Looking for the best view of Florence or a wonderful sunset spot? From hidden vistas to popular - but pricey - panoramas, our guide has you covered!
“This is the fairest picture on our planet, the most enchanting to look upon, the most satisfying to the eye and the spirit. To see the sun sink down, drowned on his pink and purple and golden floods, and overwhelm Florence with tides of color that make all the sharp lines dim and faint and turn the solid city to a city of dreams, is a sight to stir the coldest nature, and make a sympathetic one drunk with ecstasy.”
Whether viewed from a small village in the hills, your hidden hotel rooftop, or within the world-famous Duomo itself, Florence’s skyline is exquisite, and an image that has echoed across the world for centuries. Truly exquisite, any itinerary of the city should involve seeking out at least a couple of the most famous and make time to serendipitously encounter a handful more.
The only difficulty - especially on a shorter trip - is knowing which to prioritise. The fact that several viewpoints also come with a not insignificant price tag is also a consideration.
That’s where our guide comes in; we’ve personally curated this list to share the very best views in Florence as well as information on how to get them, important tips, entry fees, potential tours to enhance the experience, and three perfect accommodation options if you want a room with a view!
Here are the very best views in Florence.
the essentials
// Multiple stunning viewpoints in Florence.
// Many are free, but some come with a fairly chunky entry fee.
// Beautiful at any time of day, but make a point to enjoy at least a couple during golden hour.
Where to Find the Best Views of Florence
Piazzale Michelangelo
This was the place and the moment which made us fall hard for Florence itself.
Slightly tipsy from a few stiff Spritzes, we ambled up the steep stairways from Piazza Giuseppe Poggi in the early evening toward Piazzale Michelangelo. One of several testaments to the artist, this also displays the city’s second replica of David.
Here however, the masses turn their backs on him.
The four bridges reach out over a Arno flowing gold. The Duomo and Palazzo Vecchio point to the heavens, gracefully imposing themsevles over terracotta rooftops and the cityscape. In the background, the Tuscan hills turn from wine to shadow as the sun bids its final salutation.
For us, it’s the best view in Florence and of Florence.
This isn’t a hidden gem however, and will draw large crowds of locals and travellers each evening, especially on a balmy summer’s one. Friends bring drinks, lovers bring romance, and buskers bring music. There are a few people selling snacks and souvenirs too.
If you want to grab a good spot on the stairs for yourself or your photography, then head up a little earlier than the others and settle in.
The Essentials
Where | Find it here on Google Maps
How to Get There | The quickest way to access Piazzale Michelangelo is via steep stairs from Piazza Giuseppe Poggi in Oltr’Arno (across the river from Florence’s main attractions). Do note that this is quite a hard slog even during the cooler hours of the day. You can also follow the road up from Porta San Miniato (Google Maps). Alternatively, if you’re in a bit of a rush or not in the best of fitness, you can take bus number 12 from Boboli Gardens, or 13 from Ponte Niccolò.
Cost | It is completely free to access
Top tip // Located just below Piazzale Michelangelo, the pretty little Rose Garden (here on Google Maps) has provided a floral scented viewpoint over Florence since 1865 (albeit a little more obstructed than the Piazzale above). The garden is free to visit, and the entrance - a small gate - can be found as you make up Viale Giuseppe Poggi. Definitely one to add to your list in spring when the roses are in bloom!
Ponte Vecchio Views
The main attraction on the river Arno is the three-arch Ponte Vecchio (‘old bridge’), a real symbol of the city and the only Florentine bridge to survive World War 2 bombing.
Crossing the river at its narrowest point, it feels more like a street than a bridge, lined as it is with jewellery shops and goldsmiths stacked high and tight on both sides. There’s actually an old line amongst locals to describe any woman wearing jewllerly which is a tad too ostentatious as ‘carrying more gold than the Ponte Vecchio’.
