Basilica of Saint Mary of the Flower: Self-Guided Audio Tours
Enjoy self-guided audio tours with included attraction tickets in one appAudio tours on your smartphone
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Top sights near Basilica of Saint Mary of the Flower

This self-guided audio tour includes your ticket to Leonardo da Vinci Interactive Museum® and takes you through Florence's streets on a walking route. (!) Please note that while your ticket to the museum is included and available within the app, the audio tour inside the museum is not provided. Start at the Leonardo Interactive Museum, where wooden models from da Vinci's notebooks come alive. Then, unpause the tour and stroll through Florence's iconic landmarks like the soaring Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore, the elegant Basilica of Santa Maria Novella, Palazzo Strozzi, Orsanmichele Church with its guild sculptures, Palazzo Vecchio, the replica of Michelangelo's David, Uffizi Gallery, Vasari Corridor, ending at the jewel-packed Ponte Vecchio. Travelers will handle working models of Leonardo's inventions like the Air Screw and Giant Tank, marvel at Brunelleschi's innovative dome, peer into historic wine holes, and trace Medici influence amid vivid frescoes and sturdy palaces.

Florence attracts visitors from around the globe to witness the masterpiece of Michelangelo, the David statue. This renowned sculpture is widely known as one of the most famous worldwide, representing the strength and beauty of youth in the Renaissance era. Visitors can obtain their tickets from the company representative before experiencing the Michelangelo Buonarotti museum.

There's more than one breathtaking dome in Florence! With its enormous green patina dome, the Great Synagogue of Florence is an architectural treasure and one of the most important synagogues in Italy. Constructed between 1874 and 1882, with the goal of going toe-to-toe with Florence's immaculate architecture, it remains one of the largest and impressive synagogues in Europe to this day. Take a wander around this beautiful corner of Jewish and Florentine history, and admire its remarkable marble floors, majestic mosaics, frescoed walls, and stained-glass windows. Then, explore the adjoining Jewish Museum. Here, you can delve deeper into the amazing stories surrounding the building's inception and the long, proud history history of Florence's Jewish community, and the challenges they have faced and overcome with grace and fortitude over the centuries.

Your tickets to the Salvatore Ferragamo Museum in Florence will launch you on the way to discovering the history of the Ferragamo company, the life of its founder and his spectacular creations! Discover the history of the shoemaker who moved to California from a little village in the province of Naples and began a career designing and creating shoes for the movie industry. Ferragamo returned to Italy in 1927 and opened a workshop in Florence. His creations - like the famous cork wedge heels, metal-reinforced high heels and invisible sandals soon made him famous all over the world. See them all at the museum in the medieval Palazzo Spini Feroni - the historical headquarters of the company.

Explore The Museum, located between Palazzo della Signoria and the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore. The first floor features original sculptures by renowned Florentine artists from the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries, adding historical charm to the building. But the art experience doesn't stop there! Head to the second floor for a breathtaking panoramic view of Florence that will leave a lasting impression. Continue your journey to discover the marble tabernacle of the Madonna delle Grazie in the in-house church—a place of worship where holy masses are held.

Skip the line and explore Palazzo Vecchio, the symbol of civic power in Florence for centuries! This multimedia-guided tour gives you the lowdown on what you're looking at as you climb the Tower of Palazzo Vecchio for fantastic views over Florence, and visit the museum that's still the seat of the local city government. Learn the rich history of what was once the residence of the Medici family, and gaze in awe at the incredible sculptures, paintings and also the magnificent views of Piazza della Signoria, one of the most famous symbols of Florence. Thanks to your 55-minute high-resolution video guide on a tablet, you can walk and be talked through the Michelozzo courtyard, the Chapel of Eleonora, the Salone dei Cinquecento (Hall of the Five Hundred) and the Map Room, and more.

Experience the beauty of the Uffizi Gallery in Florence without having to wait in line. Save time and head straight into one of the world's finest collections of Renaissance art. Upon arrival use your pre-reserved ticket to skip the long lines and start exploring the Uffizi Gallery. Enjoy a hassle-free entry experience so you can use more time enjoying the fantastic works on display. Explore at your own pace as you experience some of the finest examples of Renaissance art – Botticelli, Michelangelo, Raphael and more!

Step right up and secure a golden ticket to Florence's dazzling Accademia Gallery - without the pesky queues! With priority access, stroll straight into a world of gothic and Renaissance masterpieces, drinking in the stunning artistry for as long as your heart desires. Nestled within the antique walls of the Hospital of Saint Matthew and the Convent of Saint Niccolo' of Cafaggio, the Accademia Gallery of Florence (or Galleria dell'Accademia di Firenze) proudly stands as Italy's second most visited art gallery. Boasting an awe-inspiring collection, this cultural haven owes its grandeur to the generous contributions of various convents and monasteries over the years.

