And so even in the city you can feel a little bit of vacation, sipping a drink at sunset or daring the last swims in the pool, strictly with a view. For those who do not resign themselves to the end of summer, here are some of the most interesting and best rooftops in Italy where you can enjoy the view and relax.

Merano, wellness and panoramas

Those who are planning a mountain getaway to take advantage of the last mild days can make a reservation at Hotel Therme Merano, South Tyrol’s only spa hotel, which on the top floor counts on the Sky Spa’s panoramic terrace with breathtaking views of the city’s rooftops and the surrounding mountains. Here, after relaxing in the infinity pool or with a massage, you can try the cocktails offered by the barman such as the Sky Aperitif made with limoncello produced directly by the hotel, Prosecco and Bio Lemon. Or, choose the non-alcoholic Healthy with apple, ginger, cucumber and lemon.

Milan, drinks with a skyline view

The atmosphere becomes decidedly more metropolitan and contemporary in Milan, where there are several spots from which to admire the Milanese skyline with a cocktail in hand.

Going up to the 13th floor of the Hyatt Centric Milan Centrale there is a terrace, 131 feet high, where you will find the Organics SkyGarden, a project that aims to mix art, music, fashion, flavor and design, born from the organic and non-alcoholic beverages The Organics by Red Bull. The terrace is open daily from 6pm to midnight and also hosts live music and DJ sets. The Organics SkyGarden rooftop is also present in Rome at the Aleph Hotel and in Courmayeur at the intermediate station of Skyway Monte Bianco, Pavillon The Mountain.

Also in Milan, one of the scenic novelties is Vertigo, the new rooftop of the nhow Milano hotel in the Tortona District, a district now with a focus on fashion and design among its revamped industrial architecture. The terrace with its 8.000 square feet of space, houses 3 circular pools, a lounge area with cocktail bar, a solarium area and an Infinity Pool.

Casa Baglioni Milan, the latest address from the Baglioni Hotels & Resorts collection, has officially launched its new Milanese rooftop bar: Casa Baglioni Rooftop by Sadler. Nestled within the iconic Brera district – the only local rooftop serving Michelin-starred gastronomy – Rooftop by Sadler offers breathtaking, 360-degree panoramic views of Milan’s most iconic landmarks, including the Duomo Cathedral and the skyline of Porta Nuova. It is open daily from 6pm to 1am and offers guests some of the Chef’ Claudio Sadler’s iconic dishes as well as a selection of signature cocktails.

Tuscan rooftop in Lucca

An aperitif overlooking the Tuscan skyline is the experience offered by the historic hotel Grand Universe Lucca. Nestled in the heart of this vibrant city, Grand Universe Lucca offers breathtaking views of Saint Martino’s Cathedral, all the churches, monuments, and towers. Take in sweeping views of Lucca’s historic city center and the majestic Piazza del Giglio as you enjoy a glass of champagne under the open sky at our luxurious hotel’s rooftop bar. The Sommità Martin Orsyn Champagne rooftop overlooks Piazza Napoleone and is an ideal place to relax after a tour of the city.

Rome, dinner with the Eternal City

Fall is sweet in Rome and you can savor it even after shopping in Rinascente on Via del Tritone. Going up to the top floor at Maio Restaurant & Rooftop, you can taste among the different specialties brand new dishes such as Cacio e Pepe Risotto with lime and chopped purple prawn, crispy egg Carbonara with Falisco pecorino cream, four peppers and crispy bacon.
The new menu features different options from morning to evening, for experiences to be associated with different moments of the day. Between contemporary design and city views, the restaurant is located on the 6th and 7th floors of Rinascente Roma and is open from 10 am until dinner.

Immerse in your personal Dolce Vita at the rooftop of Rome Marriott Grand Hotel Flora, right on top of the noble, iconic Via Veneto and next door to the Villa Borghese gardens and the 2000-year-old historic Roman walls. The Flora Roof Restaurant & Cocktail Bar is the terrace of a palace that was once the Ludovisi family’s hunting lodge. It has reopened its verandas to guests. There are at least three ways to experience this rooftop in the heart of the capital: a breakfast with the lights of the Roman sunrise, an unusual aperitif on the rooftops of the historic center or a dinner with the backdrop of the ‘Dome. 
The new open-air tasting and mixology ‘living room’ has a lounge area on one side and a restaurant area on the other, with a menu curated by the Neapolitan chef Massimo Piccolo.

Palazzo Ripetta, the new 5-star hotel in the center of Rome, inaugurates the Etere rooftop. Located between Piazza del Popolo and Piazza di Spagna, the hotel is inside a building which housed the Conservatorio della Divina Provvidenza in the 17th century; became a hotel in the 1960s after its renovation by architect Luigi Moretti and in 2020 jumped into the luxury segment thanks to a major redevelopment desired by the owners, the Ginobbi Group. The structure and the 78 rooms and suites were redesigned according to the standards of luxury hospitality: design, comfort and refined materials.

