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We hope you love our recommendations! Some may have been sent as samples, but all were independently selected by our editors. Just FYI, BuzzFeed and its publishing partners may collect a share of sales and/or other compensation from the links on this page.
Have your cameras at the ready.
For those who aren’t too familiar with New York, it’s a lesser-known fact that all the best views of NYC are actually located outside of Manhattan itself. RoofTop at Exchange Place has arguably one of the best seats in the house, pressed up against the Hudson River in Jersey City. With mind-blowing views of the downtown Manhattan skyline, and sliders and tacos galore, you may just find yourself roosted up on the terrace all night long.
Address: 1 Exchange Pl, Jersey City, NJ 07302, US
Rooms starting at: $199+
With a private perch atop Rome's Monte Mario, Rome Cavalieri has some of the best hotel views in the city, and its rooftop restaurant, La Pergola, is no exception. The 3-star Michelin restaurant has an elegant Italian interior and a large terrace to take in sights of everything historic Rome has to offer. Lucky for guests, they get to see all the history from above, without dodging the hoards of Trevi Fountain-seeking tourists below.
Address: Via Alberto Cadlolo 101, 00136, Rome, Italy
Rooms starting at: $228+ ($212+ for Hilton Honors members)
When you think Vienna, you probably think rolling green hills that come alive with the sound of music. But the Andaz Vienna Am Belvedere is bringing you a new urban perspective of Austria. The hotel’s rooftop bar, Aurora, is inspired by the northern lights and offers city views, a cozy fireplace, and the real kicker —completely edible straws made of 100% apple to sip your cocktails.
Address: Arsenalstrasse 10, Vienna, Austria, 1100
Rooms starting at: $155+
The thing with most rooftops is: they’re typically just one floor packed to the brim with onlookers trying to snap the perfect shot of their cocktail in front of the magnificent view (guilty). LondonHouse Chicago is one-upping everyone though, with its thee-level LH Rooftop. You’ll catch views of the Chicago River and Lake Michigan from indoors on floor 21, outdoors on floor 22, or in the privacy of your own group setting if you rent out floor 23 for a special event.
Address: 85 E Wacker Drive, Chicago, IL 60601, US
Rooms starting at: $95+
Looking out over the city of Athens and the iconic Acropolis, Galaxy Restaurant & Bar at Hilton Athens takes you up and away from the chaos of the city below and into a different universe. Like actually though — the indoor portion of the bar has a galaxy ceiling featuring explosions of color, twinkling stars, and even plants. Plus, the Mediterranean cuisine is *out of this world* (sorry, it had to be said).
Address: 46 Vassilissis Sofias Ave, Athens, 11528, Greece
Rooms starting at: $141+ ($131+ for Hilton Honors members)
Dubai may be known for its over-the-top resorts, unique architectural designs, and all those islands they shaped into palm trees, but what gets overlooked is that Dubai is also a beautiful beachfront destination. Located right on the Persian Gulf (Arabian Gulf), Hilton Dubai The Walk taps into this aspect of the city. Matching their blue and white interiors to the sweeping ocean views, the Pure Sky rooftop has all the bar bites you’ll need to take in a blissful sunset away from the crowds below.
Address: The Walk, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Rooms starting at: $143+ ($134+ for Hilton Honors members)
As if LA didn’t hold enough draw, you can now visit the Western Hemisphere’s tallest open-air bar in the City of Angels. High up on the 73rd floor of the hotel, you can take in views of Los Angeles from every angle, all while sipping one of Spire 73’s cocktails fireside. Let’s be honest though, this rooftop could serve literally anything and you’d still be running (not walking) to catch a glimpse of the skyline from that height.
Address: 900 Wilshire Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90017, US
Rooms starting at: $229+
A Dallas staple since 1956, the Statler’s rooftop bar, Waterproof, is actually a swimming hole as well (which bodes well for the all-consuming heat that comes with those Texas summers). The pool is open until 9 p.m. when the rooftop swaps its urban paradise vibes for a trendy cocktail lounge experience. Don’t worry, they cater to the seasons, and since summer is (unfortunately) not year-round, you can expect all sorts of cozy cocktails, like the Brr-BonSpiced Cider and the Polar Espresso in winter.
