in line near Porta della Mandorla (which is the entrance for the dome climb) and waited about 20 minutes to enter the cathedral.

On our recent visit to Florence, there was a line all day long, but at opening time it looked the longest. The later in the day you go, the better chance that the line will be shorter. To visit the inside of the cathedral, there is a very good chance that you are going to have to wait in some kind of line.

The line to enter the Florence Cathedral

2. The Dome

The dome climb was the very first thing we did on our first trip to Florence, and it set the tone for the entire visit. Our kids, then 9 and 11, were completely in their element. They were mesmerized by the Last Judgement frescoes, energized by the endless spiral staircases, and thrilled by the views at the top. For them, it was one of the best moments of the entire trip. For us, it lived up to every bit of the hype.

Brunelleschi’s dome was constructed between 1420 and 1436, and at the time it was the largest dome ever built. The engineering problem it solved, how to construct a dome of that size without the wooden centering that was standard practice, had stumped architects for decades. Michelangelo studied it carefully before designing the dome at St. Peter’s Basilica.

The most important thing to know about the dome is that you must have a reservation in advance. Walk-up tickets do occasionally remain, but don’t count on it. In September, we had no trouble booking a few days ahead. In summer, book your tickets at least one month in advance.

The entrance for the dome climb is at Porta della Mandorla on the north side of the cathedral. At your reserved time slot, you will enter, pass through security, and begin climbing almost immediately.

To reach the top, you will climb 463 steps. The staircase alternates between narrow spiraling passages, wider switchbacks, and uneven medieval footing that keeps the climb genuinely interesting rather than just relentless. There is no elevator. Children under 18 must be accompanied by an adult.

About halfway up, the staircase opens onto a walkway around the interior base of the dome, bringing you face to face with the Last Judgement frescoes.

Work began on these in 1572 under Giorgio Vasari, who died before they were finished; the project was completed by Federico Zuccari and several others over the course of seven years.

Up close, the scale and detail are extraordinary, far more so than looking up at them from the main floor. Our kids stood there longer than we expected, completely transfixed.

The Last Judgement frescoes

From there, it is still a good climb to the very top, with some of the narrowest passages of the whole ascent. But the 360° views over Florence at the summit make every step worth it.

A visit to the dome typically lasts 45 to 60 minutes.

View from the dome

3. Baptistery of San Giovanni

The Baptistery is one of the most underrated stops in the entire complex. It takes only 15 to 20 minutes to visit, yet the golden mosaic ceiling is one of the most stunning things we saw in all of Florence. We missed it on our first visit due to a renovation project covering the mosaics, and seeing them on our return trip was one of the highlights of the entire stay. If you are debating whether to add it to your visit, don’t. It’s worth every minute.

Built between 1059 and 1128 in a Florentine Romanesque style, the Baptistery is actually older than the cathedral itself.

The Baptistery is famous for its three sets of bronze doors. Ghiberti created the east doors (the Gates of Paradise), Andrea Pisano created the south doors, and Lorenzo Ghiberti also created the north doors.

The original Gates of Paradise doors are located in the Opera del Duomo Museum. What you see at the Baptistery is a replica.

Replica of the Gates of Paradise doors

Dante Aligheri and members of the Medici family were all baptized here. Within the Baptistery is the tomb of Antipope John XXIII, created by Donatello and Michelozzo Michelozzi.

A visit inside of the Baptistery is relatively quick (10 to 15 minutes) and it is absolutely worth it to see the golden mosaic ceiling.

Mosaic ceiling of the baptistery

Baptistery of San Giovanni

4. Giotto’s Bell Tower

Giotto’s Bell Tower, also called the Campanile, stands right alongside the cathedral and offers one of the best elevated views in Florence. To reach the top, you climb 414 steps through a series of staircases, with terraces along the way where you can stop, catch your breath, and take in the view as it builds. There is no elevator.

Giotto began designing the tower in 1334 but died the following year before construction was complete. It was finished by Andrea Pisano and later Francesco Talenti, who added the final levels and the Gothic windows that give the tower much of its character.

We have visited the bell tower twice, and our experience changed significantly between the two trips. On our first visit, the view from the top was our favorite in all of Florence. We were at eye level with the dome and could photograph it up close in a way that isn’t possible from anywhere else. It was spectacular, and one of the highlights of that trip.

