26 rooftops in Madrid to enjoy the most spectacular views

The Hard Rock Café is making waves in the capital for the second time—after closing its former location on Plaza Colón in 2020—and has added a rooftop bar to its offerings. RT60, as the Hard Rock Hotel Madrid’s terrace is called, is bathed in red to complement the sunsets and create a inviting atmosphere with views of the Reina Sofía Museum.

With a view as grand as the building’s history, Cornamusa Cibeles has long been establishing itself as one of those places where you don’t just go to gaze at Madrid from above, but also to devour it (metaphorically—and perhaps literally). This spring, Cornamusa’s terrace welcomes the warm weather with a brand-new menu, featuring dishes designed by chef Manuel Berganza and executive chef Jesús Almagro.

This isn’t just any menu: we’re talking about smoked rice with Cabezuela cheese that arrives at the table to be gratinated with roasted beet powder right in front of the diner; a sea bass from Cádiz finished with a freshly made Meunière sauce; and a tomato and olive salad with a vinaigrette made from cold Moruna carrot escabeche that strikes the perfect balance between refreshing and complex.

The place plays on its history: the name comes from the instrument featured in the Correos logo, because, of course, the building used to be the company’s headquarters. That narrative runs through everything: the uniforms inspired by old mail carrier outfits, the copper accents, the way they present your bill, even those little nods to the past that you only notice if you look closely

The renovated Bernabéu Stadium is finally unveiling its long-awaited panoramic rooftop—and it’s doing so in grand style. To inaugurate this Level 10 space with 360-degree views of the capital, the stadium has teamed up with Cirque du Soleil for an immersive experience that serves as a prelude to *Kurios*, the Canadian company’s steampunk and retrofuturistic production.

During the walk through the southern and western sections of the rooftop, you pass through an electric forest, walk among clouds, and go through an underwater tunnel—all while accompanied by various circus characters. The route culminates at the Sky Bar, transformed for the occasion into a unique train station where performers put on short live shows every half hour.

Located above the Albéniz Theater and overlooking Puerta del Sol, the UMusic Hotel’s rooftop bar has a name of its own: Nota Alta. Open until 1 a.m., here you can watch the most quintessentially Madrilenian sunset with a delicious cocktail in hand—or with the whole bottle, if you’re up for it. If you’d like to pair it with a bite to eat, their traditional sushi topped with calamari will only enhance the experience.

Ático 11 is a space filled with greenery located on the hotel’s 7th floor. It features avant-garde décor, and here you can enjoy, in a casual atmosphere, the best tapas and a wide variety of vermouths, cocktails, and drinks while taking in the spectacular view of the city’s main thoroughfare. Madrid hides many wonderful secrets, and without a doubt, one of them lies high above Gran Vía.

At Osadía, two concepts come together: a sky bar and a restaurant. La Catorce combines traditional flavors drawn from Madrid’s culture with an open-air setting. On the menu, you’ll find everything from gildas to boletus croquettes. Starting at 6 p.m., the other area of this rooftop changes gears and transforms into a cocktail bar with a DJ, special events, and even pool parties.

Sép7ima is the climate-controlled terrace at the Only You Hotel Atocha, open year-round. It has become one of the capital’s most sought-after terraces. And for good reason. In addition to its unique views and a menu perfect for sharing and focused on quality ingredients, there’s the original cocktail menu at its sky bar and great music to round out the experience.

The San Antón Market hides quite a surprise on its third floor. That’s where you’ll find the 11 Nudos Terraza Nordés restaurant and the market’s large 360 m2 terrace, with views of the Chueca neighborhood.

At this dining venue, you can savor a menu featuring national and international dishes made with the finest ingredients from the sea and the land—dishes that clearly reflect Atlantic influences and are prepared with the highest-quality ingredients. And to top it all off, classic signature cocktails.

Without straying too far from the Gran Vía area, the Sky Lounge at the Hotel Índigo offers one of the most sought-after sunsets in the capital. This terrace, designed by architect Teresa Sapei, provides the perfect setting to experience la dolce vita with an Aperol Spritz and Italian cold cuts.

Right in the heart of Gran Vía lies the largest pool on any of Madrid’s rooftops, measuring 14 meters long by 6 meters wide. It’s at the Hotel Emperador, located at number 53 on the legendary avenue, which features a 1,000-square-meter beach club. A record-breaking rooftop that has welcomed celebrities such as Ava Gardner, Hemingway, and Sophia Loren. Its views are just as spectacular. It’s a terrace with a 360° panoramic view of the city.

Is there room for one more rooftop with views of Gran Vía? Absolutely. The one at the Generator Hotel is practically a beach club, complete with beach umbrellas, hot tubs, and lounge chairs. The experience can only get better with a cocktail in hand—and they make them really well here. You can also grab a bite to eat from their food trucks up high.

Having a vermouth at Ella Sky Bar Madrid is a return to a very traditional custom, with the added bonus of being on the rooftop of one of Gran Vía’s most iconic buildings. Enjoying an aperitif while taking in one of the best views of the capital from one of the highest points on this iconic street—with a view of the Royal Palace and the Five Towers—is the perfect plan for the weekend.

