A Hidden Gem Above Florence: Discover the Rooftop Terrace of Tivoli Palazzo Gaddi

Florence is no stranger to beautiful views, but the rooftop terrace of Tivoli Palazzo Gaddi offers something truly unexpected: a 360-degree panorama that captures the city in all its layered splendor. From one side, guests can admire the Cathedral dome, the Baptistery, and Palazzo Vecchio. From another, a glimpse of the Medici Chapels and the bell tower of Santa Maria Novella, where the sunset filters through the arches in vibrant, golden hues.

This is Aria, the rooftop cocktail bar curated by Michelin-starred chef Iside De Cesare. Open every day from 5 to 10:30 p.m., Aria offers signature cocktails and a rotating selection of special drinks each month. The drinks are original, refined, and flavorful. Alongside them, small bites take center stage: the standout is the Bolla, a delicate, lightly fried bubble of dough filled with fish, meat, or vegetarian options. There are also fresh salads and curated platters, ideal for a relaxing aperitivo above the rooftops of Florence.

The terrace is just one of the surprises of Tivoli Palazzo Gaddi, a recently reopened five-star hotel that blends Renaissance elegance with contemporary charm. Set between the train station and the Duomo, this boutique hotel once belonged to the noble Gaddi family. One of its ancestors studied under Giotto, and the building welcomed literary icons like John Milton, who reportedly began writing Paradise Lost during his stay in 1638.

That same literary spirit lives on today in Milton, the bar and bistro on the ground floor, and in the hotel’s Secret Garden—a peaceful courtyard filled with ivy, roses, and lanterns. Here, guests can enjoy breakfast or a cocktail in an oasis of calm, just steps away from Florence’s bustling center. One of the garden’s signature drinks features a custom-made amaroinspired by Milton’s masterpiece.

Chef Iside De Cesare, who also leads the Michelin-starred La Parolina in Trevinano, brings her creative, sustainable, and deeply Italian approach to all of the hotel’s dining spaces, from the rooftop bar to the Terrae fine dining restaurant with resident chef Salvatore Canargiu.

British elegance with Tuscan flair defines the overall design, especially in the breakfast room, which is styled as a modern Wunderkammer, or Cabinet of Curiosities. Breakfast at Tivoli is open to non-guests as well, and it offers an extraordinary variety of international foods—from European and Middle Eastern delicacies to American and Asian favorites. A true morning journey around the world.

Whether you’re staying the night or simply passing through Florence, the terrace at Tivoli Palazzo Gaddi is a wonderful discovery—a perfect place to relax, sip something special, and enjoy the city from a new perspective.