Piazzale Michelangelo — Attraction in Florence

One of the most famous places in all of Europe, this little square is truly an iconic viewpoint of the old centre of Florence.

However, all this fame comes with multiple downsides stemming from the crazy overtourism.

First of all, getting here is maybe 20-30 minutes of walking from the beautiful Cathedral in the centre - and you will be walking with hundreds and maybe thousands of other people, which is means means you must dodge the oncoming tourists, sometimes jumping from the sidewalk onto the road or just standing still in a pedestrian traffic jam.

It's loud, it's uncomfortable and there's nothing enjoyable about it. The last part of the route is the ascend to the viewpoint, which is not very challenging, but leads through small pathways up the hill that are clogged with people, sometimes just standing around, taking photos and selfies, blocking other people.

And the Piazzale itself is no different - people are literally everywhere, and unless it's a bad weather or out of season you will not see anything, because the edge of the viewpoint is full of people blocking the view. The only strategy is to basically queue for some time and hope people in front of you get bored and leave.

And obviously, everything around is overpriced, there are scammers, tourists are aggressive and everybody is taking the same photographs millions of people took before them.

It is beautiful to see, but seriously, spare yourself the time and energy, it's not worth it and there are dozens of places that are better here in Florence.

Or just come out of season, during bad weather or at...

Upon first arrival in Florence, the best way to get acquainted with its beauty, is to see the face of Firenza. To an architect that would be the facades of the buildings that it's people built. To do that there really isn't a better place than Piazzale Michelangelo. It's about a 23 minute walk from the city center giving you an opportunity to see a few of its other must-see sites. The first of which is the Ponte Vecchio. This bridge-building is an iconic image many people think of when they think of Florence. Look up the sunrise or sunset times, build in 30 minutes and head across Ponte Vecchio then get along the river. Next following Googles guiding voice, up the trail through the gardens to the top. As you approach a grand stone staircase, if it is near a sunrise or set, you will need to walk to the far left as these stairs transform to stadium seating providing one of the better views. There are other spots at the top along a lengthy stone rail which can get very crowded. Also, during the holidays there is a Christmas tree at the corner blocking one of the better views other than from the grand staircase. The sunrise will be to the slight right of the rail and the sunset behind you providing a great golden glow on the facades depending on the character and types of clouds present. Either way bringing your sweetheart or significant other is a great way to show them the romantic characteristics of Italy. This is well worth the trek with many steps. Perhaps not as many as the trek to the Pagoda at the Mt. Fuji vista, but it feels like it. So be prepared...

Piazzale Michelangelo is absolutely gorgeous and one of the best spots to enjoy a panoramic view of Florence. From the top, you can see the entire city—the Duomo, the Arno River, Ponte Vecchio, and the sea of terracotta rooftops stretching into the distance. The view is beautiful at any time of day, but at sunset it becomes truly magical. It does get very crowded, especially in the evenings, so expect to be surrounded by plenty of people all trying to capture the perfect photo. That said, the atmosphere is lively and full of energy. While we were there, we actually saw four proposals, which made the visit feel even more special and romantic. For practical tips: I called a taxi to take us up, which was very convenient and saved us from the steep uphill walk. If you prefer, you can also walk (about 20–30 minutes from the city center) or take a bus, but a taxi is definitely the easiest option. For a quieter experience, mornings or weekdays are better, as sunset tends to draw big crowds. Overall, Piazzale Michelangelo is a must-see when visiting Florence. Between the sweeping views, the vibrant atmosphere, and the unforgettable memories, it’s an experience not...