In a city as gorgeous as Tuscany’s capital, the Florence skyline seems to beckon…

While the excitement of wandering the cobblestone streets in search of the best views in Florence has its merits, so does having a road map to all of the best spots!

From crowd-favorites to hidden gems, here are 20 top spots to soak in the Florence skyline, from gorgeous gardens to fabulous Florentine hotel rooftops.

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If you only have time to visit one of the places on this list, Piazzale Michelangelo should be it. Whether you’re just spending one day in Florence or soaking up the beauty of Florence at night, this is the knock-your-socks-off city skyline vantage point that people visit for. In fact, it was one of my favorite views during my entire two weeks in Italy.

Located atop a hill on the southern bank of the Arno River, Piazzale Michelangelo is a favorite amongst tourists and Florentines alike.

Although this popular spot can get pretty crowded, it’s well worth the trip for one of the best views of Florence!

Piazzale Michelangelo is located at Piazzale Michelangelo, 50125 Firenze FI.

Personally, I recommend walking here, as Florence is highly accessible on foot.

Alternatively, you can drive (which I don’t recommend) or take the 12 bus (from Boboli Gardens) or the 13 bus from Ponte Niccolò.

Giardino delle Rose (The Rose Garden) is one of the city’s most treasured garden parks.

Located in Florence’s Oltrarno district, the garden was also created by Giuseppe Poggi of Piazzale Michelangelo fame.

This beautiful terraced garden fuses the French natural-garden style along with Italian sensibilities. It encompasses roses, botanical plants, lemons, and a Japanese garden!

As you wander through the maze of pathways bordering the flower beds, be sure to stop and admire the gorgeous Florence skyline off in the distance!

In addition, one of the best garden views is from the panoramic outlook point, featuring the fascinating artwork of Belgian sculptor Jean Michel Folon.

I particularly love his “Partir” piece featuring a suitcase that frames one of the most picturesque Florence views.

Although Giardino delle Rose was originally open exclusively in May during the peak rose bloom, it’s now open daily year-round from 9AM until sunset (with the exception of Christmas Day and New Year’s Eve).

Entrance to the garden is free, so be sure to take advantage of this gem while you’re here!

Giardino delle Rose is located just below Piazzale Michelangelo at Viale Giuseppe Poggi, 2, 50125 Firenze FI.

When I first saw a photo of Via de Servi – and the ridiculously large Duomo looming in the background – I was sure it was Photoshopped…

…Well, I’m pleased to report that I’ve never been so happy to be wrong!

The view of the Duomo from this incredible street really does look like this. Trust me, I took this photo myself and my Photoshop skills are nowhere near that good!

Although this location is arguably more about the Duomo than the full Florence skyline, I felt it deserved a place on this list.

Besides, the Duomo is the star of this city’s skyline, after all!

A hike up Brunelleschi’s famous Dome will reward you with one of the most magnificent glimpses at the Florence skyline. Be sure to bring your camera so you can capture it!

In order to make the climb, you’ll need to purchase a ticket. You can check out the available Dome tours here.

The climb up the 450+ steps of Brunelleschi’s Dome typically takes anywhere from 45 minutes to an hour to complete. Keep in mind that the stairwells are narrow and the steps can be steep, so I wouldn’t recommend it for claustrophobic folk.

In addition, this location unfortunately isn’t suitable for those with limited mobility, as there’s no elevator.

Brunelleschi’s Dome is located at Piazza del Duomo, 50122 Firenze FI.

While paying a visit to the Duomo, you won’t want to miss the view from Giotto’s Campanile located just next door! This is Florence’s famous free-standing bell tower that’s part of the Florence Cathedral complex.

One of the finest examples of 14th-century architecture in Florence (and Italy in general), it stands at just under 85 meters tall over the city.

As tends to be the theme in Florence, there’s no elevator up to Giotto’s Tower.

Instead, you’ll need to make the noble climb up 414 steps on foot. But as is the case with most hikes, you’ll be richly rewarded with the view!