Before our second visit, a black metal barrier was added around the top of the tower. The view itself is still excellent, and we still think the climb is worth doing. But the barrier makes photography genuinely difficult. You can thread a smartphone through the gaps, but a larger camera will capture the barrier in every shot. Our two photos in this section show exactly what changed: the unobstructed view we had on our first visit, and what you see today through the mesh.

If photography is important to you and you want an unobstructed panoramic view of Florence, the Arnolfo Tower at Palazzo Vecchio is now our top recommendation for that. You can find it along with our other favorite viewpoints in our guide to the best views in Florence.

The view from the top of Giotto’s Bell Tower before the metal grates were added.

This is the view through the metal grate.

5. Santa Reparata

Beneath the cathedral lies Santa Reparata, the original church that stood on this site before the Duomo was built directly on top of it. Between 1965 and 1974, excavations revealed the remains of this church along with Roman houses and ancient city streets. Brunelleschi’s tomb is also located here.

We visited Santa Reparata on our second trip to Florence, and we found it genuinely interesting. The low ceilings, dim lighting, and the sense of walking through layers of history that stretch back to the 5th century give it an atmospheric quality unlike anything else in the complex. That said, it didn’t stand out the way the dome climb, the Baptistery, or the Opera del Duomo Museum did. If you have time and a Brunelleschi or Giotto Pass, it’s worth the 15 to 20 minutes. If you’re short on time, it’s the site we’d put at the bottom of the list.

There are two entrances: from inside the cathedral, descend the stairs on the main floor, or enter from outside via the entrance next to the Bell Tower.

Santa Reparata

6. Opera del Duomo Museum

The Opera del Duomo Museum is better than most visitors expect, and we say that as people who almost skipped it on our first visit. It won’t crack our list of favorite museums in Italy, but it’s a genuinely worthwhile stop, particularly if you want to understand the full scope of what you’ve been looking at in the piazza.

The highlight is Ghiberti’s original Gates of Paradise doors, removed from the Baptistery for preservation and displayed here up close. Standing next to them after seeing the replica on the Baptistery exterior puts the craftsmanship in a different perspective entirely.

The museum also contains an exhibit on the construction of the dome that adds real context to the Brunelleschi climb, along with original sculptures and works that once adorned the cathedral, the bell tower, and the Baptistery.

The building itself has its own history. This is where Michelangelo carved the statue of David.

On the top level is an outdoor terrace with a view of the cathedral. It’s a nice spot and worth a few minutes, though not an essential stop on its own.

Plan on about an hour for the full museum.

View of the Florence Cathedral from the terrace of the Opera del Duomo Museum.

7. The Duomo Terraces

Ticket Type: Exclusive guided tour

Running along the side of the cathedral are two terraces. From these terraces, you get great views of Florence, plus a unique view of the inside of the cathedral, as you walk from one terrace to the other. This can only be done on a guided tour and these are reserved well in advance. For more information, click here.

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Florence Cathedral Ticket Types

Tickets to the individual sites within the complex are not sold separately. Everything is purchased as a pass. There are three options:

Ghiberti Pass

Cost: €15
Validity: 3 days
Includes: Baptistery, Opera del Duomo Museum, and Santa Reparata
Timed Entry: When you purchase this pass, you will book a timed entry slot for Santa Reparata.

Giotto Pass

Cost: €20
Validity: 3 days
Includes: Baptistery, Opera del Duomo Museum, Santa Reparata, and Giotto’s Bell Tower
Timed Entry: When you purchase this pass, you will book a timed entry slot for the bell tower.

Brunelleschi Pass

Cost: €30
Validity: 3 days
Includes: Everything: Brunelleschi’s dome, the Baptistery, Opera del Duomo Museum, Giotto’s Bell Tower, and Santa Reparata
Timed Entry: When you purchase this pass, you will book a timed entry slot for the dome climb.

Our recommendation: For most visitors, the Brunelleschi Pass is the best value. The dome climb is the highlight of the entire complex and is worth the extra cost over the Giotto Pass. The Ghiberti Pass makes sense only if you have very limited time and want to focus on the Baptistery and museum without any climbing.

A few important notes on how the passes work: all three passes are valid for 72 hours, but whichever site requires a reserved time slot must be visited on the first day of your pass. The cathedral itself is always free to enter and is not included in any pass.

