Florence Rooftop Guide (+Map): Best Rooftop Bars, Restaurants & Hotels

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Looking for the best rooftop bars in Florence, Italy, or a nice hotel with a rooftop terrace? This guide covers the top rooftop bars, restaurants with skyline views, and hotels with rooftop pools and terraces, plus our experience-based tips and a map with exact locations.

Seeing Florence from above is one of the nicest ways to appreciate the city, whether that’s with a cocktail at sunset or breakfast on a hotel terrace. After visiting many rooftop bars and staying at a hotel with a rooftop terrace on a recent visit, I’ve put together this selection of the best rooftops in Florence – from luxury sky bars and rooftop restaurants to more affordable hotels with great views and rooftop pools.

Whether you’re looking for a place for sunset drinks or a hotel with a rooftop terrace or pool, you’ll find plenty of good options below.

TIP: Looking for an affordable hotel in Florence with an amazing rooftop bar and pool? Check out The Social Hub Florence Lavagnini. This highly rated, contemporary hotel offers great value for money.

 

Map of Florence Rooftop Bars & Hotels

To help you see where the best rooftop bars and hotels in Florence are located, we created a map with all the places mentioned in this guide.

Good to know: Most rooftop terraces in Florence belong to hotels, but all the places listed here are open to non-guests as well. If you’re planning to have dinner at a rooftop restaurant, reservations are essential. Some rooftop bars also take reservations for drinks, and if you’re going after 6 pm, it’s usually a good idea to book ahead.

How to use this map: Use your computer mouse (or fingers) to zoom in or out. Click on the icons to get more information about each place. Click the arrow on the top left corner for the index. Click the star next to the map’s title to add it to your Google Maps account. To view the saved map on your smartphone or PC, open Google Maps, click the menu and go to ‘Your Places’/’Maps’. If you want to print the map or see it in a bigger window, click on ‘View larger map’ in the top right corner.

Best Rooftop Bars & Restaurants in Florence

Here are some of the best rooftop bars and hotels with rooftop terraces in Florence:

1. Cosimo Rooftop Restaurant – The Excelsior Hotel

If you are looking for an ultimate Florence rooftop experience, look no further! The Cosimo Rooftop Restaurant (previously SE·STO on Arno) at the 5* Excelsior Hotel is one of the best rooftops in Florence. The views from this rooftop terrace are nothing short of extraordinary!

Having visited multiple rooftop bars and hotels in Florence, we agreed that this one is a definite winner.

The panoramic riverside views from here are unparalleled. You can see the Arno River, multiple bridges, and the entire city center with Duomo, Palazzo Vecchio, and other landmarks. Tuscan hills in the distance make the views picture-perfect.

TIP: Plan to visit at sunset – this rooftop restaurant is one of the best sunset spots in Florence. The featured image at the top of this article was taken at this rooftop bar at sunset. That said, the restaurant has been refurbished recently, so it looks different now. But the views haven’t changed!

Good to know: You don’t have to be a guest of the hotel to visit the restaurant. But I do recommend making a reservation, especially if you are planning on coming for dinner. This is a luxury hotel, so be sure to dress up a bit nicer and be prepared to pay premium prices. But the views and the experience are worth it!

2. La Terrazza Rooftop Bar – Hotel Continentale

Our second favorite of all the rooftops in Florence is the La Terrazza rooftop bar at Hotel Continentale. The terrace here is much smaller than most others in this selection and the panoramas are not as ‘wide’, but the atmosphere and the views more than make up for it.

Hotel Continentale is a beautiful 4* hotel, part of the Lungarno Collection. Many of the rooms here offer stunning river views; staying here, you’ll probably never want to leave your room.

The hotel is located just steps from Ponte Vecchio, the most iconic bridge in Florence. From their rooftop bar, you get a unique high-angle view over Ponte Vecchio. Depending on where you sit, you might have quite a good view over the river and several bridges in the distance and/or Duomo and the rooftops of the city center.

In addition to the great views and delicious cocktails, the La Terrazza rooftop bar somehow felt more relaxed and accessible than the others located in similar style high-end hotels. The staff was friendly everywhere, but there was just something extra about La Terrazza that made us feel more at ease. Absolutely recommended!

