Top 10 Best Rooftop Bars in Madrid (with a Free Rooftop Itinerary)

Last updated: October 2026

Madrid is a city that rewards looking down on it: the slate roofs of the old centre, the long cut of Gran Via and the green edge of the Casa de Campo beyond. If you want the best rooftop bars in Madrid, the strongest choices are the classic Círculo de Bellas Artes terrace, the hotel roofs along Gran Via and around Plaza de España, and the public terrace at Cibeles. Most are on top of hotels or cultural buildings, and several welcome non-guests, though some charge a small entry fee or ask you to book.

This guide covers ten rooftop bars, each with a practical box. Further down you will find how to pick between them, a free printable 3-day Madrid rooftop itinerary, where to stay, getting around and budget guidance. For wider trip planning, the city’s official Madrid tourism site is a good starting point, and if you would rather have a night at street level, our guide to the best bars in Madrid covers cocktail bars and old taverns.

Rooftops are seasonal in Madrid. Most terraces run from spring to autumn, weather permitting, and a few close or shrink to a covered area in winter. Opening hours vary between sources, so this guide avoids exact times. Where something could not be confirmed, it says so, so check the venue before you go.

Quick answer: What are the best rooftop bars in Madrid? For the classic Madrid skyline, head to the Azotea del Círculo de Bellas Artes. For the highest public viewpoint, try the 360 Rooftop Bar at Riu Plaza España. For a view straight down Gran Via, choose Picalagartos Sky Bar, and for an easy, free-to-enter terrace with a lot of choice, go up to the Gourmet Experience at El Corte Inglés Callao.

Quick comparison: best rooftop bars in Madrid

1. Azotea del Círculo de Bellas Artes

The Azotea del Círculo de Bellas Artes is the rooftop most visitors picture when they think of Madrid. It sits on top of the Círculo de Bellas Artes arts centre on Calle de Alcalá, and the view runs from the Metropolis Building and Gran Via to the Retiro side of the city and the mountains on a clear day. The skyline looks best as the light drops.

You pay a small fee to go up, which is usually sold at the building’s ground floor. It is a viewing terrace with a bar and a restaurant attached, so you can go up for a quick look or stay for a drink. Sources differ on the exact entry price and times, so use the official Círculo de Bellas Artes website for the current fee and booking rules.

The same rooftop has long been home to Tartán Roof, a seasonal restaurant and bar run by chef Javier Muñoz-Calero. Reports describe it as a pop-up with a menu that changes through the year, and as moving to a winter version in the colder months. It is not certain what is running at any given time, so treat the food side as something to confirm before you plan a meal.

Because it is so well known, the terrace gets crowded at sunset, and weekend evenings are the busiest. If the queue is long, go earlier in the day, when the light on the city is still clear and the terrace is calmer.

• How to get there: Metro to Banco de España or Sevilla, then a short walk along Calle de Alcalá.
• How long to spend: One to two hours, including the lift up.
• Best time to go: An hour before sunset, then stay as the city lights come on.
• Tip: Check the official site for fees and whether the restaurant is open before you go, since the bar and viewing terrace are not always run the same way.

2. Picalagartos Sky Bar

Picalagartos Sky Bar is the best choice for a view straight down Gran Via. It sits on the ninth floor of the NH Collection Madrid Gran Vía hotel, and the terrace wraps around the building, so you can follow the avenue towards Callao and Plaza de España and look the other way towards the old centre. It is listed by the city’s tourism site as a sky bar and restaurant, with the restaurant run by the Azotea group.

The drinks list leans on cocktails, and the hotel describes tapas served on the terrace. Guides name mixologist Luca Anastasio for the cocktails and chef Manuel Berganza for the restaurant menu, though staff change, so treat names as a guide rather than a promise. The terrace has several levels, which means some tables feel more private than others.

