Lavish breakfasts up high, cocktails within arm’s reach of the Basilica dome, colourful tiles, towers, mansard roofs, infinity pool, and sunsets – see Budapest like never before! Rooftop bars redefine high life and have become as much a summer staple as the beach or ice cream. Here’s a round-up of our favourites.
1/16
LEO ROOFTOP
The one for spiritual souls. LEO Rooftop Bar, on the 8th floor of Hotel Clark, not only offers a top-notch view of the renewed Chain Bridge but creative drinks, too. This year’s cocktail collection is all about energy centres: each of our seven chakras gets a fancy and high-vibrational drink. And there’s something very exclusive (though not uptight) about sipping a cocktail made with hawthorn drops from a handmade glass while sitting between comfortable cushions. You can enjoy this set-up even in the drizzling rain, as the terrace is covered with a roof. Whether you come for the inner journey or the panorama, you will leave with fond memories.
2/16
Liz and Chain Sky Lounge
The one by the Danube. Since its opening in 2020, the Liz and Chain Sky Lounge has become a real gem above the Danube Promenade. Here, on the 9th floor of the Budapest Marriott Hotel, you can sip a G&T under shades, surrounded by a panorama that is part of the World Heritage Sites. Even better, you can come for sunset as the bar offers one of the city's most beautiful cotton candy views. Apart from this, we highly recommend a Poppy Cherry pie cocktail and a sharing platter for 2, all accompanied by a live DJ set on Friday and Saturday. Despite being on top of a five-star hotel, the atmosphere is intimate and friendly, which we love. That is due to the petite size of the place, which is another reason for booking in advance. Ask the hotel's hostess for help with the directions.
3/16
Élesztő Terasz
The one for craft beer. Élesztő Terasz, on the top of Buda's shopping mall, Mammut 2, is a rooftop pub. It is the sister bar of Élesztő, transporting its laidback atmosphere and a reliable beer selection but adding views of the Post Palace (Postapalota) and the buildings of Margit körút. It is a bit like slipping into a daytime indie party, only here we are humming along classics while sitting on beer benches. There is no dress code, just chilled vibes and fine beers on tap (with something new every week). You can also order a meal to go with your drinks: chilli beans or trotters terrine.
4/16
High Note Sky
The one with breathtaking views. If you are looking to impress (or maybe propose to) your date, bring them to Aria Hotel Budapest's rooftop bar, preferably around sunset. The view from the HighNote SkyBar is mesmerising: the dome of the Basilica feels within arm’s reach. But you can also spot the Budapest Eye, the Parliament, and the Buda Hills. The atmosphere is high-end, so you might want to dress up for the occasion and also book in advance. The ‘two towers’ offer the best views, which can be a top-notch setting for a small gathering (securing a table costs HU 60,000 per hour, all to be consumed). Prices are on the steep end, but they boast excellent cocktails, and a wide long drink and gin selection.
5/16
Roxy Rooftop Lounge
The Roxy Rooftop Lounge, on top of the Hard Rock Hotel Budapest, is a pleasant surprise. To get there, walk into the hotel confidently and press '7' in the lift (you will not even need a card). This laid-back atmosphere will accompany you until you leave: there is no fuss, and the staff is friendly and helpful. The terrace is small but welcoming: it feels like being in someone's home who has even invited a private DJ. As a result, you can sip on a G&T (with a choice of 36 gin options) to lounge tunes. The only challenge in snagging a table is the busy schedule of private events; you can check the opening hours here. And although the Basilica and Citadel lights are spectacular in the evening, we prefer admiring the nearby rooftops during the daytime.
6/16
The Sky Garden Rooftop Terrace
The one with a private jacuzzi. Mystery Hotel Budapest is a five-star hotel you should check out when planning your next trip to Budapest. However, even if you don't end up being an in-house guest, you can still enjoy the garden hiding on the roof, as it is open to all. Surrounded by Doric columns and lush greenery, sip on superb cocktails (such as the Taste the Sky made with lychee and prosecco), wines, and champagnes while admiring the Nyugati railway station. Then you have the secret upper floor (VIP SKY), beyond the spiral staircase, which serves as an exquisite venue for a friendly get-together. Partly because it is secluded, but more importantly, because it comes with a jacuzzi (check it out here). There’s also live music from Thursday to Saturday.
7/16
SOLID Budapest
The one for early birds. Our favourite thing about SOLID Budapest is that it opens early, meaning you can come here for breakfast and (on weekends) brunch. Approach it from Királyi Pál Street through Hotel Rum Budapest (7th floor). Upstairs, you are greeted by a sunny conservatory (cooled in summer, heated in winter), and a request for your room number. That is because hotel guests also have breakfast here, but if you booked a table in advance, you will soon be led to a pastel-coloured chair. From the window, you have a perfect panorama of the two baroque spires of the church on Egyetem tér, but you can also spot pretty domes and admire the Citadel. We recommend the eggs benedict with smoked trout for breakfast, but you can also come for wine, dinner, or even a full-on date night.
