Florence Viewpoints: The 11 Best Views in Florence

Florence Viewpoints on a Map

On this map you can see where the best viewpoints in Florence are located.

Piazzale Michelangelo

Piazzale Michelangelo is one of the top highlights in Florence. The square is always buzzing, and the panoramic view it offers is seriously hard to beat.

There’s always something going on here. You’ll find street performers, live music, and food trucks, and people gather especially at sunset to enjoy the view with an Aperol Spritz in hand.

But even after dark the atmosphere is magical — the palaces down in the city light up beautifully and the whole scene feels almost unreal.

How to Get to Piazzale Michelangelo

There’s no direct bus from the historic center to the Piazzale, so the easiest option is to walk. Head up via the wide staircase from Piazza Poggi, right on the banks of the Arno. It’s well signposted and hard to miss.

San Miniato al Monte

The church of San Miniato al Monte is one of the highest-situated churches in Italy. It sits perched on the hill directly above Piazzale Michelangelo, so you can easily visit both spots in one go.

A steep staircase leads up to the church, and the vista from the top is just a little more spectacular than from Piazzale Michelangelo — and definitely less crowded, too.

Note: At the foot of the staircase there’s a gate that closes daily at 7 PM. After that, you can no longer get up to the church. So sunsets from San Miniato are really only possible in the winter months. That said, the view is absolutely worth it even in full midday sun!

How to Get to San Miniato al Monte Church

From Piazzale Michelangelo it’s just a five-minute walk along Viale Galileo until you see the wide staircase on your left leading up to the church.

Forte Belvedere

The Belvedere Fortress stands prominently on a hill to the east of the historic center, surrounded by high fortress walls. It’s elevated enough that you can spot it from many streets down in the city.

The grounds around the palace are often used for art exhibitions and only open to the public during those events. The palace itself is generally closed — unless Kim Kardashian and Kanye West are throwing their wedding there, as they did in 2014.

From the terraces of Forte Belvedere you get a magnificent view of Florence and can see the cathedral much closer than from most other vantage points. You also get to take in some contemporary art while you’re at it.

Because the exhibitions are all outdoors, the fortress is only open from April through October. Check the Forte Belvedere website for details on the next exhibition.

How to Get to Forte Belvedere

Either on foot or by bus line FB. It runs from the Oltrarno neighborhood — there’s a stop right in front of Palazzo Pitti — up to the fortress.

Walking is also an option, though parts of the route are quite steep. From the banks of the Arno, follow Costa San Giorgio uphill for about ten minutes to reach Forte Belvedere.

Orti del Parnaso

As one of the true under-the-radar spots in Florence, this garden is almost always quiet — you can enjoy it in total peace. Orti del Parnaso translates to “Gardens of Parnassus,” named after a mountain range in Greece.

The name comes from the giant snake sculpture from Greek mythology that winds its way down the hillside — it’s a seriously cool feature.

And because the garden sits on a slope, you get a lovely view of the cathedral and the hills around Florence from the top.

Note: The park closes at 7 PM. So like San Miniato, it’s only worth coming here for sunset during the winter months.

How to Get to Orti del Parnaso

The best way is on foot. From Piazza della Libertà at the edge of the old quarter, it’s about a ten-minute walk to the park’s entrance gate on Via Trento.

Fiesole

Fiesole is technically its own municipality. But because it borders Florence directly, it feels almost like another neighborhood of the city.

Fiesole sits on a fairly steep hill to the east of Florence and is absolutely worth a day trip.

Not only do you get a breathtaking panorama of all of Florence, but there’s also plenty to explore — a Roman theater, a Medici villa, and an archaeology museum among them.

The best view of Florence from here is from the Monastery of San Francesco, just above Fiesole’s central piazza.

How to Get to Fiesole

You can reach Fiesole by car or by bus. Bus line 7 departs from Florence’s main train station and takes about 25 minutes to reach the Piazza in Fiesole directly. From there it’s about a five-minute walk up to the monastery.

Giardino Bardini

The Bardini Garden is genuinely one of the most beautiful gardens in Florence. Not just because of the statues, fountains, and manicured hedges, but above all because of the sweeping views over the city.

This garden also sits on a steep hillside. At the very top stands the Renaissance Villa Bardini, which regularly hosts art exhibitions. From there you stroll downhill through the garden with an unobstructed view of the historic center the entire way.