Shops have existed on the bridge since its construction in the 14th century, but for a period of time it was rented exclusively to the ‘Guild of Butchers’… and one can imagine how this would not have made Ponte Vecchio or the Arno a very enticing olfactory experience.
From the point of view of, well, viewpoints, there are several spots along Ponte Vecchio from which the city will unfold, as well as angles that take in the bridge itself:
// For a wonderful vista looking back out over the river Arno and all the way to Ponte alle Grazie with the Tuscan hills in the distance, stand in the centre of Ponte Vecchio and look east (here on Google Maps).
// Standing on the middle of Ponte alle Grazie and looking west, you’ll be faced with a view of Ponte Vecchio and the grand buildings flanking the river Arno (here on Google Maps).
// Alternatively, stand on Ponte Santa Trinita for an alternative (less popular) view of Ponte Vecchio, which is lovely at sunset (here on Google Maps)
// We also loved the more intimate snapshots of Ponte Vecchio that were visible from under the arches on the Corridoio Vasarariano (here on Google Maps)
The Essentials
Where | The bridge can be found here on Google Maps.
Cost | There is no cost to access Ponte Vecchio, or any of the above mentioned viewpoints.
Tours | This highly rated two hour walking tour with an expert, English-speaking guide will allow you to learn about the impressive history and architecture of the city whilst exploring its picturesque streets and iconic sights (including Ponte Vecchio).
The Duomo
Rising nearly 120 metres above the the Florentine skyline and the grand cathedral’s crowning glory, Brunelleschi’s Dome is an iconic feature of Tuscany’s capital.
The largest cupola in the world, it is unique not only for its size but also in that for more than a century after it was designed, nobody knew quite how to build it. Indeed were it not for a national competition, a highly skilled goldsmith and a secret plan to build a dome within a dome, Florence’s cathedral may have stood uncovered for many years to come.
Whilst many satisfy themselves with viewpoints and walkarounds of the 15th century masterpiece, for a truly immersive experience of Brunelleschi’s work, one needs to climb the narrow 463 steps to the very top.
Yes, it can be hard going in the heat, and probably not a great idea if you’re fairly unfit, claustrophobic, or suffer from vertigo or reduced mobility, but the 360˚ open-air views out over the orange rooftops of Firenze and the Tuscan countryside beyond are nothing short of outstanding.
It is incredibly important to note that the popularity of the Dome cannot be overestimated, and even in the winter we’ve heard of tickets booking out several days in advance. We’d recommend purchasing your tickets as soon as you know your dates to avoid disappointment.
Additionally, although it is possible to head up the Dome all day, we would highly recommend booking a time slot around the golden hour (from around an hour before sunset). The view is wonderful irrespective, but watching everything glow burnt orange under the setting sun is simply magical.
The Essentials
Where | Florence Cathedral can be found here on Google Maps.
Cost | It costs €20 to climb to the top of the dome, and tickets must be booked in advance. You can buy tickets here or at the ticket office in Piazza del Duomo.
Tours | If you’d like to join a tour and gain a deeper insight into the story behind Brunelleschi’s Dome - as well as access skip-the-line tickets - this tour is highly rated.
Top Tip // If you dream of capturing the photos that many others are unable to, consider joining a small group tour that includes time spent on the north terrace. Usually closed to the public, you will be given the opportunity to enjoy incredible skyline views that also include the Duomo. Tickets for this can be bought either via this link or at the ticket office in Piazza del Duomo (find it here on Google Maps).
Read More // You can find lots more information about the Cathedral, the Dome and Piazza del Duomo as well as advice on buying tickets etc in our post ‘An Essential Guide to Visiting Florence Cathedral and the Duomo Complex’.
The Uffizi Gallery View
A morning or afternoon spent at one of Italy’s, and therefore the world’s, greatest galleries needs to be on everyone’s list.