Ginkgo Restaurant & Sky Bar blends Asian and Spanish cuisine, with international touches, across the three distinct areas that make up its multifunctional space: a tapas bar, a glass-enclosed indoor restaurant, and a heated terrace with views. It has firmly established itself on the list of Madrid’s best rooftops thanks to live music, dancing, and cocktails, which complement the spectacular views. Not to mention the impromptu views.

Located in the downtown NH Collection Madrid Suecia, the Casa Suecia terrace is divided into two levels and offers nearly unobstructed views of the city. Among its varied offerings is a tempting high-altitude experience: the BBQ Brunch. Casa Suecia has designed a late breakfast—or early lunch—in the warmth of the barbecue flames, overlooking the sea of Madrid’s rooftops. 

La Terraza is the ultimate bonus for a venue as well-rounded as La Casa Encendida. Its hours are the same as those of the cultural center: 10 a.m. to 10 p.m., Tuesday through Sunday. This is an oasis away from the city streets right on the Ronda de Valencia. A place where you can enjoy a drink surrounded by greenery and with views of Lavapiés and Arganzuela.

Torcuato is a hit on Instagram and in real life. Located on the fourth floor of the ABC Serrano shopping center, this space—designed by interior designer Pepe Leal—features an open-air rooftop and indoor areas. On the menu, which is as eclectic as the decor, you’ll find Japanese touches, such as nigiri; Spanish classics like gazpacho; and even lamb tahini and couscous.

Chef Dani García’s dishes round out the experience on the seventh-floor rooftop of the Four Seasons Hotel Madrid.

Dani Brasserie introduces a new menu every season, available both in the dining room and on the terrace. The Andalusian chef starts with his signature snack bar, featuring dishes served around the clock, such as raw oysters, Iberian ham croquettes, guacamole, or smoked salmon prepared at the table, and Robuchon-style prawns.

Located on the 27th floor, the Riu Plaza España terrace is called the Rooftop Bar 360º. This rooftop, right in the heart of Plaza de España, does not disappoint, offering unparalleled, unobstructed 360-degree views of the capital.

And if you’re not afraid of heights, you can cross from one side of the terrace to the other via the glass walkway—and even snap the city’s most sought-after photo on its platform suspended in midair.

A classic among Madrid’s rooftops and one of the first to be transformed into a bar and city hotspot. Located on the top floor of the Círculo de Bellas Artes—one of Europe’s most important private cultural centers—it occupies an absolutely prime spot thanks to its location, the beauty of the building, and its views. In addition, it was recently awarded a SOLETE GUÍA REPSOL in the “Beach Bars and Terraces” category.

Among the many rooftops vying for the best views of Gran Vía, Picalagartos has the edge. It’s located in a building with a strong literary and bohemian vibe, which inspired the venue’s name—a reference to the tavern of the same name in Valle-Inclán’s novel *Luces de Bohemia*. Picalagartos is located at Gran Vía 21, a neo-Baroque architectural gem designed by architects Julio Martínez Zapata and José López Sallaberry that opened its doors in 1918.

Irreverente Madrid is one of the capital’s hotspots, offering different atmospheres and a rooftop—complete with string lights and climbing vines—where you can enjoy “cat-filled” Madrid right in the heart of the Chamberí neighborhood.

El Jardín de Diana is yet another of the Gran Vía rooftops that are shaping the capital’s high-altitude leisure scene. Although this tenth floor of the Hyatt Centric hotel has a special guardian: the Huntress Diana, who adorns the building’s small dome and lends her name to the restaurant. Its menu changes with the seasons, but its cocktails are timeless, and the selection is almost more varied than the food offerings.

With the best views of the Torre Picasso, Canopy by Hilton boasts one of Madrid’s most inviting rooftops—which, in this case, isn’t located on the top floor. Located very close to the Castellana, this hotel is committed to being part of the city’s cultural scene and has also successfully integrated aspects of the capital into its essence—for example, with its violet brunch served on Sundays on the Z floor.

Among Madrid’s rooftops, there’s also room for a semi-covered terrace, like the one at Doñaluz, which also has heaters in case the temperature drops. It’s perfect for pairing tapas with Colombian-inspired drinks on a special date.

The Social Hub is a hotel designed for students with a strong cultural focus that also features a rooftop spread over three levels, each one offering even closer views of the Royal Palace and the greenery of Campo del Moro. Although the pool area on this Madrid rooftop is reserved for hotel guests, the restaurant and many of the activities are open to the general public.

From up here, surrounded by works of art, vibrant colors, the pool, and a bar featuring the best mixology… every Thursday, one of the events open to everyone takes place: the now-famous after-work party to celebrate the start of the weekend with live DJ sets, cocktails, and a menu designed for sharing.

In the rankings, Madrid’s Oroya rooftop at The Madrid Edition hotel (Plaza de Celenque, 2) is ranked as the fourth best in Europe, according to Big 7 Travel’s list. The restaurant and pisco bar is located on the fourth floor of the hotel, and the ranking highlights that “the terrace features a cozy fireplace, a pergola covered in vines, and an elegant teak bar, with spectacular views of the city.” It’s probably one of the most romantic spots in Madrid’s rooftops.