Open-Air Film Screenings Under the Stars
Sit back, relax, and let yourself be transported to a new world in Florence this summer with film screenings happening all around the city. With the birthplace of the Renaissance as your backdrop, you can watch new releases and auteur films in one-of-a-kind open-air theaters. Piazzas, museums, and courtyards are transformed to accommodate screenings of a variety of international and Italian movies.
Here are our picks for the best places to catch a moonlit movie this summer in Florence.
Good to know: From June 19 to September 20, 2026, the national Cinema Revolution initiative means Italian and European films cost just €3.50 at participating venues. Most arenas on this list are part of the programme, so it’s a great summer to catch more films for less.
Apriti Cinema – Piazza de’ Pitti
Now in its 15th edition, Apriti Cinema brings open-air screenings to the spectacular setting of Piazza de’ Pitti every evening from June 15 to July 26. The programme includes over 40 free evenings of shorts, features, and documentaries, screened in their original language with Italian (and in some cases English) subtitles. This year’s highlights include a tribute to Marilyn Monroe, a retrospective dedicated to director Olivier Assayas, and a special screening of Kubrick’s The Shining. Organised by the Quelli dell’Alfieri association, in collaboration with Cinema La Compagnia and the Uffizi Galleries.
from June 15th to July 26th, 2026
Piazza de’ Pitti, Florence
Films shown at 9.45pm
Free admission – No reservation required
Cinema nel Chiostro at Sant’Orsola
For the third consecutive year, the former convent of Sant’Orsola is hosting Cinema nel Chiostro, the summer arena curated by M.Arte in collaboration with Spazio Alfieri, as part of the Estate Fiorentina. The programme features a tribute to Nanni Moretti on Sundays, original-language screenings on Thursdays, and a Middle East focus on Fridays with films exploring identity, memory, and social transformation across contemporary Middle Eastern cinema. A Kore-eda retrospective runs through late July and August, offering a journey through the Japanese master’s work. An unmissable option for lovers of auteur cinema in one of the city’s most evocative historic spaces.
from June 29th to September 6th, 2026
Ex Convento di Sant’Orsola, Via Guelfa, Florence
Films shown at 9.30pm
€3.50 Cinema Revolution, €8 full price, €6 UniCoop Firenze members
Cinema Chiardiluna in Oltrarno
The most historic arena in Oltrarno, Cinema Chiardiluna at Via Monte Oliveto is one of the best-loved and most attended outdoor cinemas in Florence. Open from late June through to mid-September, it screens a wide selection of films from around the world, including some of the season’s biggest titles, with regular special guest appearances. The bar opens at 8.30pm, making it a great option for an aperitivo before the film. Tickets can be purchased online in advance.
from June 29th to mid-September, 2026
Via Monte Oliveto, 1
Films shown at 9.30pm, bar open from 8.30pm
Italian and European films €3.50 (Cinema Revolution). All other films €7.00
chiardilunafirenze.18tickets.it
Esterno Notte at Poggetto
Set in the green grounds of the FLOG cultural centre in the Rifredi area, Esterno Notte at Poggetto is one of Florence’s most relaxed and atmospheric outdoor cinemas. New for 2026: screenings are held on Tuesdays and Sundays only, to make room for concerts, events, and other gatherings in the garden throughout the week. The arena has a pool on site, a bar open every evening from 6.30pm, and parking available at just €1 with a cinema ticket. A perfect option for a laid-back summer evening away from the crowds.
from June 7th to September 8th, 2026
Via Michele Mercati, 24/b (Rifredi area)
Films shown on Tuesdays and Sundays at 9.30pm
Italian and European films €3.50 (Cinema Revolution, from June 21st). Parking €1 with cinema ticket.
Non Solo Cinema in Manifattura Tabacchi
Cinema is back at Manifattura Tabacchi through August 27, with programming curated by the Stensen Foundation. Set in the post-industrial complex that has become one of Florence’s most vibrant cultural hubs, this arena mixes premieres, classics, original-language screenings, children’s titles, and special events across the summer. The programme features films and documentaries in Italian and in the original language with subtitles, along with talks, presentations, and thematic explorations.
through August 27th, 2026
Via delle Cascine, 35
Films shown at 9.30pm
€3.50 Cinema Revolution, €6.50 full price, €5 reduced
Arena Castello
A neighbourhood favourite in the north of the city, Cinema Castello moves outdoors every summer to the courtyard of the Arci Club, screening films each night at 9.30pm including special guest appearances and performances. European films are shown at the reduced Cinema Revolution rate of €3.50. If you go between Thursday and Sunday, members can enjoy a pizza, beer, and film for just €13. A great option if you’re looking for a local, unpretentious evening out.
from mid-June through July 2026
Via Reginaldo Giuliani, 374
Films shown at 9.30pm
€3.50 Cinema Revolution, €6 full price, €5 reduced. Thu-Sun: pizza + beer + film €13 (members)
Cinema in Villa at Giardino Bardini
One of the most beautiful outdoor cinema settings in Italy. From July 10 to August 30, the Belvedere Terrace of Villa Bardini hosts Cinema in Villa, a programme of around 50 screenings, filmmaker appearances, and special events, with a breathtaking panoramic view of Florence as your backdrop. The programme, curated by Associazione Musart and the Stensen Foundation, alternates Italian and international titles, original-language screenings with subtitles, and family favourites. Every Thursday, Cinema in Famiglia offers free screenings for families with reservation (booking required at fondazionecrfirenze.it). Guests can access the terrace from 7pm for aperitivo with a view, and the Villa Bardini Cafeteria offers reduced-price dinners for ticket holders. Tickets purchased for the cinema also grant a 50% discount on the current exhibition La Firenze dell’archivio Foto Locchi. Parking at Forte di Belvedere is free for all attendees. Given the popularity of past editions, advance purchase is strongly recommended.
from July 10th to August 30th, 2026
Villa Bardini, entrance from Costa San Giorgio, 2
Films shown at 9.15pm, doors open from 8.15pm, aperitivo terrace from 7pm
€5 full price, €3.50 Cinema Revolution. Thursdays free for families (reservation required). Free parking at Forte di Belvedere.
Estate Fiesolana – Cinema in Teatro Romano di Fiesole
One of the most extraordinary settings for outdoor cinema anywhere in Italy. The ancient Teatro Romano di Fiesole, set into a hillside above Florence, hosts film screenings every summer as part of the Estate Fiesolana festival. The programme, curated by Fondazione Stensen, features a strong selection of Italian and international titles screened in the ancient semicircular theatre. Worth the short trip out of the city centre for the atmosphere alone — this is as close as cinema gets to a truly unforgettable experience.
from August 5th to August 21st, 2026
Teatro Romano di Fiesole, Via Portigiani, 1, Fiesole
Films shown at 9.30pm