Address: 1914 Commerce St, Dallas, TX 75201, US
Rooms starting at: $188+ ($184+ for Hilton Honors members)
With seemingly endless views of Thailand’s Pattaya Bay, Horizon Restaurant & Bar will not only be your most-liked vacation photo in the making, but also a foodie destination and party scene wrapped up in one. Perched 34 stories high and looking out across the beautiful blue waters, this rooftop boasts a live DJ, Thai fusion delicacies, and classic tropical cocktails, like Mai Thais and Daiquiris, to keep you feeling all sorts of laid-back.
Address: 333/101, Bang Lamung District, Chon Buri 20260, Thailand
Rooms starting at: $157+
If you’re looking to admire the London Eye from a distance rather than hop onboard and face your fear of heights while hovering above the River Thames, The Rooftop at The Trafalgar St. James is at your service. With sweeping views of not only the London Eye, but the entire London skyline, The Rooftop will have you eyeing (pun intended) a stay at The Trafalgar, even though it is a bit of a splurge.
Address: 2 Spring Gardens, London SW1A 2TS, United Kingdom
Rooms starting at: $262+ ($244+ for Hilton Honors members)
The W Washington DC may be one of DC’s oldest and most historic hotels, but absolutely nothing about its rooftop, POV, is outdated. Formerly the Hotel Washington, this DC icon underwent a $50 million renovation last year, and its rooftop canopy got quite the boost. Literally. The rooftop was raised to give even more panoramic views of the White House and the National Mall from the 11th floor of the hotel. Oh, and don’t miss out on the Hong Kong-style lobster fried rice, either.
Address: 515 15th St NW, Washington, DC 20004, US
Rooms starting at: $203+
All the way up on the 34th floor of the Four Seasons Mumbai, you’ll find the hotel’s open-air lounge, AER. The modern, round bar in the center of the lounge pours signature cocktails all night long to pair with tasty Asian appetizers. You may come for the sunset but you’ll definitely find yourself staying for the midnight views and late night grooves.
Address: 1/136, Dr E Moses Rd, 400018 Worli, Mumbai, India
Rooms starting at: $189+
In a city chock full of rooftops, The Standard’s Le Bain may be one of the only ones covered in grass — or rather, turf (it’s still New York City after all). Propped above an old train line that first ran through the city in the 1930s, Le Bain boasts both indoor and outdoor space with views of Midtown, Downtown, the Hudson River, and beyond. Find us another spot in the city where you can see that much of the skyline all while lounging on the grass. We’ll wait.
Address: 848 Washington St, New York, NY 10014, US
Rooms starting at: $159+
This list wouldn’t be complete without Sands Skypark in Singapore. If you think you haven’t seen a photo of Singapore’s iconic Marina Bay Sands hotel, allow us to jog your memory. The hotel is famous for its three towers hoisting a three-acre park 57 stories above the city. On the park’s observation deck, you can look out across the cityscape and down on the Gardens by the Bay, the Supertree Grove, and a portion of the sea from the Marina South Pier to the Singapore Strait. Plus, they have loads of fine dining and drinks, of course. Did we jog your memory yet?
Address: 10 Bayfront Ave, Singapore 018956
Rooms starting at: $385+
When you think of the desert, you don’t necessarily think superb location for a rooftop. However, when the San Jacinto Mountains are your backdrop, like they are at The Rowan Palm Springs, you'll want to get as high as you can for those rocky mountain photo ops. And with all the open space in the Coachella Valley, the Rowan also hosts monthly star-gazing events to utilize the rooftop’s seventh floor proximity to the night sky.
Address: 100 W Tahquitz Canyon Way, Palm Springs, CA 92262, US
Rooms starting at: $175+
Tucked up on the top floor of the Hilton Rio Copacabana, Isabel Lounge gives guests a birds eye view of Copacabana Beach and the famed Sugarloaf Mountain. After a full day lounging shoreside, this rooftop offers the perfect retreat for a tropical bev, a good sunset, and a little personal space, since you definitely won’t find any of that on the beach below.
Address: Av. Atlântica 1020, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, 22010-000, Brazil
Rooms starting at: $175+ ($154+ for Hilton Honors members)