Best rooftop bars in Florence. Aperitivo with a view!
Florence seen from above is breathtaking, with its red roofs and the hills that embrace the city. And what could be better to enjoy the view than doing it while sipping a glass of wine? In this post I have collected the best rooftop bars in Florence, where you can enjoy a cocktail and maybe eat something.
A bar with a panoramic view is the perfect place to try the all-Italian aperitivo experience, i.e. a drink accompanied by some snacks, before dinner.
- I am regularly updating this post with new addresses and recommendations!
Best rooftop bars in Florence, Italy
A few clarifications before starting:
Most of the rooftop bars in Florence are located inside luxury hotels, but they are also open to those who don’t spend the night in the hotel.
All the bars that I recommend are located in the historic center or very close to it.
I recommend you to always book in advance, especially in the summer when Florence is very crowded.
Also check:
B-Roof
The Grand Hotel Baglioni has been one of the most famous in Florence for over 100 years. And its rooftop bar, the B-Roof, is just as famous and of high quality. The view includes a close-up view of the dome of the Cathedral and the dome of the church of San Lorenzo, in an elegant and peaceful setting. There is an indoor room with large windows, and an outdoor space with a roof garden (open in summer, from June to September).
Chef Richard Leimer’s menu features contemporary dishes with local ingredients.
- Address: Piazza dell’Unità Italiana 6
- Make a reservation
- Find it on Google maps
Empireo Rooftop View American Bar & Pool
The rooftop bar of the Plaza Hotel Lucchesi has a 360 degree view, which includes almost every famous monument of Florence. The show is particularly beautiful at night, when the lights of the city reflect on the waters of the Arno River. There is a swimming pool (reserved for hotel guests), and events, special evenings and DJ sets are often held. The cocktail recipes are inspired by music, and each drink comes with a Spotify playlist. The food menu is entrusted to the young and renowned chef Daniele Lambruschi. Empireo is only open during summer.
- Address: Lungarno della Zecca Vecchia 3
- Make a reservation
- Find it on Google maps
La Terrazza Rooftop Bar
La Terrazza is the bar of the Hotel Continentale, and is considered one of the most beautiful terraces in the world. The lounge bar is located on the top floor of an ancient medieval tower, the Consorti tower, and overlooks the Arno river, very close to the Ponte Vecchio. It’s open every day from spring to autumn, from 5 to 11 pm. The menu includes signature cocktails, classic cocktails and a large selection of creative spritz drinks.
- Address: Lungarno Acciaiuoli 2R
- Make a reservation
- Find it on Google maps
Divina Terrazza
Divina Terrazza is the bar on the seventh floor of the Grand Hotel Cavour, and what makes it special is the close-up view of Brunelleschi’s dome and the Duomo of Florence. I mean, it’s really close! Another extra bonus is the fact that it is open all year round and not just in the summer (there are heat lamps in the winter).
- Address: via del Proconsolo 3
- Make a reservation
- Find it on Google maps
View on Art
The location of this bar is very central, practically in front of the Cathedral, which is really close! To find it you need to know the address because it is almost impossible to understand from the outside that there is a bar on the top floor in that building. The terrace is small, but the view is magnificent and the cocktails are very good. The restaurant offers international cuisine and yummy burgers. You can only book for lunch and dinner, not for an aperitivo (in this case the first come, first served rule applies).
- Address: via dei Medici 6
- Make a reservation
- Find it on Google maps
Loggia Roof Bar
On the top floor of the Hotel Palazzo Guadagni, La Loggia has a magnificent view of Piazza Santo Spirito and the Oltrarno district, on the other side of the river. The menu includes cocktails, a selection of Italian wines and some small bites to nibble on during the aperitivo. The bar is open from 3 pm (and on weekends from 1 pm), and is also a cafeteria with coffee, cappuccino, afternoon tea and fresh juices. The building is very charming, with the Renaissance loggia with stone columns.
- Address: vicolo dell’oro 6
- Make a reservation
- Find it on Google maps
Three sixty rooftop bar – Grand Hotel Minerva
Located in piazza Santa Maria Novella (one of the most beautiful piazzas in Florence and one of my favorite ones), at the top floor of the historic Grand Hotel Minerva. The hotel has a beautiful rooftop pool (reserved for hotel guests), which is open from 10 am until 7 pm. When the pool closes, the bar and restaurant also open to external guests who can come and enjoy an aperitivo or dinner with a view. The bar specializes in sparkling wines and signature cocktails.
- Address: Piazza Santa Maria Novella 16
- Make a reservation
- Find it on Google maps
SE·STO On the Arno
The perfect combination of a magnificent view, an intimate and elegant atmosphere, and the contemporary Mediterranean cuisine of a great chef, Marco Migliorati. The bar manager Antonio di Girolamo is also very famous. The double terrace and the entirely glass-made structure allow you to have a 360 degree view of Florence. SE STO On Arno is located on the top floor of the Westin Excelsior Hotel, and is open all year round from the morning.
- Address: piazza Ognissanti 3
- Make a reservation
- Find it on Google maps
Sky Bar Hotel La Scaletta al Ponte Vecchio
The Hotel la Scaletta al Ponte Vecchio is located in the Oltrarno district, very close to Ponte Vecchio. Its rooftop bar offers a magnificent view of the Boboli Gardens and Pitti Palace. But the view is even more beautiful from the second terrace, higher than the other, which houses the Panorama Restaurant, with contemporary Florentine cuisine by chef Nertil Proni. The bar and restaurant are open from April/May until the end of October.
- Address: via de’ Guicciardini 13
- Find it on Google maps
Angel Rooftop & Dining
On the top floor of the centrally located Hotel Calimala, Angel has a restaurant, two bars (one indoor and one outdoor), a small swimming pool and a magical floral garden. The Duomo and Palazzo Vecchio are so close that it almost seems you can touch them. The menu is consisting of signature cocktails and alternative Mediterranean cuisine by chef Mor Michaeli.There is also a special aperitivo menu, with signature cocktails and finger food. Sundays there is brunch from 1pm to 4pm.
- Address: via Calimala 2
- Make a reservation
- Find it on Google maps
Fishing the roof! By Fishing Lab
The rooftop bar of the NH Collection Palazzo Gaddi hotel has been renovated with a new concept, by the Fishing Lab restaurant (in via del Proconsolo). The menu of Fishing the Roof! includes cocktails and wines accompanied by creative dishes based on raw fish. It is open from May to September, and the view of the Florence skyline is breathtaking.
- Address: via Porta Rossa 19
- Make a reservation
- Find it on Google maps
The Social Hub Florence Lavagnini
Formerly The Student Hotel, the Social Hub Florence Lavagnini is a large multi-functional hotel where you can sleep for short or long periods, study and work in co-working spaces, or where you can enjoy a cocktail with a panoramic view. On the top floor of the building there is a rooftop bar with a swimming pool, the view is very beautiful, even if being located a little outside the centre, it is not one of the most spectacular. But the lively and contemporary environment and the swimming pool make up for it! The menu includes cocktails and Italian tapas for an aperitivo or dinner.
- Address: viale Spartaco Lavagnini 70-72
- Make a reservation
- Find it on Google maps
I hope I have been helpful in choosing the best rooftop bar in Florence where you can spend an unforgettable evening. If you have other tips to add to mine, leave me a comment and share your experience with other travellers!