Picolo recommends · Hotel in Florence, Tuscany
Hotel Calimala
Up on the roof, the dome sits to one side and the Palazzo Vecchio tower to the other, and the evening drink comes with both.
Via Calimala is the pedestrian street that links Piazza della Repubblica with the old covered market of Mercato Nuovo, and carries on towards the Ponte Vecchio. Hotel Calimala sits in an old building along it, with the roof turned into a bar and restaurant.
Rooms mix original marble floors with contemporary furniture, a pairing that keeps the history without the heaviness. Take the stairs at least once: the old stairwell is one of the nicer details in the house.
Picolo’s verdict
Why we chose Hotel Calimala
We chose Calimala for travellers who want design and a rooftop in the very centre without paying grand-hotel rates. It is a good match for couples and friends who like to finish the day with a glass up high.
The street below is one of the busiest in Florence on foot, and there is barely a lobby to retreat to. If you want calm downstairs and space to linger, a larger or more secluded hotel will suit you better.
What you get
- Roof terrace with views of the dome
- Rooftop bar
- Restaurant on the roof
- Rooms with original marble floors
- Central pedestrian street
A day at Hotel Calimala
- Morning
- Rub the bronze boar at the Mercato Nuovo for luck before the crowds.
- Midday
- Cross the Ponte Vecchio and have lunch on the quieter Oltrarno side.
- Afternoon
- A slow hour in the Palazzo Vecchio, a few minutes from the door.
- Evening
- Sundown on the roof as the dome turns pink.
Location
Via Calimala, Florence, Italy
Open in MapsQuestions about Hotel Calimala
Does Hotel Calimala have a rooftop bar?
Yes. The roof terrace has a bar and a restaurant, with views to the cathedral dome on one side and the Palazzo Vecchio tower on the other.
How far is Hotel Calimala from the Ponte Vecchio?
Very close. Via Calimala runs from Piazza della Repubblica down past the Mercato Nuovo towards the bridge, so you are there in a few minutes.
Is Hotel Calimala a good choice for a quiet stay?
Rooms are a comfortable base, but the street outside is busy with pedestrians by day and the ground floor is small, so it suits those who mostly come back to sleep.
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Updated 6 Nov 2026All articles
How Picolo chooses
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