Now, with the inauguration of the terrace, Palazzo Ripetta Etere offers its customers a location with a view of the city’s history. Hidden on the fourth floor of Palazzo Ripetta, Etere, the new rooftop of the hotel is a mix of flair and design that concretizes the expression of the wine bar par excellence in shapes, structures and furnishings that in shades of red and gray run along the terrace, characterizing it and making it unique. Deliberately informal, Etere is an open-air cellar, where the selection of the bar is the master and the proposal of Executive Chef Marco Ciccotelli is an absolute certainty.

The post Best Rooftops appeared first on Discover Italy Magazine.

Place no. 16 – Drink Kong, Rome
Place no. 35 – 1930, Milan
Place no. 39 – Locale Firenze, Florence
Place no. 46 – L’Antiquario, Naples

Drink Kong, Rome

Set in a leafy square, a short ride from Rome’s center, Drink Kong is probably not the bar you would expect to find. Taking in ’70s futurism, King Kong and Japanese influences, this amalgam concept is set in a wrap-around space with nightclub-black décor, illuminated by little else than neon. This is a busy bar – locals and international visitors know Drink Kong has some of the most forward-thinking cocktails in the city.

Patrick Pistolesi, owner and bartender, brought this very particular vision alive. His new menu Perimetro is set to step into new ground. Put it all together – the décor, the atmosphere and the drinks – and there’s nowhere in the world of bars quite like Drink Kong. No wonder it’s among Italy’s Best Bars.

Here’s one of the drinks, you can make at home. But, it’s better to have it at Drink Kong and hang with the locals.

Drink Kong is located at Piazza di S. Martino Ai Monti, 8, 00154 Roma

1930, Milan

Milan’s 1930 is a speakeasy taken seriously. To even find the bar you need someone in the know, because not only is the address undisclosed, entry isn’t guaranteed even if you’ve befriended owners Flavio Angiolillo and Marco Russo. But once inside, the twentieth-century American Prohibition vibes come to life with exposed brickwork and dimmed lighting which add to the exclusivity of the bar. The difference between 1930 and other generic speakeasy-style bars is the world-class drinks program. Unlike the original speakeasies which the bar takes inspiration from, 1930 doesn’t just serve rye whiskey and moonshine, but some of the best cocktails in Europe.

Its current menu focuses on Africa, using unorthodox ingredients from the likes of niche grape varieties from Algeria to infusions made with Africa’s famed baobab tree. The menu is supported by a top-level food offering from the same continent, making 1930 not only one of the most exclusive bars in the world, but also one of the most exotic.

1930 is located at an undisclosed address.

Locale Firenze, Florence

Hosted in the historical Palazzo Concini, Locale Firenze is like a time machine taking guests on a journey through centuries across its two floors, each a nod to Florentine culture. The Concini Palace has an extensive and unique history strongly tied to Florentine politics during the time of the Medici family. Impeccably and respectfully restored, the basement dates back to the 1200s and today hosts the cellar and a mixology lab. The upper 1500s floor has a Renaissance atmosphere with a contemporary touch thanks to its mirrors, antique furniture, lavish chandeliers and charming frescoes. A stunning courtyard with a transparent, movable high ceiling is host to the cocktail bar, surrounded by green walls and high tables.

The drinks list is as distinctive as the venue and its atmosphere. With a modern touch, bar manager Matteo Di Ienno’s menu feature signatures such as Elisir Caterina alongside seasonal recipes. Summer sips evoking flowers, such as Iris, with white rum, iris bitter and vermouth, already feel like masterpieces.

Locale Firenze is located at Via delle Seggiole, 12r, 50122 Firenze

L’Antiquario, Naples

Resting among traditional boutiques and shops in the bustling streets of Naples, behind its picturesque wooden door L’Antiquario boasts an international allure. The retro red velvet sofas, the floral wallpaper and the elegant black boiserie blend perfectly with the flair, expertise and innate Neapolitan hospitality of the team. Equally sophisticated and nodding to tradition, bartenders in white uniforms welcome guests who ring the doorbell to enter this intimate bar. The backlit back bar stands at the center stage of the cocktail bar. Here, guests can enjoy a Red Hook from the Classics cocktail menu, or dive deep into the city’s history and heritage with a signature from the Napoli Capital City drink list.

Equally, the natural alternative to spirits and cocktails within this setting is the selection of champagne, also used by the team of Alex Frezza, co-founder and internationally acclaimed bartender, to serve a spectacular rendition of the French 75.

L’Antiquario is located at Via Vannella Gaetani, 2, 80121 Napoli

Alla tua salute!

The post Italy’s Best Bars appeared first on Discover Italy Magazine.