The outdoor part is normally used from spring to autumn, weather permitting. Opening times differ between the city tourism page and other guides, and they change by day and by season, so confirm the current schedule with the hotel before you plan around it. In cold or wet weather, the covered area is the safer option.

It is a good stop for a first evening in Madrid because it is easy to find and close to the Metro. You can combine it with a stroll along Gran Via and the Schweppes sign on the Edificio Carrión nearby, then walk to dinner in Chueca or La Latina.

• How to get there: Metro to Callao or Santo Domingo, a short walk along Gran Via.
• How long to spend: One to two hours.
• Best time to go: Late afternoon into the evening, when Gran Via glows.
• Tip: Book a table for sunset, and check before you go whether the terrace is open that evening.

3. 360 Rooftop Bar, Riu Plaza España

The 360 Rooftop Bar at Riu Plaza España is the highest public rooftop in the central area, with a wraparound view over Plaza de España. It is on the 27th floor of the Riu Plaza España hotel, and the access is on Calle Maestro Guerrero, behind the main hotel door, with a lift from street level. The city tourism site lists it as open to the public.

Non-guests pay an entry fee that depends on the time of day, with weekday daytime visits usually cheaper than evenings and weekends. The hotel also sells a fast-track pass at busy times. The figures quoted online differ and may be out of date, so check the hotel’s website for the current price and for whether a drink is included.

The big draw is the scale. You see Plaza de España, Gran Via, the Royal Palace and the mountains beyond on a clear day, and there is room to wander between viewpoints rather than being stuck at one table. Expect a busy, social atmosphere, with queues at sunset and at weekends.

Because the entrance fee and the queue are the trade-offs, it works best as a short, view-focused visit. If you want a long, relaxed drink, one of the quieter hotel roofs may suit you better. A weekday afternoon is the easiest slot.

• How to get there: Metro to Plaza de España, then a few minutes on foot to Calle Maestro Guerrero.
• How long to spend: One to two hours.
• Best time to go: Weekday afternoon for space, or an hour before sunset for the best light.
• Tip: Buy any fast-track pass online and check the current entry rules on the hotel’s site.

4. Azotea Cibeles

Azotea Cibeles is a public rooftop bar on top of the Cibeles Palace, with a view over one of Madrid’s grandest squares. The palace houses Madrid City Council, and the city tourism site lists the terrace as a bar run by Grupo Azotea, with cocktails and small tapas. You go up by lift through the council building, and the terms of entry, including any fee or minimum spend, are worth checking before you go.

From up here you look down on the Cibeles fountain, the Bank of Spain and the line of Calle de Alcalá, with Paseo del Prado and the Retiro direction beyond. It is a calmer, more civic view than the neon of Gran Via, and it suits an early evening drink after a museum day on the Paseo del Prado.

Listings place the bar on the sixth floor, where a rooftop restaurant called Cornamusa is also reported. A separate observation deck, Mirador Madrid, sits higher up the central tower and charges a small fee. Hours and prices differ between sources, so check the current schedule before you go.

It is also a good pick for visitors who want a rooftop without a big queue. Because it is a public building, allow a few extra minutes at the entrance when it is busy.

The terrace is partly shaded and partly open, so check the weather before you go and ask about the covered tables in cooler months.

• How to get there: Metro to Banco de España, or walk along Paseo del Prado from Atocha.
• How long to spend: One to two hours.
• Best time to go: Early evening, as the light turns gold on the fountain.
• Tip: Check the opening days before you go, as the venue is tied to the building’s schedule.

5. La Terraza at The Principal

La Terraza at The Principal is the most garden-like rooftop on this list. It sits on the seventh floor of The Principal Madrid Hotel, on the corner of Gran Via, in a space planted with olive trees and cypresses that feels closer to a garden than a bar. The view takes in Gran Via and the rooftops of the centre.

Cocktails are by mixologist Manel Vehí, with a wide choice of gin and tonics, and bar bites are served. The hotel’s fine-dining restaurant is one floor below, so this is the place for a drink rather than a meal. The hotel describes the terrace as having heaters for year-round use, which makes it one of the more reliable choices outside summer.

