Florence Cathedral Cattedrale di Santa Maria del Fiore
Walk around the cathedral and baptistery. If you want to climb the dome, look up its entry arrangements and decide how much climbing suits your group.
- UNESCO World Heritage
Florence Travel Guide
Plan a first visit around the Duomo district and a walk across the Arno. Allow time to look closely at the buildings around the cathedral square.
Before you go
When to go and how long to stay
Give Florence three days. Split the cathedral complex, major galleries and the south bank into separate blocks. Book busy museums and the dome earlier than the rest.
Entry documents
Use Italy’s official Visa for Italy service to check requirements for your passport. If you visit multiple Schengen countries, track the combined stay and save transport and lodging confirmations with your entry documents.
Getting to the city
From Florence Airport (FLR), tram T2 runs toward the center. From Pisa (PSA), allow time for the airport-to-station connection and the onward journey to Florence.
Firenze Santa Maria Novella is the central rail hub. Check whether your train uses this station or a different Florence stop.
Getting around
Walk in the historic core. Use the tram from the airport and buses for longer or uphill trips. Check vehicle access with your hotel before renting a car.
Payments and mobile data
Use euros, carry a physical card as backup and keep small change for quick purchases. Save rail and museum tickets offline. Follow each ticket’s validation or activation instructions before boarding.
Where to stay
Near Santa Maria Novella suits a rail arrival with luggage. The Duomo area puts major stops nearby, while Oltrarno suits quieter evenings.
Things to do in Florence
What to eat in Florence
Ribollita
A Tuscan vegetable and bean soup thickened with bread. It makes a filling lunch after a morning on foot.
Photo: Ta4e Negodue · CC BY-SA 4.0 ↗A day in Florence
Explore the Duomo district, stop for a Tuscan lunch, then cross the Arno to walk around the Oltrarno.