Excellence Luxury Villas · Duomo
Luxury Apartments near the Duomo, Florence
Apartments in the streets around Brunelleschi's dome, with the Renaissance city a short walk in every direction
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Living under the most famous dome in Italy
Very few addresses in Europe have a landmark this large on the doorstep. Brunelleschi's dome, finished in 1436 and still the largest brick dome ever built, rises above the rooftops of Florence. From almost any street in the neighbourhood you look up and find it filling the end of the lane, terracotta against the sky.
Our collection near the Duomo runs to 80+ apartments, most of them in the historic palazzi of the centre. They range from one-bedroom flats for a couple's weekend to larger family apartments, and several have spa facilities, air conditioning or that rare thing in central Florence, private parking.
Here is how the neighbourhood works, what lies within a few minutes' walk and when to come.
The Duomo at a glance
- Apartments
- 80+ around the Duomo, with up to 5 bedrooms
- Guide prices
- Typically £2,400 to £4,800 a week, from around £2,200
- On the doorstep
- The cathedral, Giotto's bell tower, the Baptistery and the Museo dell'Opera del Duomo
- Best time
- April to early June and September to October; Easter Sunday for the Scoppio del Carro
- Getting there
- Florence airport is around 20 minutes by car or tram; Santa Maria Novella station is a short walk
Browse all 80+ properties in the Duomo
Villa numbers and guide prices are updated daily from our live collection.
Villa Alba San Felice Duomo: Luxury 4-Bedroom Apartment with Hot Tub – Florence Duomo4 bedrooms
Palazzo Girasole Firenze: Spacious 5-Bedroom Luxury Apartment with Stunning Terraces – Florence Duomo5 bedrooms
Palazzo Ghiberti Florence: Exquisite 4-Bedroom Penthouse with Historic Charm – Florence Duomo4 bedrooms
Palazzo Verrocchio Florence: Elegant 4-Bedroom Apartment with Private Terrace – Florence Duomo4 bedroomsExplore nearby Florence neighbourhoods
The streets around the Duomo for the cathedral and the heart of the old city, with Santa Croce, the Accademia, Santa Maria Novella, Ponte Vecchio and the Pitti side of the Arno all within walking distance.
Marble, bronze and a long climb
Piazza del Duomo holds three monuments in one sweep of green, white and pink marble: the cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore, Giotto's bell tower and the octagonal Baptistery of San Giovanni. Ghiberti spent the better part of his working life on the Baptistery's gilded bronze doors, and the east doors are the ones everyone comes to see.
The originals are now kept in the Museo dell'Opera del Duomo behind the cathedral, along with Michelangelo's late Florentine Pietà. It is one of the best museums in the city and, oddly, one of the quieter ones.
Climb the dome early in the day. There are 463 steps and no lift, and the bell tower has another 414 if your legs allow it.
Explore Florence
Markets, Medici and the walk to the Signoria
Via dei Calzaiuoli runs south from the cathedral to Piazza della Signoria, passing Orsanmichele, a former grain hall whose outer niches hold statues commissioned by the city's guilds. To the north west sits San Lorenzo, the Medici parish church, with the Medici Chapels and the busy Mercato Centrale, where the upstairs food hall stays lively well into the evening.
Along Via Cavour, Palazzo Medici Riccardi hides a small chapel covered in Benozzo Gozzoli's frescoes of the Journey of the Magi. Michelangelo's David at the Accademia is only a few minutes' walk north up Via Ricasoli.
Browse apartments near the Accademia
Practical notes on life inside the old city
The great advantage of an apartment here is that you rarely need anything but your feet. The Uffizi, Ponte Vecchio and Santa Croce are all within a quarter of an hour on foot, and you can slip home for a siesta between museums.
Bear in mind that the historic centre sits inside a limited traffic zone, the ZTL, so driving in without a permit can earn you a fine. Many palazzi have stairs rather than lifts, and the piazza is lively until late. Tell us what matters to you, be it a lift, quiet bedrooms or parking, and we will point you to the right apartment.
Browse apartments near Ponte Vecchio
Lampredotto, bistecca and an exploding cart
Florentine cooking is plain and generous: ribollita in the cooler months, bistecca alla fiorentina cut thick and served rare, and lampredotto, a tripe sandwich sold from street carts, for the brave. Schiacciata from a neighbourhood bakery makes a fine lunch on the move.