Non-guests are welcome, but the hotel advises booking ahead because the terrace fills from early afternoon. Opening hours vary between the hotel’s own page and other guides, and they change between the warm and cold seasons, so check before you go.

The atmosphere is polished and relaxed, with a smart casual dress style. It suits a quieter evening, a celebration drink or a first stop before dinner in the centre.

If you want the view without the crowds of the bigger roofs, this is often the better pick, because the space is smaller and the staff manage the number of tables.

• How to get there: Metro to Callao or Gran Via, a short walk to the hotel.
• How long to spend: One to two hours.
• Best time to go: Late afternoon, with a booking, for light through the plants.
• Tip: Book a table in advance and ask about the winter heaters if you visit between November and March.

6. Ginkgo Sky Bar

Ginkgo Sky Bar is the pick for a sunset with a view of the Royal Palace and the Temple of Debod. It is on the 12th floor of the five-star VP Plaza de España Design hotel, and the terrace wraps around the building for a 360 degree view. The city tourism site notes that non-guests can visit the bar.

The decor is tropical, with a lot of plants, and the restaurant serves a mix of Mediterranean and Asian dishes. There is live music and DJ sessions on several evenings a week, which gives the place a lively feel after dark. The rooftop pool is reserved for hotel customers, so do not expect to swim without booking a stay or a day option.

The bar is described as open all year, with a covered section for colder weather. Time Out and other guides give slightly different hours and even different street numbers for the hotel, so check the current schedule and the address before you set out.

It is close to Plaza de España and Gran Via, so it combines easily with the 360 Rooftop Bar or Dear Hotel nearby, though it is better to pick one per evening than to try to do all three.

If the Royal Palace is the view you most want, ask for a table on the side facing it, and go before sunset to see the details before the light fades.

• How to get there: Metro to Plaza de España, a few minutes on foot.
• How long to spend: One to two hours.
• Best time to go: An hour before sunset, then stay for the music.
• Tip: Book a table for sunset, and ask which side of the terrace you are on.

7. Gourmet Experience Callao

The terrace at the Gourmet Experience in El Corte Inglés Callao is the easiest rooftop in Madrid to visit. It is on the ninth floor of the department store on Plaza de Callao, and entry is free. The view looks across Gran Via and Plaza de España towards the Royal Palace, with the Schweppes sign on the Edificio Carrión a favourite photo subject.

It works like a food hall. There are around ten counters, including burgers, pintxos, oysters and ice cream, and you order at the counter and carry your food to the terrace or the indoor tables. That makes it much more casual than a hotel rooftop, with no dress code and no need to book.

The trade-off is space. Reviews describe the terrace as narrow and busy, and at lunch and sunset you may have to wait for a table or a spot at the rail. Opening hours differ between Time Out and other sources, and it is tied to the store’s schedule, so check the current times.

It suits families, groups on a budget and anyone who wants a view without paying a fee or planning ahead. It is also a handy fallback if a hotel rooftop turns out to be closed or full.

If you want a quieter visit, go on a weekday afternoon, and bring a jacket for the wind on the open side.

• How to get there: Metro to Callao, then take the lift or escalators to the ninth floor.
• How long to spend: Forty five minutes to an hour and a half.
• Best time to go: Weekday late afternoon, before the sunset crowds.
• Tip: Grab a spot at the rail first, then order, so you do not lose the view.

8. Sky Bar at Hotel Emperador

The Sky Bar at Hotel Emperador is a classic Gran Via terrace with views of the Royal Palace and the Almudena Cathedral. It is on the roof of the hotel, and the terrace looks across the busy avenue to the old city beyond. The hotel is famous locally for its rooftop pool, which is seasonal and, according to several guides, open to non-guests with a booking and a fee.