Based within the imposing former administrative and legal offices of Florence - hence the name ‘Uffizi’ - the gallery is home to an immeasurable number of Renaissance masterpiece paintings and ancient Roman statues, all set within an environment which is far from the modernist ‘white cube’.
And whilst most of us will visit for the art primarily, it’s important to note that the Uffizi is home to handful of exceptional views of florence.
The most well known is that offered from the cafeteria terrace, however it was the wonderful view from the Gallery’s great hallway that stole the show for us, with enchanting views out over Florence’s famous bridges.
There are in fact many windows throughout the hallways of the Uffizi, most of which are accessible to visitors. We know you’ve really come here to marvel and the work of the Renaissance greats, but be sure to peer out through the glass a few times to capture a glimpse of the great Renaissance city too.
The Essentials
Where | The Uffuzi building is on the north bank of the Arno, close to Piazza della Signoria. Find the entrance here on Google Maps, which is also home to the ticket collection kiosk and caricaturists outside beneath the grey pillars and statues.
Cost | Entry is €20 per person if bought on the day, however advance tickets, bought for a specific date and time, attract an additional charge of €4. You can purchase advance tickets here (you will be provide with a mobile voucher which will need to be exchanged for a paper ticket at a separate office outside the Uffizi).
Do note that as many people choose to buy their tickets in advance (like we did - and we highly recommend that you do so too), there can be incredibly long queues at the ticket office. Should you wish to avoid these, you can buy tickets here and pick up your paper entry immediately thus saving time.
Tours | This highly-rated 1.5 hour small group tour of the Uffizi includes skip-the-line tickets and an expert guide. You are free to remain in the museum once the tour has concluded.
Alternatively, if you’d like to combine a (skip-the-line and guided) visit to the Gallery with an early-morning guided tour of Florence’s highlights, this one is highly recommended.
Boboli Gardens
Commissioned by a banker, bought by the Medici family, occupied by Napoleon and - for a short while whilst Florence was the nation’s capital - home to the first king of the united Italy.
Palazzo Pitti has had a rich and varied history, with each generation and noble family leaving an indelible mark on the grand palace.
For the 16 million tourists that visit Florence each year however, it is vast gardens that stretch out beyond Pitti’s courtyard that is most alluring; the UNESCO World Heritage Site of the Boboli Gardens.
A tangible love letter from Cosimo I de' Medici to his wife, Eleanor of Toledo, it has become somewhat of an open air museum, as well as one of the most important examples in the world of the classical ‘Italian Garden’; a €2 million donation from Florence's homegrown fashion house Gucci slowly restoring it to its former glory.
Notably - and importantly for this article - it was designed in such a way as to rise above the Florentine hills, thus offering some of the best views of Florence as well as serene vistas of the Tuscan countryside behind.
You can imagine then our disappointment when upon arriving to Florence we were informed by our Airbnb host that the Gardens were shut for the duration of our stay. Alas, I guess we now have another reason to return to the city!
The Essentials
Where | The Boboli Gardens can be found south of the river, a few minutes walking from Ponte Vecchio. The location is here on Google Maps.
Cost | You can buy tickets on the day upon arriving, at a cost of €10 per person (€2 concession - under 18, students etc). Alternatively, you can buy a skip-the-line ticket here.
If you’re keen to visit the Pitti Palace, the Uffizi Gallery and the Boboli Gardens during your stay in Florence, buy a combined ticket for €38. Do note however that you are required to visit the Uffizi first.
Tours | To fully immerse yourself in the history of the Medici family, consider joining this highly-rated four hour tour with an expert guide through the Pitti Palace and Boboli Gardens.
Alternatively, if you’d prefer to focus on the Gardens only, this 1.5 hour tour has also got excellent reviews.
Top Tip // A much less visited giardino in Florence, from its privileged position high above the city centre the Bardini Gardens offer up a wonderful view of the the city. Entry is included within your entry to the Boboli Gardens and is highly recommended should you be here in late April - early May when the wisteria tunnel is in full bloom.
