How-to Get the Best View of Florence
463 steps + 1 mild anxiety attack later, climbing the Duomo for the best view of Florence is definitely worth it.
If you Google just about any Florence tour guide you’ll see rave reviews on why you should ‘hike the Duomo.’ It requires buying a ticket with a specific time slot, lining up outside prior to your reservation, and making sure you’re in the proper dress code i.e. long pants, tops with sleeves, knee-length dresses etc. (similar to the Vatican) However the view is worth whatever hassle. Now, here’s the thing. I looked at pictures outside of the Duomo, pictures of the view from the top, and I was instantly sold. What I didn’t do is look at pictures of how you get from point A to point B. Holy claustrophobia.
Please note how close the wall is on each side of us in this picture. Like very, very close. It was like that for almost all of the 463 steps and sometimes there was two-way traffic. (Ya, I didn’t think that was possible either and I was there) I read these corridors were never even meant for public traffic, instead it was the path for the cathedral maintenance workers. Eventually the teeny tiny path opens up to a balcony on the interior of the dome where you have a front row seat to Giorgio Vasari's frescoes of the Last Judgment. If you have children with you, be advised, while parts are breathtaking, others are pretty heavy and disturbing.
Nonetheless, once you finally make it outside, all terrifying memories of the walls closing in on you quickly disappear. Until of course you remember you have to go back down…but I mean, look at that view! (*12/10 recommend)
Note: Make sure you make reservation to go, only so many people are allowed up at a time and you have to reserve your spot in line. Opt for a morning slot to avoid most crowds. You can purchase your tickets here.
rachel
Southern California based travel blogger creating a diary of how-to’s for 12/10 recs.
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