5 Scenic Rooftop Bars To Hit In Florence

For the past several weeks, I have been on a mission to discover Florence’s best rooftop bars. This mission evolved into what was simultaneously the most fun and most expensive “research” I have ever conducted “for the blog”. After dragging various friends all over town in search of the perfect rooftop, I am finally ready to deliver my results, listed here, in order of preference (favorite to least favorite). Enjoy!

1. The Westin Excelsior

The Westin might be the most expensive and swankiest of Florence’s rooftop bars, but in this case you truly do get what you par for, which is why it tops my list of Florence’s rooftop bars. The Westin offers an incredible panorama of Florence with a view of the Duomo, Ponte Vecchio, and Arno-this terrace really does have it all.

I recommend going for a sunset aperitivo, which costs 20 Euro, so you can watch the city of Florence transform from day to night. The food is delicious, drinks are fantastic, and views are unforgettable. If you only plan on visiting one rooftop bar in Florence, make it the Westin. Pro tip: arrive early to get a better seat!

• Location: Piazza Ognissanti, 3, 50123 Firenze
• Price: €€€
• Best View: Arno, Ponte Vecchio

2. Grand Hotel Cavour

For a stunning view of the Duomo, I recommend heading over to the Grand Hotel Cavour. This smaller terrace boasts good drinks and one of the best views of Florence’s most well-known symbol, which becomes even more stunning when illuminated at night. Cocktails run around 12 €.

• Location:Via del Proconsolo, 3, 50122 Firenze
• Price: €€
• Best View: The Duomo

3. Grand Hotel Minerva

The Grand Hotel Minerva overlooks the piazza of Santa Maria Novella and offers a unique front-on view of the Duomo. Despite these picturesque surroundings, this terrace’s best feature is its rooftop pool. Cocktails cost approximately 12 €, and there is also a selection of appetizers in case you are in the mood for a snack (they are pricey though and not included with a drink). I recommend going during the day to soak up some sun poolside!

• Location: Piazza Santa Maria Novella, 16, 50123 Firenze
• Price: €€
• Best View: Piazza di Santa Maria Novella

4. La Rinascente

If you find yourself shopping in La Rinascente, be sure to check out the department store’s rooftop bar. The terrace overlooks the Piazza della Repubblica and also has an view of the Duomo (and a lot of satellite dishes). Guests can expect to pay 15 € on average for a meal, and 15 € for cocktails.

I must confess, I cheated a little on this one and simply ran upstairs to get a picture. Shh! Don’t tell!

• Location: Piazza della Repubblica, 50123 Firenze
• Price: €€
• Best View: Piazza della Repubblica

5. Hotel La Scaletta

While there are many rooftop bars on the Duomo side of the Arno, I was struggling to find one on “the other side of the river” or Oltrarno. At the suggestion of a friend, I popped over to Hotel La Scaletta. This rooftop was far less fancy than the others, and the prices were much less expensive (my glass of prosecco was only 5€).

For a casual, budget-friendly drink overlooking the Pitti Palace and Boboli Gardins, its the perfect place to stop and sip at.

• Location: Via de’ Guicciardini, 13, 50125 Firenze
• Price: €
• Best View: Pitti Palace, Boboli Gardens

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Salute! Do you have any favorite rooftop bars in Florence? Let me know in the comments below so I can stop by! (Or don’t, because, you know, a girl’s got to stick to her budget!)

For more Florence tips try reading these posts:

• 7 Fantastic Day Trips To Take From Florence
• 6 Cafes in Florence Guaranteed to Satisfy Your Addiction to Coffee
• 6 Ways to Stay Fit In Florence