Florence is one of the most beautiful and historical cities in the world. The spectacular surrounding nature and old buildings in the city creates some of the best rooftop views you can find.
The fact that many tourists also visit Florence during wintertime has changed the mind on many rooftop owners and hotels. Now you (almost) must have a winter terrace to compete for the guests during the colder months.
Here’s a list of the 4 best winter open rooftop bars in Florence. Perfect venues for a lunch in the winter sun.
Located on top of the luxurious Westin Excelsior, the SE·STO on Arno works both as a restaurant and a bar, providing guests with excellent service and even better views.
The food served, described as innovative Tuscan cuisine, it's undoubtedly delicious, and it pairs wonderfully with the select wines SE·STO has in store.
SE·STO is roofed throughout –which makes it an excellent choice for winter–, but even the indoor lounge have panoramic glass walls, which give you amazing views of the Arno river and one of the prettiest cities in the world.
Enjoying a full meal at the restaurant is recommended, but if all you want is a quick and flavorful bite and a few cocktails, then drop by between 7pm and 9pm to enjoy the aperitifs this restaurant has prepared for you.
The Divina Terrazza mixes the old with the new in a way very few places can do.
Decorated in a modern and trendy way, the Divina Terraza operates very much like a rooftop bar in any other city, except instead of skyscrapers, historical buildings surround you.
The Cathedral of Santa María del Fore, the Cupola del Brunelleschi, and the Palazzo Vecchio are just some of the buildings you'll be able to admire while enjoying the Divina Terraza's modern drink menu.
Classic cocktails go hand in hand with innovative creations that follow the newest trends in mixology. Fine wines and world-beers go hand in hand to give guests as many choices as possible, all while staying true to the spirit of the city.
The Terraza also has a small food menu, which is as delicious as it is creative, but make no mistake; the emphasis of this place is in the drinks.
The Terraza has an ever-changing menu that adapts to the seasons, offering different cocktails depending on the month.
Winter is a particularly good time to visit The Terraza, not only because of its views but also because of its hot drinks and heating lamps, keeping everybody warm cosy.
Reservations are encouraged, but not necessary, though this place quite often closes for private events, so you should check before dropping by.
A small, yet unbelievably charming modern hotel, the Croce di Malta isn't one of Florence's most luxurious hotels, yet offers guests one of the best views in the city.
Its rooftop terrace works as a small and comfortable lounge area where you can enjoy an extensive collection of wines, tasty and fresh cocktails, and a relaxed, private atmosphere that you'll most certainly love.
The hotel also has its own restaurant, though it's located indoors.
Though the roof bar itself is closed during the winter, the terrace is open year-long, and guests are welcome to enjoy their drinks from the bar out here without restrictions.
Overall, the Croce di Malta is a small, but undeniably attractive choice that can work as a little oasis in the middle of Florence for when you're tired of walking around town.
Decorated in a straightforward yet welcoming way, the Antica is the kind of place that lets its roof and service speak for themselves.
This rooftop restaurant/bar has both indoor and outdoor seating, with the latter being "al fresco," to allow guests to enjoy their drinks under the stars.
The terrace is vast and full of comfortable lounge areas, perfect for relaxing and enjoying your drinks while marveling over the views.
The restaurant is indoors, but its views of the City of Lillies are no less beautiful.
The Antica is a very exclusive place that, unfortunately, not everyone can visit; in fact, it's open only to the guest of the hotel it belongs to, which means walk-ins are just not a thing.
That said, this exclusivity ensures visitors to the Antica get to savor first-row seats to Florence's historic buildings without having to fight for space with a drove of tourists.
Classic cocktails and a small selection of beers are available for guests, though the Antica's specialty is wines, so we recommend ordering that instead.
After all, it is Florence.
Though the entire rooftop is uncovered, large parasols and the occasional party tent are available, be it for events or for when the weather requires it, making this an ideal spot to visit during the winter.
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