3 European Hotel Rooftops with Views Worth Traveling For

Europe’s sidewalk culture is legendary, but there’s something magical about seeing its most alluring cities from above: rooftops glowing at golden hour, monuments lit like stage sets, the quiet hum of life below. Below, three of our go-to rooftop perches for sky-high views of photogenic landmarks, including the Sagrada Família and the Acropolis, plus seasonal programming like art exhibitions and astrology-inspired yoga classes.

Just off Passeig de Gràcia and within strolling distance of Gaudí’s greatest hits, the family-owned Almanac Barcelona makes for an ideal base in the Catalan capital. Its crowning glory: the Azimuth rooftop bar, offering a front-row seat to the soon-to-be-completed Sagrada Familia (set to wrap next year) along with the Montjuïc mountain, the Jean Nouvel-designed Torre Glòries, and Mount Tibidabo. There’s also a plunge pool for cooling off on hot summer days. This season, the rooftop transforms into a celestial-themed observatory, complete with cosmology-inspired ceramics workshops, astro-yoga classes, and watercolor painting contests. Even the cocktails look to the stars: try the Aries, a bold blend of mezcal, chili, citrus, and passionfruit, or the Neptune, infused with blueberry, anise, and a salty spritz that evokes the planet’s deep, moody oceans.

Perched on the edge of Lake Zurich in a Belle Époque palace dating to 1909, La Réserve Eden au Lac (part of Michel Reybier Hospitality) is a Philippe Starck–designed hideaway close to the city’s top landmarks, including the Opera House, Pavillon Le Corbusier, the Art Nouveau–era Bad Utoquai bathing pavilion, and the shopping haven of Bahnhofstrasse. Housed in the building’s original attic, the rooftop restaurant, La Muña (named after a magical Peruvian plant said to relieve altitude-related ailments), is a showstopper of a space, featuring exposed brick walls, wooden floors, and stained-glass windows by Ara Starck that flood the dining room with kaleidoscopic light. Sit outdoors on two expansive terraces (one fully privatizable), while tucking into Japanese-Peruvian dishes like red tuna ceviche with green shiso, red onions, rayu oil, and rocoto sauce — all served with a side of 360-degree views of Lake Zurich and the Alps.

Owned by world-renowned art collector Dakis Joannou and designed by powerhouse Brazilian designers Humberto and (the late) Fernando Campana (the duo were the first Brazilian artists to be exhibited at MoMA), NEW Hotel Athens is a marvel of modernity located amid ancient Athens. At the 7th-floor Art Lounge, guests are treated to Greek flavors and Mediterranean influences in a fashionable setting ideal for after-work drinks or dinner.

The panoramic terrace offers show-stopping views of the Acropolis and Lycabettus Hill, while the interior features the Campana brothers’ light fixtures and chairs and rotating contemporary art exhibitions. Chef Babis Kountouris and his team use modern culinary techniques and top-quality ingredients to reinvent classic Greek fare; scallops with San Michali cheese from Syros, the soutzoukakia meatball tartare, or the hearty giouvetsi stew with lobster. Open daily from 6 p.m., it’s the perfect spot for a glass of natural Greek wine or a cocktail (try the Meltemi, made with ouzo, honey and cucumber espuma), followed by a gourmet dinner.