If there’s one thing I enjoy during a city break it’s finding some of the best spots to enjoy the views over the city. Of course, many sights in Rome offer fabulous sweeping views, but for me the best way to enjoy the skyline and rooftop views of any city is with a drink in hand, so I spent a lot of time researching the best rooftop bars in Rome, and found three for my recent visit.

Disclaimer: I spent a fabulous four day city break in Rome courtesy of Jet 2 City breaks, but everything I did whilst I was there including these bars was paid for myself. 

During my trip I found that there were two prime times to visit the rooftop bars on my list, either in the afternoon when it was the hottest and busiest time of day, or in the evening before the sun goes down so you can see the sunset. 

I tended to head out about 5:30 – 6pm, which I know is early for the locals, but after I’d been getting up to go sightseeing very early it worked for me, and this was also the best time for those stunning orange skies. A long leisurely aperitivo before dinner means you can make the most of a pre-dinner drink and then eat slightly later.

Here I’ll share with you the perfect rooftop bars in Rome to visit in the middle of the day, a hidden gem with incredible views over the Trevi Fountain, as well as two bars that open in the evening and into the night. All of them have panoramic, breath-taking views over Rome, and I genuinely couldn’t fault any of them for their quality of food and drinks on offer.

They may be ‘insta-worthy’, but they really were great bars and I’d go back to all of them for their menus too.

Trevi Garden Rooftop: A Hidden Gem

Tucked away near the Trevi Fountain, the Trevi Garden Rooftop was an absolutely brilliant find, and one you wouldn’t even notice from the busy streets below if you’re looking for somewhere to stop for a drink. It’s the rooftop bar of a small hotel on Via del Lavatore, and it’s a small garden terrace that offers big views of the Trevi Fountain from above. 

An intimate spot, it’s fully covered by two umbrellas and has a big fan which is a welcome shady relief in the heat of the day. Here you can enjoy typical cocktails such as an aperol or lemon spritz, a bottle of prosecco, and munch on delicious Roman pizza. 

Considering how crazy it gets around the Trevi Fountain, the Trevi Garden Rooftop bar does provide a sanctuary from all the bustle, and you could easily spend hours watching the world go by in a much more chilled environment. I did this twice during my visit, and loved every minute.

To find the entrance look for the sign outside on Via del Lavatore, about three doors up on the right hand side, and you go up in the lift to the top. There are only a handful of tables, and from those only three of them have front row views over the Trevi Fountain due to the shape of the terrace. They obviously get taken quickly!

It opens at midday until late, up high away from the crowds and it’s not somewhere you can book, walk in only. If you aren’t lucky enough to get one of the three hotspot tables when you first get there, the staff will offer you to move when one becomes free before they sit anyone new there. 

It’s a fairly typical bar menu including a cocktails specials page, and the food is basically pizza in various flavours, so it’s an ideal place for lunch as well as a drink. Get the classic margarita, it was unbelievable.

Of course it’s not cheap right in the heart of Rome, by the most popular tourist spot, so you’re looking at nothing less than €20 per cocktail or glass. Pizzas were the same too, from €18. 

I have shared a lot of photos, reels and videos of my visits to Garden Rooftop Trevi over on Instagram so take a look to get a better idea of exactly where it is and the view of the Trevi Fountain that it provides.

Oro Bistrot

The second of my rooftop bars in Rome that you must visit is Oro Bistrot, an elegant restaurant and bar with panoramic views over Trajan’s Column and Forum, and the Altar of the Fatherland. It sits on top of the NH Collection Hotel Fori Imperiali, so you go in through the hotel entrance where the concierge will show you to the lift.

When the lift doors open you’re met with the spectacular view emerging out in front of you, it really is amazing, and the hosts are at the desk waiting to show you to your table. The rooftop itself is split into two sections, the more formal restaurant side where you can enjoy set tasting menus, and the cocktail bar area.

It’s here in the cocktail bar that you can enjoy your pre-dinner drinks, and if you’re wanting a chance to get a bit more dressed up you wouldn’t be out of place doing so here. There was a total mix of people, from couples enjoying date night, to families and solo travellers.

For the cocktail bar, you must have a reservation and your table lasts for two hours. During that time as well as your drinks you will get a selection of bar snacks and nibbles from the chef. These were bigger than I expected, I was served a platter of olives, nuts, crisps – all sorts. 

If you’re looking for a refined cocktail experience in a beautiful setting and an unbeatable view, then Oro Bistrot is the one to book. 

Vista Rooftop Terrace

Where the Oro Bistrot bar was elegant, Vista is trendy and cool. Again on the top of a hotel, but the Vista rooftop feels a bit odd when you find it. It’s on Via di Torre Argentina, and from the outside it is essentially a black door that looks a bit dodgy, but if you push the buzzer they let you in, and then through another security gate to a very old looking lift.

When you emerge on the top floor, you realise it’s where you should be. The Vista staff show you up to the table you have booked.

It is every bit the beautiful Mediterranean sun terrace you need at the end of a busy day of Rome exploration, and a chance to relax and recharge with tapas, sharer boards, and well made cocktails while the sun goes down and music is playing.

The location in the heart of Rome is stunning, with panoramic views across the city, including the ancient Pantheon rooftop over one side, and the orange and pink colour palette of Rome with the church bells ringing over the other.

They’re open 5-10pm daily and you have to have a reservation, there are no walk-ins. There is a lot of seating across lounge style sofas, small tables for two, and bar stools up high, but it did fill up completely by 7pm so make sure you have a booking for your preferred time well in advance. 

Church bells ringing on the hour and the sun setting over the city made this whole experience, with an Aperol Spritz and friendly bar staff to chat to into the evening. 

Book the Vista Rooftop Terrace here

I can’t recommend all of three of these rooftop bars in Rome enough. Each slightly different but perfect for what they individually offer at various times of day, and for different types of experiences, yet each one will elevate your time in Rome to new heights!

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The VIP Colosseum Glass Lift & Early Morning Tour

Visiting the Trevi Fountain and Vicus Caprarius