Rooftop Bars in Florence: 8 Places to Drink with a View
Florence is an amazing city, and there is nothing like sitting down for a meal or a drink and looking at the Florence skyline. You might have come to Florence to tour the museums or to take day trips through Tuscany. There is fantastic shopping in Florence that might also keep you quite busy. No matter what else you have planned during your time in Florence, you need to be sure that you spend at least one evening at a rooftop bar where you can make the most of the views that this city has to offer.
In a city as beautiful as Florence, you would be forgiven for thinking that all of the best views are found at ground level. But some of the most stunning panoramas to be found in Florence are actually from up high – and what better place to enjoy them than with a refreshing cocktail in hand?
Florence can be busy, and the streets can be narrow, so before you visit the best rooftop bars in the city, you will want to ensure your luggage is safe and secure. Store your bags securely in Florence right after you arrive so that you can make the most of your time in this historical city without any worries. Having the peace of mind to visit rooftop bars in Florence is easier when you are not stressed about your personal possessions.
Once your bags are stored safely, you will be ready to make the most of all the rooftop bars in Florence and enjoy the amazing views and tasty cocktails.
Places to Drink in Florence With a View
Loggia Roof Bar at Hotel Palazzo Guadagni
What's it like:
This is a swanky and comfortable rooftop bar that allows you to watch the Palazzo Vecchio below and enjoy delicious drinks at any time of the day. The evening is the best time to head to the Loggia Roof Bar as the lights will be coming on over the city, and the traffic in the streets below will be calming down. The soft lighting, quiet music, and excellent service offered here at this stylish indoor lounge make this one of the best rooftop bars in Florence. Sit on comfortable couches and sip your drink or wander over to the balcony and look out at the Florence skyline. Make sure that you call ahead and book a table, as this is a rooftop bar that is very popular in the city.
Our Recommendation:
Make sure to keep a Chianti wine on your radar to try here, but you can also get mixed drinks that are made with creativity and verve. Ask your server at the hotel Palazzo Guadagni for suggestions if you want to try something adventurous. The food is appetizer-style, so you can order small plates to share of various kinds of cold cuts, pasta, and even desserts. This is a location that fosters a shared dining experience that is really enjoyable.
Location:
Piazza Santo Spirito 9, Florence
Divina Terrazza at Grand Hotel Cavour
What's it like:
This lush hotel is right in the center of the city, and you will find that the Divina Terrazza rooftop bar is one of the best rooftop bars in the city. Check out views of the Palazzo Vecchio from here and also Brunelleschi’s Duomo. This is a truly outdoor bar, and you will love the open-air and panoramic bar feel that is possible here. This bar also offers two moods to those who visit it, with a more mellow and peaceful vibe before the aperitivo hour and a boisterous and music-heavy experience as the evening progresses. This is a vibe that s more like an American rooftop bar, and expats and travelers love this part of the ambiance of the Divina Terrazza location.
Our Recommendation:
Make sure to try the bellinis or the rosso vino options. You can also get all kinds of appetizers here to share as you enjoy the views. The menu also switches from aperitivo to digestifs over the course of the evening, which is a lot of fun if you are visiting Florence and want to have the full dining out experience.
Location:
Grand Hotel Cavour, Via del Proconsolo, 3, 50122, Florence
Three Sixty at the Grand Hotel Minerva
What's it like:
This is a really unique rooftop bar to sit down for a drink. Three Sixty has an amazing view, a rooftop pool, and a rooftop dining room. There is a 360-degree view from this rooftop bar, and you can even see the entire skyline from the rooftop pool. The pool is only for hotel guests, but you will still love how the pool contributes to the panoramic views and the overall feel of this centrally located bar.
Our Recommendation:
Make sure to try one of the various Proceso options on the menu, and you can get a delightful Chianti here too. This location is ideal since it is close to many historic things to do and see in the city. You can easily end your day of touring the best museums in Florence here with a filling meal at this rooftop terrace.
Location:
Grand Hotel Minerva, Piazza di Santa Maria Novella, 16, 50123, Florence
La Terrazza Rooftop Bar at the Hotel Continentale
What's it like:
For panoramic views of the Arno rooftop and the Ponte Vecchio Bridge, the Hotel Continentale is the right place to sit down for a drink and a snack. This is a modern and very stylish bar that offers you a wide array of wines and cocktails to choose from as well as snacks. The long sofa is situated right against the balcony, which is a great place to sit on this rooftop terrace and soak up the sunset as you sip your drink.
