Editorial
Budapest has two skylines, the Pest grid and the Buda hills, split by the Danube. The rooftops trade on that divide, most of them pointed at Parliament, the Basilica or the Castle.
The seven below are verified open for 2026. The old list ran to ten, but several rooms were closed, duplicated or never rooftops at all. These are the real ones.
High Note SkyBar tops the Aria Hotel beside St Stephen's Basilica, in District V. The terrace sits level with the dome, with a 360 degree view over the inner city. The bar runs a proper mixology list and bar food until 22:30, and stays open year-round with heated pavilions in winter. Conde Nast once ranked it among the world's best. Best to reserve for sunset.
360 Bar crowns the former Paris Department Store at Andrassy ut 39, in District VI. The name is the view, a full circle taking in the Basilica and Parliament. Cocktails lead, with burgers and pasta to follow, and igloos appear in winter. It opens around 14:00 and runs to 02:00 Thursday to Saturday. Best at sunset, and worth a reservation.
St Andrea sits on the sixth floor of the Vaci 1 building on Vorosmarty Square, District V. Two terraces look over downtown to Gellert Hill, the Buda side and the Ferris wheel. The draw is the St Andrea estate's own fine wines, backed by signature cocktails. It runs daily until midnight, year-round. Best for a wine-led evening with the city laid out below.
Leo Rooftop tops the Hotel Clark on the Buda side, at Clark Adam ter by the Chain Bridge. Eight floors up, the view takes in Buda Castle, the Gresham Palace, the Danube and the bridge itself. The kitchen sends out Angus mini-burgers and Korean BBQ bao, with DJs Thursday to Sunday. Best at sunset, with the bridge lighting up as the light goes.
Intermezzo crowns the Hotel President near Szabadsag ter, in District V. The terrace looks over the old National Treasury building toward the Basilica. It runs as a summer rooftop from May to September, then switches to heated winter igloos. Cocktails and light plates fill the list. Best on a warm evening, when the terrace is open and the square is quiet.
White Raven sits atop the Hilton in the Buda Castle district, among the highest bars in the city. The view runs across the Danube to Parliament and the Pest skyline. It works as a seasonal rooftop, strongest in the warm months. The list is cocktails and sparkling wine. Best for a sunset drink on the Castle hill, away from the Pest crowds.
The Duchess hides atop the Matild Palace, a restored Art Nouveau building in District V. The rooftop looks over the Elisabeth Bridge, the Danube and Gellert Hill. It is the dressed-up option here, with a tight cocktail list and a price to match. Best for a special occasion, booked ahead, with the bridge in full view at dusk.
The split is geographic. Pest rooftops like 360 Bar and High Note look across the flat inner city to the Basilica and Parliament. Buda rooms like Leo and White Raven trade height for the river and the Castle.
Most run seasonal, with winter igloos filling the gap. High Note and St Andrea stay open year-round, so start there when the weather turns. Reserve for sunset in summer.
High Note SkyBar by the Basilica is the year-round standout for its 360 view and mixology list. 360 Bar on Andrassy ut is the livelier pick, especially at sunset.
White Raven atop the Buda Hilton and Leo Rooftop by the Chain Bridge both frame Parliament across the Danube. On the Pest side, 360 Bar takes it in along with the Basilica.
High Note and St Andrea stay open year-round with heated cover. 360 Bar, Intermezzo and several others switch to heated winter igloos from late autumn.
For sunset in summer, yes. High Note, 360 Bar and The Duchess fill on clear evenings, so reserve and arrive before the light goes.