Florence Cathedral and Dome

Santa Maria del Fiore was begun in 1296 and crowned by Brunelleschi's dome in the 15th century. The cathedral interior is plain and quick to see, so the real visit is the Dome climb, a long narrow stair between the two shells with close views of the painted ceiling and a view over the roofs at the top. The same pass opens the bell tower, the baptistery, the cathedral museum and the remains of the older church under the floor.

What to look for

• The view from the top of the Dome
• The Last Judgment painted inside the Dome
• Giotto's bell tower
• Ghiberti's doors and the cathedral museum

Opening hours

Cathedral: Monday to Saturday 10:15 to 15:45, closed Sundays. Dome times are last climb slots: Monday to Friday until 18:45, Saturday until 16:30, Sunday 12:45 to 16:30. The baptistery closes at 13:30 on the first Sunday of the month. The Dome is closed for maintenance on 16 to 20 November 2026 and the bell tower on 9 to 13 November 2026. Closed on 25 December, 1 January and Easter Sunday.

Source: Opera di Santa Maria del Fiore, checked October 4, 2026

Tickets and booking

Adult ticket €30. The Brunelleschi Pass is the ticket that includes the Dome. It also covers the bell tower, the baptistery, the museum and Santa Reparata, and it is valid for three days from the Dome date you book. The cathedral itself is free. Passes without the Dome cost less, and the baptistery vault mosaics are covered by restoration works.

Book a Dome time slot online before you go. The entry is fixed to the date and hour you choose and cannot be changed. Covered shoulders and knees are required inside.

Getting there

There is no metro, so walk about ten minutes from Firenze Santa Maria Novella station, or take a bus to the Roma Duomo stop, which is two minutes from the cathedral.

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Tip

Take the first Dome slot of the day. The free cathedral interior takes little time, so fit it in before or after.