Piazza del Duomo

Florence's 'Cathedral Square' is in the historic heart of the city and home to several of its most famous landmarks.

TravelCurious Tip

The combined ticket for the Piazza’s sights allows one entry to each within 24 hours. So you don’t have to climb the cathedral dome and the campanile on the same day!

The Piazza del Duomo is the heart of Florence, and home to many of its most beautiful and historic attractions — chief among them the Cathedral Santa Maria del Fiore. The cathedral stands tall in the centre of the piazza and Brunelleschi’s red-tiled dome dominates the city’s skyline to this day. It took 150 years to complete Florence’s most iconic building, and you can tell: the variety of its architecture and design reflects how the tastes of the time evolved over the period of its construction.


Alongside the cathedral is the Giotto Campanile, its showpiece Gothic bell tower. Both structures have the same distinctive pink, white and green marble facade. It is much more colourful and lively than most European churches, but manages to remain tasteful and harmonious. Completing the trio of buildings in the Piazza is the Baptistery of St John, the octagonal minor basilica that is among the oldest buildings in Florence. Altogether, these buildings earned the square its status as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.


Treasure trove

Over the centuries, many priceless works of art have been made for the trio of buildings in the Piazza del Duomo. Concerns over security and preservation led to the creation of the Cathedral Museum, where the works could be safely stored. It is a treasure trove. Don’t miss Ghilberti’s original bronze panels for the Baptistery doors, or Michaelangelo’s Pietà, one of his late works which he smashed as he was not satisfied with the quality of the marble, before it was painstakingly reassembled by a student.

Nearby Attractions

See all attractions in Florence
Santa Maria del Fiore
This stunning cathedral took nearly 150 years to complete, and Brunelleschi's dome is today the most iconic feature of the Florentine skyline.
The Baptistery of St John
Among the city’s oldest buildings (and certainly its most octagonal), the Baptistery is a superb example of Florentine Romanesque style.
Piazza della Signoria
Overlooked by the imposing Palazzo Vecchio and the Loggia dei Lanzi, this square is one of the city’s focal points.
Church and Museum of Orsanmichele
Orsanmichele is a church in the Italian city of Florence
Dante's Quarter
Italy’s most celebrated poet and a giant of world literature, the author of the Divine Comedy was a native Florentine.
Jewelers
Unique and unrepeatable creations made entirely by hand according to the Florentine goldsmith's tradition.

Related Tours

The Heart of Florence: Private 2-hour Golf Cart Tour

Known as the birthplace of the Renaissance, Florence is one of Italy’s most beautiful and historically significant cities. It boasts a wealth of beautiful buildings, world-class museums like the Uffizi and Accademia Gallery, as well as many illustrious inhabitants across the centuries, including Leonardo Da Vinci, Michelangelo, Galileo and Machiavelli. Strolling through the city’s picturesque streets, it is easy to see why it inspired so many artists, writers and great thinkers. Florence has so much to offer, and taking a private tour of the historic centre in a golf cart is a great way to make the most of your time in the city, experiencing the Tuscan capital’s must-see sights along with lesser-known local favourites.

On this 2-hour golf cart tour, you will:

  • Get a comprehensive introduction to Florence with a knowledgeable local driver guide;
  • Enjoy convenient pick-up from your hotel or another central location;
  • Tailor your itinerary according to your interests;
  • Visit the famed Ponte Vecchio, the city’s most famous bridge;
  • See Piazza della Signoria, one of Florence’s most iconic squares and learn about its pivotal role in the evolution of the city;
  • Pass by Piazza del Duomo and take in the stunning Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore;
  • Discover why Florence is considered the birthplace of the Renaissance as you cruise past some of the incredibly well-preserved buildings from the period;
  • Follow in the footsteps of Leonardo Da Vinci and other key figures in Florentine history;
  • Admire breathtaking views of the Florence skyline from Piazzale Michelangelo;
  • Explore the charming Oltrarno neighbourhood and see some of its celebrated artisans at work;

Experience Florence like never before on a 2-hour private golf cart tour, blending the intimacy of a walking tour with the comfort of a driving tour. Designed for culturally curious travellers, this exhilarating orientation allows you to explore the cradle of the Renaissance with ease, accompanied by a knowledgeable local guide who brings the city's fascinating history to life.

Your adventure will begin at your hotel or another central location of your choice, where you will get acquainted with your Florentine driver-guide and hop onboard your comfortable golf cart, embarking upon a journey of discovery around one of Italy’s most stunning cities. You’ll enjoy a carefully curated selection of the key attractions alongside captivating corners of Florence beyond the usual tourist paths, expertly tailored to your particular interests.

While the exact route of your tour is flexible according to your preferences, you’ll be sure to see the legendary Ponte Vecchio, a medieval bridge lined with jewellery shops, offering picturesque views of the Arno River. You’ll make your way around the city’s myriad of picturesque Piazzas, including the Piazza della Signoria, where Florence’s political and artistic legacies intertwine, and the majestic Piazza del Duomo, where you’ll see the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore, with its emblematic dome by Brunelleschi, an unprecedented feat of engineering that remains remarkable more than 600 years after construction began. All the while, your guide will regale you with the hidden details of the iconic landmarks and the stories behind them, as well as the incredible locals that have put Florence on the map from the Renaissance until the present day.

You’ll have the opportunity to venture south of the river to discover Oltrarno, Florence’s artisan quarter, where local craftspeople keep centuries-old traditions alive. You can also ascend to the nearby Piazzale Michelangelo, where a sweeping panoramic view of the city awaits, making for an ideal spot for photos. Once your time with the guide comes to an end, you’ll be left with lasting memories and a deep affinity for Florence’s intriguing history and timeless beauty.

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