Currently, you can only climb the tower on a pre-arranged basis with a guide. You can make arrangements by checking out the admission information here.

Giotto’s Bell Tower is located at Piazza del Duomo, 50122 Firenze FI.

Another incredible tower with a view is the Tower of Palazzo Vecchio, a creation of architect Arnolfo di Cambia. Commonly known as the Arnolfo Tower, this symbol of civic power truly towers over the city as its name conveys, offering an impressive view of the Florence skyline.  

The tower is the crowning jewel on the striking Palazzo Vecchio, a fascinating 14th-century structure combining a medieval fortress with Roman ruins and Renaissance chambers.

Today, it serves as Florence’s town hall. You can read more about the building’s interesting history here.

If you want to make it to the top of the tower, you must be willing to climb up the 233 steps.

You’ll also need to purchase an admission ticket, which you can do in advance.

Alternatively, there are a number of tour options to choose from as well, if a guided experience is preferred.

Palazzo Vecchio is located at P.za della Signoria, 50122 Firenze FI.

The next spot technically encompasses two destinations, but you really can’t do one without the other. Palazzo Pitti – and the Boboli Gardens just behind it – are truly awe-inspiring.

Easily the most significant palace in all of Florence – albeit opulent – Palazzo Pitti definitely has that wow factor. In fact, it spans nearly 111 acres – a length equivalent to more than two American football fields!

Suffice it say, the panoramic view you’ll get over Florence here is incredible!

To give you a brief history, the palace dates back to the 1400s, when it was first built by the Pitti family and owned by Luca Pitti, a Florentine merchant.

A century later, the Medici family purchased and renovated the property, making it their own residence from the 1500s to the 1700s.

Over the course of three centuries, the Palazzo Pitti was inhabited by three dynasties: the Medici, The Hapsburg-Lorraine, and the Savoy. You can read more about the history of Palazzo Pitti here.

As for the Boboli Gardens behind Pitti Palace, they are more than just gardens; the area is considered an open-air museum and historical park. Outfitted with everything from Renaissance statues to a fountain made from limestone, marble, and bronze, the Boboli Gardens are a beautiful example of the geometric Italian Renaissance style.

You can view admission information here to plan your trip.

Palazzo Pitti and the Boboli Gardens are located at Piazza de’ Pitti, 1, 50125 Firenze FI.

If you’d prefer to enjoy the Florence skyline with a cocktail in hand, then the next few suggestions will be right up your alley!

Let’s kick off this section with the cream of the crop, SE·STO on Arno. This glass-enclosed, 6th-floor rooftop stunner sits atop the Westin Excelsior Hotel, offering magnificent views of Florence and the rolling Tuscan hills beyond.

And, if you can believe it, the outside of the restaurant is perhaps even more spectacular! It offers two spacious terraces, one for the restaurant and the other for the bar.

The restaurant is open daily from 12PM – 10:30PM, while the bar is open from 11AM – 1AM. Reservations are recommended.

The SE·STO on Arno is part of the Westin Excelsior Hotel, located at Piazza Ognissanti, 3, 50123 Firenze FI.

Another awesome hotel favorite to check out is Angel Roofbar & Dining at Hotel Calimala.

Offering 360-degree views of the city, Angel Roofbar & Dining is more than just a restaurant – it’s also home to two indoor and outdoor bars, a plunge pool, and a floral garden!

Angel Roofbar & Dining is open Thursday – Sunday from 6PM to 11PM and brunch is held from 1 PM – 3PM on Sunday.

Reservations are required and can be made here via WhatsApp.

The restaurant is closed on Monday and Wednesday.

Angel Roofbar & Dining is located at Via Calimala, 2, 50123 Firenze Fl.

La Terrazza is truly the terrace from your Florentine dreams.

This posh cocktail bar belongs to swanky Hotel Continentale, and is located on the top floor of a medieval tower. Situated along the Arno River, you’ll be greeted with unrivaled river views as well as a beautiful perspective of Brunelleschi’s Dome and the Palazzo Vecchio.