Admission to the Bardini Garden costs 10 euros, which includes the exhibition in the villa and entry to the Boboli Garden — just a five-minute walk away.

Our tip: Since both the Bardini Garden and the Boboli Garden have multiple entrances and exits, it’s worth visiting the Boboli Garden first and exiting through the gate below Forte di Belvedere. From there you can easily stroll to the Bardini Garden entrance on Costa San Giorgio without a long detour.

How to Get to the Bardini Garden:

The Bardini Garden has two entrances: on Via de’ Bardi and on Costa San Giorgio. Both are within easy walking distance from the old town. From Ponte Vecchio, neither entrance is more than a ten-minute walk.

Giardino delle Rose

The Giardino delle Rose sits below Piazzale Michelangelo, and the view from here is seriously impressive as well.

The name — “Rose Garden” — is well-earned: around 400 different varieties of roses grow here, along with lawns and park benches where you can sit and soak up the vista.

There’s also a Japanese Shorai oasis, a gift to the garden from Florence’s sister city Kyoto.

The Rose Garden is a public park, so entry is completely free.

How to Get to the Giardino delle Rose

The entrance to the Giardino delle Rose is tucked away on the road between Piazza Poggi and Piazzale Michelangelo. You’ll find it right at the sharp right-hand curve on Viale Poggi.

Rooftop Bar ToscaNino

Right in the middle of Florence’s pedestrian zone you’ll find the luxury department store Rinascente.

What many visitors don’t realize: on the top floor there’s the ToscaNino Rooftop Bar. From the rooftop terrace you get a great view of the cathedral and the triumphal arch of Piazza della Repubblica.

A cappuccino here is admittedly not exactly cheap, but you’re really paying for the view — and it’s worth it.

Rooftop terraces are something of a trademark of the Rinascente chain. They also have them in Milan, Palermo, and Rome, all with excellent rooftop bars.

Our tip: During aperitivo hour, between 6 and 8 PM, there can be a wait since the terrace isn’t very large. Your best bet is to come right at opening time — the bar opens at 10 AM for breakfast.

How to Get to the Rinascente Rooftop Bar

The department store is located right on Piazza della Repubblica, just a few minutes’ walk from the cathedral. The rooftop bar is on the 5th floor.

Arnolfo Tower

The Palazzo Vecchio is not only Florence’s city hall, but also a museum in Florence. And the museum visit includes climbing the Arnolfo Tower, the palace’s bell tower.

The stairs to the first platform with the crenellated battlements are still fairly wide, but the second staircase leading to the highest observation platform is very narrow and steep. Children under six are not allowed up.

At the top, from nearly 94 meters up, you get a fantastic 360-degree view of all of Florence and Piazza della Signoria.

The tour through Palazzo Vecchio including the climb up the Arnolfo Tower costs around 12 euros on-site, though expect a wait. The skip-the-line ticket with video guide costs 35 euros.

How to Get to Palazzo Vecchio

Palazzo Vecchio is located on Piazza della Signoria, about a five-minute walk from the cathedral.

Rooftop Bar B-Roof

This is one of the most beautiful rooftop bars in Florence. It belongs to the Grand Hotel Baglioni, but non-hotel guests can also head up with a reservation.

From here you get a great view of the Florence cathedral. The terrace has an indoor area that’s open year-round and an outdoor area that’s only accessible from May through September.

You can have a full dinner up here or simply stop by for a cocktail and enjoy the panoramic views of Florence.

How to Get to the B-Roof Rooftop Bar

The Grand Hotel Baglioni is located right on Piazza Santa Maria Novella, very close to the main train station. B-Roof is on the 5th floor.

Cathedral Dome

The cathedral dome is the ultimate viewpoint among the best viewpoints in Florence. The massive structure stands at nearly 110 meters tall and is the highest point you can climb to within the city.

Because the dome is hugely popular and only a limited number of visitors are allowed up at a time, you should definitely book your ticket with a reserved entry time in advance.

Get tickets for the Cathedral Dome

There are 463 steps to the top, some of which are very narrow. You should be reasonably fit and not have any issues with claustrophobia.

How to Get to the Florence Cathedral:

The Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore is the centerpiece of the historic district. From the main train station it’s about a ten-minute walk along Via Cerretani.