Piazza del Duomo, Firenze - all you need to know

Florence’s most famous square and the heart of the city is home to several of Florence’s famous landmarks. Piazza del Duomo will be your first stop in Florence, and we’re sure you’ll pass through it countless times during your stay.

Find the cheapest hotels in Florence

Formally, the area consists of two squares: Piazza del Duomo and Piazza di San Giovanni, but in the vast majority of cases, only the former name is used.

The most famous of the famous

As the square’s name suggests, the main landmark is the local cathedral, to which a number of other buildings also belong. It is no exaggeration to describe Piazza del Duomo as one of the most beautiful and most visited squares in Europe. It is here that you’ll find monuments known throughout the world.

The centre of the square is formed by a trio of buildings linked by an iconic Gothic-Renaissance architectural style and a magnificent façade composed of white, dark green and pink marble. For details on individual monuments, click on the name below.

On the eastern edge of the square, you can visit one of Florence’s famous museums, the Museo dell’Opera del Duomo, which exhibits many original sculptures and paintings from the cathedral and the baptistery.

The heart of Florence

Piazza del Duomo has been the centre of Florence since around the 4th century; it took on its present form with the completion of the cathedral in the 15th century.

The main shopping street,Via Roma, also starts here,linkingPiazza del Duomo with another famous square, Piazza della Repubblica. Another main street is Via dei Calzaiuoli, leadingto Piazza della Signoria withthefamousPalazzo Vecchioand the Fountain of Neptune.

Accommodation in Piazza del Duomo

If you’re looking for hotels right at the heart of the action during your travels, then this square is perfect for you. However, you’ll naturally have to accept high prices, starting from 164 eur for private flats.

Amongst the best value-for-money options, ranging from 123 eur to 164 eur per night, is theDuomo Palace guesthouse.

Of the traditional hotels right on the square, we recommendthe Hotel Duomo Firenze, and if price is no object, we definitely recommend the stylish luxury hotel Palazzo Niccolini al Duomo.