Piazza del Duomo

The basics

With its unique concentration of art and architecture, Piazza del Duomo is a worthwhile place to spend a half day in Florence. Once you’ve climbed the bell tower and looked around the Opera del Duomo Museum, do a lap around the cathedral to check out the street artists or relax at a café for espresso and people-watching.

For the most impactful context about Piazza del Duomo’s many treasures, booking a tour is the way to go. Some experiences offer a comprehensive look inside the square’s highlights, allowing you to climb to the top of the duomo with a guide, while others stop by the piazza on a lighthearted walking tour about Florence’s secret legends and Medici history. Options cater to every preference, from evening tours for the crowd-averse to kid-friendly outings with games and gelato.

Things to know before you go

• Most of the attractions in Piazza del Duomo require a ticket, while the cathedral has no tickets but always has a long line. To avoid headaches, book a skip-the-line tour or reserve your visit to St. John’s Baptistery, Giotto’s Bell Tower, and other sites online.
• There’s a public restroom on the north side of St. John’s Baptistery, or you can grab something to drink at one of many nearby restaurants and cafés for access to the toilet.
• If you think you’ll want to go inside any historic attractions in Piazza del Duomo, dress accordingly: Many sites require covered legs and shoulders.

How to get there

Piazza del Duomo is off-limits to vehicles, so the best way to get there is on foot. Fortunately, Florence is a fantastic walking city, and the square is within a half-hour of most main attractions. Otherwise, the nearest bus stop is Roma Duomo, and taxis can drop you off on Via dei Pecori just in front of the square.

When to get there

Smack in the heart of Florence’s tourist route, Piazza del Duomo sees crowds 365 days a year. Unless you’ve reserved a specific time to visit the square’s attractions, you may want to go before 9am to enjoy the sights to yourself in the soft morning light, or stop by in the evening once the tour groups have left and sip a spritz overlooking the ornate cathedral.

Where to see the original artwork in Piazza del Duomo

While the sculpted bronze doors of St. John’s Baptistery and marble statues on the facade of the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore may be beautiful, they’re only copies. The originals—along with works by the likes of Michelangelo and Donatello—are protected in the same piazza at the Opera del Duomo Museum, which you can visit with a combination ticket to different Florentine monuments.