The terrace bar is described as open to everyone and as running through the year, in contrast to the pool, which is typically open from May to September. Rules on non-guest access and prices change, and the sources do not agree, so check the hotel’s own pages before you plan a swim or a poolside drink.

It is a traditional, comfortable stop rather than a trendy one. Cocktails and drinks are the focus, and the atmosphere is relaxed, with a mixed crowd of hotel guests and visitors. The views are broad rather than dramatic, and it suits a relaxed late afternoon.

Because it is on Gran Via, it is easy to add to a walk between Callao and Plaza de España, and it makes a good alternative if the busier roofs have a queue.

Dress is smart casual, and the evening crowd is calmer than at the newer, music-led terraces nearby.

• How to get there: Metro to Santo Domingo or Callao, then a short walk along Gran Via.
• How long to spend: One to two hours.
• Best time to go: Late afternoon, when the Royal Palace side catches the light.
• Tip: If you want the pool, confirm the season and the non-guest rules with the hotel first.

9. Dear Hotel Rooftop

The Dear Hotel rooftop is a design-led terrace with a view up Gran Via from the 14th floor. It is on top of Dear Hotel Madrid, where Gran Via meets Plaza de España, and it is known for its rooftop plunge pool, terrace and a restaurant and lounge called Nice to Meet You, which serves Mediterranean food with 360 degree city views.

The look is modern and minimal, and the terrace is popular for sunset drinks and photos. Reviewers describe the pool and terrace as small and sometimes crowded, so do not expect a large, spread-out space. The pool is seasonal and, according to two guides, reserved for hotel guests, so do not plan on a swim without a stay.

Non-guests can visit the Nice to Meet You restaurant and lounge on the same floor, but its booking rules for drinks only are unclear, so check with the hotel before you turn up. Smart casual dress is the norm, and the crowd is a mix of hotel guests and visitors dining on the roof.

It suits a polished, quieter evening, and it is a good choice if you want a drink and a meal in one place. The proximity to Plaza de España also makes it easy to pair with a walk to the Temple of Debod at sunset.

If you want the view on a smaller budget, order a drink at the bar rather than a full meal, and ask for a seat near the terrace edge.

• How to get there: Metro to Plaza de España or Santo Domingo.
• How long to spend: One to two hours.
• Best time to go: Early evening, with a table booking.
• Tip: Book ahead and check whether the terrace and pool are open that day.

10. Radio Rooftop at ME Madrid

Radio Rooftop at ME Madrid Reina Victoria is a lively roof over the old centre, right on Plaza de Santa Ana. It is on the seventh floor of the ME Madrid Reina Victoria hotel, and the view takes in the rooftops of the Huertas and Santa Ana area. By day it is a relaxed lounge, and later the music picks up and the crowd gets livelier.

Guides describe a cocktail list, seasonal fusion tapas and weekend brunch, with a smart casual dress code. Reviewers call it fun but somewhat pricey. The rooftop is sometimes booked for private events, so it can be closed to the public without much warning.

This is the one entry on the list with a status to check. Two pages from the same rooftop directory give different information, one showing a weekly schedule and another marked as closed, and no official announcement could be found either way. Check the hotel’s website or call before you plan an evening around it.

If it is open, it works well as an evening in the Santa Ana area, where you can dine on tapas first and then go up for a drink. If it is closed, the neighbourhood has plenty of street-level bars on Plaza de Santa Ana itself.

For a backup in the same area, the Círculo de Bellas Artes terrace is a short walk away.

• How to get there: Metro to Sol or Antón Martín, then a short walk to Plaza de Santa Ana.
• How long to spend: One to two hours.
• Best time to go: Early evening, before the music builds.
• Tip: Confirm that it is open to the public that day, and book if you can.

How to pick the right Madrid rooftop

Start with the view you want. For the postcard skyline, choose the Círculo de Bellas Artes. For Gran Via, pick Picalagartos, The Principal or Hotel Emperador. For the highest viewpoint, go to Riu Plaza España, and for the Royal Palace and the Temple of Debod, try Ginkgo.