A Room With a View
If you’d like to stay somewhere with spectacular views of Florence included, the three hotels below are the best options.
La Terrazza // If you've seen that shot on Instagram with your favourite influencer on a rooftop in front of the cathedral, then this is the place they stayed. Set in front of the cathedral with a spectacular backdrop from the rooftop and several rooms, it's actually got fantastic reviews overall as well. Find out more or check availability here.
Grand Hotel Minerva // Its stunning rooftop area for guests, which includes an outdoor swimming pool, is open from April to October. Check prices and availability here.
Grand Hotel Cavour // Set with in the historical centre, its sixth-floor rooftop 'Divina Terrazza' offers stunning up-close-and-personal views of Il Duomo. Check prices and availability here.
Giotto’s Campanile
Built in the 14th century, and clad in the same green, white and red marble found on the cathedral, it is said that the 85-metre Giotto’s Bell Tower was constructed more for beauty than function; true to that, its elegant design and intricate carvings have led many to consider it the finest in all of Italy.
We ourselves spent an age, gazing upwards into the sky at this highly decorative structure, the tower made all the more beautiful set in front of a perfect summer sky. For us however, the real joy of this famous campanile - the spectacular views over the city - can only be found from the top.
With only 414 steps (as compared to the nearly 500 to reach the pinnacle of the Duomo), this is a slightly easier climb although we’d still advise that those with mobility or health issues may struggle. It is not as cramped or claustrophobic either, with more open air available and various levels you can stop at for a breather.
Important to Know | We ourselves were somewhat disappointed to discover upon reaching the top that there was metal fencing enclosing the top of the tower. This makes perfect sense from a health & safety perspective, but as photographers, we can’t help but admit to being a little disappointed that securing images would be so tricky - especially given the spectacular vista back on to Brunelleschi’s Dome.
The Essentials
Where | The Bell Tower is located in the heart of Florence’s historic district, in Piazza del Duomo, next to the cathedral. You can find it here on Google Maps.
Cost | Tickets cost €15 for an adult, or €7 for children between 7 and 14 and should be bought in advance from the official website. Although not quite as popular as the Dome, tickets should ideally be bought in advance - especially if you’d like to go up the tower during the evening or around sunset when it is at its busiest.
Tours | This three hour VIP tour has exceptional reviews, and includes guided visits to the Baptistery of San Giovanni, the Cathedral, the Crypt of Santa Reparata, the Brunelleschi’s Dome and Giotto's Bell Tower.
If you’d prefer to join a like-minded group, this two-hour monument tour is also highly rated and includes a guided visit through the Cathedral (as well as the Crypt of Santa Reparata) and climb up Giotto's Bell Tower and Brunelleschi's Dome.
Read More // You can find lots more information about the Campanile, the Cathedral, Piazza del Duomo as well as advice on buying tickets etc in our post ‘An Essential Guide to Visiting Florence Cathedral and the Duomo Complex’.
Fiesole
On the hills five miles northeast of Florence, there sits an idyllic hilltop village by the name of Fiesole. Spanning the centuries, it has passed between Etrucsceans, the Romans and finally the Florentines, becoming a home for the city’s elite in the 14th century.
It is where Leonardo da Vinci tested his theory of flight, the setting for Boccaccio's Decameron, and the place from which Milton and Galileo surveyed the stars.
Importantly, for visitors craving a respite from the busy streets and city life, the Renaissance style village also offers up a spectacular and sweeping view of the area below; lush rolling hills, red roofs atop white washed buildings, rows and rows of cypress trees and finally, the beautiful Florence herself.
Wonderful views can be found throughout, but for the best vista head up to the panoramic terrace at the top of the village (here on Google Maps).
The Essentials
Where | Located less than 10 km from Florence, you can find the town of Fiesole here on Google Maps.
