When you are in Florence you cannot miss to see the most stunning views of the city from terraces of museums, monuments, cafés and restaurants.

One of best ways to enjoy Florence and its beauties is to climb as higher as you can and admire the amazing skyline of the city with its red tiles roofs among which stand out huge and impressive Domes, Towers, Palaces, Medieval Walls and the green hills in the background.

Here is a list of 10 public and private places where you can see the most beautiful panoramas of the city.

Florence from Piazzale Michelangelo 

This is the best known view point of Florence where thousands of people stop everyday to take pictures of the skyline of Florence. It is a large square with a terrace on top of a hill which was built at the end of the XIX°century by the Architect Giuseppe Poggi and dedicated to Michelangelo. In the middle of the square you can see a monument dedicated to the great artist: a copy in bronze of the David.

Belvedere, the Fortress of Florence

The Pitti Palace, which was the Residence of the Grand-Dukes of Tuscany is surrounded by the Boboli Gardens where you can climb up to the Belvedere Fortress, an armed defensive building used by the Dukes in case of danger. This fortress dominates the entire valley and from there you can enjoy a spectacular view of Florence at 360°. From here you can continue your walk to the Bardini Gardens, where another beautiful panorama is waiting for you!

Brunelleschi's Dome 

The Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore is a very important work of Gothic architecture covered by a Dome which is the masterpiece of Renaissance architecture, designed by Filippo Brunelleschi in 1420. Climbing 463 steps ( there is no elevator) you can reach the top terrace where you admire the stunning panorama all around you from the highest point in the city, 116mt ( 380ft).

Terraces of the Duomo of Florence

A walkway around the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore at more than 30 mt (98ft) above ground level from where you get exclusive perpective of the surroundings and of the inside of the Duomo, as well as a very close look to the magnificent marble decoration and the impressive dome right above you.

Giotto's Tower

The bell tower of the Cathedral of Florence was disegned in the XIV° century by Giotto the most important artist of the Middle Ages who was a great painter and architect. It is 84mt (277ft) high and from its top terrace you can enjoy the most beautiful view of Brunelleschi's Dome.

Arnolfo Tower

Another high tower to climb in Florence is the Arnolfo Tower of the Signoria Palace, the medieval fortress in the Signoria Square, which is the city hall and a museum. You must climb around 200 steps to reach the crenellated gallery supported on brackets which goes around the palace to get a 360° view of the city below. You can then walk more steps to reach the very top of the tower. On the way you find a small room, called the "Alberghetto" ("small hotel") which was the prisons for people who commited crimes against the government. 

Terrace of Loggia dei Lanzi 

Another beautiful view point on the Signoria Square is the Terrace above the Loggia dei Lanzi, the open arcade under which you see a collection of marble sculptures. The entrance to this terrace is from the Uffizi Gallery , the art museum which houses the rich collection of paintings and sculptures of the Medici Family. At the end of the first corridor of the museum, after seeing the masterpieces by Botticelli, Michelangelo and other important Renaissance artists you are free to go outside on the terrace and enjoy the view. 

Terrace of the Istituto degli Innocenti

The "Istituto degli Innocenti"" is located in Piazza Santissima Annunziata (5 minutes walk from the Duomo), and it is the ancient orphanage of Florence designed by Brunelleschi in the XV° century. It has a rich collection of paintings and sculptures and the buildings itself is a masterpiece of Renaissance architecture. At the top of the building there is a terrace , where in the past the nuns used to hang out the laundry. Now there is a nice cafeteria where you can have a drink while admiring a very beautiful panorama.

Terrace of "La Rinascente"

In the Republic Square you find Florence's most important department store " La Rinascente", go inside and take the elevator to the top floor where there is a cafeteria from where the view of the Dome and of the square below is really stunning!

Terrazza Brunelleschi of Hotel Baglioni

If you are looking for a place where you can enjoy a spectacular view of Florence by night and have a romantic drink or dinner then go to the Roof of Hotel Baglioni in Piazza dell'Unità. From the top terrace you see a great view of the Cathedral, the Medici Chapels, the Church of Santa Maria Novella and,specially in summer, enjoy a cool breeze.

 

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