Best Rooftop Bars in Madrid

The rooftop of the Circulo de Bellas Artes is the gold standard. 360-degree views take in the Telefonica tower, the Palacio Real, and the distant Guadarrama mountains on clear days. Book one week ahead in summer.

Hotel Principal's terrace puts you directly above the Gran Via action. Cocktails are priced accordingly but the view compensates at sunset.

Boutique hotel rooftop that stays relatively uncrowded because few people know it exists. Excellent gin and tonic selection, cushioned seating, and a 10pm closing that keeps things civilised.

Hostel rooftop that mercifully lets non-guests in. The cheapest panoramic terrace in central Madrid. Sangria pitchers, good company, no dress code.

Film posters on the walls, sculptural plant installations, and a terrace that catches the evening light from the west. Strong martinis.

The VP El Madrono hotel rooftop has a skyline view that stretches to the Casa de Campo. Go at dusk. The wine list is the best of any Madrid rooftop.

Scottish-themed rooftop that makes sense in context. Good whisky list and a social crowd. One of the few terraces that gets genuinely busy after midnight.

ME Madrid hotel's flagship terrace. Fashion-forward crowd, strong cocktails, DJ on weekends. This is the glossy Madrid rooftop experience done properly.

Ferran Adria collaborated on the restaurant below; the rooftop inherited the elegance. Members and their guests primarily, but hotel residents can book.

A market rooftop bar with vermouth on tap and pintxos from the stalls below. The most informal option on this list, and the better for it.

Three floors up in Malasana, far less polished than the hotel rooftops and better for it. Local crowd, good natural wine, zero attitude.

Gran Melia hotel with a terrace that looks directly onto the Palacio Real lit at night. One of the few places in Madrid where the service matches the view.