Florence Photo Spots
Since its time as the birthplace of the Italian Renaissance in the 14th century, Florence has been a cultural star of Europe. This beautiful city offers breathtaking art, mind-blowing architecture, mouth-watering food, and of course, wine 🍷… all tucked into cobblestoned streets and bustling piazzas. Consider this your official Florence photo travel guide, featuring the best photo locations in Florence for a photoshoot both in and around Firenze. Whether you’re hunting for Instagrammable spots or seeking that perfect shot, these Instagram spots will help you capture great photos! 📸 As they say in Italy… “andiamo!”
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TLDR
- San Miniato Church & Piazzale Michelangelo: One of the very best places to take photos in Florence.
- Duomo & The Ponte Vecchio: Admire the intricate marble facade from the Piazza del Duomo at sunrise.
- Oltrarno Neighbourhood: This is where you can find a true taste of Florentine life across the Arno River.
- Giardino delle Rose: It’s best in spring when the roses are in bloom, but you can visit any time of year to enjoy the view.
- Piazza della Repubblica: One of the main squares of Florence, and marks the centre of the city since Roman times.
- Piazza della Signoria: This popular piazza is another gathering place in the centre of the city.
- Bardini Gardens: A tranquil escape close to the more popular Boboli Gardens.
- San Lorenzo Market: This is the best spot in the city for shopping ’til you drop!
- Pienza: A trip into the Tuscan countryside can’t be missed for a true Italian experience.
- Siena: One of the most picturesque and well-preserved medieval towns in Tuscan,y and perfect for a day trip.
Photo: Ellie in Florence for Flytographer. Alexandra and partner capture memories in Florence with a Pre-wedding photoshoot in the Oltrarno Neighbourhood.
1. San Miniato Church & Piazzale Michelangelo
📍 Google Map Location: Via delle Porte Sante, 34, 50125 Firenze FI, Italy
Photographer tip: “The best viewpoint of the city is definitely Piazzale Michelangelo. It’s called a terrace. It’s basically a terrace over the whole of Florence. And all the buildings, the dome, and the Campanile of Giotto, Palazzo Vecchio, they’re all so close to you. It really feels like you’re embracing Florence; you can touch all the monuments. But it’s one of those places that get busy very, very quickly. So I would say if you wanna really enjoy, you’re telling Michelangelo, you need to go very early in the morning. I’m talking. Again, before eight, eight thirty in the morning.” – Flytographer Emma in Florence
Points of interest: These elevated viewpoints offer the best view of Florence with unforgettable panoramic vistas of the entire skyline, perfectly framing the iconic Duomo against rolling Tuscan hills. The bronze replica of Michelangelo’s David keeps watch over the beautiful city, creating perfect “I was in Florence” backdrops for your best photo. 🍷
Best time of day: Golden hour is divine – arrive 30 minutes before sunrise (6:30 AM summer) or sunset (7:30 PM) for magical light and fewer crowds. Weekday mornings beat weekend evenings when locals gather for aperitivo.
Best occasions: Romantic couple portraits, family milestone shots, and solo travel memories. The sweeping views work beautifully for landscape shots, intimate silhouettes, and wedding photography.
Planning your visit: The steep 15-20 minute walk from city center is worth it! Completely free and accessible year-round. Bring wine to sip during sunset – it’s perfectly legal and adds to the Italian romance.
Photo: Ellie in Florence for Flytographer. Gia and partner capture memories in Florence with a honeymoon photoshoot at San Miniato Church & Piazzale Michelangelo.
2. Duomo & The Ponte Vecchio
📍 Google Map Location: Piazza di San Giovanni, 1r, 50123 Firenze FI, Italy
Points of interest: The Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore represents Renaissance architecture at its peak. Brunelleschi‘s dome and Giotto’s bell tower create Florence‘s most iconic skyline, while the intricate marble facade tells stories through every carved detail.
