Top 10 Rooftop Bars in Rome

Last updated: October 2026

Rome is a city of domes, bell towers and terracotta roofs, and the best way to take it in is from above with a drink in your hand. If you are looking for the best rooftop bars in Rome, most of the good ones sit on top of hotels, and many of them welcome non-guests who book or arrive early.

This guide covers 10 rooftop bars and terraces in Rome, with a practical box for each: how to get there, how long to allow, the best time to go and one tip. Further down you will find how to choose a rooftop, what to order, suggested routes for one, two or three nights, where to stay, getting around and budget guidance. The official Rome tourism site is a good place to check events and opening news.

Rooftop bars are seasonal and weather-dependent, and hotel terraces change their hours, menus and booking rules often, so check each venue before you go. Terrace drinks cost more than a bar at street level, so think of the view as part of the price. If you would rather drink at ground level, our guide to the best bars in Rome for cocktails, wine and aperitivo covers the classic street-level options.

Quick answer: What are the best rooftop bars in Rome? For St Peter’s, go to Les Étoiles. For the Spanish Steps, try Cielo. For the Pantheon, head to Divinity Terrace. For a Colosseum view, book The Court at Palazzo Manfredi (a courtyard bar, not a roof), and for a budget-friendly panorama, use the Terrazza Caffarelli at the Capitoline Museums.

Quick comparison: rooftop bars in Rome

1. Les Étoiles

Les Étoiles is the rooftop to choose if you want St Peter’s Basilica in front of you. It sits on top of Hotel Atlante Star in Prati, a short walk from the Vatican, and guides describe a 360 degree panorama that takes in the dome and facade of the basilica, Castel Sant’Angelo and the Janiculum hill.

The rooftop has more than one space. Listings describe a fine dining restaurant, a more relaxed roof garden bistro and a cocktail bar, all arranged around a terrace with plants, lanterns, sofas and umbrellas. That means you can choose between a full meal and just a drink at sunset.

The terrace has its own entrance on Via dei Bastioni, with lifts that go straight to the top, so you do not have to walk through the hotel lobby. Time Out and other guides recommend going in the evening to watch the light change over the Vatican, and sunset is the busiest time.

Prices are those of a five-star hotel terrace, so expect cocktails and small plates to cost more than in a neighbourhood bar. A good plan is to arrive a little before sunset, order one drink slowly and then head to dinner in Prati, which has plenty of restaurants away from the tourist crowds.

Hours differ between sources, and the terrace may close in bad weather, so reserve a table and confirm the current schedule with the hotel. Dress smartly rather than in beachwear, as this is a hotel venue.

• How to get there: A short walk from Ottaviano metro station or the Vatican Museums, on Via dei Bastioni.
• How long to spend: One to two hours.
• Best time to go: Early evening, around sunset.
• Tip: Reserve ahead and ask for a table facing the dome.

2. Paparazzo Bar & Rooftop

Paparazzo is a retro cocktail bar for people who want style as well as a view. It is on the seventh floor of Le Méridien Visconti, in Prati, and it opened in 2023. The name comes from Fellini’s film La Dolce Vita, and the decor, music and drinks all play with 1960s Rome.

The cocktails are the main event. Listings mention a signature drink served in a camera lens and another served in a light bulb, which tells you the bar likes theatre. There are also small and larger Italian plates, so you can turn a drink into an early dinner.

The mood is livelier than at the grand hotel terraces. Expect music, groups of friends and a more relaxed dress code, though smart casual is still sensible. Some reviewers mention slow drinks service at busy times, so build in extra time and avoid arriving with a tight schedule.

Paparazzo is a short walk from Les Étoiles, so the two work well together if you want to compare the Vatican views. Start with an early aperitivo at one, then move on to the other for a late drink. Prati is a residential district with wide streets, so the walk is easy and safe in the evening.

Opening times in listings range into the early hours, but they have not been confirmed against the venue’s current site, so check before you go. Booking is wise on Friday and Saturday nights.

• How to get there: A short walk from Lepanto or Ottaviano metro stations, on Via Federico Cesi.
• How long to spend: One to one and a half hours.
• Best time to go: Late evening, when the music and crowd build.
• Tip: Book a table on weekends and allow extra time for drinks.

3. Cielo

Cielo is the most glamorous terrace at the top of the Spanish Steps. It is on the roof of Hotel de la Ville, part of the Rocco Forte group, and sources describe striped umbrellas, olive trees and a sheltered feel above the busy shopping streets. The hotel’s own page for Cielo gives the current details.