On Easter Sunday the Scoppio del Carro sets off fireworks from an ornate cart in front of the cathedral. The feast of San Giovanni, the city's patron saint, follows on 24 June. Spring and autumn are the most comfortable months, as July and August can be very hot. Our concierge can book dome climbs, private guides, tables and day trips into Chianti.
Ask our conciergeFeatured properties in the Duomo
Casa Giglio Firenze: Chic 2-Bedroom Apartment with Air-Con – Florence Duomo2 bedrooms · sleeps 6From £6,090 a week
Villa Alba Cestello Duomo: Elegant 3-Bedroom Luxury Apartment in Historic Duomo – Florence3 bedrooms · sleeps 8From £6,041 a week
Appartamento Sant’Ambrogio Milano: Chic 1-Bedroom Apartment with Terrace Views – Milan Duomo1 bedrooms · sleeps 2From £6,006 a week
Palazzo Sant’Ambrogio Milan: Stylish 1-Bedroom Luxury Apartment with Duomo Views – Milan1 bedrooms · sleeps 4From £5,726 a week
Villa Levante San Niccolo Duomo: Modern 3-Bedroom Apartment Near Duomo – Florence3 bedrooms · sleeps 8From £5,362 a week
Villa Smeraldo San Lorenzo Duomo: Elegant 3-Bedroom Apartment with Historic Charm – Florence Duomo3 bedrooms · sleeps 6From £5,271 a week
Palazzo SantaMaria Florence: Luxury 2-Bedroom Apartment with Cathedral Views – Florence2 bedrooms · sleeps 4From £5,222 a week
Palazzo Battistero Florence: Spacious 4-Bedroom Apartment with Air-Con – Florence Duomo4 bedrooms · sleeps 8From £5,075 a weekWhy book your apartment in the Duomo with Excellence Luxury Villas
The right house, not the nearest one
Around the Duomo, apartments a single street apart can differ completely in noise, stairs and access by car, and we know which ones put you close to the cathedral without the crowds under your window. With 80+ properties in the Duomo, we can usually find the house that suits you rather than the one that happens to be free. Search by size, pool, location and price, or tell us what you have in mind and we will put together a shortlist.
Book direct
You book with us directly, with no booking fees. Questions about access, parking, pool heating or how far it really is to the nearest beach go to people who can find out the answer.
A concierge who knows the territory
Timed tickets for the dome and the Uffizi, private guides, restaurant reservations, cookery classes, wine tours into Chianti and transfers from Florence and Pisa airports. Our concierge team arranges all of it, leaving you free to decide which terrace to sit on.
A house for every kind of party
Couples, families with small children, three generations together or a crowd of friends celebrating a birthday: we match the house to the group, down to the number of bathrooms and whether the pool is fenced.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Duomo a good area to stay in Florence?
For a first visit it is hard to beat. You are at the centre of the historic city, with the Uffizi, Ponte Vecchio, the Accademia and Santa Croce all within easy walking distance. If you prefer quieter evenings, ask us about apartments on the side streets rather than on the piazza itself.
When is the best time to visit Florence?
April to early June and September to October bring mild weather and long days for walking. Easter Sunday has the Scoppio del Carro outside the cathedral. July and August are hot and busy, and winter is quieter, with shorter queues at the museums.
Do I need to book to climb Brunelleschi's dome?
Yes. Climbing the dome needs a timed reservation, and slots sell out early in high season. There are 463 steps and no lift. Our concierge can arrange tickets and a guide.
Can you arrange a private chef at a apartment in the Duomo?
Yes. Our concierge can arrange a private chef for a single dinner or your whole stay, along with cookery lessons, guided visits, transfers and restaurant reservations.
How much does a luxury propertie in the Duomo cost?
Across our 80+ properties in the Duomo, weekly rates typically range from £2,400 to £4,800, with the most affordable from around £2,200 a week and the largest estates well above. Prices depend on the size of the property, its location and the season, with July and August the most expensive. These are guide prices based on current listings; each property page shows its own rates for your dates.
How do I get to the Duomo from the airport?
Florence airport is around 20 minutes from the centre by car, and the tram runs from the airport to the Santa Maria Novella area. From there the Duomo is a short walk. Pisa airport is around an hour away by train or road. Our concierge can arrange private transfers.
Are there apartments in the Duomo for large groups?
Yes. Our Duomo collection includes properties with up to 5 bedrooms. Tell us the size of your party and the occasion, and we will send a shortlist that suits it.
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Find your apartment in the Duomo
80+ apartments a short walk from the cathedral, with our Florence concierge on hand