While gianicolo is popular for sunset st peters views everyone talks about sunset at janiculum but sunrise is magic without tourists. Best light hits the city around 7am when everything glows golden and you have the viewpoint completely alone.

Walk up via garibaldi from trastevere or take bus 870. The lighthouse and garibaldi statue mark main viewpoint. Bring telephoto lens if you have one - you can capture individual landmarks across the city.

After sunrise walk down through villa sciarra gardens. Totally empty at that hour and connects back to trastevere for proper roman breakfast.