Photo spots in Florence

Early in the morning the streets of the centre are almost empty and the low light sculpts the marble, while at sunset the hills of the Oltrarno look back over the city with the sun behind them. From May to September the centre is crowded between ten and six, so it is better to schedule the best-known spots at dawn or late in the day. Spring and autumn offer the cleanest sky and the longest shadows, while summer brings harsh light at midday and often a hazy atmosphere.

Piazzale Michelangelo

Where: Piazzale Michelangelo, terrace on the side facing the city
When: at dawn for quiet, at sunset for the light on the Duomo

From the balustrade you can frame the whole historic centre: the Arno with the Ponte Vecchio, Palazzo Vecchio, the dome of the Duomo and the hills of Fiesole in the background. Access is free and always open, but at sunset the balustrade is occupied in several rows, so you need to arrive well in advance. A medium telephoto (70-200 mm) isolates the dome and the towers, while a wide-angle lens takes in the bend of the river. A tripod gets in the way at busy hours, so in the evening a monopod or a rest on the parapet is more practical.

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Rampe del Poggi (Poggi Ramps)

Where: Staircases between Piazza Giuseppe Poggi, in San Niccolò, and Piazzale Michelangelo
When: early morning or late afternoon, in spring with the flowers in bloom

The ramps climb in zigzags between terraces, basins and small waterfalls, with views of the city that change at every turn. You can photograph the geometry of the stairs, the vegetation and, from the higher landings, the rooftops of the Oltrarno with the dome in the background. The route is free, always open and much less crowded than the piazzale at the top. A 24-70 mm lens is enough for everything, and the shadows of the trees suggest shooting under an overcast sky or in low light.

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Giardino delle Rose (Rose Garden)

Where: Viale Giuseppe Poggi 2, below Piazzale Michelangelo
When: May to June for the blooms, in the morning for the light on the city

The terraced garden runs down the slope and offers a view of the city similar to that from the piazzale, with the difference that you can frame close-ups of roses in bloom and hedges. In spring the flower beds take the foreground and the Duomo stays soft in the background, a solution that works well with an 85 mm lens at wide aperture. Entry is free, usually from morning until sunset, and the crowd is small compared with the piazzale. In the upper part there is also a small Japanese garden, suited to close-up shots.

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Basilica di San Miniato al Monte

Where: Via delle Porte Sante 34, basilica forecourt
When: late afternoon, when the low sun lights up the façade

The Romanesque façade in white and green marble, with the thirteenth-century mosaic in the gable, is best photographed from the steps and the forecourt with a medium wide-angle lens. From the forecourt the city appears from a higher and quieter position than at Piazzale Michelangelo, with the bell tower and the cypresses of the cemetery as framing elements. Entry to the church is free, but it is a place of worship: dress appropriately, no flash and no tripod during services. In the evening you can attend the singing of the monks, without photographing it.

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Giardino Bardini e il glicine (Bardini Garden and the Wisteria)

Where: Costa San Giorgio 2 (entrance from via de' Bardi 1r), wisteria pergola and Baroque staircase
When: late April, for just a few days, depending on the season

The wisteria pergola that frames the staircase is photographed as you climb the steps and look towards the city, with the dome of the Duomo appearing among the clusters. The garden is paid, but it is rarely as crowded as the free viewpoints, and the bloom lasts only a few days, so check the calendar on the garden's website before you go. The belvedere at the top of the Baroque staircase offers a broad view of the rooftops of the Oltrarno. A 24-70 mm lens is enough, ideally in the morning with soft light and no wind.

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Forte di Belvedere

Where: Via di San Leonardo, fort terraces above the Boboli Gardens
When: afternoon, before the closing time, which changes with the season

From the terraces of the fort the panorama takes in the city up close, with the dome of the Duomo and Palazzo Vecchio in the foreground, and on the other side the countryside to the south. Entry is paid for non-residents, with reduced rates and free entry for some categories, and the fort is closed on Mondays. Opening hours change with the season and at the end of summer closing comes earlier, so check the sunset time on the Comune website. The crowd is limited, and with a 70-200 mm lens you can isolate the monuments without obstacles.

