The Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore is open daily from 10.15 am to 3.45 pm, though it remains closed on Sundays and certain public holidays.
Be sure to arrive at least 15 minutes before closing, as the last entry is at 3.30 pm.
While 15 minutes may seem like enough, it’s not quite sufficient to fully explore this magnificent cathedral, so we recommend arriving 30 minutes before if you are in a hurry.
The Duomo Florence hours may differ from other attractions in the Duomo complex.
Read on to discover more about the remarkable sights within this historical complex and the Duomo Florence Cathedral closure dates.
Duomo Cathedral Florence Hours: Closing Times
You should note that the cathedral might be closed for tours during religious and national holidays. These days include:
- 1 January (New Year)
- 6 January (Epiphany)
- 13 April to 19 April (Holy Week)
- 22 June (Religious Reasons)
- 24 June (Religious Reasons)
- 15 August (Ferragosto)
- 8 September (Feast of the Nativity of the Virgin Mary)
- 1 November (Religious Reasons)
- Monday and Tuesday of the first week of Advent
- 25 December (Christmas)
- 26 December (Religious Reasons)
Related: What’s the Duomo Florence dress code?
Brunelleschi’s Dome Hours
Brunelleschi’s Dome is open daily from 8.15 am to 6.45 pm throughout the year, except on Sundays, with the last admission one hour before closing.
Opera Del Duomo Museum Hours
The Opera del Duomo Museum is open from 8.30 am to 7 pm, but from May to June, it closes earlier at 6 pm, with the last admission one hour before closing.
Related: FAQs about Duomo Florence
Duomo’s Giotto Bell Tower Hours
The Giotto Bell Tower is open daily, including Sundays, from 8.15 am to 6.45 pm throughout the year.
Ancient Basilica of Santa Reparata Hours
The Ancient Basilica of Santa Reparata is open daily from 10.15 am to 4 pm throughout the year. However, on Sundays, it is open from 1.30 pm to 4 pm.
Baptistery of San Giovanni Hours
The Baptistery of San Giovanni is open daily from 8.30 am to 7.30 pm throughout the year.
Duomo Florence Mass Times
The mass times at the Duomo Florence include daily services and special schedules for weekends and holidays. Here are the mass schedules:
- Weekday: 7.30 am, 8.30 am, 9.30 am, 6 pm
- Weekend: 7.30 am, 9 am, 10.30 am (Gregorian chant), 12 pm, 5 pm (English), 6 pm, 5.30 pm
Special Celebrations Schedule
Here are the upcoming special celebrations you won’t want to miss!
Christmas Eve – 24 December
- 5.15 pm: First Vespers
- 6 pm: Holy Mass (Valid for holiday obligation)
- 4.30 pm to 7 pm: Confessions
- 11 pm: Preparatory vigil and Office of Readings
- 12 am: Holy Mass (Presided by the Cardinal Archbishop)
Christmas Day – 25 December
- 10 am: Morning praise
- 10.30 am: Holy Mass (Presided by Cardinal Ernest Simoni with papal blessing and plenary indulgence)
- 5.15 pm: Vespers sung
- 6 pm: Holy Mass
New Year’s Eve – 31 December
- 4.30 pm: Vespers sung and ‘Te Deum’ of thanksgiving
- 6 pm: Holy Mass
New Year’s Day – 1 January
- 10 am: Morning praise
- 10.30 am: Holy Chapter Mass (Gregorian chant)
- 5.15 pm: Vespers sung
- 6 pm: Holy Mass (Presided by the Cardinal Archbishop)
Epiphany of the Lord – 6 January
- 10 am: Morning praise
- 10.30 am: Holy Mass (Presided by the Cardinal Archbishop)
- 5.15 pm: Vespers sung
- 6 pm: Holy Mass
When is the Best Time to Visit the Duomo Florence?
The best time of the day to visit the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore is early in the morning, just after it opens, or later in the afternoon, before closing.
Visiting on weekdays is preferable, as weekends are busier with tourists and locals.
As for the best season, visiting during the off-peak months, such as spring (April to June) and autumn (September to November), is ideal.
These seasons offer pleasant weather and fewer crowds compared to the peak summer months (July and August).
However, if you are going during the busiest time of the year, the cathedral will be extremely crowded.
Ensure you have skip-the-line to bypass the crowd and enjoy the VIP entrance.
Best Time to Visit:
Time: Just after opening & before closing
Days: Weekdays
Months: April, May, June, September, October, November
Related: How to reach Duomo Florence?
How Long Does It Take to Visit the Duomo Florence?
