Climbing Florence's Duomo and Rome's St. Peter's domes
 

Any advice/tips on what times of day are less crowded to do this in Florence and Rome?

(or other tips about this, in general)

Thanks!
Dina

We climbed to the top of St. Peter's dome as soon as it opened - I think it was at 9:00 a.m.

It was relatively uncrowded up at the top and we were able to take some nice pictures without having to jockey for position.

We were glad we went up early, for on our way down there was a steady stream of people coming up and a sizeable line at the ticket window.

Hi Dina,

I took a Vatican Museum tour and then climbed the St. Peter's dome at about 4:15pm. No line at all. Watching the sunset over Rome was beautiful, but even better given the storm clouds and double rainbow! It's an awesome view, be sure to have a wide angle lens.

We went on the Scavi tour at 10:00 AM and then climbed the stairs to St. Peter's dome shortly afterward. There was somewhat of a crowd at the beginning but things move along quickly. It is quite a climb, but it is so worth it. The view is amazing.
If you get the opportunity to enjoy this part of the Vatican - it is the best. Only problem was that after I saw the grounds, then I wished I had scheduled one of the tours of the gardens.
AKNIC

We definitely don't want to miss climbing the dome this time we're in Rome! Thanks so much for your replies.

Sound like early is great, mid-day is fine, but dusk is glorious!

Unfortunately, I think the sun sets sort of late in early July, and I'm sure they close by that time.

Any advice on climbing the Duomo's dome in Florence?

thanks again,
dina

We climed the Duomo in Florence as soon as it opened, 9:00 or 9:30 and there was no line up. It was August, so the early time avoided crowds and oppressive heat.

If you don't like enclosed, tight spaces then don't climb in Florence. The stairs are very narrow and for some of the way the traffic is 2-way. You may have to press yourself up against the wall to allow people to come down the same continually winding step that your trying to ascend.

We were in Florence a few years ago in June. We got to the Duomo early, but not real early. There was a line that took about 30 to 40 minutes. Most of that time was in direct sun. The walk up the stairs wasn't too bad because there were so many people so it was very leisurely. It did get hot. For some reason, I seem to recall that the worst part, as far as the heat, was the walk down.
Beautiful place to see.

We went to St. Peters about an hour before the ticket window closed. I don't remember what the time was though-mid afternoon I believe. There was no line at all at the vatican ticket office or the dome. There was still quite a crowd inside and in the dome, but not nearly what some had decribed.
I am sure you are aware of this, but remember the modest dress code.

Dina4, I was literally just about to post a question about the best time to climb St. Peter's dome! Thanks. We'll have some options as to when to climb St. Peter's, but with the limited time we will be in Florence, we'll be lucky to find a time to fit it in when it's open.

If you enter St Peters` Basilica at the start of the line for the Dome you may think you will be up on top in a few minutes.Alas,the line goes around many corners and you may spend an hour or more waiting your turn. I took the elevator but then you have to climb quite a bit more to get almost to the top of the Dome. It was well worth it though. There is a coffee shop on the roof of of the Basilica where you can have a break.It is at the level of the line of statues you can see from the Square.

You can also climb the bell tower in Florence which has an amazing view of all the red tile roofs of Florence. Plus you get a view of the Duomo from above this way.

You can also climb the tower in Siena, but that one is really narrow. We did it on a May morning and still got pretty sweaty.

Thanks everyone for all the tips!

Missypie,
We didn't have time to climb the Duomo last time we were in Florence, but we climbed Giotto's campanile, which had no line, and as Scullysioux concurs, offers GREAT views! Maybe you'll have time for that. I think your kids would really enjoy it. Ours did.

Dayle, I do remember reading your trip report and have Siena's tower on our list of to-do's.

Thanks again, everyone!!
Dina

I did St Peters very early in the a.m. and there were very few people about.

Florence in the early afternoon was crowded.

When we went to the Duomo in Florence first thing (our hotel was just across the square) there was already a line. So we decided to walk around see Ponte Vecchio and such. On our way back to the hotel around 3:00 the place was deserted and we went right up.
LisaS