The view looks across the rooftops of the old centre, with the domes of the city in the distance. Some guides mention a quieter section facing Villa Borghese, so it is worth asking which area your table is in. The menu is light, with classic and wine-based cocktails and simple dishes from the hotel kitchen.

The hotel says Cielo operates on a first-come, first-served basis and does not take reservations, so there is no table to book. Arrive early and be prepared to wait at busy times such as sunset.

Cielo suits a special occasion or a final drink after an afternoon of shopping on Via dei Condotti. Because it is a luxury venue, prices are high and the dress code leans smart, so leave shorts and sports gear at the hotel.

Combine it with a walk down the Spanish Steps and a stroll to the Trevi Fountain, which is about ten minutes on foot. Early evening is the best time to see the light on the rooftops.

• How to get there: At the top of the Spanish Steps on Via Sistina, a short walk from Spagna metro station.
• How long to spend: One to two hours.
• Best time to go: Late afternoon into sunset.
• Tip: Cielo does not take reservations, so go early for a table at sunset.

4. Etere

Etere is a wine-focused rooftop in the elegant streets between Piazza del Popolo and the Spanish Steps. It sits at the top of Palazzo Ripetta, a five-star hotel set in a former seventeenth century convent, and the rooftop bar opened in September 2023.

The terrace has an open-air feel, and listings describe a wine selection by the glass and bottle, along with sparkling cocktails. The kitchen serves modern Italian small plates built around vegetables, fish and shellfish, so it is a good choice for a light dinner rather than just a drink.

It is calmer than the busiest terraces near the Pantheon, which makes it a good pick if you want a conversation more than a crowd. The surrounding streets are full of galleries and boutiques, and Piazza del Popolo is a short walk away, so you can pair a drink with a stroll across the square.

Dress code information in listings suggests smart casual. The terrace is seasonal, with press reports describing a spring reopening after a winter break, and hours are only given by third parties, so check before you go that it is open and whether you need to reserve. Hotel terraces can close at short notice for private events.

If the weather turns, ask whether there is an indoor option. Rome can be cool in late October and November, and some terraces are heated, while others simply close on wet evenings.

• How to get there: A short walk from Flaminio metro station or Piazza del Popolo, on Via di Ripetta.
• How long to spend: One to two hours.
• Best time to go: Early evening, with a glass of wine before dinner.
• Tip: Share several small plates rather than ordering one large dish.

5. Divinity Terrace

Divinity Terrace is the best choice if you want to look across at the Pantheon. It is a lounge bar on the sixth floor of The Pantheon Iconic Rome Hotel, close to Piazza Navona and the Pantheon, and hotel press material describes 360 degree views of the surrounding rooftops and seven domes, including the Pantheon.

The concept is playful. The cocktail list follows the seven planetary divinities that the Pantheon was dedicated to, with a different divinity celebrated each day of the week. Guides also mention a long wine list and Italian cooking from the hotel kitchen, so it works for both a drink and a meal.

The terrace is relatively small according to hotel materials, with an indoor area for cooler evenings, so tables can be hard to find at sunset. Reserve if you can, or arrive early and ask for the next available spot. It is open to non-guests, but the exact hours differ between sources.

The location is hard to beat for a first evening in Rome. You can walk from the Pantheon to Piazza Navona and the Campo de’ Fiori area in a few minutes, and the narrow lanes around the hotel are lively with restaurants and bars.

Prices match the setting, so treat this as a splurge rather than a casual stop. A single drink at sunset is the best-value way to enjoy it, followed by dinner in a trattoria elsewhere in the old centre.

• How to get there: A short walk from the Pantheon, on Via di Santa Chiara.
• How long to spend: One to one and a half hours.
• Best time to go: Sunset, or just after, when the domes are lit.
• Tip: Ask for a table on the outdoor terrace when you book.

6. Terrazza Caffarelli

Terrazza Caffarelli is the best budget-friendly view in Rome. It is the café terrace at the top of the Capitoline Museums, and the official Rome tourism listing describes it as the museums’ café. Guides say you can reach it without a museum ticket, though entry arrangements can change, so check first.

The panorama looks out across the Teatro Marcello, the former Jewish Ghetto and the domes of the old centre, including the dome of the Pantheon. It is open-air in summer and enclosed with heating in winter, according to listings, which makes it one of the few rooftop options that works all year.

Unlike the hotel terraces, this is a café, so expect coffee, soft drinks, light bites and wine rather than elaborate cocktails. That makes it a good midday stop between sights, and it is easier on the wallet than the five-star terraces, though it is not a nightlife venue. Listings indicate it closes in the evening, apart from private events.