For updated pricing and to purchase your ticket in advance, visit the official website.

PRO TRAVEL TIP: Print a copy of your ticket or screenshot your ticket with the bar code once you make your reservation, just in case you don’t have cellular service when you arrive at the Duomo.

Tickets can be purchased at the Ticket Office on Piazza del Duomo, but it’s best to purchase them online in advance so you can reserve your time slot for the dome climb.

Firenze Card

The Firenze Card is a money-saving card that includes access to many of Florence’s museums and sites. Currently, the Duomo complex is NOT included on the Firenze Card.

How to Get to the Florence Cathedral

The Florence Cathedral and the associated sites are all located in and around Piazza del Duomo, which sits in the historic heart of Florence. From most of the main sites in town, it is a quick walk to get here.

The area around Piazza del Duomo is pedestrian only so you cannot take a taxi or bus. There is no metro in Florence.

Florence Cathedral Itinerary

You can visit the sites within the complex in any order, with one exception: the dome climb requires a reserved time slot booked in advance, and that time slot anchors the rest of your day. Everything else can be done before or after it, on the same day.

If you want to see everything the complex has to offer, here is a sample itinerary that works well:

8:30 am — Opera del Duomo Museum: Start here before the crowds arrive. The museum holds the original Gates of Paradise doors, an exhibit on the construction of the dome, and far more than most visitors expect. Give yourself about an hour.

9:30 am — Dome Climb: Book this time slot in advance. It is the one part of your visit that requires a reservation. The climb involves 463 steps, with narrow spiral staircases, uneven surfaces, and a walkway around the base of the dome where you get an up-close look at the Last Judgement frescoes before reaching the top. Plan on 45 to 60 minutes.

10:30 am — Baptistery of San Giovanni: Cross the piazza to the Baptistery. The visit is quick, about 10 to 15 minutes, but the golden mosaic ceiling is worth it. Note that the vault mosaics are currently undergoing restoration and are not visible; check the official website for updates before your visit.

11:00 am — Giotto’s Bell Tower: The entrance is right next to the cathedral. It’s 414 steps to the top with no elevator, but the climb is manageable and the views are excellent. Be aware that a mesh barrier now surrounds the top of the tower, which limits photography. Plan on 30 to 45 minutes.

11:45 am — Cathedral Main Floor and Santa Reparata: There is nearly always a line to enter the cathedral, but it tends to move quickly. Once inside, make sure to look up at the dome and don’t miss the 24-hour clock above the entrance door. From the main floor, descend the stairs to visit Santa Reparata, the excavated remains of the original church that stood on this site. Plan on an hour to an hour and a half for both.

Best Time of Day to Visit the Florence Cathedral

Climbing the steps to the top of the dome is the most popular thing to do at the duomo, but since you must book a time slot in advance, you no longer have to wait in line.

Throughout the day, there will be lines to enter the Duomo, the museum, and the Baptistery. For the sites that open relatively early, such as Giotto’s Bell Tower, the museum, and the Baptistery, it is worthwhile to get here at opening time, in order to visit at least one without a line.

The end of the day tends to be a little less crowded, so to avoid the lines, plan your visit for the late afternoon, just be aware of closing times for each site, since they all have different hours.

View from Giotto’s Bell Tower

7 Mistakes to Avoid at the Florence Cathedral

#1 Not booking the dome climb in advance. This is the most common and most costly mistake you can make at the Florence Cathedral. Dome climb tickets sell out, sometimes weeks in advance in peak season. If you arrive in Florence without a reservation, there is a real chance you will not be able to climb the dome at all. Book as early as possible. We recommend at least a month in advance in summer, though earlier is always safer. In September, we had no trouble booking a few days ahead, but summer is a different story. If tickets are sold out, you might still be able to purchase them through a third-party seller like GetYourGuide.

#2 Assuming you can buy tickets on the spot. Even for the passes that don’t require a specific time slot, buying in advance is strongly recommended. The ticket office is across the street from the cathedral, but the last thing you want is to arrive and find your preferred pass is unavailable or that the time slots you wanted for the bell tower or Santa Reparata are gone.

#3 Forgetting that dome tickets are non-transferable. Tickets for the dome climb are linked to the individual buyer and names are often checked at entry. You cannot buy a ticket and hand it off to someone else.