Best time of day: Early morning (6-8 AM) offers magical light on the marble without overwhelming crowds. The piazza gets packed by 9 AM! For climbing the dome, book advance tickets and arrive when they open at 8:30 AM.
Best occasions: Perfect for architectural detail shots, dramatic upward angles, and classic family photos. The nearby Ponte Vecchio (also known as the famous old bridge) shines at sunset with jewelry shops glowing warmly. Vistas from neighbouring bridges create iconic postcard shots and some of the most Instagrammable views in the city. 🌉
Planning your visit: Cathedral entry is free, but dome climbing costs €30 with advance booking required. The 463-step climb has no elevator. Ponte Vecchio is always free and accessible on foot from the historic center.
Customer love: “I cannot recommend Camille enough! Florence can be tough to navigate with so many other people interested in taking pictures of the same fantastic places. Camille did a wonderful, professional job. I can’t believe how her photos made us look like the only people in the world! I would recommend this as a tourist experience (to really remember a great city with professional photos of gorgeous places like the Duomo and the Ponte Vecchio), This is a really easy-to-use, comprehensive website to book a professional photographer.” – Maddison C.
Photo: Flytographer in Florence. Claire and partner capture memories in Florence at the Duomo.
3. Oltrarno Neighbourhood
📍 Google Map Location: Piazza di Santa Trinita, 5R, 50123 Firenze FI, Italy
Photographer tip: “My favorite neighborhood in Florence personally is the Oltrarno area, which in Florence, the actual city center is very small. It’s very walkable, which makes it wonderful to visit. And you have two sides divided by the river. So with the main monuments, you have the Duomo, Uffizi Museum, all of the Santa Croce. On the other side, you also have some amazing monuments. For example, Piazzale Michelangelo is on the Oltrarno side.” – Flytographer Ellie in Florence
Points of interest: This trendy neighborhood across the Arno captures real Florentine life with artisan workshops, cozy trattorias serving the best gelato, and locals living that perfect Italian lifestyle you see in movies. Home to Pitti Palace and the peaceful atmosphere tourists miss! ☕
Best time of day: Late afternoon (4-6 PM) brings gorgeous golden light through narrow streets as locals start their evening passeggiata. Aperitivo hour (6-8 PM) shows the neighborhood at its most vibrant.
Best occasions: Street photography paradise for authentic moments, romantic couple strolls, and food photography at genuine osterias. The narrow medieval streets create beautiful leading lines and dramatic shadows.
Planning your visit: Completely free to explore! Cross any bridge from historic center (Ponte Vecchio is famous, Ponte Santa Trinita less crowded). Wear comfortable shoes for cobblestones. Many artisans welcome photography – just ask politely first!
Photo: Ellie in Florence for Flytographer. Karen and partner capture memories in Florence with a honeymoon photoshoot in the Oltrarno Neighbourhood.
4. Giardino delle Rose
📍 Google Map Location: Viale Giuseppe Poggi, 2, 50125 Firenze FI, Italy
Photographer Tip: “My favourite hidden gems are definitely some of the lesser-known parks. For example, one of my favourites is the Rose Garden. That is an absolutely gorgeous green pocket of flowers, and it’s just below Piazzale Michelangelo, but so quiet. They’re always so busy, but you still have almost the same fantastic view.” – Flytographer Emma in Florence
Points of interest: While tourists rush past toward Piazzale Michelangelo, this charming rose garden offers romantic city views in peaceful surroundings. The terraced gardens feel worlds away from bustling streets with roses from around the world! 🌹
Best time to visit: Late spring (May-June) is magical when thousands of roses bloom in fragrant rainbow colours. However, the city views are stunning year-round! Early morning (7-9 AM) or late afternoon (5-7 PM) provides the best lighting with fewer visitors.
Best occasions: Romance personified – perfect for engagement shoots and intimate couple portraits among blooming roses. Families love the peaceful atmosphere, while solo travellers enjoy contemplative garden settings with unique layered city compositions.
