Piazzale Michelangelo

Piazzale Michelangelo is the terrace where most of the well-known photographs of Florence are taken. It was laid out in 1869 by the architect Giuseppe Poggi, during the few years when Florence was the capital of Italy and the city's old walls were replaced by boulevards. Poggi designed the Viale dei Colli, the tree-lined road that winds up the hill, and placed this broad square at its high point as a monument to Michelangelo, with a bronze copy of the David at its centre and copies of the four times-of-day figures from the Medici Chapels around the base.

The reason to come is the view. From the balustrade the whole historic centre is laid out in front of you: Forte Belvedere to the right, the Ponte Vecchio and the other Arno bridges, the tower of the Palazzo Vecchio, the cathedral dome and Giotto's bell tower, the Bargello and the Badia, and Santa Croce to the east, with the hills of Fiesole behind. Poggi also built the neoclassical loggia on the upper side of the square, originally intended as a museum for Michelangelo's works.

Sunset is the classic time, when the light turns the city gold and pink, but it is also when the square is at its most crowded, with coaches, street sellers and musicians. For a quieter view, come in the early morning. The square is free and open at all times, and it can be combined with San Miniato al Monte, a few minutes further uphill, which has an even higher and calmer view.

The walk up is part of the experience. From the Oltrarno, start at Porta San Niccolò by the river and climb the stepped paths and ramps (the Rampe del Poggi) through gardens to the square; it takes about fifteen to twenty minutes and is steep in places. Alternatively, city buses run up the Viale dei Colli, and taxis can drop you at the top, which is the easier option for anyone with limited mobility or small children.

Allow an hour including the climb, more if you stay for sunset. Bring water in summer, as there is little shade on the terrace. After dark, the streets of San Niccolò at the bottom of the hill have a good choice of bars and restaurants for dinner.