Next, think about budget and access. The Gourmet Experience at Callao is the easiest to visit, with free entry, and Azotea Cibeles is also easy to reach, while the Círculo and Riu charge a fee to go up. Hotel roofs such as The Principal, Ginkgo and Dear usually work best with a booking.

Finally, think about the season. Most rooftops are seasonal, running roughly April to October, and the best options for cooler months are the covered or heated terraces such as The Principal and Ginkgo. Late October is the end of the season, so check each venue before you go.

Suggested rooftop plans for 1, 2 or 3 days

You can see most of Madrid’s best rooftops in three evenings by grouping them by area. The itinerary below is also available as a free printable PDF, which the site adds after the quick answer.

Day 1: Gran Via and Callao

Start in the late afternoon at the Gourmet Experience in Callao, which needs no booking and gives you a first look at the skyline. Walk along Gran Via to Picalagartos or The Principal for sunset cocktails, then have dinner nearby. If you want a second stop, Hotel Emperador’s Sky Bar is a short walk back towards Santo Domingo.

Day 2: Plaza de España

Spend the afternoon at the Temple of Debod and Parque del Oeste, then go up to the 360 Rooftop Bar at Riu Plaza España while the light is still good. For the evening, book Ginkgo Sky Bar or the Dear Hotel rooftop for dinner and music, and pick one rather than trying both.

Day 3: Alcalá, Cibeles and Santa Ana

Visit a museum on the Paseo del Prado in the morning, then go up to Azotea Cibeles in the late afternoon. Walk along Calle de Alcalá to the Círculo de Bellas Artes terrace for sunset, and if Radio Rooftop is confirmed open, finish with a drink around Plaza de Santa Ana.

Where to stay for rooftop bars

For the biggest choice on foot, stay around Gran Via, Callao or Plaza de España, where several of these rooftops are within a short walk of each other. This area is lively at night, so ask for a quieter room if you are a light sleeper.

For a calmer base, choose the Salamanca or Retiro side, from where Cibeles and the Círculo de Bellas Artes are a short walk or one Metro stop. Huertas and Santa Ana are the best choice if you prefer a traditional neighbourhood of tapas bars, with Radio Rooftop at the centre.

If you want a rooftop at your own hotel, check whether the terrace and pool are included in the stay or sold separately.

Getting around Madrid

Madrid’s Metro is the easiest way to link the rooftops, and most of the venues here are within a few minutes of a station. For routes, tickets and opening times, use the Metro de Madrid official site.

Walking is the best way to link venues along Gran Via, and the centre is flat enough for a comfortable evening stroll. Taxis and ride-hailing are useful late at night, when you leave after the Metro has slowed down, and the city’s night buses also run through the centre.

In summer, evenings stay warm and bright late, so plan sunset visits later than you might expect. In autumn and spring, take a light layer, because it can be windy at height.

Budget guidance

For a lower spend, choose the Gourmet Experience at Callao, which is free to enter, or Azotea Cibeles, where there is no hotel premium and you can have a single drink or a snack. Entry fees to the Círculo de Bellas Artes and Riu Plaza España add to the cost, so budget for them before you order.

At the middle level, a cocktail at Picalagartos, Ginkgo or the Sky Bar at Hotel Emperador is a reasonable treat. Drink prices at hotel roofs are higher than at street-level bars, so one good drink and the view is often better value than a long evening.

For a special occasion, The Principal and Dear Hotel suit dinner and drinks with a view, especially if you book. If a minimum spend or a dress code applies, the venue will usually say so when you reserve.

Discover more of Madrid

Once you have your rooftops sorted, book a table first with our guide to the best places to eat in Madrid, and plan a break from the city with our favourite day trips from Madrid.

Featured image: Photo by Zarateman, CC0, cropped, via Wikimedia Commons