Florence is beautiful in every way.
The city is full of history and attractions, among which there are observation decks, of which there are many in Florence.
In Florence, there are both paid and free viewing platforms and observation points that give beautiful panoramic views of the city.
Also in the city there are view bars, restaurants and hotels
Dome and terraces of the Cathedral
The Cathedral of Florence Santa Maria del Fiore (Santa Maria del Fiore - Cathedral of St. Mary with a flower) is one of the symbols and a magnificent example of Florentine architecture of the Quattrocento in Florence.
The dome of the cathedral, called "Cupola del Brunelleschi" (Cupola del Brunelleschi), with a diameter of 45.5 meters and a total height of more than 116 meters is not only the largest stone vault in the world, but it can also be visited.
Here, at an altitude of 92 meters, there is an open 360-degree observation deck, which offers stunning views of the whole of Florence and even beyond the city limits.
A total of 463 feet lead to the dome (there is no elevator).
The ascent under the dome is carried out by a spiral staircase. When climbing, you can see a small exposure.
The ascent to the dome is paid (included in the Duomo complex ticket). Learn more about the dome, observation deck, views and ascent...
At the height of the roofs of the side aisles of the cathedral (32 meters), there are terraces on the outside of the cathedral, which you can also climb and admire the views of Florence.
The terraces consist of a solid balcony on consoles, decorated on the outside with a marble balustrade perforated with quadriboles.
Currently, the terraces of the north and south sides are available, and each is about 70 meters long.
Visiting the terraces is possible upon prior request with the guides of the cathedral.
Giotto 's Bell Tower
Next to the cathedral is the detached Giotto Bell tower (Campanile di Giotto, Giotto's campanile), which is an outstanding example of Florentine Gothic architecture with rich sculptural decorations and polychrome marble inlays.
The bell tower can be climbed; there is a 360-degree observation deck, which offers beautiful views of the whole of Florence and beyond the city.
The ascent to the observation terrace of the bell tower is carried out by stairs (there is no elevator), with a total of 414 steps.
During the ascent, guests are accompanied by three viewing platforms and the last one, located at the very top - the terrace of the bell tower (height 82 meters). The higher you climb, the more picturesque the views are.
The ascent to the Giotto observation bell towers is paid (included in the package tickets of the Florence Cathedral complex). More about Giotto's campanile, viewing, views and ascent...
The website of the Cathedral of Florence with information about visiting the viewing and other objects of the cathedral: duomo.firenze.it.
Arnolfo Tower (Palazzo Vecchio)
Palazzo Vecchio is the town hall of Florence, which has a high tower and looks like a small fortified castle.
The Town Hall can be visited. Within its walls is the Palazzo Vecchio Museum (Museo di Palazzo Vecchio); and you can climb the Arnolfo Tower and admire the views of the city.
Inside the tower, a stone staircase of 223 steps leads to the upper level of the crenellated observation deck, which offers panoramic views of the historic center of Florence. You can also take a walk on the terrace of the palace.
The ascent to the tower is paid.
The Vecchio Palace is located in the historical center of Florence, on Signoria Square (Piazza della Signoria), at: P.za della Signoria, 50122 Firenze FI, Italy.
Palazzo Vecchio website: museo-di-palazzo-vecchio. More about Palazzo Vecchio, with a museum and a tower with an observation deck...
Orsanmikele
Orsanmichele (Orsanmichele, Or San Michele - St. Michael's Oratory, "St. Michael in the Garden") is a church-museum in Florence, which is an outstanding monument of Italian Proto-Renaissance art with Gothic architecture and one of the most beautiful small buildings in the city.
Within the walls of the Orsanmichele are: a church and a museum, from the windows of the second floor of which panoramic views of the historical center of Florence open.
Entrance to the museum is paid.
Orsanmichele address: Via dell'arte della Lana, 50123 Firenze FI, Italy.
Orsanmikele website: bargellomusei.beniculturali.it. More about Orsanmikel...
Michelangelo Square
Piazzale Michelangelo (Piazzale Michelangelo) is one of the best and most famous viewing platforms of the city, which offers beautiful panoramic views of Florence.
On the square there is a copy of the sculpture "David" by Michelangelo.
There are also panoramic cafes and places to relax.
The square is open 24 hours a day, visiting is free.
Coordinates of Michelangelo Square: 43°45'46.0"N 11°15'54.0"E (43.762778, 11.265000). Learn more about Michelangelo Square and the views...
Next to Michelangelo Square there is an Iris Garden / Garden of Irises (Giardino dell'Iris) - a botanical garden, - a green area that can be accessed from the east side of Michelangelo Square.
The garden is open to the public in April-May (approximately from April 25 to May 20), when irises bloom and an international competition for growing irises is organized annually.
Entrance to the park is free, from 10:00 to 18:00. The garden is located on a hillside with panoramic views.
Iris Garden website: societaitalianairis.com.
Podgy Ramps
Below the Mecalangelo Square are the beautiful Poggi ramps (Rampe Poggi, Sistema delle Rampe del Poggi) - a monumental work that is a complex of ramps with cascading fountains, grottoes and panoramic terraces with views of the center of Florence.