Combine it with a visit to the museums themselves, which hold the statue of Marcus Aurelius and a large collection of ancient sculpture. Michelangelo’s Piazza del Campidoglio outside is also worth a slow walk.

Because opening hours and ticket policies differ between sources, check the official site on the day. A late afternoon visit gives the best light on the rooftops and a quieter terrace than the middle of the day.

• How to get there: Walk up from Piazza Venezia, or take a short taxi ride to Piazza del Campidoglio.
• How long to spend: Thirty minutes to one hour.
• Best time to go: Late afternoon, before the café closes.
• Tip: Check the entrance rules before you queue.

7. The Court at Palazzo Manfredi

The Court is the place for a cocktail with the Colosseum in front of you, although it is worth being clear that it is not on the roof. The hotel describes it as a courtyard bar between the main palace and the neighbouring suites, with a travertine counter and a view of the Colosseum and the Ludus Magnus. The hotel’s own page covers the dining on site.

Palazzo Manfredi also has a separate rooftop, home to the Michelin-starred restaurant Aroma, which the hotel describes as one of the most magical rooftops in the city. Aroma is a fine dining restaurant rather than a casual bar, so most visitors will use The Court for drinks and keep the restaurant for a special dinner.

The setting is intimate. Seating is limited, and the hotel says a reservation is required. It also says the bar is for adults only and asks for smart casual dress. The cocktail list focuses on classic and creative drinks, and the bar team has a reputation among Rome’s cocktail fans.

It is a good choice for the end of a day exploring the Colosseum, the Forum and the Palatine Hill. The ruins look their best at dusk when the lights come on, and the walk back through the Monti area takes less than fifteen minutes.

The hotel lists evening opening every day, but confirm the current schedule before you plan around it. Expect luxury hotel prices, with a minimum of two cocktails per guest.

• How to get there: A short walk from Colosseo metro station, on Via Labicana.
• How long to spend: One to one and a half hours.
• Best time to go: Dusk, when the Colosseum is lit.
• Tip: Reserve ahead, as walk-ins are not guaranteed a place.

8. Tiziano Terrace

Tiziano Terrace is a calm skyline rooftop in the Monti neighbourhood. It is on the fifth floor of the Monti Palace Hotel, around ten minutes on foot from the Colosseum, and listings describe a 180 degree panorama over nearby rooftops and the Vittoriano monument, with St Peter’s visible in the distance.

The space was once a laundry room and has been converted into a terrace with an indoor section behind tall windows. That means it works in cooler weather, and it is less likely to be ruined by a shower. Seating is limited, with a mix of indoor and outdoor tables.

Outside guests are usually asked to reserve, and listings say you check in at reception before heading upstairs. The menu centres on cocktails, wine and Mediterranean bites. Sources disagree on Sundays, with one saying it is closed, so confirm before you go.

Monti is one of the nicest areas of Rome for an evening, with vintage shops, wine bars and small restaurants on streets that feel more local than the centre. You can walk up from the Colosseum, have a drink on the terrace, and then choose a trattoria nearby for dinner.

Compared with the grand hotel terraces, Tiziano feels relaxed and less showy. It suits couples and small groups who want a view without a crowd. Dress smart casual and book a few days ahead in busy periods.

• How to get there: A short walk from Cavour metro station, in the Monti district.
• How long to spend: One to one and a half hours.
• Best time to go: Early evening, as the light fades.
• Tip: Call or email the hotel to reserve before you arrive.

9. Masa

Masa is where a rooftop aperitivo meets a Middle Eastern menu. It is on the terrace of Hotel Major, also in Monti, and listings describe views towards the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore and the rooftops of the historic centre rather than the Vatican.

The idea is to reimagine the classic Italian aperitivo. Guides describe a formula of shared mezze-style bites served with a cocktail or glass of wine, with small hot and cold dishes designed to be passed around the table. It is a good pick for groups and for anyone who finds traditional Roman food heavy.

The terrace has a front section facing the basilica and a more intimate area at the far end with a wider view of the city. One guide says the rooftop bar is open to the public, so you do not need to be a guest, and it recommends booking a table for sunset.

Opening hours differ between the English and Italian versions of the same guide, so check the current schedule on the hotel’s own channels. Aperitivo is usually earlier in the evening, with later service for dinner.

Masa suits travellers who have spent a few days eating pasta and want something different. Combine it with a visit to Santa Maria Maggiore, one of Rome’s four major basilicas, then walk down through Monti to the Colosseum. The area is lively without being as crowded as the streets around the Trevi Fountain.