#4 Not budgeting enough time for the full complex. The dome and the cathedral alone take 1 to 2 hours. If you want to see everything: the museum, the Baptistery, the bell tower, and Santa Reparata, plan on a half day. Many visitors underestimate this and end up rushing through the museum or skipping the Baptistery entirely, which would be a shame.

#5 Skipping the Opera del Duomo Museum. We almost did this ourselves and it would have been a mistake. The museum holds the original Gates of Paradise doors, an exhibit on the construction of the dome, and one of the best collections of Renaissance sculpture in Italy. If you have a Brunelleschi or Giotto Pass, it is already included.

#6 Wearing the wrong clothing. The dress code is strictly enforced. Shoulders and knees must be covered to enter the cathedral. Scarves or wraps are not always available at the entrance, so plan ahead and wear or bring appropriate clothing.

#7 Expecting unobstructed photos from the bell tower. A mesh barrier now surrounds the top of Giotto’s Bell Tower, which makes photography difficult. The view itself is still excellent, but if getting a clean shot of Florence is important to you, the Arnolfo Tower at Palazzo Vecchio or the dome of the Florence Cathedral are the better options for unobstructed panoramic photography.

Skip the Line Tours of the Florence Cathedral

If you aren’t able to get a ticket to climb the dome during your visit (for example, if tickets are sold out), then you can book a tour.

If tickets are sold out for your dates on the official website, it’s possible to purchase the Brunelleschi Pass through GetYourGuide.  

This guided tour of the cathedral also includes the dome climb.

This highly rated tour includes the duomo, the dome climb, and the terraces.

What to Do after Your Visit

After your visit, take a short walk to Piazza della Repubblica, one of Florence’s liveliest squares and a good spot to decompress after a busy morning at the complex.

If you still have an appetite for views, two rooftop bars in this area, View on Art and Tosca & Nino, offer some of the best sightlines of the Duomo in the city. See our guide to the Florence Rooftop Bars for details on both, plus other rooftop options across Florence.

From there, make your way to Piazza della Signoria and consider climbing the Arnolfo Tower at Palazzo Vecchio. As we mentioned in the bell tower section, this is now our top recommendation for unobstructed panoramic views of Florence, and it pairs naturally with an afternoon in the piazza.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do you need a ticket to enter the cathedral in Florence?

No, you do not need a ticket to enter the Florence Cathedral. It is free to enter the cathedral and no reservation is required. However, if you also want to visit one of the other sites within the duomo complex, such as Brunelleschi’s dome or Giotto’s bell tower, you will need a ticket.

How much does it cost to visit the Florence Cathedral?

It is free to enter the cathedral but the other sites around the duomo have a fee. The Brunelleschi Pass includes the dome climb and all of the monuments of the duomo complex and costs €30.

Which Florence Cathedral ticket is best?

For most visitors, the Brunelleschi Pass (€30) is the best option. It includes the dome climb, the highlight of the entire complex, plus the bell tower, Baptistery, Opera del Duomo Museum, and Santa Reparata. The Giotto Pass (€20) is a good choice if you want everything except the dome climb. The Ghiberti Pass (€15) makes sense only if you have very limited time and want to focus on the Baptistery and museum.

Is the Florence Cathedral worth it?

The Florence Cathedral and its dome are considered to be one of the most important Renaissance projects. Climbing the steps to the top of the dome, not only for the amazing views you get of Florence, but also to see The Last Judgement frescoes on the inside of the dome, are one of the best things to do on a visit to Florence, so it is not to be missed.

How long does it take to visit the Florence Cathedral?

Plan on 45 to 60 minutes for the dome climb alone. If you are visiting the cathedral interior only, allow about 20 minutes. For the full complex including the museum, Baptistery, bell tower, and Santa Reparata, set aside at least 4 to 5 hours.

Can children climb the Florence Cathedral dome?

Yes, but children under 18 must be accompanied by an adult. The climb involves 463 steps with narrow spiral staircases and uneven footing. Our kids were 9 and 11 on our first visit and loved every minute of it, but it helps if they are comfortable with enclosed spaces and physical activity.

If you have any questions about how to visit the Florence Cathedral or climb to the top of Brunelleschi’s dome, let us know in the comment section below.

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