This tour is a treat for lovers of art, history, and architecture. Including your ticket to the Boboli Gardens, this self-guided adventure caters to those eager to delve into the heart of the Renaissance at their own pace. We'll embark on our adventure from the ticket office of the Pitti Palace (Piazza Pitti 1) where you will need to swap your smartphone voucher for a paper ticket. Then you'll reach the gardens through the main entrance. Due to safety regulations, this is currently the only entrance to the Boboli Gardens. While this tour provides only a brief audio guide inside the Boboli Gardens, the exterior journey through Florence's storied streets is detailed and captivating. After your visit to the gardens, you'll embark on a journey that leads you through Florence's most celebrated landscapes and timeless achievements. The tour format allows you to immerse yourself fully in the city's heritage, narrated in your ear at each fascinating stop. Your route will traverse grandeur and simplicity, from the regal Pitti Palace to the sacred Basilica of Santa Maria Novella. Begin surrounded by the greenery and sculptures of the Boboli Gardens before venturing to the medieval stores on the Ponte Vecchio, and pass by the remarkable facade of the Uffizi Gallery. Along the way, marvel at the iconic Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore, crowned by its magnificent dome, and soak in the artistic splendor at stops like the Palazzo Vecchio and the Orsanmichele Church.

Skip the line to five of Florence's hottest attractions! Take in one of the world's greatest collections of Renaissance art at the Uffizi Gallery, gawp at the sumptuous decor of the Palazzo Pitti, and explore the leafy Tuscan paradise of the massive Boboli Gardens.
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About Basilica of Saint Mary of the Flower
Address
Piazza del Duomo, 7Open in Google MapsOpening hours
- Monday: 10:15 AM – 3:45 PM
- Tuesday: 10:15 AM – 3:45 PM
- Wednesday: 10:15 AM – 3:45 PM
- Thursday: 10:15 AM – 3:45 PM
- Friday: 10:15 AM – 3:45 PM
- Saturday: 10:15 AM – 3:45 PM
- Sunday: Closed
Best time to visit
Crowd level
Directions
Basilica of Saint Mary of the Flower, Florence’s cathedral, is one of the city’s defining landmarks and a masterpiece of Italian Gothic architecture. Begun in the late 13th century, it rose over the site of the older church of Santa Reparata and became a symbol of Florence’s civic pride, artistic ambition, and religious life. Its vast red-tiled dome, engineered by Filippo Brunelleschi, transformed Renaissance building history and remains the cathedral’s most famous feature. The exterior is known for its richly colored marble facade, while Giotto’s elegant bell tower completes the skyline. Together with the surrounding Duomo complex, the basilica stands at the cultural heart of Florence and remains one of Italy’s most celebrated monuments.
Before you enter
- Check current opening hours carefully; Sunday access is typically closed.
- Arrive before opening to reduce waiting time in the square.
- Wear clothing that covers shoulders and knees for church entry.
- Keep bags light for easier movement through busy entrances.
What to expect
- Expect the exterior to feel more ornate than the cathedral interior.
- Look up for impressive views of Brunelleschi’s dome from inside.
- The piazza around the basilica is usually very crowded.
- You will share the site with many visitors throughout the day.
During your visit
- Pause outside first to admire the colored marble facade details.
- Step back across Piazza del Duomo for fuller dome photographs.
- Move slowly inside and keep voices low in this active religious space.
- Visit earlier in the day for a calmer experience around the basilica.
About Basilica of Saint Mary of the Flower
The cathedral accepts visitors from Monday to Saturday; it’s open from 10:45 AM to 4:30 PM. It is closed on Sundays and religious holidays.
This cathedral is open to the public throughout the year, so there is no wrong season to visit it. We recommend going there on weekdays or in the morning to avoid crowds of tourists and explore the cathedral in peace.
Santa Maria del Fiore is the third-largest cathedral in the world. Alongside the Baptistery of Saint John, Giotto’s Campanile, Opera del Duomo Museum, and Santa Reparata it’s a part of an architectural complex on Piazza del Duomo. Here are some of the things you can do in and around this cathedral:
- Explore an architectural masterpiece. It took more than 130 years to build this Gothic cathedral, but the result is truly spectacular. Designed by Arnolfo di Cambio, this massive cathedral went through a lot of stylistic changes and rebuilding that took place during its construction. Even though the result doesn’t fully match di Cambio’s design, the cathedral is still a one-of-a-kind landmark and a testament to human ingenuity and tenacity.
- Admire the magnificent dome of Santa Maria del Fiore. A century after the start of its construction, the church was still without its dome. Building a dome for such a massive building was a serious challenge; Filippo Brunelleschi, a renowned Italian engineer and architect, solved that problem and created the largest dome in the world (at the time of construction). The inner surface of the dome has the world’s largest mural by Giorgio Vasari and Federico Zuccari – The Last Judgment. You can climb the dome for a spectacular view of Florence, but you must purchase a separate ticket first.
- Marvel at the beautiful mosaic floors of the cathedral. The exterior of this cathedral is much more lavish and decorated than its austere interior, but mosaic floors inside the church are a work of art.
Santa Maria del Fiore is at the heart of Florence on Piazza del Duomo. You can get there by bus, taxi, or on foot.
For example, you can reach this cathedral from Palazzo Pitti by boarding a Line 11 bus, then exiting at the Olio bus stop. From there, walk towards Piazza di San Giovanni, and you will see the cathedral in front of you.
FAQ about Basilica of Saint Mary of the Flower
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Explore Basilica of Saint Mary of the Flower at your own pace with these audio guides and self-guided tours:
Basilica of Saint Mary of the Flower is located in Florence, surrounded by many other great sights.
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