7 Best Rooftop Bars in Florence

Whether you're visiting Florence for a day, or for a week, spending an evening marvelling at the views of the city with a glass of Spritz in hand is a must do when in the city. For this, I highly recommend stopping by one of the many rooftop bars the city has to offer. So if you're looking for the rooftop bars with the best views of the city, here seven of the best rooftop bars in Florence as recommended by travel bloggers:

View on Art Rooftop Bar

By Madison of madisonsfootsteps.com

If you’re on the hunt for the best possible view of the Duomo di Firenze, then look no further than View on Art Rooftop Bar at Hotel Medici. 

This spectacular cocktail bar has a nondescript, almost hidden entrance inside a 2-star hotel, but trust me when I say—the view is 5 stars! I’ve visited View on Art six or seven times over the years, always with friends and family eager to behold the best view in town. Although you’ll pay a little more for an Aperol Spritz or a glass of vino here than most restaurants in Florence, it’s absolutely worth the splurge to sip at eye-level with Brunelleschi’s dome and Giotto’s Bell Tower. 

My advice? Head over an hour before sunset (no reservation required, but you could make one to play it safe during the high season), order a spritz, and enjoy the views as the sun sets over the heart of Tuscany. Although View on Art also serves food, I recommend just stopping by for drinks and then heading over to one of Florence’s more delicious and better-priced restaurants for the main course. 

ADDRESS: Via dei Medici, 6, 50123 Firenze FI

OPENING HOURS: Daily from 11 AM–11:30 PM

PHONE NUMBER: +393332923675

Empireo Rooftop View American Bar & Pool

By Merryl from merrylstravelandtricks.com

Picture credit: Plaza Hotel Lucchesi

If you're looking for a fun rooftop to explore in Florence at night, the Empire Rooftop in Plaza Hotel Lucchesi is a must visit. With a pool and stunning views of the Duomo, this is surely one of the best rooftop bars in Florence. While the rooftop is open all day for hotel guests, non-guests can only visit post 7:30 pm with a reservation. So make sure to book your table here before your trip to Florence.

This rooftop offers reasonably priced drinks, ranging from €8 to €20 and serves the classic Italian cocktails including a signature Aperol Spritz. It comes alive on the weekends, with a live DJ setting the mood for the evening.

ADDRESS: Lungarno della Zecca Vecchia, 38, 50122 Firenze FI

OPENING HOURS: Daily from 7:30 PM–11 PM for non-guests

PHONE NUMBER: 055 262 3500

B-Roof at the Grande Hotel Baglioni

By: Louisa Loring of EatingAroundItaly.com

Sitting down for a drink with a cocktail, non-alcoholic Italian aperitif or a glass of wine is one of the best experiences in Florence that you can have, especially if you are at the B-Roof at the Grande Hotel Baglioni. It’s mandatory to pre-book your table at this rooftop bar in Florence, guaranteeing you a seat at this prime location as the sun sets over the Florentine rooftops. 

B-Roof takes reservations from 6:30 - 9:30 pm but I suggest you try and get there around 30 minutes before sunset for the best colors and opportunity to take pictures. For visitors looking to enjoy a rooftop dinner as well, B-Roof is one of the best choices. Choose from their seasonal menu based on regional Tuscan favorites made contemporary with slight changes to the traditional recipes. Although not as ample as traditional trattorie in Florence, the menu offers plenty of pasta dishes, rice specialties, seasonal soups and of course, famous regional meats such as steak, pork and fresh fish. 

Depending on the season, you may choose to have a drink or dine indoors or outdoors. No matter the time of year, however, you won’t be disappointed as the dining room offers the same beautiful views from the large glass windows of the Duomo and Medici Chapels as the outdoor terrace.

ADDRESS: Piazza dell'Unità Italiana, 6, 50123 Firenze FI

OPENING HOURS: Daily from 12:30–2 PM, 7:30 PM–12 AM

PHONE NUMBER: 05523588560

Angel Rooftop Bar

By Candice of mominitaly.com

Angel Rooftop Bar is conveniently located in Hotel Calimala right in the center of the action in Florence – between Piazza della Repubblica and Piazza della Signoria.  

It’s a family-friendly spot for a rooftop aperitivo, making it a great option if you’re visiting Florence with kids.  I’ve been to Angel with my 9-year-old son and we both felt welcome. 

The views at Angel Rooftop Bar are nothing short of spectacular – look one way for towering Palazzo Vecchio and the other for the Duomo and Giotto’s bell tower. 

We loved being at the bar for sunset and highly recommend it – just be sure to book it in advance if you’re visiting in the spring, summer, fall, or over the Christmas holidays.   

