10 European Rooftops for Drinks with a View

Rooftop bars offer more than just a good drink--they give you a different perspective on a city. Whether it’s an open-air terrace with front-row views of an iconic landmark or a discreet hotel rooftop that feels worlds away from the streets below, the right spot can shape the way you experience a destination. From London to Lisbon, Reykjavik to Zurich, these 10 rooftops stand out for their location, design, and sense of place--not to mention their cocktails. Let's start with a rooftop restaurant and bar I recently visited in Lisbon!

SEEN Sky Bar at Tivoli Avenida Liberdade, Lisbon

Perched high above Lisbon’s Avenida da Liberdade, my visit to Seen Restaurant and Sky Bar was nothing short of spectacular. With sweeping panoramic views of the city, from the castle to river, this rooftop gem offered the perfect blend of elegance and energy. From expertly crafted cocktails to beautifully plated dishes--like the Suki cocktail (Grey Goose La Poire, Shogun Sake, Cointreau, Violent Liqueur, pear, lemon) and the truffled lobster salad--everything was magnificent. Lounge seating and lantern lights keep the energy going long after the sunset. It’s a must-visit for anyone chasing unforgettable views and elevated flavors in Lisbon.

The Rooftop at The Standard, London

High above King’s Cross on the 11th floor, The Rooftop at The Standard London serves up panoramic city views with a side of NYC swagger. Ride the hotel’s iconic red pill-shaped elevator to a terrace of colorful furniture and retro AstroTurf, perfect for cocktails, bubbles on tap, and casual bites like pizza by the slice. If the weather’s not playing ball, head one floor down to Decimo, where Michelin-starred Peter Sanchez-Iglesias serves Spanish-Mexican plates and mezcal cocktails against equally stellar views.

The Rooftop Bar at Hôtel Dame des Arts, Paris

Above the Left Bank, the Rooftop Bar at Hôtel Dame des Arts delivers Paris in full 360° panorama--Eiffel Tower included. Sip Champagne or a perfectly mixed spritz with oysters or antipasti as the city shifts from golden hour to glittering night. The polished-but-relaxed crowd mixes locals and in-the-know travelers--sleek and intimate without feeling stiff. From Sacré-Cœur to Notre Dame, every landmark lines the horizon, making this one of the best seats in the city.

Saint Sky Bar, Santorini

Set above the cliffs in Imerovigli, Saint Sky Bar offers caldera views without the crush of Santorini’s busier sunset spots. The design is all whitewashed lines and clean edges, with low seating that faces straight onto the Aegean. Cocktails lean classic, the music stays low, and the focus is squarely on the horizon, which, come sunset, delivers exactly what people fly halfway around the world to see.

The Rooftop at El Llorenç Parc de la Mar, Palma

Above Palma’s Old Town in Mallorca, this rooftop lines up the cathedral and bay in one uninterrupted sweep. Tiered infinity pools, cushioned loungers, and shaded daybeds make it as much a daytime retreat as a cocktail spot. The menu is Mediterranean, with local seafood, island olive oil, and a strong Balearic wine list alongside classic drinks. From this height you can trace the curve of the harbor, spot yachts sailing in at dusk, and watch the cathedral glow gold as night falls. The atmosphere shifts from relaxed to lively without ever losing its polished, island pace.

La Muña at La Réserve Eden au Lac, Zurich

Atop Zurich’s grand lakefront hotel, La Muña pairs Nikkei flavors with glittering views over the water and Alps. The rooftop feels like a secret garden in the sky, with leafy plants, sloping glass walls, and an easy elegance. Artful plates of sushi and ceviche share the stage with inventive cocktails, as sailboats drift below and the city’s church spires catch the light. Whether you’re here for a long lunch or a sunset toast, it’s the kind of place that makes you want to linger just a little longer.

La Terrazza at Hotel Continentale, Florence

Perched above the Arno, La Terrazza offers one of Florence’s most romantic perspectives: the Ponte Vecchio bathed in dusk light. The intimate terrace is dressed in white canvas umbrellas and low-slung seating, the perfect stage for an expertly mixed Negroni. Views sweep from terracotta rooftops to distant Tuscan hills, with the city’s church domes rising in between. A favorite for both visiting design lovers and locals marking something special, it’s pure Florence—stylish, storied, and unforgettable.

THE ROOF at The Reykjavik EDITION, Reykjavik

The Icelandic capital’s sleekest rooftop offers glacier-to-sea views and a menu inspired by Nordic nature. By day, crisp air and endless horizons steal the show; by night, candlelit tables and a moody glow set the tone for cocktails. On rare, magical evenings, the Northern Lights ripple across the sky, adding a once-in-a-lifetime backdrop. In a city where rooftop culture is still new, The Roof has already set the standard.

Issei, Tallinn, Estonia

Tallinn’s fairy-tale skyline meets Nikkei flavors (Peruvian–Japanese fusion) at Issei, high atop the Radisson Collection. From here, spires, turrets, and cobblestones stretch in every direction, a storybook backdrop for plates of ceviche, tiradito, and Pisco cocktails. The space is sleek but warm, its big windows framing the Old Town as the light changes. For a city rooted in medieval history, this rooftop feels fresh and forward-looking—proof that Tallinn knows how to surprise.

Sushi Club at Mandarin Oriental, Munich

Crowning one of Munich’s most prestigious hotels, Sushi Club serves pristine sashimi, inventive rolls, and expertly mixed cocktails with panoramic city views. In the summer, the rooftop pool adds a resort-like touch, complete with loungers and chilled Champagne. As the sun dips, the city’s rooftops turn golden, the Alps hazy in the distance. It’s part urban escape, part high-end dining experience--exactly what you’d expect from a Mandarin Oriental, but with a Bavarian twist.

Honorable Mentions

Five more rooftops that didn’t make the main list but are well worth a visit:

• Cielo Rooftop, Tivat, Montenegro. A superyacht’s-eye view without leaving shore, overlooking Porto Montenegro’s marina with sunset cocktails and a sleek, low-key crowd.

• Le Terrazze Ritual, Sardinia. Part cliffside bar, part open-air club, this Baja Sardinia favorite serves Costa Smeralda views with a side of late-night energy.

• Lolita Skyview & Pool Lounge at Only YOU Hotel, Malaga. Infinity pool, skyline-and-sea views, and just enough glamour to take you from lazy afternoons to happy-hour drinks.

• Tope at The Hoxton, Brussels. Bright, colorful, and casual, this rooftop taco spot pairs mezcal cocktails with breezy city views.

• Zoi, Split, Croatia. Fresh Adriatic seafood, old-town rooftops, and harbor views—all from a terrace inside Diocletian’s Palace.