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Ponte Santa Trinita toward the Ponte Vecchio

Where: Ponte Santa Trinita, east pavement, between the two central arches
When: early morning, when the Ponte Vecchio is lit from the east

From this bridge you frame the Ponte Vecchio with its shops overhanging the river and, in the background, the hills. On the water the reflection works on still mornings, when the Arno is calm. The spot is free and always open, but after nine it fills with people, so it is best to arrive early. A 35-50 mm lens gives the most natural perspective, and a telephoto lens compresses the arches of the bridge into the foreground.

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Lungarno da Ponte alle Grazie (Arno riverbank)

Where: Lungarno Torrigiani, near Ponte alle Grazie, left bank of the Arno
When: at sunset, in autumn and winter when the sun sets along the axis of the river

Looking downstream, the river carries the eye as far as the Ponte Vecchio, and in the cold months the sun sinks almost in line with the water. The shot works with backlight and silhouettes, and after sunset with the blue hour and the lights of the palazzi on the water. The riverside walk is open, quiet and free of charge, and it lets you stay a long time with a tripod at the edge without getting in the way of passers-by. A 24-70 mm lens covers the frame well, and for reflections you need calm water.

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The Dome from Via dei Servi

Where: Via dei Servi, stretch near Piazza della Santissima Annunziata, looking towards the Duomo
When: early morning, before the street fills with passers-by

This straight street frames Brunelleschi's dome between the façades of the palazzi, with a perspective effect that cannot be obtained from the Piazza del Duomo. It is best photographed with a telephoto lens (100-200 mm) to compress the distance and enlarge the dome. The spot is outdoors and free, but it is a street with foot and bicycle traffic, so no tripod. Early in the morning the flow is minimal and you can shoot calmly.

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Terrace of the Museo dell'Opera del Duomo

Where: Museo dell'Opera del Duomo, Piazza del Duomo 9, top floor
When: morning, with full light on the marble surfaces

The top-floor terrace brings the dome in at close range, with the ribs and the marble tesserae in the foreground and Giotto's bell tower alongside. It is paid, included in the cathedral complex ticket, and you reach it inside the museum without the climb needed for the dome or the bell tower. Anyone who has already seen the dome from afar finds here the detail of the surfaces and the structure. A wide-angle lens frames the whole cathedral, while a telephoto lens picks out the decorative details.

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Mercato Centrale di San Lorenzo

Where: Piazza del Mercato Centrale, iron and glass structure from 1874
When: morning, when the ground floor is working at full speed

The iron and glass building designed by Mengoni in 1874 is photographed from inside, with its vaulted nave-like ceiling, and from outside with the loggia in pietra serena stone. Inside, the stalls of meat, fish, vegetables and cured meats offer scenes of real market life, with light falling from the skylights. Entry is free, but it is a workplace: ask permission before photographing the vendors and avoid flash. A 35 mm lens with high ISO works better than a telephoto, and a tripod is out of place.

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Piazza Santo Spirito

Where: Piazza Santo Spirito, Oltrarno, in front of Brunelleschi's basilica
When: early morning or early afternoon under an overcast sky

The square, with the seventeenth-century fountain at its centre and the plain, unfinished façade of the basilica on the short side, has a neighbourhood atmosphere more than a monumental one. You can frame the façade with the arcades around it, the neighbourhood market stalls where present and the everyday life of residents. The spot is open and free, very busy in the evening, and lends itself to street shots with a 35 mm lens. Inside the church it is worth asking permission before taking photographs.

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Map of the shooting points

Practical tips

• Tripods are banned in museums and churches and are generally unwelcome on crowded streets. At outdoor viewpoints use one at quiet hours; elsewhere a monopod or a rest on the parapet is the better choice.
• Drone flights over the historic centre are subject to ENAC restrictions and generally require authorisation. Without a specific permit they must not be flown over the city, and never over people.
• Places of worship require shoulders and knees to be covered, no photography during services, and flash should always be avoided. Some churches restrict photography even outside Mass times.
• Civic museums and many state museums close on Mondays, the Forte di Belvedere included. Check the opening days on the official website before planning the itinerary.
• For the Duomo dome and bell tower, booking a date and time slot is mandatory, and the climb is not recommended for anyone who suffers from vertigo or claustrophobia.

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