By Simona Berecka
After a brief time spent in Florence, I would like to share with you my experiences so far. I visited several places that are not difficult to reach and are worth visiting. I tried to find places with the most incredible views in this breathing city full of history. This article may help you to avoid the busy places and experience the ‘non-tourist’ atmosphere of the city. Everybody knows that Piazza Michelangelo is one of the most famous places in Florence with beautiful views, but there are also various places with exceptionally spectacular views as well, that you must see. I have chosen 3 places that are quite unknown and unique.
My first recommendation is The Rose Garden – Giardino Delle Rose. If Piazzale Michelangelo is crowded, you can safely go a little lower, to the amazing and less well-known small garden on the map of Florence – Giardino Delle Rose. You can enter the garden for free, on weekdays from 9:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. and on holidays from 10:00 a.m.
My second recommendation is Forte di Belvedere – it is a huge fortress that rises on a hill at the top of the Boboli Gardens. You can get there through the Boboli Gardens or from the other side – Costa San Giorgio, which rises to the east of the Ponte Vecchio. The ramparts provide beautiful views. You can see the whole city from a distance, the cathedral is perfectly visible. On the other side, from the south, you will see rural landscapes. Open from Monday to Sunday from 10:00 a.m. to 8 p.m. To visit this monument, you must purchase a ticket, 6-8€.
The last recommendation is the most unconventional and it is Loggia Roof Bar, where you can finish a long walk. It is located at Piazza Santo Spirito. The bar has a unique location to experience the timeliness beauty of Florence from its roof. Make sure to book in advance because it can get remarkably busy. You can divide the visit to these places into several days, but all three places can be seen and visited in one afternoon. It depends of course on how much you are willing to walk and on the current weather conditions. Each place has its own atmosphere with different characteristics.