Best Viewpoints in Florence – Rooftops, Towers, Secret Places

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Renaissance architecture, medieval palaces, temples, and fortresses – Florence is rightfully listed among the most beautiful cities in the world. Among other things, there are many places from which landscapes and panoramas of incredible beauty open up.

I have selected for you the best free and paid viewpoints in Florence:

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Cathedral

The pearl of Florence is the Cathedral of St. Mary in Flowers (La Cattedrale di Santa Maria del Fiore). In addition, there are 3 sites from which you can explore the surroundings:

Dome of Brunelleschi. Located at the top of the cathedral. To get here, you have to climb 463 steps. When climbing, you can take pictures of both the surroundings and the frescoes of the dome.
Campanile di Giotto.

From a height of 82 meters, one of the best views of Florence opens up. The tower has three floors. Climbing up to the roof, you can take many beautiful photos. The best shots will be made between 2 and 3 floors. 414 steps and you see the panorama of the old city. The bell tower is located away from the cathedral and the baptistery so they can be clearly seen from the observation deck.

The only drawback is the net installed to prevent tourists from falling. It is very tall and spoils the view a little.
Northern terrace. It wraps around the cathedral and makes it possible to view the dome of Brunelleschi against the backdrop of the panorama of the city. The angle is unique, as the dome is slightly higher and away from the terrace. Unfortunately, the viewpoint is closed to the public. You must buy the ‘A Glimpse of Florence’ tour for 33 EUR to get here.

Entrance to the cathedral is free, but buy a single ticket to get to the observation decks. In this case, you will get into the church, the baptistery, the museum, the crypt, and the bell tower. To climb the dome, take a ticket where the ascent time is indicated. If you plan to go to Florence during the season, e-buy a pass in advance, even before the trip. Otherwise, you might just not get in.

Check the current opening hours and ticket prices on the official website: www.museumflorence.com

Florentine bridges

Florence is famous for its bridges, under which the Arno River flows. They are illuminated throughout the night and are very beautiful after dark, at dawn.

Ponte Vecchio is the oldest in Florence. It was built in the XIV century. Time had little effect on the construction. The bridge managed to keep its original appearance. Along the edges are shops: formerly meat and now jewelry ones. In the center, there is a viewing point overlooking the Arno.

Ponte Vecchio stands on the neighboring bridges – Holy Trinity (Ponte Santa Trìnita) and Ponte alle Grazie (Ponte alle Grazie). The Bridge of the Holy Trinity was built in the Renaissance, so it looks graceful and elegant. Ponte alle Grazie allows for making the most beautiful shots of Ponte Vecchio.

Piazza Michelangelo

Michelangelo Square (Piazzale Michelangelo) is located on a hill – this is the most popular free observation deck in Florence, which opens the view of the Cathedral of St. Mary in flowers, the river, and bridges.

At dawn, you can photograph the rays of the sun illuminating medieval houses against the backdrop of mountains. On the square, there is a sculpture of David, a copy of the famous statue of Michelangelo. Bronze figures at its foot symbolize Day, Night, Dawn, and Sunset. These are copies of the sculptures from the Medici crypt in the church of St. Lawrence (Basilica di San Lorenzo).

Abbey of Saint Minius on the mountain

Close to Piazzale Michelangelo stands the abbey of San Miniato al Monte, the best example of Romanesque architecture in the region. The Basilica Church is the only local temple built in the 11th century, which the Renaissance architects did not get to rebuild.

The Abbey is located on a hill above Piazzale Michelangelo, so visitors can view Brunelleschi’s dome, the river, and other sights.

Unfortunately, the temple does not open until sunrise but is already available for visitors at 7.30 a.m. You can check the opening hours of the Basilica at www.sanminiatoalmonte.it

Orsanmichele

Near the Republican Square (Piazza della Repubblica), on Via dell’Arte della Lana, is the church of Orsanmichele (Orsanmichele) of the XIV century. On the first floor, the Florentines held church offices. On the second floor, they kept the city grain. Now on the upper tier is a museum famous for marble and bronze sculptures of saints and… a panoramic view from the window. Unfortunately, it is not always possible to get here. The museum is open only on Mondays from 10.00 a.m. to 5.00 p.m.

Rose garden

If you want to capture Florence surrounded by roses, head to the Rose Garden (Calcio della Rose).