Planning your visit: Completely free and open during daylight hours. Located below Piazzale Michelangelo with some stairs, but well-maintained paths. Don’t miss the peaceful Japanese garden section!
Photo: Flytographer in Florence. Robert and family celebrate their babymoon in Florence with a maternity photoshoot at Giardino delle Rose.
5. Piazza della Repubblica
📍 Google Map Location: Piazza della Repubblica, 50123 Firenze FI, Italy
Customer love: “Ellie was amazing to work with! She was so great and engaging with our kids, even though one was not feeling well. She made the shoot so fun and relaxed and we enjoyed chatting with her in between pictures. We are so happy with how the photos turned out and will treasure them and the memories made. You won’t regret booking Ellie for your photo session in Italy! One of our favourite things to do was the carousel rides in Piazza della Repubblica.” – Jessica G.
Points of interest: This elegant square has been Florence‘s center since Roman times! The historic Giubbe Rosse café still pulses with creative energy where intellectuals and artists have gathered for over a century, surrounded by grand 19th-century architecture.
Best time of day: Evening brings beautiful lighting on historic buildings, and the vintage carousel spins with twinkling lights. Late afternoon to early evening (4-7 PM) offers great light and lively local atmosphere. Never overwhelmingly crowded!
Best occasions: The ornate carousel creates whimsical family photos and romantic shots capturing Florence‘s playful side. Grand architecture provides stunning portrait backdrops, while bustling cafes offer perfect lifestyle photography. 🎠
Planning your visit: Located in the city center, easily walkable from all attractions. Completely flat and accessible. Historic cafes provide photo break spots (expect tourist prices). Carousel operates daily with wonderful motion blur opportunities!
Customer love: “Ellie was amazing to work with! She was so great and engaging with our kids, even though one was not feeling well. She made the shoot so fun and relaxed and we enjoyed chatting with her in between pictures. We are so happy with how the photos turned out and will treasure them and the memories made. You won’t regret booking Ellie for your photo session in Italy! Best things to do: Duomo and bell tower climb, carousel rides in piazza della Repubblica.” – Jessica G.
Photo: Flytographer in Florence. Nathalie and partner capture memories at the Piazza della Repubblica in Florence with a couple photoshoot.
6. Piazza della Signoria
📍 Google Map Location: P.za della Signoria, 50122 Firenze FI, Italy
Points of interest: Florence‘s political heart for centuries feels like an open-air Renaissance sculpture museum! Palazzo Vecchio dominates the square, while the Loggia dei Lanzi displays incredible sculptures. The full-size David replica stands proudly in front of the palace. 🎨
Best time of day: Early morning (7-9 AM) offers peace before tour groups arrive. Extremely busy 10 AM-6 PM, especially summer weekends. Late evening (after 7 PM) brings beautiful architectural lighting and street performer energy.
Best occasions: Perfect for capturing Renaissance grandeur – dramatic architectural shots, detailed sculpture photography, and classic milestone photos with David’s replica. The imposing palace creates striking portrait backdrops, while nearby, the Uffizi Gallery offers additional photo locations with world-renowned Renaissance masterpieces.
Planning your visit: The piazza is free and always accessible. Palazzo Vecchio interior costs €20, while the Uffizi requires advance booking at €25 but houses masterpieces that create incredible artistic backdrops. For something unique, book the Vasari Corridor tour through the secret Medici passageway! Flat and fully accessible in the pedestrian historic center.
Photo: Flytographer in Florence. Catherine and partner celebrate their anniversary in Florence at the Piazza della Signoria with a couple photoshoot.