Our picks for aperitivo were the Duomo spritz for me (the bar’s twist on the classic Aperol spritz), and juice for my son (facncied up with lime and ice, of course).  While we snacked on finger foods, you can also order a tagliere with cured meats and local cheeses or even an entire meal.  

No matter what you decide to do (aperitivo or a meal), it’s a prime spot to toast a day in Florence with friends, family, or even solo!

ADDRESS: Via Calimala, 2, 50123 Firenze FI

OPENING HOURS: Monday & Tuesday from 5–11 PM, Wednesday to Sunday from 12–11 PM

PHONE NUMBER: 3394113863

Divina Terrazza

By Sara of Travel A-Broads

Located on the sixth floor of the Grand Hotel Cavour, just steps from some of Florence’s main attractions, Divina Terrazza is one of the most exclusive rooftop bars in the city. And, having an aperitivo here is one of the best things to do in Florence!

The Grand Hotel Cavour is set in a thirteenth century mansion, and at the top, Divina Terrazza offers incredible, panoramic views of the Duomo, Palazzo Vecchio, the Bargello, and more.

Divina Terrazza serves specialty cocktails and fine wine and is open to both hotel guests and non-guests and can also be booked for private events. 

We got lucky during our visit, since there was a table available when we arrived, but I’d recommend making a reservation in advance, as availability is limited. Note that there’s a reservation fee to do so.

Unlike many other rooftop bars in Florence, Divina Terrazza is open all year long. Hours vary by season, as does the menu. In the winter, there’s a waterproof cover and heat lamps, and in the summer, there are vaporizers that offer a reprieve from the heat. Note that the bar did close due to a thunderstorm during our visit last summer though.

ADDRESS: Via del Proconsolo, 3, 50122 Firenze FI

OPENING HOURS: Daily from 3:30–10:30 PM

PHONE NUMBER: 055 266 2737

SE·STO on Arno Rooftop Bar

By: Louisa Loring of EatingAroundItaly.com

The rooftop bar SESTO located on the top floor of the Westin Excelsior Hotel in Florence is best known by locals as one of the best rooftop bars in Florence for a panoramic view of the city in a romantic and chic setting. The dining area and rooftop terrace both provide a 360° view of the city including views of the most beloved monuments such as the Santa Maria del Fiore Duomo, Ponte Vecchio, Palazzo Vecchio, the Arno river and San Miniato. 

SESTO offers impeccable service in a chic and refined atmosphere, ideal for a romantic evening. Despite its location on the hotel rooftop, you do not need to be a hotel guest to book your table at the rooftop bar. 

Cocktails and other aperitivo drinks are expensive, setting you back around €20-25 euro each but for the view, service and atmosphere, it’s a pretty good deal and on par with other rooftop bars in Florence. Choose from classic Italian cocktails such as a spritz or negroni, a good selection of wine and more international and modern drinks as well. 

SESTO also serves dinner offering a seasonal selection of refined dishes highlighting the season’s local produce. For both cocktails and dinner, it’s always better to reserve your table online or by email. 

What sets SESTO apart from other rooftop bars in Florence is that the bar offers you the chance to go outside on a runway like walkway outside the dining room where you can take photographs of Florence from above without railings, other patrons or tables in the foreground.

ADDRESS: Piazza Ognissanti, 3, 50123 Firenze FI

OPENING HOURS: Please check the website for further details

PHONE NUMBER: 05527152783

Oblate Library

By Candice of thetuscanmom.com

A library probably isn’t the first place to pop into your head when you think of rooftop bars.  But Florence’s Biblioteca delle Oblate (Oblate Library) is a gem of a place for a rooftop aperitivo (or even a quick breakfast or afternoon snack).

Located on the second floor of the library (enter the grounds and just ask, “Dov’è la cafeteria?”), order your drink at the bar, and find a spot inside or outside – both have close up views of Brunelleschi’s famous cupola (the Duomo’s dome).

I’ve visited with out-of-town friends and with my kids (one of our favorite things to do with kids in Florence is to visit the kids section on the ground floor of the library and then head up to the café for aperitivo), and we always enjoy the relaxed and casual atmosphere.  The staff is friendly and helpful, and they make a delicious spritz!  

The café at the Oblate Library is fairly quiet and calm.  This isn’t the type of rooftop bar to visit if you want to dress up for a chic night on the town.

The menu is simple – grab a spritz, a beer, or a non-alcoholic drink (different types of coffee, fresh-squeezed juice).  Depending on the time of year (and day of the week), you can enjoy small snacks with the purchase of your drink.

Mingle with the young crowd of mostly students, young adults working on their laptops, in-the-know visitors (like you!), and families with kids. 

ADDRESS: Via dell' Oriuolo, 26, 50122 Firenze FI

OPENING HOURS:

PHONE NUMBER: 0550948429

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