Skyline Rooftop Bar

Skyline Rooftop Bar sits on the roof of the Hilton Molino Stucky, a huge former flour mill on the western end of the island of Giudecca, and it offers one of the widest panoramic views in Venice. The mill, a red-brick neo-Gothic landmark built in the late nineteenth century, was converted into a hotel, and its rooftop bar looks across the Giudecca Canal to the whole sweep of the historic centre, from the Zattere and the domes of the Salute towards St Mark's, as well as out over the lagoon and the mainland.

The bar is a destination for sunset drinks. The cocktail list is creative, with a menu designed to let you choose by taste and mood, and there is a good selection of wines, spritzes and non-alcoholic options. Small Italian bites and snacks are served alongside the drinks.

The bar is open every day from 16:00 to midnight, with occasional special closures listed on its website. Tables can be booked online through the bar's website, and it is worth reserving for sunset in summer, when the terrace fills quickly. Smart casual dress is the norm, and prices reflect the location and views. The hotel's rooftop pool is for hotel guests.

Skyline suits couples, groups of friends and anyone who wants a view of Venice from above with a drink in hand. It is less suited to those on a tight budget, but a single sunset cocktail here is a memorable way to end a day of sightseeing, and it gives you a sense of the city's layout that is hard to get from street level.

Getting there is part of the experience. The hotel operates a shuttle boat to and from the San Marco area, and the Palanca and Sacca Fisola vaporetto stops on Giudecca are a short walk away. Check the boat timetable for your return before you settle in, especially late in the evening. Giudecca itself is quiet at night, so there is little else to do nearby, but the walk along the island's waterfront has good views back towards the city.

On clear evenings you can pick out the campanile, the dome of the Salute and the long line of the Zattere, and on the clearest days the mountains on the mainland. Bring a layer even in summer, as the roof can be breezy once the sun has gone down.