Florence from above is an unrepeatable spectacle. Here are the most beautiful panoramic terraces - some free and almost unknown, others hidden in the courtyards of medieval palaces.
Florence from above: terraces and views not to miss
The silhouette of Florence with Brunelleschi's dome is one of the most beautiful views in the world. Here is how to admire it from the best vantage point.
Brunelleschi's Dome
The climb to the dome of Santa Maria del Fiore (463 steps, no lift) is essential. Not only for the panoramic view over the city, but for the experience itself: you walk between the two shells of the dome, you see Vasari's frescoes from the inside and you understand Brunelleschi's engineering genius.
Book online in advance - tickets sell out quickly, especially in summer.
Piazzale Michelangelo
Florence's most classic viewpoint is also the busiest: the wave of tourists arriving at dusk to photograph the sunset over the Duomo is inevitable. But there is a secret: the road that climbs from the lower city (Via San Salvatore al Monte) leads to an even higher viewpoint, almost always deserted, a few metres from the church of San Miniato al Monte.
Magic hour: Arrive 30 minutes before sunset and wait for the moment when the golden light strikes Brunelleschi's dome.
The Terrace of the Hotel Continentale
Few know that the Hotel Continentale (Vicolo dell'Oro, next to Ponte Vecchio) has a rooftop bar open to non-guests too. The view over Ponte Vecchio and the Arno is one of the most exclusive in the city. A cocktail costs 15-20 euro - the price of the view.