There is no better way than seeing a city from above and especially when we talk about Florence with its red rooftops and beautiful monuments that dominate the skyline. There are many places in Florence offering amazing views. Here are my favorites.
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Best Views of Florence to Check Out
Piazzale Michelangelo
Piazzale Michelangelo offers one of the most fantastic views of Florence’s skyline. No matter what time of day you will visit the views are breathtaking and especially at sunset. Beware it gets very crowded and especially during the summer but it’s still worth it.
There are many cafes around the square and a beautiful restaurant. You can get there either on foot or by taking bus number 12 or 13 from the center of Florence. If you decide to go on foot here is a map to help you. I remember there are a lot of signposts in the street as well.
Duomo’s Cupola
From the top of Duomo’s Cupola, the views of Florence are spectacular. The only way to get to the top is by climbing 463 steps as there is no elevator. Apart from the views of Florence, you will be able to see from very close the frescoes of the dome and the in particular Last Judgement designed by Giorgio Vasari.
If you want to climb the Cupola you need to buy beforehand an OPA tickets that allow you access to the five monuments in Piazza Duomo (cupola, Giotto’s bell tower, baptistery, the crypt below Cathedral, and Opera del Duomo Museum). The cost is 15€. During the summer high season, there is a big queue to enter the Cupola.
You might have to wait in line for 3 hours. In that case, I highly suggest that you either book your tickets online and reserve your entrance to visit them at a given time and skip the queues or if you plan to visit a lot of museums in Florence you can buy a Firenze card that offers you free access and priority entrance without a reservation.
Giotto’s bell tower
The Campanile di Giotto, Duomo’s bell tower is another perfect place to admire the view of Florence from above. To reach the top you have to climb around 400 steps but it’s easier than climbing the Cupola as it has several stops where you can rest and admire the views before reaching the top. Same as the Duomo you have to buy an OPA ticket to get inside.
Uffizi Museum
The Uffizi Museum in Florence is widely known for its magnificent art collection that includes masterpieces from Botticelli, Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangelo, Caravaggio and many more prominent artists. The building itself is a piece of art with beautiful frescoes and ceilings designed by Giorgio Vasari for the Medici family to accommodate the offices of the Florentine magistrates. Apart from the artwork, the Uffizi offers a spectacular view of the Arno river and PonteVecchio bridge.
Other options to see Florence from above include the rooftop bars of hotels like Hotel Minerva, Hotel Continentale, and Westin Excelsior. Finally, you can head to the nearby town of Fiesole, which was an Etruscan town and from there you can enjoy views of the city of Florence. To get there, you can take bus number 7 from Piazza San Marco near the Accademia. It only takes around 20 minutes to get there. Unfortunately, we didn’t have the time to go, but it was recommended to us more than once.
Have you been to Florence? Which is your favorite spot to view Florence from above?
Planning your trip to Florence? You might also like:
How to spend 2 days in Florence
A Guide to Florence in Winter
A 4 day Florence and Tuscany itinerary
Best day trip from Florence
How to skip the lines in Florence
Best things to do in Tuscany
How to do a day trip from Florence to Cinque Terre
Lovely views! Going to Florence this October, will keep your post as a reference! “)
Thanks. Enjoy your time in Florence!
Gorgeous photos! I’ve only been to the top of the Duomo’s Cupola, but would love to check out the rest of these views on a future visit to Florence. The view from Piazzale Michelangelo is classic and I can’t believe I haven’t been yet. I also didn’t know that you could get such a good view of Pontevecchio from the Ufizzi.
Many great views to choose from.
Oh wow, what a stunningly beautiful city. I long to go back! Thanks for sharing 🙂
Thanks Carmen
I have never been to Florence but it has been on my short list for some time. I hear the bike riding around Tuscany is amazing. I always enjoy getting an areal view of my surroundings so this was a great way to tell the story of Florence. The only problem… I want to go now!!!
Florence and Tuscany are amazing. Bike riding is challenging though as there are many hill top villages.
Amazing views! Totally agree that it’s best to view Florence from above. We visited a couple of years ago and the highlight of the trip was waking up and looking out over the rooftops from the roof of our hotel 🙂
A great view to wake up to.
I love this! So good seeing the photos from each vantage point! I think I like the views from Piazzele Michelangelo and Giotto’s Campanile the most! We did get great views from Uffizi Gallery when we visited last time, but I’d love to check out the others!
Piazzele Michelangelo is among my favorite’s as well.
I visited Florence for the day earlier this year and it was raining! I must go back 🙂 Beautiful photos.
Thanks, Florence is pretty with sun or rain!
I just had the worst view of Florence – from the train tracks as we made our way from Rome to Milan. What is it about the back side of every train station in the world that looks so unappealing, horror-movieish? Gotta get back to see the city’s prettier side.
I know what you mean, the rest of the city is very attractive though!
I loved visiting Florence but I love looking at it from your perspective – above! Thanks for all the great tips for getting great shots.
Thanks very much Sue, Florence from above is great!
These are beautiful views! I can see why they’re your favorites. I have yet to visit Florence, but it’s definitely on my list. Especially to see those sunsets.
Florence is so beautiful, you will love it!
Those are some incredible views. I really need to get back to Florence soon!
I know, I would love to come back too!
Hi Chrissy,
Gorgeous shots! The view of Cupola with the blue sky background is my fave. What contrast.
Thanks for sharing!
Ryan