We are happy to both but is it necessary? We are staying at a place that has a rare view above the city and we can see the Dome from there so maybe the campanile is redundant?? Or maybe the Dome is underwhelming (which I have read a few places).
Four healthy, active adults but even so…that’s a lot of steps.
I think we are not looking to go back to the complex on another day. We have lots to see and we want to do the complex once.
Thanks for advice !!!!
Is this in Florence?
Assuming Florence - yes. Do both. On the same day. The 800+ steps means you have earned a Florentine steak for dinner.
Yes, Florence!! Sorry.
We will earn Steak and Wine!!
I have only done the dome but I thought it was amazing. Having said that, however, I’ll add that we got there really early and we among the first to enter. It might have been a much less pleasant experience with a huge crowd, as it might get to feeling claustrophobic.
If any guide book uses the word underwhelming to describe Brunelleschi's Dome, throw it away immediately. The dome is no less than a monument to human intelligence and perseverance. Please read Ross King's Brunelleschi's Dome
Ok then, y’all convinced me. We will do both and plan for the dome early. Thank you so very much!!
If you get the Brunelleschi Pass, it includes the Tower climb as well. You have to reserve a time for the Dome climb when you get your pass, but the other sites can be visited at your leisure. We got the Giotto Pass. After the tower climb, we visited the Duomo and the Santa Reparata. We then took a well deserved cappuccino and pastry break and then visited the Baptistery and the Duomo Museum. The Brunelleschi Pass is 30 Eros and the Giotto Pass is 20 Euros.
I will also recommend you do both if you have the time. I was going to skip the dome climb but am glad I ended up doing it. The great thing about it is you get a much closer look at the paintings in the interior of the dome.
I'd also recommend do the dome early and then the bell tower later. I'd recommend an hour or so before sunset. Then when you get to the top you can watch the sun set and see the dome bathed in the lovely warm glow of the setting sun.
Also, keep in mind for the dome climb, they are quite strict about making you leave bags at the free luggage storage. I had a super small foldable backpack but even that wasn't allowed.
The Duomo Museum (nearby) is seriously underrated. It's one of the best-designed museums we've seen in Italy. Worth having a ticket that includes it as well (with that pasticceri break in between, of course, as the poster above noted). :D
Perfect. We will do one first and the other last with a nice break between.
As always, this is the best place for good advice on travel.
Thank you!!!!
Yeah … echoing the others … the dome is one of my single favorite experiences I’ve had traveling. I‘very done it twice so not sure I’ll go again on our trip coming up, but it can’t be missed! Maybe I’ll do the campanile this time.
James, that's funny that they wouldn't let you take your bag on the Dome climb. I had a Tom Binh small café bag that passed muster for the Tower climb.
Sea_Girl, I agree whole-heartedly that the Duomo Museum is one of the best most underrated museums in Italy. We were stunned by everything we saw there. I'm not sure why it's not better promoted. Same with the Bargello. I was absolutely gobsmacked by the sculptures there.
