April 11 Florence - Walking around the Duomo

 Florence is a relatively small city and is much less touristy than Rome and Venice. It is perfect for wine, food, and art lovers, but I believe everyone can find something charming about this place.  So get ready to take a break from the hustle and bustle and spend a more relaxing week in Florence.

Florence is known as the “Cradle of the Renaissance.” With the best Medieval and Renaissance art in Europe, Florence is a veritable art lover's paradise.

Wander Around the Piazza del Duomo


Florence’s entire historic center is a designated UNESCO World Heritage site. Florence is effectively an open air museum with stunning art and architecture at every turn.  Spend your very first day in Florence in the city center at the Piazza del Duomo. 

The Duomo complex includes the Duomo, the Duomo Museum, the Giotto bell tower, and the Baptistery.  The Duomo is arguably the most famous building in Florence. The cathedral is officially named Santa Maria del Fiore. It’s nicknamed the Duomo.


Today will consist of a lot of walking, but all of the pasta and wine waiting for you at the end of it will make it worth it.

There are so many amazing views to be seen in Florence, and today you will get a lot of them in. So wear your walking shoes and get ready for a day of sightseeing in the city center.

The Cathedral

The first stop on day one in Florence is to go inside the Duomo. The Duomo is stunning on the inside and is completely free to enter.  Going first thing in the morning when it opens at 10:00 AM is a good way to avoid long lines.

1. Duomo Museum

sculptures in the Gallery of Giotto’s BellTowersculptures in the Gallery of Giotto's Bell Tower

We should start with the stunning Duomo Museum, the Museo dell’Opera del Duomo, to get the historical backdrop for all these structures. The museum is housed in the Piazza del Duomo at the back of Giotto’s Bell Tower, behind the Duomo apse.

The museum space is a fabulous treasure box of sculpture. Its rooftop terrace also offers a mesmerizing view of Brunelleschi’s dome.

The first thing you see is the museum’s well lit showstopper — the Hall of Paradise.  The hall contains a magnificent reconstruction of a Duomo facade designed by the first Duomo architect Arnolfo di Cambio. In 1587, it was torn down to make room for a Renaissance facade (that was never completed). The museum also has an unparalleled collection of Medieval and early Renaissance Florentine pieces that once decorated the Duomo complex structures. You will find pieces by artists such as Ghiberti, Donatello, Michelangelo, Arnolfo di Cambio, and Nanni di Banco.

Climb the Bell Tower   12:00 Noon Tickets Purchased!

You can actually climb the Duomo, which is one of the most popular things to do in Florence, Italy. However, you can climb the bell tower adjacent to it instead.

The climb up the bell tower is no joke, so if you're not in good shape, I would reconsider it, but once you get to the top, you are blessed with amazing views of the city and the Duomo.

The Piazza del Duomo is by far one of the prettiest sights in Florence, and by climbing the bell tower instead of the Duomo, you can see it from above!

Purchase your ticket for the bell tower here. The ticket also includes access to the Baptistry, the Crypt, and climbing the Duomo.

Grab a Panini at Toscani

When you're back to the ground after your hike up the bell tower, grab a panino at Panini Toscani - one of the most famous panini shops in Florence!

They let you customize your sandwich and sample all of the meats and cheeses before you choose. It is best paired with a glass of their house white wine!

On your way to the Accademia, let's stop for some gelato (you've earned it after all of those steps). Festival del Gelato is an excellent option with a ton of different flavors.

The Accademia holds Michelangelo's renowned David sculpture, which has made the Gallery one of the most famous museums in Florence. It is definitely a sight that you don't want to miss out on during your first trip to Florence.

Dinner at Trattoria ZaZa

Treat yourself after a successful day in Florence with dinner at Trattoria ZaZa. ZaZa's is a popular restaurant in the center of Florence with a very expansive truffle menu (Florence is known for truffles, if you don't know what they are, try them for yourself).

Order the house white wine for the table, an appetizer platter of Coccoli bread with meats and cheeses, and then one of the acclaimed truffle pastas for your meal.

You will not be disappointed with either the quality of the food or the prices here - this is the perfect place for your first dinner in Florence!

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