7. Bardini Gardens
📍 Google Map Location: Via de’ Bardi, 1, 50125 Firenze FI, Italy
Photographer tip: “My personal favourite is the Bardini Gardens. And they’re right next to Boboli. They’re not far away, but they’re smaller. They’re more manageable. And one of my favourite things is at the top, there’s also a cafe. In the summer, they turn it into an outdoor cinema, which is really fun. Also, it’s really nice in the Spring season and the wisteria is in bloom, so it has a purple archway.” – Flytographer Ellie in Florence
Points of interest: These terraced hillside gardens offer spectacular Florence views with a fraction of Boboli’s crowds! The baroque staircase creates natural leading lines that are a photographer’s gold, while the historic setting tells Renaissance noble life stories. 🤫
Best time to visit: Late spring (April-May) brings wisteria-covered pergolas exploding in purple blooms, creating fairy-tale tunnels! City views are spectacular year-round. Golden hour provides dramatic skyline lighting. Rarely feels crowded.
Best occasions: The baroque staircase and wisteria pergola create romantic engagement and couple portrait backdrops that guarantee great photos. The belvedere offers postcard-perfect Duomo shots above Florence‘s rooftops – easily one of the most Instagrammable vistas in the city. Multiple terraced levels provide varied compositions. 💜
Planning your visit: Entry costs €10 but includes exclusive city views! Connects to Boboli Gardens and the Piazzale Michelangelo path. Some stairs and uneven terrain, but the main viewpoints are accessible. The peaceful atmosphere makes it worth the small fee! ✨
Photo: Flytographer in Florence. Jozie and partner celebrate a trip to Florence with a couple photoshoot at the Bardini Gardens.
8. San Lorenzo Market
📍 Google Map Location: Piazza del Mercato Centrale, Via dell’Ariento, 50123 Firenze FI, Italy
Points of interest: Where real Florentine life happens daily! The indoor Mercato Centrale bursts with local vendors selling aged cheeses to fresh truffles, while the outdoor market showcases Italian leather craftsmanship. It’s cultural immersion through incredible food! 👜
Best time of day: Morning hours (9 AM-12 PM) bring the most energy as locals shop and vendors arrange colourful displays. Natural light through the market’s glass roof creates beautiful food photography conditions. Saturday mornings offer the most bustling atmosphere.
Best occasions: Any foodies would be in heaven here! They have colourful produce, aged cheeses, hanging salamis, fresh pasta making and more. The outdoor leather market provides vibrant street photography with artisans working and authentic cultural moments that make for great photos of local life.
Planning your visit: The indoor market is free to enter. Ask vendors politely before photographing (it’s better if you buy something first!). The outdoor market operates Tuesday-Saturday. Pedestrian-friendly but can get quite crowded, so keep your valuables secure. Many vendors offer tastings perfect for candid shots! 🧀
Photo: Emma in Florence for Flytographer. Meghana and family capture memories in Florence with a family photoshoot near the San Lorenzo Market.
9. Pienza
📍 Google Map Location: Piazza Pio II, 2, 53026 Pienza SI, Italy
Customer love: “I had a great experience with Emma. She took our family pictures in a little Tuscany town named Pienza. I wanted some of the charm of the town and also some of the countryside. I was able to communicate that with Emma through the app and she had the best ideas where we could meet. She made us feel comfortable during the shoot and took some amazing pictures of my family.” – Erica F.
Points of interest: This Renaissance “utopia” designed by Pope Pius II sits like a jewel among rolling hills dotted with cypress trees and golden wheat fields, literally the Tuscany of everyone’s dreams and screensavers! 🌳
Best time to visit: Late spring (May-June) brings wildflower blooms and perfect weather. Golden hour transforms the landscape into a painter’s masterpiece. Early morning mist creates ethereal valley conditions. Fall offers golden harvest colours.
Best occasions: Couples love romantic vineyard sunsets, families enjoy milestone Tuscan settings, and wineries offer authentic agritourismo lifestyle photography. The countryside also gives families more space to run around and be silly together for fun, candid shots.