If you want to capture Florence surrounded by roses, head to the Rose Garden (Calcio della Rose).

Address: Viale Giuseppe Poggi, 2

Bardini Gardens

The Bardini Gardens (Giardino Bardini) are spread out on the hills in the historic quarter of Oltrarno. You can get here from Costa San Giorgio 2 (located near the Belvedere fortress) or from Via dei Bardi 1/R.

The park area is 4 hectares. It is divided into 3 zones, each of which is dedicated to a specific time of the year. In the center of the gardens is a 17th-century front staircase leading to a small belvedere. From this point, you can see Renaissance Florence. Besides, the park is replete with flowers, trees, sculptures, fountains, and caves.

The entrance fee is 10 EUR.
Official website: www.villabardini.it

Pitti Palace and the Boboli Gardens

The medieval castle of Pitti (Palazzo Pitti) is known as the former residence of the Italian kings.

Near it, you will find the Boboli Gardens (Giardino di Boboli), where there are several exciting observation platforms:

Past the Neptune Fountain, walk up the central path to the highest point at the back of the gardens. From here, you can see the palace and Florence.
Pay attention to the site in the northern part of the park. Here is the Kaffehaus (coffee house) – a large green building. The gardens near the walls of the building are known as Prato della Meridiana. There is a unique view of the dome of the cathedral and the center of Florence.
The path that leads from the gardens to the palace offers the best view of the city’s main church.

Try to get into the gardens in the afternoon, when soft sunbeams beautifully illuminate Florence.

Arnolfo Tower

Everyone who has ever been to Florence should visit the Arnolfo Tower (Torre di Arnolfo), which is adjacent to the Palazzo Vecchio. The height of the building is 94 m. It is clearly visible from all sides. Therefore, together with the Cathedral, it is considered a city symbol.

Being on the top of the tower, you can see the Cathedral, the Florentine Abbey (Badia Fiorentina), the synagogue, the Basilica of Santa Croce (Santa Croce), the bridge, and the tower of St. Nicholas (Porta, Torre San Niccolò) and other sights.

On the observation deck, you can stay no longer than 10 minutes. However, not everyone will get here due to the long line, so it’s better to come in the morning.

Uffizi Gallery

From the second floor of one of the oldest museums in the world, the Uffizi Gallery (Galleria degli Uffizi), you can see the Arno River and the Ponte Vecchio bridge through which the Vasari corridor passes.

Address: Piazzale degli Uffizi, 6.

Beldever

Beldever Fort (Forte di Belvedere) is the biggest fortress in Florence.

It appeared in the 16th century on the orders of the Medici family to protect the government and the Pitti Palace from attack. The fort is located on the highest hill of the Boboli Gardens.

Library del Oblate

The Library del Oblate (Biblioteca delle Oblate) is one of the largest in Florence. It is located near the Cathedral on Via dell’Oriuolo on the territory of a former monastery of the XIV century. The viewpoint is on the roof.

The library has a cafe, the windows of which overlook the Cathedral.

Restaurants: Top-5

There are many places in Florence where you can taste not only delicious food and enjoy the view of the surroundings:

Golden View Open Bar – Italian restaurant at Via De’ Bardi 58/r.

If you want to get culinary and aesthetic pleasure, this is the place for you: great wine, delicious food, and live music. The main feature of the bar is the view of the Arno River and the Ponte Vecchio bridge. To get the best seats, make a reservation in advance.
La Terrazza Bar. If you want to have a coffee in a medieval tower while admiring the view of Florence at night, go to Vicolo dell’Oro, 6.

The bar La Terrazza is located on the roof of the Consorti Tower, from where you can clearly see all the city’s famous sights. They not only make delicious cocktails but also hold yoga classes.
The Westin Excelsior Hotel.

If you like Mediterranean cuisine, head to Piazza Ognissanti, 3. Here, on the rooftop in a walled garden, there is a restaurant where you can enjoy the panorama of the city after a tiring day. The hotel is close to the train station and major attractions.
La Rinascente. A department store at Piazza della Repubblica, 4 has a bar on the roof.

On weekdays, when everyone is at work, you can safely have a cup of coffee here, sitting at a table by the window overlooking the Cathedral.
Grand Hotel Minerva.

The house is located in the center of the city at Piazza di Santa Maria Novella, 16, and at the same time, is hidden from prying eyes. There is a bar with a view.