How to Get There | The easiest way to get to Fiesole is with bus number 7 that departs from Santa Maria Novella train station (the stop is called ‘Stazione Nazionale – Largo F.lli Alinari’). Alternatively, you can hop on in San Marco Square. The buses run every 20 minutes between 6 am and midnight and drop you off in Fiesole’s main square. To return, take the same bus back to Florence. Tickets can be bought either onboard or in advance via a variety of methods - see our post ‘23 Things To Know Before Visiting Florence’ for further information on how to negotiate Florence’s public transport system.
If you don’t mind a little exercise, it’s also possible to walk to Fiesole. It should take a relatively fit person around 1.5 hours from the centre of Florence - begin along Via Boccaccio and follow the panoramic Via Vecchia Fiesolana to Fiesole.
Cost | The bus is €1.50 per person each way, so €3 for a return journey
Tours | If you’d like to try something a little different consider joining this highly-rated three hour tour of Florence on a classic Vespa! Head into the Tuscan countryside with stops that include San Miniato Convent, the small town of Fiesole and Piazzale Michelangelo - the perfect way to enjoy some of the best views of Florence.
Alternatively, if you’d prefer to make your way to Fiesole by yourself and enjoy the town slowly, consider learning how to make a traditional pasta dish with a local in this three hour cooking class with great reviews.
Church of San Miniato al Monte
Walk just five minutes uphill from the popular Piazzale Michelangelo, and you will come to Basilica di San Miniato al Monte, a beautiful 11th century church considered to be one of the finest Romanesque structures in Tuscany.
Offering the highest vantage point in the city, it also happens to provide some of the very best views over Florence - but with significantly fewer crowds than others in the article.
Although the view will be beautiful at any time of the day, we’d recommend heading up in the late afternoon, spending some time exploring within the grounds, the exterior and the intricately designed interior of this gorgeous little church, before settling down to enjoy the vista in a golden hour glow.
You could even stop in at Piazzale Michelangelo on your way back down to tick two things off the list at once.
The Essentials
Where | You can find San Miniato al Monte here on Google Maps.
How to Get There | There are two options to reach the church depending upon how much time you have and how much energy you’d like to expend! From the centre of Florence it’s around a 35 minute walk, just make your way to Piazzetta di San Miniato and then follow Via del Monte alle Croci to the top. Alternatively it is possible to hop on bus number 12 or 13 which will drop you off in front of the stairs that lead up to the church.
Cost | The church and its ground are free to enter.
Tours | Remember that Vespa tour that we mentioned earlier? It offers a unique way of arriving at San Miniato al Monte, and also includes time in the Tuscan hills as well as a stop in Fiesole. Find out more here.
Top Tip // Should you time your visit for 5.30 pm, you will likely be lucky enough to hear the Gregorian chants that occur during the Latin-language mass held every night. Afterward, simply make your way down to Piazzale Michelangelo for more golden hour views.
Torre di Arnolfo
Built between the 13th and 14th century, Palazzo Vecchio is one of the city’s most important focal points. It is a historical monument, a medieval fortress, a Renaissance beauty (internally at least) and has been a symbol of civic power for more than seven centuries. Indeed, to this day it still acts as a seat of local government, housing both the mayor’s office and Municipal council.
Yet for many who visit Florence, it is the contents of the grand square in which it stands - an impressive replica of Michelangelo’s ‘David’, Neptune’s Fountain, the Uffizi Gallery plus many more statues and sculptures - that garners much more interest.
Unbeknownst to many, Palazzo Vecchio also has an incredible view out over Florence from the 95 metre Torre di Arnolfo (second only in height to Brunelleschi’s Dome), that literally towers over Piazza della Signora below.
The Essentials
Where | You can find Palazzo Vecchio here on Google Maps, a couple of minutes away from the Uffizi Gallery.
