My PHOTOGRAPHY & TRAVEL GUIDE TO FLORENCE, ITALY
Florence is my favorite city in Italy. I have visited dozens of times, and not only do I never get tired of this city, but I always find new things to see and do. That's probably why the city has drawn me back so many times.
Often considered one of the most beautiful cities in both Italy and the world, there are so many stunning locations in Florence. The combination of amazing Renaissance architecture, breathtaking art, and beautiful light creates incredible photography opportunities.
The city has it all— fantastic food, history, art, and plenty of unique places to photograph. What makes Florence even more special is that it is surrounded by other incredible cities like Siena, San Gimignano, and Volterra, among many more.
One of the most incredible drives in the world is the “the Chiantigiana or SR 222”. It is a road that takes you around the entire Chianti area, from Florence to Siena. It's just one amazing view after the other with plenty of places to stop and have something to eat or have gelato.
After exploring this beautiful city, most likely, you will also fall in love with Florence, its culture and its iconic sights. In this guide I have highlighted my favorite hotels, restaurants, cafes and of course photography locations.
When to Go?
The best time to visit Florence is from April to June and September to October. April to June sees spring, with beautiful weather and landscapes full of flowers throughout the Tuscan countryside.
Where to Stay in Florence, Italy
We have visited Florence many times and stayed all over the city. Here’s a quick summary of Florence’s neighborhoods.
Centro Storico – Duomo / Uffizi / Ponte Vecchio – this is the area most people will want to stay in. You can walk to all the major sights and there are plenty of restaurants in the area. The city center of Florence is a ZTL area (limited traffic zone). You can only drive in the city center if you have a permit or if you are staying at a hotel that is located within the ZTL.
Oltrano and Santo Spirito – this is a fun neighborhood that is also well located. There are lots of cafes in this area.
Santa Croce – neighborhood next to the historic center with a lively local market and large piazza in front of the iconic church
San Niccolò / Piazzale Michelangelo – a charming neighborhood with incredible views but its a 20 minute walk to the city center.
Santa Maria Novella (Station area) – this area is better suited for students and budget travelers.
Fiesole – this hillside area has incredible views of Florence and its generally cooler than the city center. It takes about 10-15 minutes by car to reach Florence but lots of hotels in the area have shuttles that will bring you to the center.
Of course, choosing your hotel will depend on a lot of factors, such as budget and location. If budget is not an issue, sadly, it usually is; I would stay at the Four Seasons or the Lungarno. The grounds are just impeccably beautiful.
The view from Hotel Lungarno at breakfast--I mean, come on how good is the this view? The Hotel Lungarno is literally steps from the iconic Ponte Vecchio.
My hotel recommendations:
Here are the hotels I can recommend (in no particular order) since I have stayed in all of these hotels multiple times.
Hotel Lungarno — also owned by the Ferragamo family, this 5 star hotel sits on the opposite side of the Arno river from the Portrait Firenze. A fantastic location with the best views of the Ponte Vecchio in Florence. Hotel Lungarno is considered one of the absolute best hotels in Florence for good reason.
St. Regis Florence a very hotel also located on the Arno River but about a 10-minute walk from the Ponte Vecchio.
Four Seasons Florence - this hotel is simply wonderful!! It is so elegant, with 10 acres of the most beautiful gardens surrounding the hotel. This hotel is a 10 out of 10. The only downside is that it's not as centrally located as the Hotel Lungarno.
Il Salviatino is located in Fiesole and has outstanding views of the Duomo. The hotel is magnificent. If you want a quiet location outside of the city center, then this is a perfect spot. They have a free shuttle to the city center.
Portrait Firenze – owned by the Ferragamo family, this is a chic 5-star hotel with panoramic views of the Arno River and steps from the Ponte Vecchio,
Where to Eat in Florence
Restaurants
The restaurant scene has dramatically changed in Florence over the past few years. While there are plenty of options for Italian cuisine, you will now see cuisines from all over the world. I usually prefer the family-run trattorias, but there are options in every price range. For the meat eaters, do not miss the chance to try the “bistecca alla Fiorentina.”
