Florence Cathedral and Duomo

The Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore is the soaring symbol of Florence, clad in pink, green and white marble and crowned by Brunelleschi's revolutionary red-tiled dome, an engineering marvel of the early Renaissance that still dominates the skyline. With Giotto's bell tower and the Baptistery's golden doors, it forms one of the great architectural ensembles of Europe.

What's there

• Brunelleschi's dome - the great Renaissance dome, climbed for the view over Florence.
• The marble facade - the pink, green and white cathedral front.
• Giotto's bell tower - the campanile, also climbable.
• The Baptistery - the octagonal building with its golden Gates of Paradise doors.

When to go

Spring and autumn for milder weather; book the dome climb ahead, as it is timed and popular. Early morning gives the piazza before the crowds.

Things to know

The dome climb is timed, popular and a steep, tight ascent of hundreds of steps, so book ahead and be ready for the climb and the crowds. The cathedral interior is surprisingly bare; the dome, marble and views are the draw. The complex sights need a combined ticket.

Nearby

The Uffizi, the Ponte Vecchio and the Piazza della Signoria are a short walk.