Cost | In order to access the viewpoint, you can either choose a ticket that covers all the main features at Palazzo Vecchio - the battlements, the main museum, the archeological sites and the tower - costing €20.50 per person (concessions available), or standalone tickets for individual sites / combinations:
Museum, tower and battlements / €18.50
Museum and archaeological site / €17
Museum only / €13.50
Tower and battlements / €13.50
Please note that all the above prices include the online booking fees as well.
You can buy the combination ticket here for guaranteed admission.
Tours | To better understand the significance of Palazzo Vecchio in Florence’s history, as well as gain a deeper insight into the art kept within its walls, this 1.5 hour small group guided tour has excellent reviews.
Top Tip // If it’s raining, Torre di Arnolfo will be shut. Shouldn’t be too much of a concern if you’re visiting in the summer, but if visiting Florence during the spring/winter you may want to keep an eye on the weather forecast!
Bars, Cafes and Restaurants With Incredible Views
There are plenty of hotels, cafes, restaurants and bars which provide views (of varying quality) over the city of Florence. Most are free to enter, but the requirement to buy expensive food or drink can make several a costly endeavour. With that said however, we can think of very few backdrops that would make that evening Spritz all the more wonderful than Il Duomo.
Here’s a selection of the most recommended options:
Oblate Library Cafe | Completely unknown to us during our visit to Florence, the Oblate Library - or for visitors at least - its cafe, offers up a somewhat secret view over the city. Entry is free, but this is a student library so be respectful of noise. It is open between 9 am and 7 pm, and can be found here on Google Maps.
Tosca Nino | Located on the top floor of La Rinascente (a fancy department store on Piazza della Repubblica, here on Google Maps), this rooftop café-cum-restaurant is a wonderful place to escape the crowds with a cocktail or two alongside wonderful views of the Duomo. Just be warned - it’s not cheap!
SE-STO on Arno | This rooftop restaurant is located overlooking the Arno river and offers an upscale and contemporary dining experience with spectacular views, as well as two open-air bars for a golden hour drink. Find out more on their website.
La Terrazza | Considered one of the world’s best rooftop bars, La Terrazza sits atop Hotel Continentale (a beautifully refurbished 13th century medieval tower) and offers unrivalled views of the Arno and Ponte Vecchio. They also make a mean cocktail!
Divina Terrazza | Located on the top floor of The Grand Hotel Cavour, Divina is an intimate spot overlooking the Duomo and Palazzo Vecchio, ideal for an early aperitivo.
San Niccolo Tower
Based on the designs of Arnolfo di Cambio (yep, the same Arnolfo that’s also responsible for the Cathedral and Palazzo Vecchio) and once part of the old city walls, the 60 metres Torre de San Niccolò - also known as Porta San Niccolò - is the tallest of the ancient city towers still standing today.
It’s position south of the Arno river affords visitors wonderful views both across the bridges and towards Piazza del Duomo as well as further back on to Piazzale Michelangelo.
Unfortunately for those that visit Florence during the colder months, it is only open between the months of June and September, making this very much a lesser visited spot in the city.
The Essentials
Where | You can find the tower here on Google Maps
How to Get There | Torre San Niccolò is easily within accessible via either Ponte Niccolò or Ponte Alle Grazie, sitting just a few minutes by foot from both.
Cost | Entry costs €6 per person (free for those under 18), and tickets must be paid for in cash, at the ticket office on the day of entry. As far as we are aware, the tickets cannot be bought in advance.
You can find out further details on the official website here.
Your Next Stop
Taking in the best views of Florence is just one of many wonderful things to do in the city. To plan the rest of your stay (and discover more Tuscan adventures) take a look at our other in-depth guides.
13 Wonderful Things to Do in Florence
Visiting Florence Cathedral and the Duomo Complex | An Essential Guide
Five Museums You Can’t Miss in Florence
Our Essential Tips For Visiting Florence
Where to Stay in Florence
The Best Things to Do in Pisa | The City Beyond the Tower
The Leaning Tower of Pisa | What to Know Before You Go
13 Wonderful Things to Do in Lucca