Here are a few of our favorites:
Mercato Centrale Firenze,
Regina Bistecca,
Osteria dell’Enoteca,
Cantinetta Antinori,
Trattoria Cibrèo,
Gucci Osteria da Massimo Bottura,
Trattoria Sergio Gozzi,
Osteria del Pavone,
Trattoria Sabatino
La Vecchia Bettola
Trattoria Cammillo
Procacci 1885
Locale (an incredible Bar)
Pizzeria Giovanni Santarpia
Il Guscio
Del Fagioli
Tamero Pizzeria
Obicà Mozzarella Bar - Firenze
Cafes
There are also lots of wonderful cafes in Florence - here are a few of my favorites:
Cafe Ditta Artigianale Oltrarno
One fun new place we recently discovered is Vivoli. It has become a bit of an Instagram hot spot because they make an affogato with a twist. They place vanilla ice cream in a coffee cup and then add hot espresso.
Vivoli —this is delicious
Ditta Artigianale Oltrarno (My favorite)
All’Antico Vinaio (A MUST)
Caffè Gilli
Melaleuca (Santa Croce)
SimbIOsi
Rivarno
Le Vespe
Caffè Cibrèo
Caffe Concerto Paszkowski (a classic)
Gelato
Of course, you have to try the gelato.
Gelato that is brightly colored and stacked high is most likely made with all sorts of preservatives. Gelato outside of a cool container (like stainless steel bins you’ll see at quality Gelateria) without preservatives and chemicals would just melt.
The best gelato is made with simple ingredients (milk, sugar, and fruits or chocolate) and doesn’t include preservatives, chemicals, artificial colors, or artificial flavors. Sorry Häagen-Dazs!!,
Here are some good gelaterias;
Gelateria La Carraia (Piazza Sauro, 25r)
Perchè No! (via dei Tavolini, 19r.)
Gelateria de’ Medici (Piazza Beccaria, 7r.)
Grom (via del Campanile, 2)
My Sugar (via dei Neri, 9/11r.)
Photography Gear
Regarding photography gear, my recommendation is 1 body ( i.e., Canon EOR R5, Nikon Z7), and 2 lenses (a very wide lens like the 15-35 mm and a medium telephoto 70-200mm). I do not own a lens like the 24-240mm, but that might be a good "1 and done" lens to take with you.
I would also bring a Tripod and ND filters since the city is really fun to capture at night.
Photography Tips
Get up early to take pictures in Florence. The city is definitely easiest to photograph without enormous crowds around you–and getting up early is the simplest way to avoid those crowds.
My List of the Best Places to Photograph In Florence
Here are some of my favorite places to photograph in Florence in no particular order (there is a Google Map at the end to download):
Piazzale Michelangelo
This is the best place in Florence to take a sunset photo. From this vantage point, you can capture the best view of Florence. You will be able to capture Santa Croce, the Ponte Vecchio, the Duomo, the Palazzo Vecchio, the Bargello, and the octagonal bell tower of the Badia Fiorentina. Beyond the city are the hills of Fiesole.
The Best Viewpoint in Florence
Walking the Streets of Florence
My favorite photos are oftentimes taken while walking the streets of a new city and capturing people and moments that bring the city alive.
Looking for Reflections
I love looking for reflections. Many times, when a location is very crowded, a reflection is a wonderful way to capture a moment like these 2 nuns walking in front of the Duomo.
Walking along the Arno River by the Ponte Vecchio
One of my favorite areas for photography is to walk along the Arno River in the early morning. You will capture beautiful scenes as the light changes.
And at night you can get some great shots
Palazzo Vecchio—
The 94 meter tower overlooks Piazza della Signoria, which has a copy of Michelangelo's David statue, and the gallery of statues in the adjacent Loggia dei Lanzi. The Loggia is effectively an open-air sculpture gallery of antique and Renaissance art including the Medici lions. It’s also the office of the Mayor of Florence. The best time to photography Palazzo Vecchio and Piazza della Signora is early in the morning before the crowds.
From the Piazzale Michelangelo, you can get a beautiful photo at night.
Piazzale degli Uffizi—
The “Uffizi” needs no introduction. It is one of the most important and most visited museums in Italy. A visit to the Uffizi is a must but its’s important to buy your tickets in advance so you don’t waste time in the long lines. It, of course, holds a large collection of priceless works of art, particularly from the period of the Italian Renaissance.
Ponte Vecchio
Perhaps the symbol of Florence. It is the best-known bridge in Florence, crossing the Arno River. The best photo opportunities are early morning or during the blue hour when the bridge is empty.
