Editorial
Rome caps its skyline at a handful of floors, so the best rooftops trade height for monuments you can almost touch. The eight below put the Colosseum, the Pantheon, and Piazza Navona into the glass. Most sit on hotel terraces in the historic centre.
Aroma crowns Palazzo Manfredi with the closest rooftop view of the Colosseum in the city, just 28 seats facing the arena. The kitchen holds a Michelin star, and a retractable roof keeps the terrace open all year. Go at golden hour for an aperitivo before dinner, when the ancient stone turns amber. Book well ahead; the front tables are the most wanted seats in Rome.
Terrazza Borromini sits atop the 17th-century Eitch Borromini on Piazza Navona, with a fourth-floor restaurant and a fifth-floor bar locals call La Grande Bellezza. The 360-degree view runs across the domes and over Bernini's square below. Go for a sunset spritz on the upper terrace, then stay for Mediterranean plates. Best on a clear evening when the city glows pink.
Divinity Terrace tops The Pantheon Iconic Rome Hotel and puts the Pantheon's dome almost at eye level. Open daily from lunch to midnight, it pours signature cocktails named for the seven planetary gods and backs them with a 600-label wine list. Go just before midnight for the quietest view, and order a planet-themed cocktail to match the temple below.
The Court holds the cocktail terrace at Palazzo Manfredi, a few steps from Aroma and the same Colosseum view. Bar manager Matteo Zed builds the menu around Roman fountains, so each drink carries a story and a technique. Go for a pre-dinner round when the arena lights come up. Best for a couple who want the view without committing to a full tasting menu.
Settimo runs the seventh-floor terrace of the Sofitel Rome Villa Borghese, with a view that sweeps over the Borghese gardens to St Peter's dome. The kitchen sends out seasonal Roman cooking and the bar keeps a sharp cocktail list refreshed each year. Go at dusk to watch the Vatican catch the last light. Best for a long, slow dinner with the city laid out below.
The Flair occupies the eighth-floor terrace of the Sina Bernini Bristol above Piazza Barberini, looking down on Bernini's Triton fountain. The room splits between a cocktail bar, a bistro, and a fine-dining table, so you can pick your altitude of formality. Go for a Barberini sunset drink before dinner. Best when you want a polished terrace away from the tourist crush.
The Locarno's roof terrace hides above an art-deco hotel off Piazza del Popolo, all wisteria, jazz, and a view across the historic centre's rooftops. It leans intimate rather than grand, with live music on weekend nights. Go for an early-evening aperitivo when the terrace opens and the trees are in bloom. Best for a quiet date that skips the hotel-bar crowds.
The Rome Cavalieri sits high on Monte Mario, the highest rooftop drink in the city and a neighbour to the Michelin-starred La Pergola. Non-guests climb up for an aperitivo or a nightcap as the lights of Rome flicker below. Go for a pre-dinner drink before La Pergola, or just for the panorama. Best on a clear night when the whole city spreads out underfoot.
Cielo Bar at Hotel de la Ville is a Trinita dei Monti rooftop bar in Rome.
La Terrazza dell'Eden is a Via Veneto rooftop bar in Rome.
Rome rewards the view over the altitude. Aroma and The Court frame the Colosseum, Divinity sets you level with the Pantheon, and Terrazza Borromini opens onto Piazza Navona.
Most of these terraces peak between 6 and 9pm for the aperitivo hour, so arrive early for a front-row table and let the monuments do the rest. The Rome Cavalieri is the one to climb for sheer height.
Which Rome rooftop bar has the best Colosseum view? Aroma at Palazzo Manfredi sits directly across from the Colosseum with a Michelin-starred kitchen, while The Court on the same hotel offers a cocktail terrace with the same view.
Where can you drink with a view of Piazza Navona? Terrazza Borromini at the Eitch Borromini hotel runs a fourth-floor restaurant and a fifth-floor bar with 360-degree views over Piazza Navona.
Which Rome rooftop bar overlooks the Pantheon? Divinity Terrace tops The Pantheon Iconic Rome Hotel, open daily from lunch to midnight with cocktails themed to the seven planetary gods of the Pantheon.
Which Rome hotel has the highest rooftop bar? The Rome Cavalieri sits on Monte Mario above the city, with a rooftop lounge beside the Michelin-starred La Pergola and panoramic views over Rome.