5 Top Photo Spots: Where to Take Stunning Photos in Florence, Italy

Whenever I travel to new destinations, I always like to research cool photo ops ahead of time. Where’s the best place to get a shot of the city’s top highlights? What hidden gems does the city offer that you might not stumble upon just wandering around? This helps me get started, and after I get my bearings, I love scoping out the best photo ops to really capture the essence of the city. To save you a little time, I’ve consolidated my favorite photo spots in Florence, Italy for you!

Nestled among the rolling hills of the Tuscan countryside, Florence is a photographer’s heaven, featuring an endless sea of red roofs, punctuated by ancient spires, and of course, the iconic terra-cotta roof of the looming Duomo. With its romantic views and classically Italian feel, it’s easy to fall under the spell of Firenze (Florence). Below are my five favorite places to snap photos in Florence.

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(1/5) Piazzale Michelangelo

Hike across the river up to the Piazzale Michelangelo to capture a magnificent sunset over the city of Florence. It gets pretty busy at sunset with all of the tourist busses arriving, so make sure to arrive early to snag a good vantage point. Also, it is all uphill, so maybe save that super heavy pasta dinner for after the hike…it makes an excellent reward!

(2/5) Bank of the Arno

Combine your sunset trip to Piazzale Michelangelo with a trip across the Arno River at dusk. You can get unbeatable views of the Ponte Vecchio and the banks of the Arno from the Ponte alle Grazie.

(3/5) Top of the Duomo

Climb the Duomo to truly appreciate all that Florence has to offer. From here, you can get up close and personal with the magnificent Duomo, as well as capturing scenic cityscapes and the boundless red rooftops. Warning—this has many, many stairs and feels like it goes on literally forever. I loved the views from up top, but if you’re feeling super lazy, skip the climb and buy a postcard…there’s no shortage in Florence. However, this is definitely one of the top photo spots in Florence, Italy, so it would be a shame to miss!

(4/5) Side streets

Wander down any of the quiet side streets away from the hustle and bustle of the main piazzas, and you will undoubtedly stumble across a unique photo opportunity. Capturing snippets of daily life can put a whole new perspective on your photos (and also, sometimes you can find yummy pasta—yes, my life is controlled by food. It’s fine, I’ve accepted it.)

(5/5) Vespa ride into the Tuscan countryside

Hop on a Vespa and cruise into the Tuscan countryside for a picnic with a view. After a few days living the city life, it’s refreshing to spend time in the lush countryside, brimming with wineries, olive farms, and views that can’t be beat. If you’ve never been on a Vespa before, maybe watch a YouTube video to know what you’re getting into. In hindsight, something I should have done…

So, I hope you found this guide to Florence, Italy photo spots helpful.  Tell me—have you visited Florence, Italy? What are some of your favorite photo ops there? If not, what’s your favorite Italian city? Let me know in the comments! For more on art in Florence, Italy, check out my guide on what you need to know!

Where to Stay in Florence, Italy

Luxury: Four Seasons Hotel Firenze is one of the top picks in Florence; located in the city center, you get all the perks of location plus the swankiness of a two story spa and Michelin-star restaurant.

Mid-Range: For a slightly cheaper option, check out Hotel Pendini, which is a quaint, family-run hotel in easy walking distance of all the main sights.

Budget: For the hostel lovers of the world – you’re going to want to check out Academy Hostel, which is clean, friendly, and most importantly, literally two steps from the Duomo.

Flights to Florence

Cheap flights to Florence, Italy: I’d recommend looking up eDreams.net. They scan tons of different travel discount sites and feature special flight deals.

More Italy Resources:

For further Italy inspiration, make sure to catch up on the following posts!

• Burano, Italy: Discover the most colorful fishing village on a day trip from Venice.
• Italian Bucket List: Stumped on what to do in Italy? Check out this bucket list for travel inspo.
• 10 day Italy itinerary: This itinerary will bring you through major cities, cliffside towns, and Italian wine country.
• Top 14 things to do in Venice, Italy: Gondolas, pasta, and canals, oh my! Explore your epic Venice, Italy bucket list!
• Cinque Terre, Italy: Oh Cinque Terre, you still have my heart with your ancient colorful villages. Learn everything you need to know for a day trip to Cinque Terre!
• 10 Reasons you’ll fall in love with Italy: As if you needed any additional convincing, here are the top 10 reasons I fell in love with Italy.
• Cheat Sheet to art in Florence, Italy: For all you art newbies out there like me, check out this cheat sheet on Florentine art 101.

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