Good to know: You don’t have to stay at the hotel to visit the rooftop bar. If you are coming here for a cocktail in the evening (after 5-5.30 pm), it’s best to reserve in advance.

3. View on Art Rooftop Bar & Restaurant – Hotel Medici

If you are mostly interested in the best rooftop views in Florence (rather than an entire experience), then definitely check out the View on Art rooftop bar. Located in the heart of the city center, this rooftop terrace offers the very best view of Florence Duomo and Giotto’s Tower.

View on Art belongs to Hotel Medici. Contrary to the other Florence hotels with rooftop terraces, this is a rather simple, budget 2* hotel. The location and the view from the terrace cannot be beaten, so if you are looking for an affordable rooftop hotel in Florence, you may want to check it out. However, many reviews aren’t great…

Now back to the very best part of this hotel – the View on Art rooftop cocktail bar and restaurant. While this is also a restaurant, we recommend just coming here for a drink. Based on the reviews we read, the food isn’t great, and we also found that the service was a bit slow. But if you know what to expect and just come here for the drinks and Duomo views, I really don’t think you can go wrong.

Good to know: Also here, you don’t have to stay at the hotel to visit the rooftop bar. I’m not sure if they take reservations, but we visited in the afternoon in high season, and there were plenty of free tables. However, the nicest side of the terrace with the best view of the Duomo was packed. Cocktail prices here are on-par with what you pay at the most luxury rooftop bar in Firenze.

4. Angel Roofbar & Restaurant – Hotel Calimala

Another nice rooftop bar in Florence, Angel Roofbar is located on the top floor of Hotel Calimala. It’s right in the heart of the old city center, a few blocks from Piazza della Sigonoria and Palazzo Vecchio.

Hotel Calimala is a lovely 4* hotel, belonging to the category of somewhat more-affordable contemporary-style luxury hotels. The location is amazing, the rooftop bar and restaurant are really nice, and they also have a tiny rooftop pool (more of a plunge bath) for hotel guests.

Angel Roofbar is spread over a rather large area, so the views you get will highly depend on where you’re sitting. Overall – compared to the other rooftop terraces in Florence – we found that the views here are not that special. The nicest view is in the direction of Palazzo Vecchio, but the rooftop is not high enough to look over the other buildings nearby.

This is a bar/ restaurant, so you can come for cocktails or for dinner. We had dinner and while it was absolutely ok, it definitely wasn’t wow. Reading the other reviews now, it seems that it’s a bit of a hit or a miss. Or maybe we just expected too much…

I think we would have enjoyed the experience much more if we had just come here for a drink. So from now on, rooftop bars are where we go for cocktails. For dinner, we much preferred traditional-style trattorias in Florence.

Good to know: You don’t have to stay at the hotel to come for drinks or dinner at Angel Roofbar, but they seem to give preferential treatment/ priority to hotel guests. Either way, for dinner, you definitely have to reserve in advance. Be sure to dress up a bit nicer – and warmer – if coming here later in the evening.

5. Hotel Croce di Malta & Rooftop Bar

Hotel Croce di Malta is one of the best mid-range 4-star hotels in Florence with a rooftop terrace. It’s just a few minutes’ walk from the main train station, slightly outside the historic center, and offers open views over the city and the Duomo.

We stayed here for the location, the pool, and the overall value for money, but the rooftop terrace was a big plus. Unlike many rooftops in Florence, it offers almost 360° views, with the Duomo, church towers, red rooftops, and hills in the distance.

Breakfast isn’t served on the roof (as is the case at most rooftop hotels in Florence), but guests can access the terrace anytime. The rooftop bar is usually open from around 5 pm to 8 pm and is a great spot for a sunset drink.

6. Uffizi Gallery Rooftop Café

When talking about rooftop spots in Florence, it’s also worth mentioning the Uffizi Gallery rooftop café (Caffeteria Galleria Degli Uffizi), located on the museum’s top floor.

It’s not a luxury rooftop bar, but it’s a pleasant place to take a break after visiting the Uffizi and have a drink with views over Palazzo Vecchio and Arnolfo Tower. You can also see the Duomo, though many sightlines are partially blocked by plants placed along the terrace edges.