A classic shot is to photograph an empty bridge with the top of the Duomo in the background. At night, you can shoot amazing sunset shots from the bridge.
Ponte Santa Trinita—
The Ponte Santa Trìnita is the oldest elliptic arch bridge in the world, characterized by three flattened ellipses. You can see a lot of wedding photographers on the bridge.
The Duomo—
is another symbol of Florence. Virtually every photo you see of Florence includes a photo of the Duomo. It is the main cathedral. If you are brave and in good shape you can climb the 463 steps to Giotto’s Bell Tower. But don’t do it if you are claustrophobic!!
Blue Hour -
The Duomo was completed in 1436, with the dome designed by Filippo Brunelleschi. The only time to get good photos of the entire Duomo is very early in the morning before the crowds or late at night.
The crown jewel of Florence is, without doubt, the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore. This beautiful cathedral actually comprises three distinct sections, each representing a great Florence photo spot with unique photography opportunities: the cathedral itself, Giotto’s Bell Tower and the iconic Brunelleschi’s Dome.
Riccardi Medici Palace—
The first Medici palace was the workplace of artists such as Donatello, Michelangelo, Paolo Uccello, Benozzo Gozzoli, and Botticelli. It is the Renaissance house… where it all began. Visiting the Palace only takes about 30 minutes so its’s a quick and easy visit. When you are finished with your visit, there is another great gelateria close by called My Sugar Firenze.
Piazza di Santa Croce—
It is located near Piazza della Signoria and takes its name from the Basilica of Santa Croce that overlooks the square. The most notable features of the basilica are its sixteen chapels, many of them decorated with frescoes by Giotto and his pupils. It is the burial place of many of the most famous Italians, such as Michelangelo, Machiavelli, Enrico Fermi, Galileo, Marconi etc.
Santa Maria Novella Pharmacy—
A visit to Florence is not complete without a visit to Officina Profumo-Farmaceutica di Santa Maria Novella. They have been making perfumes since 1381. The building is just gorgeous.
Mercato Centrale Firenze—
It is a wonderful food market near Mercato di San Lorenzo. On the second floor, you will find dozens of small food vendors that make delicious pizza, pasta, panini, and all sorts of other items. You can also buy all sorts of Italian specialties like Truffles.
San Marco Museum—
San Marco should not be missed. It includes a church and a convent, which is now the Museo Nazionale di San Marco. The main attraction is to see the paintings of Fra Angelico.
Galleria del’Accademia—
"Gallery of the Academy of Florence" is one of the main attractions in Florence, and you should buy tickets online in advance. It is, of course, best known as the home of Michelangelo's sculpture David. There is also a sculpture room next to the Statue of David, where you will find one of my favorite sculptures, “The Girl and Her Dog.”
Ponte della Carraia:
Is a five-arched bridge spanning the River Arno and linking the district of Oltrarno. There is also a fantastic Gelateria called Gelato Carraia at the end of the bridge on the Oltrarno side.
Westin Excelsior Hotel Rooftop & Grand Hotel Baglioni
Both hotels have fantastic roof top terraces where you can capture incredible city views. There is a bar on the top of the Westin so you can have a drink and watch an amazing sunset.
Piazza Santo Spirito—
For those who really want to know the real Florence, where the Florentines live, then a trip to the area Oltrarno is a must. The ”Oltrarno” is the area on the other side of the Arno River (the side opposite of the river to the Duomo). This area includes the area of Santo Spirito; the Florentine version of the rive gauche or left bank. In the Oltrarno, you will find local artists, small coffee shops, and wonderful restaurants.
The Pitti Palace & Boboli Gardens—
The original palazzo was built for the Pitti family in 1457, designed by Filippo Brunelleschi. In 1549, the property was sold to the Medicis and became the primary residence of the famous family. Behind the palace lies the famous Boboli Gardens.
These gardens make up the largest green area in Florence. The park hosts centuries-old oak trees, sculptures, fountains. It’s just a peaceful place to take a stroll.
San Niccolo Tower—
The Tower of San Niccolò, built in 1324, was once part of a gate or porta for the former defensive walls of Florence. It is located in the Oltrarno on the way to the Piazzale Michelangelo.
If you enjoyed this Travel & Photography Guide to Florence, I have my other travel guides at this link.