***Please note that this I Did The Florence Duomo Climb: Here’s My Take!Guide will be updated and recirculated periodically to reflect the most up-to-date dining scene. This travel guide was most recently updated as of July 2026.***
If you’ve ever been to Florence, Italy, then you know how magnificent its iconic Duomo is! But, did you know that you can climb the Duomo in Florence?! In this blog post, I will outline how to have the utmost experience of the Florence Duomo climb, so that you can experience the most unreal views of Florence (and Tuscany!) and experience the Duomo in such a unique way!
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For more travel abroad inspiration, check out my exploring 50 Countries Expedition page and ultimate Europe packing list.
I Did The Florence Duomo Climb: Here’s My Take!
If you’re traveling to Italy anytime soon, then look no further than my Papal Audience guide, Rome 7-day itinerary, and things to do in Rome guide.

Table of Contents
About The Florence Duomo Clumb
Getting There
Tickets to The Florence Duomo Climb
Know Before You Go
My Experience
About The Florence Duomo Climb

The Florence Duomo climb is located at the Florence Duomo via climbing the cathedral’s dome. Truly, the dome is a masterpiece – a symbol of Renaissance culture, the city of Florence, and of all Western humanism. The dome was constructed between 1420-1436 and was planned by Filippo Brunelleschi, who was able to create it without reinforcements in wood as no one else could construct a cupola of its size (an external diameter of 55 meters and internal diameter of 45.5 meters). To this day, it remains the largest masonry vault in the world.
The dome has an octagonal structure consisting of stone and brick masonry and actually consists of two domes: one internal and one external each of which is composed of eight “sails”. These two sails support the overall construction of the dome and host a 463-step stairway that visitors can climb up and down when visiting.
History of Florence Duomo
Formerly known as Santa Maria del Fiore, the Florence Duomo is one of the world’s largest churches and was built during the heart of the Italian Renaissance, which the city of Florence played a big role in. Florence Duomo’s first stone was laid on September 8, 1296 and its construction was tasked to Arnolfo di Cambio but was smaller-than-constructed. In the mid-14th century, the Duomo’s expansion was developed by Francesco Talenti and its completion was consecrated by Pope Eugenio IV on March 25, 1436.
Today, Florence Duomo remains one of the most magnificent Renaissance structures in the world! Its interiors are set out by immense pillars and Gothic arches alongside inlaid marble mosaic floor decorations by the grand ducal workshops of the 16th-17th centuries. Developed by Florentine artists of the Italian Renaissance, its interiors are also illuminated by 44 stained glass windows. There are several points of interest within Florence Duomo’s grounds and sights to see, alongside the Duomo climb, including:
- Cathedral
- Dome
- Giotto’s Bell Tower
- Opera Del Duomo Museum
- Ancient Basicilia of Santa Reparata
- Duomo Terraces
See more information on Florence Duomo here.
Getting There
To get to the Florence Duomo, there are a variety of options, including:
- Walking – A straight-shot 10-15 minute walk from Santa Maria Novella (SMN) Station via Via dei Cerretani.
- Bus – City bus lines C1, C2, C3, 6A, 6B, 11, 14, 23, and 23N stop right around the Duomo vicinity.
- Tram – Line T2 connects Florence Airport (FLR) to the main station area, from which you finish the trip on foot.
- Car/Taxi – It is worth noting that Florence Duomo is located in a historical center with limited car/taxi access. It is best advised to walk or order a taxi pickup/drop-off a couple of blocks within walking distance or at the Santa Maria Novella (SMN) Train Station via Via dei Cerretani.
Tickets to The Florence Duomo Climb
It is highly advised via the Florence Duomo’s website to only book tickets via their official website. It is also worth noting that online resale by non-authorized third parties is strictly banned, and it’s encouraged that all visitors book through the website’s official channels.

Book your tickets to the Florence Duomo Climb here.
Know Before You Go

Before you embark on your Florence Duomo climb experience, here are a few things you should know before you go:
- The walls are narrow throughout most of the 463 steps both up and down the Florence Duomo.
- There are no elevators within the 463-step experience of climbing up and down the Florence Duomo. Be sure that you are able to handle the experience before going.
- Within the 463 steps, there are railings on some points of the journey and some points of the journey, there are not. Personally, when there wasn’t a railing, I held my hands onto the narrow walls, which helped me maintain my balance.
- There are a few points throughout the climbing experience (both up and down) for folks to stop and take a breather. Two of these breaks give visitors an opportunity to admire the masterpiece that is the paintings on the dome’s interiors.
- Upon entering the Florence Duomo climb experience, guests will have to go through a bag security checkpoint. Please refer to the FAQ page for more information on bags allowed and luggage storage options onsite.
- The Florence Duomo climb is a timed experience – be sure to arrive 10-15 minutes at least 10-15 minutes before you timed the entry slot. Each timed entry experience is meticulously scheduled via its group, as groups will have X amount of time to climb up, enjoy the terrace, and then climb down. Above all else, just follow the crowds!
- Slow and steady wins the race in terms of timing to climb up and down the Duomo, especially for those who don’t do as much uphill climbing.
- Wear comfortable, suitable shoes for uphill climbing on marble staircases. In fact, I have a guide on comfortable + stylish flats for travel if you need any inspiration!
For any more questions and concerns you may have, look no further than the FAQ page.
My Experience

As someone who rarely walks uphill and in fact detests walking uphill, I found the Florence Duomo climb experience to be one of the utmost rewarding experiences of my life! I ended up getting in line early and went through security with my large Le Pilage Longchamp tote bag (in photos for sizing) and didn’t have any issues. Then, we climbed up to the terrace, admiring the dome’s masterpieces along the way.
The most rewarding part was … the incredible scenic views of Florence from above! My group and I had about 15-25 minutes at the top of the Florence Duomo to take photos and simply take it all in before the next group. Truly, it was SO rewarding and I’d do it again! In fact, I plan to climb more cathedrals, towers, etc. in the future thanks to my experience climbing the Florence Duomo!!
Wrap-Up

Thinking about climbing the Florence Duomo?!?! Hopefully, my own personal experience as an avid hater of uphill climbing and intense hiking will inspire you otherwise!
XOXO – Katie <3




























