Phrases › Asking Directions › Mi scusi, come arrivo al Duomo?

Mi scusi, come arrivo al Duomo?

Excuse me, how do I get to the Cathedral?

Pronunciation

ar-RI-vo — stress on second syllable. DUO-mo — stress on first syllable.

When to use it

The classic Italian direction request — use this template for any landmark.

What it means

'Come arrivo a' (how do I get to) + destination is the most natural Italian direction question. 'Mi scusi' (excuse me, formal) is essential before approaching a stranger. 'Duomo' (cathedral/dome) refers to the main cathedral of an Italian city — Florence's is the most famous.

Variations

Come si va alla stazione?

How do you get to the station?

Impersonal 'si' version — slightly more casual

Qual è la strada per il centro storico?

What is the road to the historic centre?

Asking for a road rather than directions

Sono lontano dal Colosseo?

Am I far from the Colosseum?

Checking proximity before asking for directions

Mini Dialogue

— Mi scusi, come arrivo al Duomo? — Vada dritto per duecento metri, poi giri a sinistra in via dei Calzaiuoli. — Quanto è lontano? — Cinque minuti a piedi al massimo.

— Excuse me, how do I get to the Cathedral? — Go straight for two hundred metres, then turn left into via dei Calzaiuoli. — How far is it? — Five minutes on foot at most.

Cultural Note

Every Italian city has a Duomo — the main cathedral. Florence's Duomo (Santa Maria del Fiore) with Brunelleschi's dome is perhaps the most iconic. When asking directions in Italy, locals are generally very helpful and often insist on accompanying you part of the way. Accept with gratitude — 'Grazie, è molto gentile.'

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Vicino a cosa si trova?

Vada dritto fino al semaforo, poi giri a destra.

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