Our Recommendation:
The bubbly on this menu at the Hotel Continentale is superior to the selection at many other places in the city, and they also offer creative cocktails that you will not find elsewhere. This is one of the best rooftop bars in Florence, and you will love the romantic atmosphere here. Best of all, there is no segmented area here for hotel guests only, so you will get the full experience of the bar at the Hotel Continentale and its views.
Location:
Vicolo dell'Oro, 6r, 50123, Florence
Grand Hotel Baglioni
What's it like:
This location has two sections that you can choose from. You can opt to eat a long and leisurely lunch on the terrace surrounded by plants and the view, and the B-Roof location is a local favorite. This is a great place to enjoy a full meal, but you will not get the entire benefit of the view at this hotel location. If you want to sip a cocktail and look at the city skyline, head to the American Rooftop Bar, where you can enjoy live music as you drink and eat.
Our Recommendation:
The rooftop bar here offers a great aperitivo with free live music, and you will want to make sure to look through the wine list that offers many central Florence favorites. You should also try the pici cacio e pepe with tarragon cream and the pisco sours. This is a really wonderful stop for your evening aperitivo if you want to be able to pick from a wide array of menu options or if you want to have a late lunch at the B-Roof level.
Location:
Hotel Baglioni, Piazza dell'Unità Italiana, 6, Florence
Panoramic Bar at Hotel degli Orafi
What's it like:
The Panoramic Bar is an indoor/outdoor seating area at the top of the Hotel Degli Orafi, which offers you views of the center of the city and comfortable seating that you will love. There is full meal service here, or you can elect to sip some wine and just snack when you visit. The atmosphere is sophisticated yet welcoming, and you will love the entire experience on the top floor of this local historical building.
Our Recommendation:
Make sure to check out the current local wine list. It is often full of amazing choices that are sourced from the vineyards around the city. You can also choose to get small plates to share, or you might want to actually eat a late lunch that bleeds over into the aperitivo hour and beyond. There is nothing that you won't enjoy on the menu here, and you will want to spend as long as possible sitting in this lovely location and soaking up Florence.
Location:
Lungarno degli Archibusieri, 4, Florence
Art Rooftop at Hotel Medici
What's it like:
Located right by the Duomo, this hotel has a smaller and more cozy rooftop bar location that is a great place for cocktails, live music, and snacks. This is a common meet-up for younger people in the city, and you will love the view here as well as the wide array of wines and cocktails that are on offer. Ask your server for suggestions if you are unsure about what you want to try.
Our Recommendation:
This bar offers some interesting meal options like Italian tacos, and you can get all the usual cheese and meat plates that you will find on the menus of these kinds of bars throughout the city. Make sure to check out the creative cocktails, as they can be a lot of fun, or you might want to ask about the most recently added local wines. There is nothing not to love on the menu here, and the food offerings are variable depending on the season and fresh local ingredients.
Location:
Via dei Medici, 6, 50123, Florence
Angel Roofbar at Hotel Calimala
What's it like:
This location was inspired by the design plans of Alex Meitlis, who has created some of the most amazing contemporary restaurant locations in London. This hotel offers the same swanky and memorable atmosphere as these places, and you will love the terrazzo floors and distressed brick here. This is a great place for a full meal that you can enjoy as the sun sets and the menu is refreshed all the time. The chefs here are specifically trained in various international cooking traditions, so everything that you order is authentic and incredibly delicious.
Our Recommendation:
The menu here is most Southern Mediterranean, but you can also ask your server for recommendations if you are not sure what might be best to try out. The best way to enjoy the menu here is to come to sit down at aperitivo time and then stick around for a full meal. You will be able to try both halves of the menu if you do this, which can allow you to make the most of the fresh menu that is created with such inspiration. The wine list is extensive as well.
Location:
Via Calimala, 2, 50123, Florence
Conclusion
If you want to make the most of your time in Florence, you need to be sure that you check out these rooftop bar locations. There is so much to love besides the fantastic views at these spots, and you can enjoy lunch or even dinner or just sip a drink and enjoy your time in this amazing city. If you want to have an authentic experience when you are in Florence, you will want to be sure to put a rooftop bar on your list of things to do.
No matter what your dining plans are, be sure that you put your bags into secure storage before you do anything else. Dine, shop, and sightsee worry-free and remember, there is nothing like a rooftop dining experience in Tuscany!
