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The Best Places in Florence to Take the Most Breathtaking Photographs

Just about every inch of Florence is worthy of a snapshot. Renaissance palaces, cobblestone alleyways, lush gardens, magnificent churches, and picturesque markets all lend themselves well to photography. Here is a list of the top 10 places in Florence to provide the ideal background for the perfect photograph.

1. Piazzale Michelangelo

Piazzale Michelangelo is located on the Oltrarno and provides some of the most breathtaking and unobstructed panoramic views of the city. Its view has been showcased on countless postcards, calendars, and is a must while visiting. The view encompasses the heart of Florence from Forte Belvedere to Santa Croce, providing a breathtaking vantage point of the Duomo, Palazzo Vecchio, the Uffizi, the Bargello, and the bridges crossing the Arno, including the Ponte Vecchio. Piazzale Michelangelo can be reached by car, tour bus, or by foot. If it is a nice day outside I definitely recommend walking. It is a fabulous walk through the San Niccolò area passing through the lush Piazza Poggi and vibrant gardens. (Takes about 30 minutes on foot from the center of the city).

2. The Duomo

Dominating the serene Tuscan skyline is the Cathedral Santa Maria del Fiore (Saint Mary of the Flower) also known simply as the “Duomo”. Its construction began in 1296 under architect Arnolfo di Cambio, and after almost 200 years of construction the Cathedral was finished in 1436. The Cathedral’s gigantic cupola visible from nearly every street in the city was engineered by architect Filippo Bruneschelli and was constructed to express the bridging of Greek and Gothic architecture. The massive structure is one of the most enduring symbols in all of Italy and is the third largest cathedral in the world. The Cathedral complex located in Piazza del Duomo also includes the Baptistery and Giotto’s Bell Tower (Campanile di Giotto).
Via de’ Martelli, the road to the left of the Cathedral complex, has recently been converted from a traffic filled street to a pedestrian walkway. The mayor has done this in hopes of protecting the Duomo from the smog of the passing vehicles and to protect the tourists that would invariably walk in awe into oncoming traffic. Via de’ Martelli (Right in front of the Farmacia) is the best place to capture the sheer grandeur that encompasses the Cathedral complex including a unique view of the Duomo, the Baptistery, and Giotto’s Bell Tower (Campanile di Giotto).

3. Ponte Santa Trinita

Ponte Santa Trinita is one of the most beautifully adorned of the Florentine bridges and serves as the best front and center view of the Ponte Vecchio. Throughout the day and night photographers and artists alike flock to the bridge to capture the beauty of one of Florence’s signature attractions.

4. View from Top of the Duomo

Brunelleschi’s massive dome or cupola can be seen from almost any street in Florence, and towering over 300 ft (20 ft higher than the Campanile di Giotto) it is undoubtedly the highest structure in the Florentine skyline.
While climbing up to the top, the climber is treated with a birds eye view of the interior of the cathedral with magnificent views of the nave and breathtaking views of the frescoed ceilings including works by Paolo Uccello, Andrea del Castagno, and Giorgio Vasari.
Climbing up the 463 stairs is physically demanding, but the climb is well worth the workout.

Address:	Hours:	Cost:
Piazza del Duomo	8:30am to 7:30pm	8 Euro
Florence 50123

5. Views from Ponte Vecchio

The Ponte Vecchio in the 1500’s was the meat market mecca of the city lined with butcher shops and open-air stands. Duke Cosimo de’ Medici I had to pass over the Ponte Vecchio each day to reach Palazzo Vecchio (Florence’s town hall) from his palace, Palazzo Pitti. The smell of the rotting meat in the hot summer months disgusted the Duke so much so that he banished the butchers from selling on this historic bridge. Cosimo de’ Medici I brought in a more refined marketplace to fit his royal likings, bringing in the city’s top goldsmiths and jewelry makers. It is these same goldsmiths that litter the Ponte Vecchio today with their glitter and glitz.

If you see padlocks on the bridge, especially on the railing around the statue of Benvenuto Cellini, located about midway, it is because of an old tradition/superstition believed by couples that their love is represented and secured by the practice of latching their “love locks” to the bridge.
A couple will inscribe their name or initials on the padlock, lock it on the bridge, and then throw the key into the Arno. The tradition goes that as long as the couple’s padlock remains their love will too. Over the years the Florence government has removed the majority of these locks (ruining relationships forever) in an effort to clean up the Ponte Vecchio. Although the authorities have tried countless efforts including adding a hefty fine, they have not succeeded so far since the newer padlocks seem to appear faster than the rate at which the older ones are removed.