Access to ramps is free. Open 24 hours a day.
The terraces of the ramps offer wonderful panoramic views of historic Florence. Learn more about Podgi ramps...
The terrace of the Basilica of San Miniato al Monte
San Miniato al Monte (Abbazia di San Miniato al Monte) is a famous historical basilica with a crypt, an old sundial, a monumental cemetery and a beautiful panoramic terrace, which are part of the monastery complex of the Abbey of San Miniato.
The Basilica is located on one of the highest points of Florence - on the Mountain of the Cross (Monte alle Croci, Monte alle Croci). Thanks to this, panoramic views of the city open from the terrace near the basilica.
Visiting the basilica, crypt and panoramic terrace is free.
The address of the basilica: Via delle Porte Sante 34, 50125 Florence FI, Italy.
The Basilica's website: sanminiatoalmonte.it. More about the Basilica of San Miniato al Monte...
Below the basilica, near the steps of the stairs leading to the terrace, there is another small terrace, which also offers views of part of Florence.
This terrace is open 24 hours a day, visiting is free.
Rose Garden
The Rose Garden or Rose Garden (Giardino delle Rose) is a park in Florence, which is an oasis of greenery where roses grow, there are ponds, sculptures, a Japanese garden, a panoramic summer cafe and observation terraces with good views of the city.
The best time to visit the Rose Garden to enjoy all its beauty is spring, when roses bloom.
Entrance to the Rose Garden is free.
The garden is open all year round from 9:00 to sunset (20:00 from May to September, 18:00 in October, March and April and 17:00 from November to February), except Christmas and New Year.
Coordinates of the Rose Garden: 43°45'47.0"N 11°15'46.0"E (43.763056, 11.262778). More about the Rose Garden...
Bardini Garden
The Bardini Garden (Giardino Bardini), where Villa Bardini is located with a museum and exhibitions, is a beautiful ensemble of the historical Italian Renaissance complex in Florence.
The garden has terraces and a panoramic cafe. The garden offers beautiful (some of the best in the city) panoramic views of Florence.
Also in the Bardini garden: a loggia, places for walking and relaxing, flower beds, lawns, a Baroque staircase, a grotto, sculptures and a fountain.
Entrance to the garden and to the villa is paid.
Entrance to the Bardini Garden from Via dei Bardi 1 red and Costa San Giorgio 2.
Website of the garden and Villa Bardini: villabardini.it. More about the garden and Villa Bardini...
Boboli Gardens
The Boboli Gardens (Giardino di Boboli) are the green heart of Florence, as well as one of the largest examples of historic gardens in Italy.
The gardens have a green area divided in a regular way, on which there is an amphitheater with an obelisk, statues, fountains, decorated grottoes and pavilions, alleys and walking paths also run through the gardens, there are flower beds, and panoramic views of Florence open from the open terraces of the gardens.
Remark! In my opinion, the views from the Boboli gardens are worse than from the Bardini gardens. A single ticket to both gardens.
Near the Boboli Gardens there is a large Pitti Palace (Palazzo Pitti), which together with the gardens represent an outstanding palace and park ensemble, as well as the largest museum complex in Florence, widely known in Italy and abroad.
Entrance to the Boboli Gardens is paid.
Address of Boboli Gardens: Piazza de' Pitti, 1, 50125 Firenze FI, Italy.
Boboli Gardens website: giardino-boboli. More about Boboli Gardens...
Forte Belvedere
Fort Belvedere (Forte di Belvedere) is an urban fortification of the late 16th century, which today can be visited - where exhibitions, events and excursions are organized.
Also, the territory of the fort is one of the best viewing platforms of the city, which offers beautiful panoramic views of Florence, including the historical center and the Arno River.
The fortress is located on a high hill, has a polygonal plan and a small villa in the center.
The cost of the entrance ticket depends on the exhibition being held.
The address of the Belvedere Fort is Via San Leonardo 1, 50125 Firenze FI, Italy.
Website: musefirenze.it. Learn more about Fort Belvedere...
Florentine Bridges
The Florentine bridges spanning the Arno River are also good free viewing points of Florence.
The bridges offer views of the river with embankments and bright historical buildings. In some areas, there are no embankments near the river's waters, and buildings approach directly to the river, which only enhances the impression of the river and Florence as a whole. Learn more about the Arno River, bridges, embankments and attractions...
The most visited, in the historical center and with the best views, are the three bridges over the Arno:
- historic five-arch bridge of Carraia (Ponte alla Carraia);
- the Santa Trinita Bridge, translated from Italian: the Bridge of the Holy Trinity (Ponte Santa Trinita, Ponte Santa Trinita) is an arched bridge of the Renaissance, having a beautiful sculptural design;
- one of the most unique in the world and the most famous in Florence is the medieval Ponte Vecchio (Old Bridge), with characteristic jewelry stores in houses built right on the bridge, and thanks to which the bridge is also called "Golden".
Vasari Corridor
The Vasari Corridor (Corridoio Vasariano) is an elevated covered gallery connecting Palazzo Vecchio with Palazzo Pitti and passing over the Vecchio Bridge over the Arno River.
