One of my favorite things to do while I was living in Florence was to grab a bottle of wine (Chianti, of course), some bread, cheese, and meats and walk up to Piazzale Michelangelo to watch the sunset. The Piazza offers the best view of the city and is on top of my must see list in Florence. Other things that go straight to the top of that list are a visit to the Duomo, eating and drinking your way through the city, and admiring the beautiful architecture.
Florence has some of the best sunsets I’ve seen throughout my travels around the world, so being able to see the colored sky behind the Duomo is one of the greatest things about being in the city.
Five Reasons To Spend The Evening At Piazzale Michelangelo
Start your evening off the right way and head to Piazzale Michelangelo. The viewpoint, which was created in 1869 by Florentine architect Giuseppe Poggi is one of the newer landmarks in the city. The terrace was meant to be a showcase for Michelangelo’s greatest works. Many people don’t know that the tiny little restaurant/cafe was supposed to be a museum that would house copies of the David and some of his other works for people to see in one place.
But, now it’s a place where people come to gather to take in the views. And really it’s the best place to kick off your night. And while there are so many reasons to do so, I’m going to start with five.
It’s Super Easy To Get To
It takes about a 20 minute walk to reach Piazzale Michelangelo from the city center. Cross over to the Southbank of the Arno River. From there, follow the signs to the top.
You can either take the stairs or walk up a footpath. The path offers you a nicer view as you’re walking up. Plus, it’s a bit less crowded as more people know about the stairs. And if you do take the stairs, keep in mind that it’s touristy and there are several vendors selling things on your way up. Either way, take your time and remember to turn around to admire the view throughout your walk up to the top.
If you don’t feel like walking, grab either bus 12 or 13. Or you can join the hop-on/hop-off bus.
You Get Free Entertainment
There is almost always a musician playing something around sunset. The music adds to the ambiance and creates a magical backdrop for what will be one of the best sunsets you’ve seen! The local musicians are wonderful and often play original music, covers, or take requests from the crowd.
If you like what you hear, don’t be shy. Many of them can share where to find their music online, so you can listen to it after you leave Florence.
The View Is Unreal
Say what you will about Piazzale Michaelangelo being touristy, but the view of Firenze from above is simply spectacular. And whether the sunset is a good one or not, you’ll experience the city from a different perspective. You’ll be able to see from the Duomo to the Ponte Vecchio to Santa Croce to the Tower of Arnolfo and beyond.
Watch Florence light up as the sun goes down and experience what is arguably the best way to see the city.
It’s A Great Place To Meet Other People
If you’re traveling through Florence by yourself, Piazzale Michaelangelo is the perfect place to meet other travelers. It’s always packed, so odds are you’ll be able to strike up a conversation with someone while you’re sitting there.
Whether you decide to sit at the cafe, lean on the railing for the best view in the house, or find a spot on the staircase, people in Florence are very friendly and someone will probably talk to you!
Who Doesn’t Love A Picnic?
Grab some wine and some food from the market and hang out for a few hours.
There are several wine shops in the city, as well as corner stores where you can get a nice bottle of wine for cheap. If you can’t find a wine shop, head to a Conad grocery store. Make sure to ask the shopkeeper to open your wine for you (or remember to bring a corkscrew with you).
While in Conad, grab some supplies for your picnic. The easiest thing to bring is a nice baguette, some cheese like pecorino or brie, and a selection of fresh meats including salami and prosciutto. Grab some fig jam to add something sweet and you’re ready to go!
Arrive about an hour before the sun will start to go down and crack open your bottle of wine and just sit and enjoy yourself. Piazzale Michaelangelo is the perfect place to unwind and unplug, so do yourself a favor and try to enjoy the view without your phone in front of your face!
