Last updated on November 14th, 2024
Are you looking to spend a little time floating on the clouds in Florence over medieval rooftops and some of the most famous architecture in the world?
No matter your agenda, budget or location, I have a Florence rooftop bar for you!
I have been living in Florence since 2012 and I can assure you that I have had countless visits to rooftop bars as both a student and first time traveler, and now as a resident!
Read on to learn all about where to have a memorable rooftop aperitivo in Florence based on my first hand experience. I’ve included the specialty of each place, any restrictions or regulations of the rooftop bar, and what to expect. Salute!
For more on drinking in Florence read:
Where To Taste Wines In Florence – 8 Enotecas You Can’t Miss In Florence
Apericena in Florence
Coolest Bars in Florence
Florence Aperitivo on a Budget
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Map Of Memorable Rooftop Bars in Florence
Best Rooftop Bars in Florence – Quick Guide
| Rooftop Bar Name | Address (Neighborhood) | Best For | Good To Know |
| SE·STO on Arno Rooftop Bar | Piazza Ognissanti, 3 (Santa Maria Novella) | Romantic evening | Serves excellent food as well |
| B-Roof | Piazza dell’Unità Italiana, 6 (Santa Maria Novella) | Sunset | Restaurant as well. Reservations mandatory |
| La Terrazza at Rinascente | Piazza della Repubblica, 4 (Historic District) | Pictures of the Duomo | Gets very crowded. Get there early around 5:00 pm |
| Divina Terrazza Rooftop Bar | Via del Proconsolo, 3 (Historic District) | 360° view | Reservations recommended. No food served |
| Oblate Cafeteria | Via dell’ Oriuolo, 26 (Historic District) | Students | Budget friendly |
| View on Art Rooftop Cocktail Bar | Via dei Medici, 6 (Historic District) | 360° view | More casual than other rooftop bars in Florence |
| Forte Belvedere | Via di S. Leonardo, 1(Oltarno – Santo Spirito) | Budget friendly | Pair with visit to art exhibition |
| Grand Hotel Minerva | P.za di Santa Maria Novella, 16 (Santa Maria Novella) | Unique view | Aperitivo served only after 7:30 pm |
| Loggia Roof Bar | Piazza Santo Spirito, 9 (Santo Spirito) | Drinking with the locals | No view of historic monuments |
| La Terrazza Rooftop Bar at Hotel Continental | Vicolo dell’Oro, 6r (Historic District) | Best cocktails / Lounge vibe | Must stand to see the view |
If you are curious to know more about navigating dining in Italy, you may be interested in
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SESTO on Arno Rooftop Bar
Piazza Ognissanti, 3
Best For: Romantic Evening
The SESTO rooftop bar on top of the Westin Excelsior in Florence is definitely the most famous spot of a memorable rooftop aperitivo in Florence with a 360° view of the city with it’s most famous monuments including Il Duomo di Santa Maria del Fiore, Ponte Vecchio, Palazzo Vecchio and the Arno river.
The view, paired with its refined service and atmosphere, makes it my top pick for a romantic aperitivo in Florence.
You don’t have to be a hotel guest to have an aperitivo here but I highly suggest you pre-book your table. Feel free to walk out onto the outdoor ‘walkway’ to get a memorable picture with the Duomo in the backdrop.
Expect cocktails to be expensive (around €20-25 euro each) but for a special treat, I think it’s worth it.
B-Roof at the Grande Hotel Baglioni
Piazza dell’Unità Italiana, 6
Best For: Sunset
Reservations are required to sit down for a cocktail (or mocktail) at the rooftop bar at B-Roof in the Grande Hotel Baglioni but don’t let a bit of planning keep you away.
Reservations ensure you an amazing seat as the sun sets over the city with an amazing view of the most important monuments in Florence. Book a table from 6:30 pm to 9:30 pm for your pre-fixed aperitivo for €25 per person for a cocktail such as a Negroni and nibbles.
Every Wednesday they host live music, making it my top pick for a memorable rooftop aperitivo overlooking the city for guests who want an extra special experience.
The hotel also has a very good restaurant serving traditional Tuscan food with a refined twist. I suggest B-Roof for all of you who want easy evenings. Book your cocktail and stay for dinner and don’t worry about making it to your next reservation in time!
La Terrazza at Rinascente
Piazza della Repubblica, 4
Best For: Closeup views and pictures of the Duomo
La Terrazza at the Rinascente department store in Florence is one of the best places for a memorable rooftop aperitivo in Florence if you want to be face to face with the Duomo. It’s literally right there!