So this isn’t the place to go purely for panoramic views. But for an affordable drink and a relaxing pause between sightseeing, it’s a nice option. The café follows the museum’s opening hours and is only accessible with a museum ticket. The reviews of the food are mixed, so it’s best to come just for a drink.

READ ALSO: Best Things to Do in Florence

Florence Hotels with Rooftop Terraces

If you’re mainly looking for skyline views of the Duomo, the Arno, or Florence’s historic rooftops, these hotels are among the best for rooftop terraces and bars. Some are perfect for sunset cocktails, others for a romantic dinner or a quiet panoramic break after sightseeing.

The price ranges give a rough idea for a double room, but rates vary a lot depending on season, demand, and room type.

Florence hotels with the best rooftop terraces:

€€€€€€€ The Excelsior. Luxury riverside hotel with one of the best panoramic restaurant terraces in Florence. Ideal for sunset drinks or a special dinner with views of the Arno, Ponte Vecchio, and the Duomo skyline.

€€€€€€ Hotel Continentale. Boutique 4-star hotel right by Ponte Vecchio. Small but very atmospheric rooftop bar with close-up views of the bridge and the river. More intimate than the big hotel rooftops.

€€€€+ Hotel Calimala. Stylish 4-star hotel in the historic center with a rooftop bar and restaurant. The pool here is more of a plunge pool, with atmosphere and dining as the main draw.

€€€€ Grand Hotel Baglioni. Classic 4-star hotel with a large rooftop restaurant and bar offering Duomo views. Popular for both dinner and cocktails.

€€€ Croce di Malta. Mid-range hotel near the station with a spacious panoramic terrace and bar. Great value option for guests who want 360° city views and sunset drinks without luxury prices.

€€+ Hotel Machiavelli Palace. Classic 3-star hotel close to Santa Maria Novella station, with a spacious rooftop terrace and bar. Good budget-friendly option for sunset drinks and city views without the luxury price tag.

€ Hotel Medici. Budget-friendly option with arguably the closest rooftop view of the Duomo. Basic hotel, but the terrace location is unbeatable for photos and casual drinks.

Florence Hotels with Rooftop Pools

If relaxing with a view is high on your list, these Florence hotels are the best options with rooftop pools. They combine swimming and sunbathing with city panoramas, offering a refreshing break from sightseeing and a great place to cool off on hot days, often with the Duomo or the historic skyline in the background.

€€€€€+ Grand Hotel Minerva. One of the most iconic rooftop pools in Florence, directly facing the Duomo. High-end hotel, excellent central location, and one of the best “pool with a view” experiences in the city.

€€€€€ Plaza Hotel Lucchesi. Riverside hotel with a rooftop infinity-style pool overlooking the Arno and the historic center. Great combination of swimming, sunbeds, and skyline views.

€€ The Social Hub Florence Lavagnini. Modern, good-value hotel with a large rooftop pool and bar. More relaxed, youthful vibe, popular in summer, and one of the few affordable options with a proper rooftop swimming pool.

€+ Plus Florence – Popular hostel/hotel with private rooms, a rooftop pool, and a large rooftop terrace. Good value if you want views and facilities without paying luxury hotel prices.

So, this is our selection of some of the very best rooftops in Florence.

If you can find a nice hotel with a rooftop bar or pool in Florence, I highly recommend that you stay there. It truly makes your entire vacation so much more memorable!

In addition, be sure to check out at least a few of the rooftop bars in Florence – the views are amazing and it’s such a fun experience that will make you fall in love with this beautiful city even more.

Have a great time in Florence!

More travel guides to Florence & surroundings:

• Florence & Bologna:
  • Top sights & attractions in Florence
  • Florence 1-day itinerary
  • Best things to do in Bologna
  • Florence to Bologna travel info and itinerary
• Tuscany beyond Florence:
  • Best towns in Tuscany
  • Tuscany itinerary
  • Top sights in Siena
  • Siena Cathedral
  • Best things to do in Montepulciano
• Cinque Terre:
  • Cinque Terre in 1 day (a perfect day trip from Florence!)
  • Info & Tips for Visiting Cinque Terre
  • Where to Stay in Cinque Terre

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