• How to get there: A short walk from Termini station or Cavour metro station.
• How long to spend: One to two hours.
• Best time to go: Early evening, for aperitivo and sunset.
• Tip: Reserve a table for sunset and order the shared bites.

10. Hassler Roma terrace

The Hassler Roma is the grand old-hotel option, perched above the Spanish Steps. It is one of Rome’s best-known luxury hotels, and its seventh floor terrace is described in listings as a panoramic spot for sunset cocktails and small bites.

Access is the thing to check. The seventh floor terrace is marked as for hotel guests on the hotel group’s dining page, which also describes it as a space for private events and takes reservations by phone, so call the hotel before you plan around it. Imàgo, the Michelin-starred restaurant with city views, is open to the public for dinner by reservation. Check before you go whether the terrace is open for drinks on the day you want, as some outdoor areas at the hotel are seasonal.

The Hassler also has a bar that guides call a cosy, hidden spot for an after-dinner drink, so if the terrace is not available you may still be able to enjoy a classic cocktail indoors. The atmosphere is formal and old-fashioned in the best way, with polished service and a long history of famous guests.

This is a splurge, and the dress code is smart. It suits a celebration, a proposal or a last night in Rome rather than a casual evening. The setting at the head of the Spanish Steps is hard to beat, with views across the roofs of the centre.

If you cannot get in, Cielo is a short walk away and offers a similar location, so you can use one as the backup for the other.

• How to get there: At the top of the Spanish Steps, a short walk from Spagna metro station.
• How long to spend: One to two hours.
• Best time to go: Sunset, with a reservation.
• Tip: Phone the hotel to confirm terrace access before you travel.

How to choose a rooftop bar in Rome

Start with the view you want. Les Étoiles and Paparazzo face St Peter’s, Divinity Terrace looks at the Pantheon, The Court looks at the Colosseum and Cielo and the Hassler sit above the Spanish Steps. Then decide on the mood: a stylish cocktail bar, a quiet wine terrace or a café with a budget view.

Check whether the bar is open to non-guests, whether you need a reservation and what the dress code is. Most hotel terraces want smart casual at the least, and they may refuse entry in sports gear.

What to order on a Roman rooftop

An aperitivo is the classic early evening drink with small bites, so look for set aperitivo formulas. Spritzes, including Aperol and Campari versions, are the easy choice. Italian sparkling wine, local white wines from Lazio and a Negroni are all good options. Many terraces offer vegetarian small plates, and some serve a full dinner menu. Ask about the cheapest way to enjoy the view, which is often one drink and a snack.

Suggested routes for 1, 2 or 3 nights

One night

Start with an afternoon coffee at Terrazza Caffarelli, then take a sunset drink at Divinity Terrace and walk to dinner near Piazza Navona.

Two nights

Add a second evening in Monti. Have an aperitivo at Masa or Tiziano Terrace, then walk down to the Colosseum for a late drink at The Court.

Three nights

Spend the third night in Prati and the Vatican area. Start at Les Étoiles for sunset, move to Paparazzo for a late cocktail, and keep Cielo or the Hassler for a farewell drink above the Spanish Steps.

Where to stay in Rome

The historic centre puts you within walking distance of the Pantheon and Piazza Navona, and several of these rooftops. Monti is a lively, slightly quieter base close to the Colosseum. Prati is more residential, with good restaurants and an easy walk to the Vatican. Near the Spanish Steps is polished and central, though prices are higher. Staying at a hotel with a rooftop can make reservations easier.

Getting around Rome

Most of these rooftops are in the historic centre, so walking is the best way to link them. Wear comfortable shoes for the cobbles. The metro is useful for Prati, the Spanish Steps and the Colosseum, and taxis are a good idea late at night. Check the city tourism site for current transport information, and keep an eye on your belongings in crowded areas.

Budget guidance

Rooftop bars are among the more expensive places to drink in Rome. Cheap to mid-range options include the café terrace at the Capitoline Museums and aperitivo formulas at some terraces. Special occasion covers the five-star hotel bars. To save money, order one drink and a snack rather than a full meal, go at aperitivo time and share dishes. Check whether a cover or minimum spend applies before you sit down.

Discover More of Italy

Rome rewards a few slow evenings, but Italy has more to offer by the glass and the plate. Read our guide to the best places to eat in Florence for the next stop on a classic Italian route, find a drink there with our guide to the best bars in Florence, or plan a coastal break with our pick of the best Amalfi Coast towns. If you are building a longer trip, our list of the top places to see in Europe will help you choose where to go after Rome.

Featured image: Photo by Alex Proimos from Sydney, Australia, CC BY 2.0, cropped, via Wikimedia Commons