Three Hidden Terraces for Aperitivo in Florence

Beyond the classic spots for taking in Florence’s most iconic monuments — especially atop the city’s five-star hotels — there are a few that have opened recently, or that still haven’t grown too crowded.

Loggia Roof Bar – Hotel Palazzo Guadagni

On the third floor of Palazzo Guadagni, a seventeenth-century building in the heart of the Oltrarno district, you’ll find the Loggia Roof Bar, a panoramic terrace overlooking Piazza Santo Spirito. Built in 1505, the loggia is considered one of the first examples of a raised public terrace in Florence. Over the centuries it has hosted cultural circles, intellectuals and moments of city life, and it still holds a meaningful place in the neighborhood’s urban fabric.

The current management has preserved its historic layout, with understated furnishings and nods to tradition, paired with an international menu. Dishes range from beef carpaccio with Parmigiano shavings and truffle to a brioche burger with pulled pork and cheddar — designed for a cosmopolitan crowd that still cares about quality.

Service runs continuously from lunchtime into the evening, with an atmosphere that shifts with the light and carries the aperitivo through to sunset. The terrace looks straight out onto the Basilica di Santo Spirito and the hills south of Florence, and it has also served as a film location: several scenes from Franco Zeffirelli’s Tea with Mussolini were shot here. Today the Loggia Roof Bar is a privileged vantage point over the Oltrarno, prized by residents and visitors after a quiet pause above the city.

701 Rooftop Bar – Gallery Hotel Art

On the top floor of the Gallery Hotel Art, in the heart of Florence, the 701 Rooftop Bar was one of the most striking openings of 2024 — built, fittingly, in the very suite that gave it its name. With two panoramic terraces, this cocktail bar offers a spectacular view of Brunelleschi’s Dome, Giotto’s Bell Tower and Palazzo Vecchio, making it one of the city’s most exclusive lookouts.

The interiors, inspired by the elegance of English clubs, feature dark-wood boiserie and sinuous lines that create a refined, welcoming mood — perfect for a sunset aperitivo or a relaxed evening. The cocktail list, curated by expert bartender Sacha Mecocci, ranges from reinvented classics to original creations.

Standouts include the “701 House Punch,” an inventive blend of Chianti, cranberry juice, apricot brandy, orange Curaçao, cherry liqueur, Alkermes and lemon juice, and the “701 Manhattan,” a Tuscan take on the famous cocktail made with Florentis Tuscan Malt Whisky.

City Lounge Florence – Hilton Garden Inn Novoli

In the Novoli district, City Lounge Florence is an urban terrace that opened in September 2023, conceived as the neighborhood’s open-air living room. Easy to reach by tram or car, it sits at the Hilton Garden Inn Florence Novoli.

The setting is relaxed and welcoming, ideal for a break away from the bustle of the center. The menu offers dishes like pinsa romana and homemade pasta, alongside a selection of classic cocktails. An added draw is the “cocktail of the week,” priced at just five euros, which has made the terrace a reliable aperitivo destination.

It’s a versatile, welcoming spot — perfect for a casual dinner or an aperitivo with friends, thanks to its lively atmosphere and the calm that comes with being away from the center.