The Terrazza has a full menu with appetizers, soups, salads, first and second courses. Although I have found it to be a little slow, it’s not a bad lunch option either. The prices are not too bad (considering the view and location!).
Reservations are recommended but not required.
Divina Terrazza Rooftop Bar
Via del Proconsolo, 3
Best For:
Divina Terrazza is one of the best rooftop bars in Florence for a 360° view of the city. Most of all, this rooftop bar does a good job ‘capping’ their aperitivo hour meaning it won’t feel overly packed with guests.
No matter what kind of table you get (a sofa, bar stools or small tables) you have a great view.
Food is not served here and booking is recommended.
Oblate Cafeteria
Via dell’ Oriuolo, 26
Best For: Budget Friendly / Students
The Oblate Cafeteria is my top pick for students and people on a budget who would like to have a memorable rooftop aperitivo in Florence without the price tag.
Located on the top of the Oblate library, this cafe is a favorite among students for its amazing view of the Duomo and student-friendly prices (the library is a great place to study or work). The atmosphere isn’t particularly cool or well curated but for the price, you can’t expect much.
Apericena is served from Wednesday – Saturday 6:30 – 9:30 pm.
View on Art Rooftop Cocktail Bar
Via dei Medici, 6
Best For: 360° view
I recommend the View on Art Rooftop Cocktail Bar for anyone looking for a centrally located aperitivo with a great view. Not dissimilar to the Divina Terrazza view, this cocktail bar gets you up close and personal with the main monuments in Florence.
Unlike other rooftop bars, this one is located in just a 2-star hotel. The vibe is casual and the cocktails aren’t memorable but what you are really paying for is the AMAZING view. It doesn’t get better than this.
Forte Belvedere
Via di S. Leonardo, 1
Best For: Art enthusiasts
Visiting the Forte Belvedere cafe after a visit to their art exhibition is a great way to enjoy a memorable aperitivo in Florence overlooking the city without the hefty price tag of some of the other rooftop bars in Florence.
While this isn’t a rooftop bar per say, it does provide a wide-angle sweeping view of the city from above. The bar is open seasonally when the art exhibitions are running so be sure to check online before making the trek uphill.
Drinking In Italy: You might find these articles helpful: The Legal Drinking Age In Italy – Advice From A Local and How To Toast in Italian – 5 Ways To Toast In Italian, When To Use Them + Formal Etiquette.
Grand Hotel Minerva
P.za di Santa Maria Novella, 16
Best For: Unique View
The rooftop bar on top of the Grand Hotel Minerva in Florence is one of the best spots for a memorable aperitivo if you are looking for an alternative view. What I mean by this is that there is a pool on the rooftop (reserved for guests), making for a one of a kind picturesque view of Florence from above.
From 7:30 pm and onwards you can book your table poolside and enjoy a glass of wine, prosecco or cocktail paired with salty snacks.
Wine Lover? Be sure to read Where to Drink Wine in Italy and Where to Buy Wine in Italy!
Loggia Roof Bar
Piazza Santo Spirito, 9
Best For: Drinking with the locals
The Loggia Roof Bar is my top pick for having a memorable Rooftop aperitivo in Florence off the beaten track with the locals.
Located in Piazza Santo Spirito Oltrarno, this rooftop bar is a favorite among locals for two reasons. First, it’s one of the only upscale aperitivo options in this area that is more affordable (about €15 per cocktail) and secondly, because it’s much more quiet and intimate than the hustle and bustle of the piazza or square below.
There is no view from above, although the loggia is open (but covered). Rather, it looks down on the busy Santo Spirito square. Come here if you are in the neighborhood and looking for a quieter corner compared to all the busy, rowdy bars of the Oltrarno.
La Terrazza Rooftop Bar At Hotel Continentale
Vicolo dell’Oro, 6r
Best For: Best cocktails
La Terrazza Rooftop Bar at Hotel Continentale is situated literally above Ponte Vecchio, making it one of the most central locations for a memorable rooftop aperitivo in Florence if you have money to burn.
Most well known for their cocktails, this rooftop bar is best for people who care not only about the vibe but also the quality of their cocktails.
The rooftop is small and intimate with comfy lounge couches, making it the perfect spot to relax after a long day of touring on your feet.
Cocktails are expensive here and even more so if you book a table which is, though, absolutely necessary! This is one of Florence’s most popular rooftop bars and because of its small size, reservations are a must.
In short, this bar is chic and trendy but for the price, there are so many other rooftop bars with a better view that don’t cost as much.
Spending Time in Florence? Make the most of your time eating and drinking in bella Firenze!:
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