The Best Rooftop Sunsets, City by City

The best rooftop sunsets are in cities built for terrace culture — Bangkok’s sky bars, Lisbon’s miradouros, Mexico City and Marrakech’s rooftops — where you get the skyline and the golden hour in one drink. Here’s a city-by-city starting list.

City by city

• Bangkok — the original sky-bar city; dozens of high-rise terraces over the river.
• Lisbon — rooftop bars plus the free miradouros (viewpoints) at Graça and Senhora do Monte.
• Mexico City — Roma and Centro rooftops looking to the mountains.
• Marrakech — medina terraces over the rooftops as the call to prayer sounds.
• Athens — rooftops framing the floodlit Acropolis at dusk.
• New York — skyline rooftops in Manhattan and Brooklyn.
• Barcelona — hotel rooftops over the city and sea.
• Singapore — sky bars with skyline-and-harbour views.

How to do it right

• Arrive 45–60 minutes early, especially on weekends — the good tables go fast.
• Check if it takes reservations and book if so.
• Know which way it faces — you want west for the sun, or east for the skyline lighting up.
• One drink for the sunset, dinner after at street level is a great combo.

For nature over cities, see the best sunset spots in the world, and bring it home with how to photograph the sunset. More in Golden Hour.

Frequently asked questions

What is the best city for rooftop sunsets?

Bangkok is famous for its sky bars, Lisbon for its miradouros and rooftops, and Mexico City and Marrakech for terrace culture. Most big cities have one standout rooftop if you know where to look.

When should I arrive at a rooftop bar for sunset?

Arrive 45–60 minutes before sunset for the best tables, especially on weekends. Many popular rooftops fill up fast and some take reservations.