There is an exhibition in the Vasari corridor. The corridor also has 73 windows, which offer views of part of the historic center of Florence and the Arno River.
The total length of the Vasari Corridor is about 760 meters.
A visit to the Vasari corridor is paid.
The corridor is part of the Uffizi Museum complex. Website: uffizi.it. Learn more about the Vasari Corridor...
Uffizi Gallery
The Uffizi Gallery (Galleria degli Uffizi), located in a beautiful historical building, is the most famous art museum in Florence, which houses a collection of priceless works of art, especially from the Italian Renaissance period.
On the side of the Arno River, the upper floor of the Uffizi Gallery has a glazed terrace, from which you can enjoy views of part of Florence, including the river, the Vecchio Bridge and the Vasari Corridor.
Entrance to the Uffizi Gallery is paid.
The address of the Uffizi Gallery: Piazzale degli Uffizi, 6, 50122 Firenze FI, Italy.
Uffizi Gallery website: gli-uffizi. More about the Uffizi Gallery...
Lower Fortress
The lower fortress or Fortress da Basso (Fortezza da Basso, Fortezza da Basso) of the 16th century, is built into the defensive walls of the city and various conferences, exhibitions, concerts and events are held on its territory today; you can also visit the fortress with an excursion, during which you can admire the panorama of Florence from the top of the fortress and descend into the underpass.
Fortress address: V.le Filippo Strozzi, 1, 50129 Firenze FI, Italy.
Website: firenzefiera.it. More about Basso Fortress...
Biblioteca del Oblate
Biblioteca delle Oblate (Biblioteca delle Oblate) is one of the largest public libraries in Florence, located on the territory of a former monastery of the 14th century.
On the roof of the library there is a panoramic glazed terrace (Altana), which overlooks the dome of the Duomo, a monastery with terraces and a garden.
On the second floor there is a cafeteria, which can be accessed directly from the large terrace and which offers bar and restaurant services.
The terrace is free of charge.
Library address: Via dell' Oriuolo, 24, 50122 Firenze FI, Italy.
Library website: biblioteca-delle-oblate.
Park of the Righteous (Parnaso Garden)
The Garden of the Righteous or the Garden of the Parnassian Slopes (Orti del Parnaso) is a small charming city park, which has a panoramic area with views of Florence, places to relax and a staircase with a dragon.
Entrance to the park is free.
Park address: Via Trento, 11, 50139 Firenze FI, Italy.
Towers and gates
In Florence, parts of the former fortifications of the city have been preserved, which are called the walls of Florence (Mura di Firenze) - the ancient ring of the city, which performed a defensive function and consisted of fortress walls, gates, towers, forts and other fortifications.
Some of the defensive fortifications can be visited on certain days and hours; now they are museums and viewing platforms. Including:
- the Gate of St. Nicholas (Porta San Niccolo) with an outdoor terrace on the upper tier with beautiful views of Florence;
- The Roman Gate (Porta Romana, Porta Romana) is the southernmost gate of the walls of Florence, with an accessible upper observation deck;
- Coin Tower or Mint Tower (Torre della Zecca / Torre della Zecca Vecchia, Torre della Zecca) with an outdoor terrace at the top.
Information about the possibility of visiting the towers and gates of Florence, opening hours, ticket prices, etc., we recommend checking on the official website: musefirenze.it. More about the walls of Florence...
View hotels, bars and restaurants
In Florence there are cafes and bars with view terraces: La Terrazza Rooftop Bar, La Terrazza, cafe Caffeteria Galleria Degli Uffizi on the roof of the Loggia Lanzi in Piazza della Signoria, etc.
From hotels with terraces, restaurants, bars and rooftop pools
The 4-star Grand Hotel Baglioni features Rooftop Bar B-Roof, a rooftop restaurant with stunning views of Florence's landmarks. The terrace is divided into several parts: a covered area and an open area.
Room rates may include breakfast. Link to hotel
The Westin Excelsior, Florence is a 5-star hotel with a garden and a rooftop restaurant with views of Florence and the Arno River.
The room rate can include: breakfast or breakfast + dinner. Link to the hotel
The 4-star design hotel Hotel Continentale - Lungarno Collection offers a beautiful view of the Arno River with the Vecchio Bridge.
There is a panoramic bar on the roof of the hotel.
Breakfast can be included in the room rate. Link to the hotel
The 4-star Grand Hotel Minerva features a panoramic rooftop pool, as well as a bar and a sun terrace overlooking the historic center of Florence.
Breakfast is included in the room rate. Link to the hotel
B&B Antica Torre Di Via Tornabuoni 1 offers suites, a restaurant and a rooftop terrace with panoramic views of the historic center of Florence and the surrounding hills.
The hotel is located in the historic Florence tower.
Breakfast is included in the room rate. Link to the hotel
The 4-star Plaza Hotel Lucchesi, located by the Arno River, has a swimming pool and a rooftop bar with a beautiful view of Florence.
Breakfast may be included in the room rate. Link to the hotel
All accommodation facilities in Florence (hotels, apartments, guest houses, etc.), including species and in the historical center of the city, can be viewed and booked here
