Bellosguardo Hill ★

Bellosguardo is the forgotten hill of Florence, rising above the Oltrarno and offering more intimate views across the city than the famous ones from Fiesole

The view from Bellosguardo.Stick a few clementine oranges in your pocket and head south of the Arno river to hike the Oltrarno hills of Monte Oliveto and Bellosguardo.

Many of the roads are narrow and hemmed in by high garden walls, but the glimpses of fabulous villas and ornate gardens through the gates are worth the time to explore the neighborhood.

Illustrious residents of Bellosguardo have included:

Galileo, who once lived in the villa on Piazza di Bellosguardo.
Henry James, who wrote The Aspern Papers at Via di Bellosguardo 20.
Nathaniel Hawthorne, who penned The Marble Faun at the Villa di Montauto on Via San Carlo.
Florence Nightingale, who was born in a villa on where Via Piana meets Via di Santa Maria a Marignolle, and was named after the city.

The Hotel Torre di Bellosguardo at the end of Via Roti Michelangelo has lovely Florence views form its gardens and won't mind if you quietly slip inside the gate for a peek.

You could also explore Bellosguardo by bike or by scooter (my favorite way).