Guide author
Marco Ferreira
Lisbon-based food and wine journalist. Twenty years chasing the perfect pastéis de nata and the village bars that don’t show up on any map. Writes about Portugal, Spain, and southern Europe with an obsession for what people actually eat, not what they post about.
Overview
Start your Madrid exploration on Calle de Alcalá, where the Círculo de Bellas Artes offers sweeping city views from its rooftop bar, Azotea. Navigate through the buzz of Gran Vía, stopping at elevated spots like the Picalagartos Sky Bar or the lush El Jardín de Diana. Head towards the historic Puerta del Sol, where Doña Luz serves refreshing spritzes as the sun sets. Beyond the tourist hordes, discover intimate rooftops like those at The Hat in La Latina or the Radio Rooftop Bar overlooking Plaza Santa Ana. These high-up havens provide not just vistas but also an insider's glimpse into Madrid’s vibrant nightlife that many overlook.
Map
20 pinned placesFeatured Places
Discover the best spots in this carefully curated guide. Each location has been personally visited and vetted to ensure an authentic and memorable experience.
Azotea del Círculo de Bellas Artes
Azotea del Círculo de Bellas Artes offers a blend of culture and cocktails, right under Minerva's watchful gaze. As you sip your drink, the city stretches out in all directions, a living canvas of Madrid. The air is crisp, and the hum of life below makes you feel both above it all and deeply connected.
Ginkgo Sky Bar (VP Plaza España Design)
Ginkgo Sky Bar sits atop VP Plaza España, offering not just drinks but a sensory experience. The 360° cityscape envelops you, while DJs spin tunes that echo into the night. Craft cocktails are mixed with precision, adding flavor to the panoramic views that are Madrid's urban heartbeat.
Doña Luz (Hotel B&B Puerta del Sol)
At Doña Luz, the rooftop atop Hotel B&B Puerta del Sol, evening light casts a warm glow. It's a place for spritzes at sunset, where the pulse of Puerta del Sol softly thrums below. The vibrant energy of the plaza feels more intimate from above, making it a perfect spot to unwind.
Picalagartos Sky Bar (NH Collection Gran Vía)
Picalagartos Sky Bar atop NH Collection Gran Vía offers not just views but a taste of Madrid's classic flavors. Vermut and gildas are served as the sun dips below the horizon. The rooftop is lively, an extension of Gran Vía's energy, but elevated above its bustling streets.
El Jardín de Diana (Hyatt Centric Gran Vía)
El Jardín de Diana is a verdant oasis above Gran Vía. The rooftop terrace feels like a secret garden, offering a breath of fresh air amidst the city’s buzz. The scent of herbs mingles with the urban air, and the hum of traffic fades into the background as you relax.
Azotea del Hotel Emperador
Azotea del Hotel Emperador offers a classic Madrid experience. The rooftop poolside ambiance feels timeless. It's a place where the city’s old-school charm meets the sky, and as you sip a cocktail, the city unfolds in a way that feels both familiar and new.
Nice To Meet You (Dear Hotel Madrid)
Nice To Meet You at Dear Hotel Madrid gives you a front-row seat to Plaza España’s vibrancy. The rooftop is lively, with cocktails and bites that mirror the area’s bustling energy. The street sounds become a distant hum, accompanying your evening with a unique city rhythm.
Generator Madrid Rooftop Bar
Generator Madrid Rooftop Bar captures the spirit of a hostel with its casual vibe. Near Gran Vía’s bustling lanes, it feels youthful and energetic. The sounds of chatter and laughter fill the air, mingling with the city’s constant motion, creating an atmosphere that’s both laid-back and lively.
RT60 Rooftop Bar (Hard Rock Hotel Madrid)
RT60 Rooftop Bar at Hard Rock Hotel Madrid pulses with musical energy. Located near Atocha, its nights are a blend of live beats and city lights. Cocktails are crafted to match the rhythm, and the panoramic views feel like a backdrop to the city’s ever-playing soundtrack.
OSADÍA (Only YOU Hotel Atocha)
OSADÍA at Only YOU Hotel Atocha is where style meets substance. The terrace edges Retiro, offering stylish gin tonics and elegance. It’s a place where conversations flow as freely as the drinks, and the city's pace feels just right from its elevated perch.
Terraza de Sabatini (Palacio de los Duques)
Terraza de Sabatini provides royal vistas. Overlooking the Royal Palace, the refined cocktails match the grandeur of the sunset views. The elegance of the setting is palpable, and as the palace lights glow, the terrace becomes a serene escape with a royal touch.
The Hat Rooftop (Calle Imperial)
The Hat Rooftop in La Latina serves mojitos with a side of history. Above the old streets, the rooftop is a blend of old and new, where the air carries holds of the past. The lively chatter and clinking glasses set the stage for an evening above the city’s storied lanes.
Radio Rooftop Bar (ME Madrid Reina Victoria)
Radio Rooftop Bar at ME Madrid Reina Victoria offers prime people-watching from above Plaza Santa Ana. The lounge vibe is relaxed yet vibrant. You hear the life below, but from this height, it feels like a curated soundtrack to your rooftop experience.
Terraza Atenas
Terraza Atenas, beside the cathedral, offers a riverside breeze that refreshes. The terrace feels secluded yet open, with views that invite reflection. The city’s pace slows, and the air is filled with a tranquility that makes it a place to pause and take in the unique atmosphere.
La Terraza del Urban (Hotel Urban)
La Terraza del Urban at Hotel Urban offers a chic cocktail experience by the pool. The design-hotel aesthetic blends with the sky, and the drinks are as stylish as the setting. It’s an elevated experience where the city’s heartbeat is both distant and immediate.
The Principal Rooftop (Hotel The Principal)
The Principal Rooftop at Hotel The Principal offers elegance above Gran Vía. Classic martinis complement the sophisticated terrace vibe. The ambient sound of the city below adds a layer of authenticity to the refined surroundings, making it a setting that feels distinctly Madrid.
Riu Plaza España Rooftop Bar (360º)
Riu Plaza España Rooftop Bar offers thrills with its glass walkway. The 360º views make the city feel endless, a panoramic feast for the eyes. You feel the exhilaration of being above it all, the city below sprawling out like a living map of Madrid.
Terraza de Oscar (Room Mate Oscar)
Terraza de Oscar in Chueca offers rooftop classics with a twist. Weekend DJs set the pace, and the cocktails keep it lively. The neighborhood's vibrant energy is palpable, creating an atmosphere that’s both inviting and dynamic, a true reflection of Chueca’s spirit.
La Terraza de las Letras (Hotel INK)
La Terraza de las Letras at Hotel INK offers local pours with a literary twist. In Barrio de las Letras, the terrace captures the area’s creative energy. The drinks are an homage to local flavors, and the view is a canvas of Madrid’s storied past and present.
UMusic Rooftop (UMusic Hotel Madrid)
UMusic Rooftop at UMusic Hotel Madrid is where live music meets sky-high views. The rooftop pulses with energy, the sound of live bands and city life intermingling. It’s a place where the night feels alive, and the city’s musical legacy is celebrated above it all.
Opens Google Maps with all 20 locations pinned
Get new guides in your inbox
Subscribe to the Mapita newsletter and receive handpicked city guides as soon as they're published. No spam, just great places.
Subscribe — it's freeOpen in Google Maps
Get all 20 places from this guide pinned directly in Google Maps.
View 20 places on MapsOpens Google Maps with all 20 locations pinned
Get new guides in your inbox
Handpicked city guides delivered as soon as they're published. Free forever.