Piazzale Michelangelo
Perched on a hill south of the Arno, Piazzale Michelangelo delivers the postcard panorama of Florence — terracotta domes, the needle of the Badia Fiorentina, and Brunelleschi's cathedral dome stretching across the valley. Sunset here, with a glass of Chianti from one of the kiosks, is a Florentine rite of passage.
Getting the best view
Arrive 45 minutes before sunset and claim a spot along the stone balustrade on the northern edge of the square. The light turns the Duomo's marble facade from white to warm amber, and the Arno below becomes a ribbon of liquid gold — it is genuinely one of Europe's great urban vistas.
The bronze copy of Michelangelo's David at the piazza's centre makes a useful landmark but the real draw is the 270-degree panorama behind it. For an even quieter perspective, walk five minutes further up the hill to the Romanesque church of San Miniato al Monte.
How to get there
From the city centre, bus line 13 runs from Santa Maria Novella station directly to Piazzale Michelangelo — a 15-minute ride. Alternatively, the scenic walk up from Ponte Vecchio via the Boboli Gardens takes about 25 minutes and passes the rose garden (Giardino delle Rose), which is free to enter and spectacular in May.
Driving or cycling up the Viale dei Colli is a pleasant option in the early morning when traffic is light. Scooter rental is widely available near the Ponte Vecchio for around €30 a day.
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