Talk about sunset perfection! ::Swoons::

Unfortunately, La Terraza Bar is temporarily closed until further notice.

However, if you’re interested in booking a stay at Hotel Continentale, be sure to check out my Florence hotel guide for all of the details.

La Terrazza is located within Hotel Continentale at Lungarno degli Acciaiuoli, 2r, 50123 Firenze FI.

The ultimate highlight of the Grand Hotel Cavour is undoubtedly its show-stopping rooftop terrace, Divina Terrazza.

Located smack in the heart of the action in Florence, a seat at Divina Terrazza will put you in the “backyard” of the Duomo. All that’s left to do is sit back and marvel at the insane view!

Divina Terrazza is open Tuesday – Sunday from 5PM – 11PM.

The restaurant is closed on Monday.

Divina Terrazza proudly welcomes guests year-round and is equipped to handle a range of temperatures. In summer, the terrace offers refreshing vaporizers, while in winter guests can enjoy the coziness of heating lamps.

As seating is extremely limited, reservations are strongly recommended.

In addition, if you’re interested in more detail about Grand Hotel Cavour have a look at the best Florence hotels near the Duomo.

Divina Terrazza is part of Grand Hotel Cavour at Via del Proconsolo 3, Firenze Fl.

The terrace is located on the sixth floor of the hotel and convenient elevator access is available (a rarity in Florence)!

If you’re craving traditional Tuscan fare with a side of Florentine views, B-Roof is sure to satisfy.

This panoramic Italian restaurant sits on the fifth floor of the Grand Hotel Baglioni and offers an open-air terrace with ridiculously gorgeous surrounding views of Florence.

B-Roof is open Monday – Friday from 12:30PM – 2PM and from 7:30PM – 12:30PM. On weekends, lunch runs until 3PM and evening hours remain the same.

You can book a reservation for the restaurant online.

In addition to traditional dining, B-Roof also serves as an incredible backdrop for wedding ceremonies as well as other special events and business functions.

B-Roof is part of the Grand Hotel Baglioni, located at Piazza dell’Unità Italiana, 6, 50123 Firenze FI.

Panorama Restaurant at Hotel La Scaletta certainly lives up to its name. With two panoramic terraces over Florence, you’ll never be bored by the view!

The Boboli Terrace faces the Pitti Palace and Boboli Gardens as well as Forte Belvedere, while the Florence Terrace offers a totally unique view of the city, surrounded by beautiful buildings.

Panorama Restaurant is open Wednesday – Monday from 7PM – 10:30PM.

The restaurant is closed on Tuesday.

While bar and restaurant service is exclusively limited to summertime, the terraces are open year-round for your viewing pleasure.

That said, if you’re coming exclusively for the view (and you’re not an overnight hotel guest nor planning to dine here), notify the hotel before your arrival to make sure you’ll have terrace access.

Panorama Restaurant is part of Hotel la Scaletta, located at Via de’ Guicciardini, 13, 50125 Firenze FI.

The Panoramic Bar at Hotel Degli Orafi is nestled atop the property, offering a beautiful backdrop for your evening aperitif.

One of the special perks of this panoramic bar is that all wines are produced by their family vineyard and range from whites to Chiantis.

Panoramic Bar is open daily from 6PM – 12AM.

Reservations are required and can be made by viewing the Panoramic Bar information.

Panoramic Bar is located at Lungarno degli Archibusieri, 4, 50121 Firenze FI.

Terrazza Rosini sits atop Hotel Kraft, offering a beautiful terrace and a hanging garden.

While it’s arguably beautiful at all hours, it’s especially enchanting to enjoy its splendid Florence panorama at sundown.

Terrazza Rosini is open daily from 7PM – 10:30PM.

You can reserve a table here.

Terrazza Rosini is a part of Hotel Kraft, located at Via Solferino, 2, 50123 Firenze FI.

How would dining atop a Florentine Tower strike you?