Planning your visit: About 1.5 hours south of Florence by car. Rental cars provide freedom for multiple hilltop towns and spontaneous photo stops. The pedestrian-friendly town center is easily walkable. Wine tastings start around €15-25, with neighbouring gems like Montepulciano and San Gimignano nearby.
Customer love: “Had a great experience with Emma. She took our family pictures in a little Tuscany town named Pienza. I wanted some of the charm of the town and also some of the countryside. I was able to communicate that with Emma through the app and she had the best ideas where we could meet. She made us feel comfortable during the shoot and took some amazing pictures of my family.” – Erica F.
Photo: Emma in Florence for Flytographer. Simrat and partner celebrate their anniversary in Florence with a couple photoshoot at Pienza.
10. Siena
📍 Google Map Location: Il Campo, 1, 53100 Siena SI, Italy
Points of interest: One of Tuscany‘s most perfectly preserved medieval cities! The famous fan-shaped Piazza del Campo is considered Europe‘s greatest medieval square, where locals gather just as they have for centuries. The entire UNESCO World Heritage center transports you to the Middle Ages! 🏰
Best time of day: Early morning (8-10 AM) provides peaceful Il Campo experience with beautiful light on medieval brick. If visiting July 2 or August 16, witness the legendary Palio horse race – pure medieval spectacle requiring advance booking!
Best occasions: The unique fan-shaped piazza creates compositions impossible anywhere else. Gothic architecture provides dramatic portrait backdrops, while narrow streets offer moody atmospheric photography with ancient stone textures. Hilltop views showcase sweeping Tuscan countryside.
Planning your visit: About 1.5 hours from Florence by car or bus. The pedestrian historic center has steep medieval streets – wear comfortable shoes. Most photography is free in public areas. Cathedral entry requires a small fee but showcases incredible art. Parking available outside city walls with shuttle service. 🚙
Photo: Emma in Florence for Flytographer. Wendy and family celebrate their trip to Venice with a family photoshoot.
Best Places to Take Photos in Florence
Ready to experience the beauty of Florence? Explore our Florence travel tips for the best recommendations from fellow travellers and book a shoot with one of our talented local Florence photographers to capture the Italian magic. ✨
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best photo spot in Florence for couples?
San Miniato Church & Piazzale Michelangelo is consistently ranked as the top choice for romantic couple portraits. This elevated terrace offers breathtaking panoramic views of Florence’s entire skyline with the iconic Duomo perfectly framed against rolling Tuscan hills.
What is the best photo spot in Florence for families?
Piazza della Repubblica stands out as the most family-friendly location. This elegant historic square features a vintage carousel with twinkling lights that creates whimsical, joyful family photos. The flat, pedestrian-friendly space is easily accessible for strollers and offers plenty of room for children to move around naturally.
What is the best photo spot for a proposal in Florence?
Piazzale Michelangelo is the ultimate proposal destination in Florence. The panoramic terrace offers the most romantic setting with unforgettable views of the entire city skyline. The bronze replica of Michelangelo’s David adds symbolic significance to the moment, while the sweeping Tuscan landscape provides a cinematic backdrop.
Discover the Best Photo Spots Near Florence
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Cienn
Duomo & Ponte Vecchio
“The best experience! We had a full extended family shoot, including 2 babies. Olga was so kind and understanding while getting photos of the whole family. They turned out beautifully, she picked a wonderful location. These will be a beautiful memory of our trip and we could not be happier for Olga’s work and professionalism! My sister also got engaged as a surprised during the shoot and Olga was so sweet to capture it for them with no forewarning. We appreciated it!”
Erin
San Miniato Church & Piazzale Michelangelo
“Ellie was incredible!! We have taken so many pictures over the years, especially of our three year old and Ellie over delivered. She was the best person by far with getting our toddler to smile and have fun. What a treat when you have a talented, skilled and joyful photographer. Her friendless made the whole shoot!!”
Hillary
Duomo & Ponte Vecchio
