In Florence, sunset is a small ritual: the light turns golden on the river, the stone takes on warmer tones, and soon afterwards the city lights come on. Here are the best places to enjoy it, from the Oltrarno hills to the banks of the Arno, with a few ideas for the evening that follows.
01Piazzale Michelangelo
This is the most famous viewpoint in Florence, and with good reason: from its broad terrace the whole city lies before you, from the Duomo to Palazzo Vecchio, with the Arno and its bridges in the foreground. At sunset the sun goes down beyond the city and the hills, and the light shifts from one minute to the next.
That also makes it the busiest spot. Arrive a little early, perhaps walking up the ramps that start near Porta San Niccolò, and find a place along the balustrade. Stay on after the sun has gone: the view is at its loveliest when the city begins to light up.
02San Miniato al Monte and the Rose Garden
A few minutes' walk higher up, San Miniato al Monte offers the same view with far more calm. From the steps and the terrace in front of the church you look down over Florence and, with a little luck, hear the chant of the monks who live there. It is the place for anyone who prefers quiet to crowds.
Below the Piazzale, towards the city, the Giardino delle Rose is a terraced public garden with a fine view over the rooftops and the dome. In spring, when the roses are in bloom, it is one of the loveliest gardens in Florence in the late afternoon. From there it is only a short walk back up to the Piazzale for the sunset itself.
03The Lungarni and the bridges
You don't need to climb a hill to watch the sun set over the river. From Ponte Santa Trinita, looking towards the Ponte Vecchio, the evening light falls on the shops hanging over the water and turns them gold: one of the classic images of Florence. From Ponte alle Grazie, on the other side, you watch the sun sink behind the Ponte Vecchio instead.
Then let the walk along the Arno carry you from one bridge to the next, as the streetlamps come on and the facades are mirrored in the water. There is no need for a destination: follow the river as long as you like, then wander back through the centre. It is the simplest way to end the day.
04Fiesole, in the hills
For a sunset away from the centre, head to Fiesole. The small town on the hill above Florence is close by and enjoys a wide view over the whole valley, with the cathedral dome at its centre. The most panoramic spots are along the climb towards the convent of San Francesco.
Go in the afternoon, visit the Roman theatre and the town centre, then wait for the light to fade over the city. Allow a few hours of daylight so you can explore the town without hurrying. In summer the air up there is often cooler than in town.
05Florence after dark
After sunset the historic centre takes on a different character. Piazza del Duomo lit up, with the marble of the cathedral and bell tower glowing against the night, is worth a walk of its own, when the square is calmer. From there it is a few minutes to Piazza della Signoria, where the statues of the Loggia dei Lanzi take on a new mood.
The rest of the evening might be dinner in the Oltrarno, a gelato by the river or simply an aimless stroll through the streets of the centre, which at that hour you can walk at a gentler pace. In summer the evenings are long and mild; in the colder months the city, lit up and quieter, has a charm all of its own.