8/16
White Raven Skybar & Lounge
The one in the Buda Castle. The panoramic views from the White Raven Skybar, next to Matthias Church, are probably unrivalled. That is partly because of the setting, the Buda Castle, and also the glass railing that does not block our sight. All in all, it would be a sin to miss out on this terrace in the summer. But really: the bar’s new cocktail concept is a divine alcoholic take on the seven deadly sins, and whichever one you drink, you’ll extinguish it. The place is open to everyone, so don’t be embarrassed to walk through the Hilton Budapest to get upstairs. We could spend hours on the comfy sofas looking out over a World Heritage Site and Zsolnay tiles.
9/16
St. Andrea Wine & Skybar
The one for gourmets. What we love most about St. Andrea Wine & Skybar, perched above Vörösmarty Square, is that you can count on it any time of year. Be it December or August, you can enjoy views of Gellért Hill or the Basilica from up high with a bottle of quality wine or champagne. In addition to top-notch drinks, the cuisine is also excellent. You can pair a Taittinger sparkling wine or St. Andrea Napbor ('Sun Wine') with gourmet dishes. The restaurant is elegant, unpretentious, and savvy in all its flavours, a place that you prepare yourself for, dress up, and bring your partner for a romantic dinner. The entrance is next to the Szamos Gourmet House.
10/16
Cortile SkyBar & Pool
The one with a pool. With an indoor infinity pool surrounded by glass walls, Cortile SkyBar & Pool gives you a pretty good reason to be on your summer bucket list. Almost as an extra, it comes with a stunning panorama and a generous selection of fairly-priced cocktails. On Thursdays, you can relax to live DJ music while snapping photos of the setting sun and Gellért Hill. Book in advance to visit and use the pool!
11/16
Intermezzo Roof Terrace
The one for sunset lovers. Hot chocolates and ice skating at the Intermezzo Roof Terrace are a must in winter, but nothing beats the summer sunsets and wines. The rooftop bar at the Hotel President (a stone's throw away from Szabadság tér) overlooks Buda Castle and the Parliament. Yet, the most exciting sight is the neighbouring Royal Postal Savings Bank. It is within arm’s reach, giving you the perfect angle for discovering all the floral motifs, busy bees, and hives on its facade, apart from admiring the colourful Zsolnay tiles on its roof. The atmosphere is surprisingly relaxed, and there is room for everyone. While groups of friends clink glasses at a comfortable booth, a couple shares a bottle of wine at a smaller table.
12/16
Crowne Plaza Hotel
The one with brunch and yoga. Although it has just opened, the Crowne Plaza Hotel has immediately put itself on the map with a list of varied events. You can have breakfast at the hotel restaurant’s impressive rooftop garden and do yoga on the fitness room terrace until September. Or one after the other: you can sign up for the programmes here. And what do you see while having a picnic or striking warrior poses? The beautifully restored hall of the Nyugati railway station and the domes of the historic buildings nearby. The view alone makes a visit to the roof worthwhile.
13/16
360 B
The one with jazz nights. 360 Bar was one of the first rooftop bars in Budapest, making it an icon. It sits above the World Heritage Site Andrássy út, so it works well after a downtown stroll. Make sure to have cash on you as you will need HUF 2,000 to enter (non-drink credit). After donning a wristband, shoot up to the 7th floor and let yourself be amazed when the lift door opens. DJs are playing, delicious smells are wafting from the grill kitchen, and bartenders are mixing delicious cocktails. The views are spectacular, although you have to get up close for the full experience due to the high stone railings. Wednesdays are for jazz nights, but you can also catch a yoga class or a tropical-themed daylight party (Secret Garden). Four-legged pals are welcome!
14/16
The Duchess
The one full of glamour. The Duchess, nestled on top of the Matild Palace, is the place to rise above Budapest. Looking down, the nearby houses suddenly dwarf, and the dustier parts of the city are beautified. Gasping is definitely on the cards as you will see the Elisabeth Bridge, the Danube, and the Buda Hills like never before. To enter, follow the key logo and take a moment to reflect on the fact that you are riding in Budapest’s very first lift. Upstairs, you can enjoy some cocktails (the cocktail selection is impressive, and it is best to trust the experts) and stay for the evening lights. The place is super-elegant, be sure to change your flip-flops before you go.
15/16
MemoRise Skybar
The one with Parisian vibes. MemoRise Skybar treats us to a taste of Paris on the rooftop of the Hotel Memories OldTown on Kálvin tér. The place is charming, complete with pink-cushioned chairs and a lovely view. You can gaze out over mansard roofs, which we enjoyed perhaps even more than the view of the Citadel. The sunset here is also fabulous, especially as the sky glows behind the church on Egyetem tér. All the earthly pleasures of tapas, hams, dips, prawns, refreshing cocktails and quality wines add to the experience, ensuring long-lasting memories.
16/16
+1 Money Museum
The one on top of a museum. Though this spot is more for coffee and cake, the mere fact that the Post Palace’s rooftop terrace is open to visitors for the first time in its 100-year history earned it a place on our list. Upon stepping outside, you get to see the city from an unusual perspective: instead of the Danube, the Basilica, the Parliament, and Gellért Hill, you are greeted by Széll Kálmán Square, Krisztinaváros, and the buildings on the Pest side. The terrace is free to visit once you have registered at the Money Museum and viewed the exhibition.