At Tower Restaurant of Antica Torre di via Tornabuoni 1, you can do exactly that!

This hotel restaurant will wow you with views of some of the most popular landmarks and famous buildings in Florence, from Bruneschelli’s Dome, to the Arno River, to Palazzo Vecchio – all while you’re sipping some of the finest wines in the city!

The restaurant also offers a rich menu of locally sourced ingredients from the beautiful Tuscany region.

The Tower Restaurant is part of Antica Torre di via Tornabuoni 1, located at Via de’ Tornabuoni, 1, 50123 Firenze FI.

Loggia Roof Bar is a next-level rooftop bar experience. Located within the historical palace of Hotel Palazzo Guadagni, the romantic vibe of Loggia Roof Bar is unmatched.

Plus, the spectacular pillars that line the panoramic terrace provide a gorgeous window to the surrounding Tuscan hills.

Personally, I could sit here all day and just stare!

In the meantime, you can check out their bar menu and start fantasizing!

Loggia Roof Bar is open daily from 10AM – 11PM.

Loggia Roof Bar is part of Hotel Palazzo Guadagni, located at Piazza Santo Spirito, 9, 50125 Firenze FI.

If you love the idea of a drink with a view at a rooftop bar but an espresso is more your speed, you’ll have to pay a visit to Caffè del Verone.

Part of the Museo Degli Innocenti, this café offers impressive floor-to-ceiling windows and a spacious loggia that overlook the incredible Florence skyline.

Caffè del Verone is open Sunday – Thursday from 10AM – 8PM and Friday – Saturday from 10AM – 9PM.

Caffè del Verone is located at Museo degli Innocenti, Piazza della Santissima Annunziata, 13, 50121 Firenze FI.

In addition to including the crowd-favorite places to see the Florence skyline and some incredible rooftop bars, I also wanted to include a few lesser-known gems.

Biblioteca delle Oblate (Oblate Library) seems pretty unassuming from the outside, but it’s actually harboring a pretty cool Duomo view on the top floor!

Plus, you can visit this former-convent-turned-public-library without paying a dime – you’ll just need to sign in at the front desk.

P.S. There’s also an espresso bar, Oblate Cafeteria, on the top floor with views of the Duomo as well!

Note: The café is temporary closed.

Biblioteca delle Oblate is located at Via dell’ Oriuolo, 24, 50122 Firenze FI.

Often trumped by the ornate Boboli Gardens, the Bardini Garden is secretly spectacular!

And did I mention the views from here are stunning?

While it hasn’t reached the status of some other Florentine gardens, the secret is out in spring when wisteria hysteria is in full swing by the pergola!

At about 10 acres, the Bardini Garden is perfect for a short stroll, as you can make your way through it in about an hour. The beautiful grounds include the Italianete Garden, the English Garden, and the Agricultural Park.

In addition, while you’re here, you’ll obviously have to pay a visit to Villa Bardini as well, now an important venue for artists, consisting of a museum and an event venue.

Villa Bardini and the Bardini Garden are located at Via de’ Bardi, 1, 50125 Firenze FI.

The garden is about a 15-minute walk from the Santa Maria Novella Railway Station. If you’re taking the train, you’d get off at the Firenze Santa Maria Novella stop.

Alternatively, if you’re arriving by bus, you’ll want to catch line 23 from the Santa Maria Novella Railway Station and get off at Lungarno Torrigiani or Piazza dei Mozzi.

I hope these Florence skyline spots have sparked your imagination – and given you yet another reason why you need to visit this incredible city!

Have you seen the Florence skyline for yourself yet? If so, what was your favorite viewpoint? If not, which location is calling to you? Let me know in the comments below!

Looking for more fun in Florence? Check out my companion guides:

• One Day in Florence: A Concise Itinerary to Maximize Sightseeing
• 20 Awesome Things to Do in Florence at Night
• 20 Fantastic Florence Hotels Near the Duomo (with Killer Views)
• 20 Best Day Trips from Florence (Within Two Hours)