6. Piazza della Signoria

Constructed at the end of the thirteenth century, Piazza della Signoria named after the Palazzo della Signoria, also called Palazzo Vecchio, is the focal point of the origin and of the history of the Florentine Republic. Today, Piazza Signoria is still the heart of Florentine politics since Palazzo Vecchio is still Florence’s town hall.
Piazza della Signoria is filled with Florentine history and houses some of the most famous sculptures and statues that have come to define the talents and treasures of the Renaissance period.
In front of Palazzo Vecchio sits a copy of the David by Michelangelo (the original is in the Galleria della Accademia), the bronze equestrian statue of Duke Cosimo de’ Medici I by Giambologna, The Fountain of Neptune by Ammannati which celebrates the Medici's maritime ambitions, and the Lion with the Florentine Lily by Donatello.

The Loggia dei Lanzi designed by Orcagna in 1376 is located to the right of Palazzo Vecchio and just before the Loggia degli Uffizi. The Loggia functions as an open-air sculpture gallery and is filled with breathtaking statues such as Perseo holding Medusa's head by Cellini, Menelaus Supporting the Body of Patroclus, and Giambologna's Rape of the Sabine Women.

7. Piazza Santa Croce

The Basilica of Santa Croce is the largest Franciscan church in the world, and is legended that St. Francis himself was the founding father. The basilica’s construction began in 1294 by Arnolfo di Cambio (also the architect of the Duomo) and almost 100 years after construction began one of the worlds greatest examples of Gothic architecture was finished. Although the church was complete it was not actually consecrated until much later in 1442 by Pope Eugene IV. Santa Croce is a vast church featuring 16 chapels decorated with frescoes by Michelangelo, Donatello, Gaddi, Cimabue, and Giotto. The basilica also houses the mortal remains of many of Italy's most distinguished Italian writers, artists, and scientists such as Michelangelo, Galileo, Machiavelli, and Rossini. In fact, because of its many infamous resting souls it is known also as the Temple of the Italian Glories (Tempio dell'Itale Glorie)

Address:	Hours:	Cost:
Piazza Santa Croce	Mon. to Sat. 9:30am to 5:00pm	5 Euro
Florence 50122	Sun. and Holidays 1:00pm to 5:00pm

Due to its piazza’s grand size Piazza Santa Croce is often the host of various events such as sports, concerts, and food festivals (i.e Festival of Chocolate and the German Christmas Market).
The piazza in front of this breathtaking basilica is also where the historic Calcio Storico takes place annually from the 24th through the 28th of June. Calcio Storico is a loosely based game where Florentine men dress up in “authentic” medieval costumes complete with garters and pantaloons and play a game mixed between football and rugby (with a good dose of bare-knuckle boxing added to the mix). The only rule of the game is that you can use both your hands and feet to get the ball into the goal, anything that happens in between (ex: punching, kicking, chocking, and or biting) is all fair game. The game is played between four teams: Bianchi, Verdi, Rossi and Azzurri manned with 27 beastly players on which represent the four historic Florentine districts: Santo Spirito, San Giovanni, Santa Maria Novella and Santa Croce.
If you have the opportunity to witness a game it is guaranteed more fun than a Vegas boxing match, just be warned that watching a match is not for the weak, or for those who flinch at the sight of blood. The entire city of Florence gets involved, parades and street fairs mark the occasion while the city’s districts show their colors proudly throughout the streets.
The winners are rewarded with a mass of steaks equivalent in weight to the traditional medieval prize of the white calf, which was historically butchered and served to the winning district.

8. View from Giotto’s Bell Tower (Campanile di Giotto)

The Campanile di Giotto is a freestanding structure located to the right of the Cathedral Santa Maria del Fiore or the “Duomo”. The Bell Tower resembles more of a decorative monument than something functional, but its 7 historic bells are still very much in use. The Campanile was designed in 1334 by Giotto di Bondone a well-known architect, painter, and sculptor.
The view from the top will completely overwhelm you giving you a complete view of the town of Florence and the beautiful mountainous landscape. The climb up to the top is not for the weak, with over 400 very vertical steps to climb, the Campanile towers over 278 feet in the air!
Climbing the Campanile not only gives you a fantastic 360° views of the city, but is also a lot less crowded than the Duomo.

Address:	Hours:	Cost:
Piazza del Duomo	8:30am to 7:30pm	6 Euro
Florence 50123

9. Il Porcellino

Il Porcellino is located right behind Mercato Nuovo, steps away from Piazza Signoria and attracts many a visitor. Visitors to Il Porcellino put a coin into the gaping boar's jaws with the intent to let it fall through the underlying grating below for good luck. The visitors also rub the boar's snout to ensure a return trip to Florence.

10. The Boboli Gardens (I Giradini di Boboli)

The Boboli Gardens were designed and built after the Medici family moved to the Pitti Palace around 1550, and are among the most beautiful gardens in Italy. The Gardens are complete with fountains, statues, amphitheater, lake, and the famous Grotta di Buontalenti. It is the perfect place to spend the day marveling at the classic beauty of the outdoors.

Address:	Hours:	Cost:
Piazza de' Pitti	8:15am to 5:30pm	6 Euro
Florence 50125	Closed the first and last Monday of the month.