Where to Find the Best View in Florence: 10+ Epic Photo Spots

Last Updated on 22nd August 2024 by Sophie Nadeau

This post may contain affiliate links. Please check out my privacy policy and disclosure for more information.

If you’re headed to Florence, then no doubt you’ll have seen photos of the iconic Duomo at sunset from afar. Well, as you might expect from a city surrounded by hills, there are actually a number of gorgeous viewpoints in Firenze, just waiting to be enjoyed. Here’s where to find the best view in Florence (and most of them are free!)…

If you’re looking to visit Florence, be sure to check out our suggestions for how to spend one day in Florence and how to spend 3 days in Florence.

Where to find the best view in Florence

Piazzale Michelangelo

If you’re looking for the most iconic viewpoint of Florence, then you’re in the right place: this is the view that you’ll see on all of the postcards.

From here, you can enjoy a bird’s eye view of the city’s skyline and you don’t have to look hard to see the Florence Cathedral (Duomo), Palazzo Vecchio, and the Arno River.

The best time to go is undoubtedly during golden hour when everything is bathed in a lovely warm glow. However, you should note that this is probably one of the busiest places to visit in Florence and so you should be sure to arrive around half an hour before sunset in order to secure a good viewing spot.

It’s also worth knowing that there are several bars and cafés around the terrace, all of which offer their own breathtaking views.

As with any touristy spot, you can expect to find elevated prices, hit and miss service, and not the best quality food and drinks. Nevertheless, we did enjoy an Aperol Spritz while admiring the view in this pretty piazza in Florence!

Florence Cathedral (Duomo)

Apart from Piazzale Michelangelo, the other most iconic view in Florence can be found from the top of Florence Duomo’s dome. Also known as Brunelleschi’s Dome, this spot boasts breathtaking views of the city (though, of course, you won’t be able to see the dome, which is probably the landmark that you want to enjoy in a view of Florence).

If you want to climb the Duomo, then you’ll need to purchase a pass which will allow you to climb the 463 steps to reach the top. We personally recommend purchasing the Brunelleschi Pass, which includes a reserved entrance time to the dome.

Be sure to buy this at least a week ahead of your visit in order to secure the time you want to go up. Once you’re at the top, you’ll be rewarded with 360 degree views of Florence.

On the way up, you’ll get a glimpse of the cathedral interior, as well as a closer look at the interior of the Renaissance fresco covering the inner dome.

Giotto’s Bell Tower (Campanile)

Situated within the cathedral complex, Giotto’s Bell Tower (camapanile in Italian) offers another spectacular viewpoint of the city. The tower is beautifully decorated with intricate designs and is a little less popular than the dome climb, meaning that it’s easier to secure a ticket.

Climb its 414 steps for stunning views of Florence. Please note that you won’t be able to buy a ticket directly at the bell tower and instead should buy it online in advance, or secure the Brunelleschi Pass.

Please note that, unfortunately, the whole viewing platform is covered in a metallic grid, making it easier to take photos with a smaller phone lens than a large camera lens.

Bardini Gardens

The Bardini Gardens date back to the Middle Ages, though have only recently been opened to the public. They sit in an elevated position on the opposite side of the offer a peaceful escape from the crowds and provide fantastic views of the city.

In the spring, they’re even home to a wonderful wisteria pathway. All year ’round, they’re home to mesmerising sculptures, wonderful fountains, and, of course, some of the most stunning views of Florence from above.

You can also combine a visit to the Bardini Gardens with a trip to the nearby Boboli Gardens as your ticket will allow you entrance into both gardens. It’s one of those lesser-known secrets of Florence, meaning that the gardens are never very busy. There’s even a lovely café where you can enjoy a drink or snack while admiring the view.

If you’re looking to see a number of viewpoints at once, start with the Boboli Gardens, followed by Forte di Belvedere, followed by the Bardini Gardens, and ending with a visit to Piazzale Michelangelo.

Boboli Gardens

The Boboli Gardens are referenced in many guidebooks and things to do in Florence books thanks to the fact that their elevated position on the other side of the River Arno lends itself to a fantastic view of Florence.

Unfortunately, the gardens have certainly seen better days, though we particularly loved seeing the miniature vineyard at the very top of the garden.

Entrance tickets to the Boboli Gardens also allow free entrance to the adjacent Bardini Gardens, making a ticket more worth it. Book your reserved ticket to the Boboli Gardens here in advance.

Forte di Belvedere

Completely free to visit, the Forte di Belvedere presides over the Boboli Gardens and actually ended up being one of our favourite viewpoints of Florence.

As well as the chance to walk across the top of the historic fort, the building at the top of the site boasts a rooftop bar where you can enjoy a drink overlooking the rest of the city.

San Miniato al Monte

Just a fifteen minute walk further up the hill from Piazzale Michelangelo, you’ll come across the stunning basilica of San Miniato al Monte. Many people make the visit to the Piazza but fail to climb further up the hill.

However, those who make the effort will be richly rewarded. As its name suggests, this Romanesque church sits atop a hill overlooking Florence. The church itself is free to visit and was constructed between the 11th and 13th-centuries.

Fiesole

Though not technically within Florence itself, if you’re willing to venture just outside of Florence on a small day trip from the city, then consider visiting the town of Fiesole.

This quintessential Tuscan town is perched high in the hills surrounding the city and so offers amazing views of the city. If you want to take photos, then you might want to consider bringing a zoom lens along as the town is quite far away!

Palazzo Vecchio Tower

One of the most iconic buildings to be found within the Piazza della Signoria is Palazzo Vecchio, the town hall of Florence. Today, you can pay to visit the town hall which has been transformed into a museum showcasing the history of the city.

For an extra fee, you can ascend the tower of Palazzo Vecchio (which stands at an impressive 95 metres in height and is known as Torre di Arnolfo) in the heart of Florence for impressive views of the city centre. This Florence vista obviously also boasts some of the best views of the famous Piazza della Signoria.

Rooftop bars

Of course, as a city filled with luxury hotels and shopping opportunities, it should come as no surprise that there are a number of rooftop bars. When it comes to the majority of these, it’s fair to say that you are definitely paying for the view (rather than the food/ drink quality).

You should be sure to book these in advance as space fills up fast, especially during the summer months when the crowds are at their peak. Here are some of the best rooftop bars in Florence:

• Angel Roofbar & Dining at Hotel Calimala
• Loggia Roof Bar at the Hotel Palazzo Guadagni
• Se-Sto on Arno at The Westin Excelsior
• Three Sixty at the Grand Hotel Minerva
• La Terrazza bar at the Hotel Continentale
• B-Roof at Hotel Baglioni
• Divina Terrazza at Grand Hotel Cavour (also listed on Google as Rooftop bar Florence)
• Panoramic Bar at Hotel degli Orafi

Enjoyed reading about where to find the best view in Florence? Pin this article now, read it again later: