DAY 10: FLORENCE
18th July 2019
Have you ever complained about how amazing your photos would be without the hordes of tourists in them? So struck by the beauty of the Duomo, we decided that perhaps we would need to sacrifice our sleep to see it…
Tip #8: To get the best photos, get up at 5am!
Yep, you guessed it. We woke up at 5am and were outside the Duomo by 6am.
It was the best decision we had ever made.
The Duomo stood, solitary, imposing – with its elegant black and white façade slowly gleaming as the sun rose – just in front of us. And the very best part…
There was nobody else there!
Just us, and the street cleaners.
We took hundreds of photos of the beautiful building, before rushing to the Ponte Vecchio to do the same thing. Around 7am, we were back at the Duomo, and were able to ask some avid photographers to take some photos of us (always try and ask someone who has a proper camera as they will take a much better photo!).
Watching the sunrise over the city was an incredible experience – and one which we didn’t have to share with anyone else. Whether you’re in Florence or any other city, getting up early is really the way to go to get the best photos – and an experience we will be repeating on our future holidays!
Tip #9: Book the Duomo for the earliest morning session
The Duomo, or the Cathedral Santa Maria del Fiore, is Florence’s most iconic site. The cathedral itself is free to enter, but entry to the giant Renaissance Dome, the baptistry and Giotto’s Bell Tower all have to be reserved in advance. We booked our session at 8:30 for climbing the dome – an experience not recommended to those who are claustrophobic, scared of the dark or heights.
Tip #10: The queue for the entrance to Brunelleschi’s Dome is around the left side of the building (when facing the front of the cathedral), so don’t get in the wrong queue!
By 8am, there was already a large queue outside the front of the cathedral, which we innocently joined, not realising that there was a much larger queue around the side that we actually needed to be in. Thankfully, we realised eventually, and were called in for our session ahead of all the people who were already queuing for the 9, 9:30 and 10am sessions.
Climbing the dome was an incredible experience. There are 463 steps, most of which are in the dark, steep and up spiral staircases. Don’t be put off by this – everybody was sweating and out of breath by the end, so as long as you think you can make it the whole way, it’s really worth it. Halfway up and you are on a viewing platform in the inside of the cupola itself, allowing you to admire Brunelleschi’s intricate artwork.
At the top (up through a little trapdoor), the views across the city are incredible, with space for you to move around. Although Giotto’s Bell Tower (in the same complex) is the best location for close photos of the dome itself, there is a wire netting that may stop certain angles, whereas at the top of the dome itself, there is nothing but a railing.
When coming down, it is the same trapdoor as the one on the way up, so don’t make the mistake of being polite and letting those coming up through first, as the steady stream of tourists means you will never get down! The rest of the route down is different (with another viewing platform, higher up, on the inside of the dome) but still requires you to watch your step.
Tip #11: Climb Giotto’s Bell Tower
Having just climbed Brunelleschi’s Dome itself, we decided that we might as well do all the climbing in one go. However, Giotto’s Bell Tower is a much, much worse climb: the stairs are a lot steeper and unforgiving, and as there is only one set, you will likely encounter and have to wriggle past those coming down. There are different levels where you can catch your breath, and the views from each of them are still remarkable. The top has the best view of Brunelleschi’s dome, but there is the inconvenience of the wire netting, so photos of people inside the netting may not be as good as those taken at the Tower of Alforno (in the Palazzo Vecchio).
Views of the cupola from Giotto's bell tower
Tip #12: Clothing regulations for entering churches
As religious sites, the Duomo, the Basilica di Santa Croce and others require a certain dress code: covered shoulders and clothes down to the knee. When we visited the Duomo, however, we saw many people who were not dressed according to these standards, but were still allowed in to the dome itself. If you want to risk flouting the dress code and not being allowed in, the option is there. However, we would strongly advise that, out of respect, you follow the guidelines, which can be found here: http://blogs.italysegwaytours.com/duomo-florence-dress-code/
Although wearing these clothes is annoying in 30°C+ heat, just remember to wear cool fabrics and items that can easily be removed. We put longer shorts/leggings over our shorts just before we went in and then took them off as soon as we got outside.
Tip #13: Queuing for entrance to the cathedral itself
As the cathedral itself is free, the queues are incredibly long and snake around the entire building. Get in at a bad time and you could be waiting for three hours. The best options to suggest are to get up really early and queue from around 8:30 onwards (entrance at 10am), or queue just before closing. We went at 3:30 and were in the queue for about an hour, before it closed.
Particularly due to the lack of shade outside the Duomo, we wouldn’t recommend joining the queue between 11am-2pm, to avoid heatstroke. Additionally, when waiting, it is a good idea to take some cooling spray or an umbrella to act as shade itself.
Best photo locations in Florence:
o The Duomo -> Both outside the Duomo (though be warned, during the day, you cannot move due to the number of tourists, and it is a prime spot for pickpockets) and up any of the towers that make up the complex.
o Giotto’s Bell Tower
o Ponte Vecchio -> For the best photos of the outside of the bridge, either take the photos from the adjacent Ponte Santa Trinita, or just from the entrance of the Uffizi from the riverside.
o Piazzale Michelangelo
o Palazzo Vecchio -> Not only does the Palazzo Vecchio have a striking exterior, but a small courtyard is open and free to enter (the rest of the museum has an entrance fee). The Piazza della Signoria, where the Palazzo is located, also houses the Loggia dei Lanzi, an open-air, free sculpture museum, with sculptures dating back to the Roman times and some (such as Cellini’s Perseus and a copy of Donatello’s Judith and Holofernes) having political and historical significance. There is a copy of Michelangelo’s David outside the Palazzo, but the original is in the Galleria dell ’Accademia.
o Mercato Nuovo & Porcellino Fountain -> Just around the corner from the Palazzo Vecchio is the Porcellino Fountain of a bronze boar. It’s good luck to rub the snout of the boar, to ensure that you return to Florence!
Tip #14: Have a meal at the Mercato Centrale
Not only does the lower level of the Mercato Centrale house a traditional market, but there is an incredible food court above, offering cheap and good quality pizzas, pastas, gelato, etc. We only had time for an ice cream but really wanted to return for dinner!