Visiting the Duomo in Florence can take anywhere from a quick 45-minute stop to a few hours, depending on what you want to see.
If you are just visiting the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore, about 45 minutes should be enough to take in its beauty.
A lasts around 60 minutes and offers more detailed insights into its history.
If you decide to , plan for an extra 1 to 1.5 hours. The view from the top is definitely worth the extra time!
You should also set aside 15 to 30 minutes to visit the Santa Reparata Crypt beneath the Cathedral.
Other attractions in the Duomo complex, like the Baptistry and the Bell Tower, will take about 30 minutes to an hour each to explore, depending on the crowds.
Here’s an overview of the time you will need to visit each attraction in the Duomo Complex:
Attraction | Time required |
Duomo Cathedral | 45 to 60 minutes |
Dome Climb | 60 to 90 minutes |
Santa Reparta Crypt | 15 to 30 minutes |
Baptistery | 30 to 60 minutes |
Gitto’s Bell Tower | 30 to 60 minutes |
Duomo Museum | 30 to 60 minutes |
Pro Tip! The Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore hours are different from the other attractions, so planning ahead will help make your visit smoother.
How to Visit Florence Cathedral in One Day?
With the , you can get entry to all the attractions in the Piazza.
After touring the cathedral and dome, ticket holders are given a 72-hour pass to visit the remaining attractions.
It might be tiring to tour all the Duomo attractions in one day.
However, if you wish to tour the complex in one day, you need to plan your visit based on the attractions’ opening hours.
Here’s a one-day itinerary for visiting the Duomo in Florence:
– 10 am: Arrive at the Duomo Florence Cathedral
Arrive 15 minutes before opening to avoid the initial rush. While there may be a long line at the entrance, don’t worry—your allows you to skip the regular queue and access the VIP line with the help of a guide.
– 11.30 am: Tour the Cathedral Interior
Once you have descended from the dome, head inside the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore to explore its remarkable interior. By this time, most visitors are focused on the dome, so you will have more space to appreciate the cathedral’s beauty.
– 1 pm: Visit the Santa Reparata Crypt
The Santa Reparata Crypt is directly beneath the cathedral and is easily accessible after your tour. It will take you about 15 to 30 minutes to explore this historic site.
– 1.30 pm: Take a Break
Take a well-deserved break or grab lunch at one of the nearby restaurants around the Duomo. Relax and enjoy a meal while taking in the beautiful views of the cathedral and the dome.
– 2 pm: Tour the Duomo Museum
After your lunch, head to the Duomo Museum to explore fascinating exhibits that detail the history and art of the cathedral complex. This visit should take around an hour.
– 3 pm: Visit the Baptistery of San Giovanni
Next, walk over to the Baptistery of San Giovanni. Spend some time exploring this historic building, known for its impressive mosaics and the famous bronze doors by Lorenzo Ghiberti.
– 4 pm: Climb Giotto’s Bell Tower
Finish your day with a climb up Giotto’s Bell Tower. The tower offers 360° views of Florence, including a unique perspective of the Duomo and surrounding areas. This final stop should take about an hour to enjoy fully.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are the most frequently asked questions regarding the Duomo Florence hours and visitor information:
u003cstrongu003eWhen is Florence Cathedral closed?u003c/strongu003e
The Florence Cathedral closes daily at 3.45 pm and is also closed on Sundays, as well as on certain public holidays and religious festivities. Click here to learn about the closing dates.
u003cstrongu003eWhat time of the day is best to visit Duomo Florence?u003c/strongu003e
The best time of day to visit Duomo Florence is during its initial opening hours at 10.15 am. The morning lighting of the Cathedral provides the best environment to observe the artifacts and fine details.
u003cstrongu003eHow long is the wait to get into Duomo Florence?u003c/strongu003e
The waiting time to enter Duomo Florence is 20 minutes on regular days and 2 hours on weekends, Sundays and peak summer/tourist days. To avoid waiting, you can book your online and enjoy uninterrupted access.
u003cstrongu003eWhat is the best time to visit Duomo Florence to avoid crowds? u003c/strongu003e
April to June are the best months to visit Duomo Florence to avoid crowds.
u003cstrongu003eHow long does it take to climb to the top of Duomo Florence?u003c/strongu003e
There are 463 steps to the top, and depending on your pace, it might take 30 to 45 minutes to climb.
u003cstrongu003eCan I visit Duomo Florence at night?u003c/strongu003e
The Duomo Florence closes at 3.45 pm. It is not open during the night.
Featured Image: Duomo.firenze.it