Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore

The icon of Florence, the Duomo is incredible to see in person and has such a draw to it all across the city. The marble facade is beautiful, giving such a striking and unique appearance from all angles. The dome is super impressive from both the outside and inside. Inside the cathedral is actually quite plain, however this places more focus on the beautiful interior painting of Brunelleschi's dome. General entry to the Duomo is free however the opening times each day are relatively narrow. We queued around 20 mins to get in saturday late morning. I was allowed in wearing shorts above the knee as a man in February. There aren't any toilets inside.

This one is hard... I can't give it 5 stars. First of all the Cathedral is GORGEOUS from the outside, way too many people for the free entry. We had a Brunelleschi Pass and to be able to enter the cathedral and visit the Santa Reparata, we waited almost one hour outside, raining! The Dome was amazing to climb (again lots of people) but dear lord, the church inside is so anti climatic. I could not believe my eyes! The Batistero was a complete disaster. It's being renovated so you enter to look up and see some replica of the ceiling on some tissue... Honesyit would be better if they closed that place until it's done. The views from the Dome are just spectacular. The outside marble work is amazing. 1 star less for the overly crowded experience and the "disappointing interior"

Must visit. One of the greatest churches in the world. Outrageous design, size, and scale. It almost seems “impossible”. Highly recommend the tower tour for views. It’s a moderate climb up some stairs so be prepared. Even if you don’t go in, you’ll end up strolling around this building numerous times. It’s a marvel.

The Cathedral of Florence, officially known as Santa Maria del Fiore, is one of the greatest masterpieces of Italian Gothic and Renaissance architecture. Begun in 1296 by Arnolfo di Cambio, it symbolizes the artistic ambition and civic pride of Florence. Its exterior is clad in polychrome marble—white, green, and pink—creating a striking visual harmony. The cathedral is crowned by Brunelleschi’s dome, completed in 1436, an extraordinary engineering achievement and the largest masonry dome in the world. Inside, the vast interior is sober and monumental, emphasizing scale and light rather than decoration. Notable artworks include the fresco of the Last Judgment inside the dome by Vasari and Zuccari, Paolo Uccello’s clock, and stained-glass windows by Renaissance masters. Together with Giotto’s Bell Tower and the Baptistery, the cathedral forms the spiritual and architectural heart of Florence.

The moment you step into Piazza del Duomo, the massive scale of this cathedral and the incredible marble craftsmanship on its facade will truly amaze you. It’s an architectural masterpiece with its famous dome visible from all over the city. Even just taking photos from the outside is enough to feel the spirit of Florence. However, we didn't go inside the cathedral or climb the dome (Cupola). Due to both the entrance fees (combined tickets are around €30) and our limited time, we were satisfied with just seeing it from the square. Also, after seeing the massive queue to get in, we decided it was more sensible to spend our time exploring the city streets. If you're short on time and want to save your budget for other things, admiring this grandeur from the outside is still a wonderful experience.

The Florence Duomo is more than just a building; it is an architectural symbol of the entire Italian Renaissance, dominating the city and the skyline. What immediately strikes you is the opulence and intricacy of its decoration. The façade, clad in colored marble (white from Carrara, green from Prato, and pink from Maremma), is a stunning sight. Nearby stands Giotto's majestic Campanile and the ancient Baptistery of San Giovanni, decorated with a black-and-white geometric pattern on the outside. Brunelleschi's dome itself is an engineering marvel of the era, visible from virtually anywhere in the city. Climb beneath it to admire the stunning fresco cycle "The Last Judgment." The frescoes are striking in their scale and detail. They depict Christ in glory, the Virgin Mary, and detailed scenes of the saved and condemned. The interior of the main nave has majestic but more restrained proportions than its exterior. Note the unusual details, such as the 24-hour clock (the so-called Hora Italica) by Paolo Uccello above the entrance. The nave also features monumental equestrian frescoes, including an image of the condottiere John Hawkwood, and marble tombstones. The Duomo complex is the pinnacle of Florentine art and architecture. The exterior of the façade and Campanile is a triumph of color and decoration, while the interior, especially the monumental frescoes of the dome, makes one feel like a tiny speck of dust in the midst of history and art.

Visited in December 2025. I was amazed by the level of craftsmanship by the builders and painters who managed to achieve such precise detail with such limited tools back in their day. I also climbed the bell tower and top if the cathedral dome. Tickets can be bought at a ticket office across the square that give you access to the cathedral dome, bell tower and museum. It is not an easy climb though, as each structure has roughly 500 steps, but it’s totally worth it as the view towards the city of florence is stunning.

One of the two unmistakable landmarks of Florence, the cathedral is utterly unique on the outside. You can’t help but stare and even gawk at it. There are typically lines to get in, but, unlike many attractions in Europe, this one is free! We enjoyed our tour of the inside even if it isn’t spectacular the outside – what could be? We didn’t brave the long climb up to the tower inasmuch as we don’t have the mobility to do so anymore. Simply put: you’re not going to go to Florence without seeing this.