Best Rooftop Bars in Lisbon


 

Being a city built on hills, Lisbon rooftops are the best places to be any time of day. Being able to overlook the rooftops of the Alfama, or the seemingly endless horizon of the Tagus as it stretches out to the ocean is outer worldly.

Soaking up the Portuguese sun is also best done from one of these vicinities — and naturally having a drink in hand would be most preferable.

View from the Lisbon rooftops – by Luis Dille – Unsplash

All across Lisbon, rooftop bars silently compete for the title of best place to be when the sun begins to set. Boating impressive cocktail menus, happy hour specials and impressive entertainment; the Lisbon rooftop bars are a cultural scene of their own, bringing together locals and tourists in spaces safe for all.

Here are a few of the best, though I will say that very often the better way to find these hidden gems is just to roam the streets and follow the crowds .

Memmo Alfama Terrace in Lisbon

Tv. Merceeiras 27

The Memmo Alfama is the rooftop bar attached to the boutique hotel with the same name. The rooftop is widely known as being one of the only red pools in the world — yes, you read that correctly. The swimming pool is tiled completely red giving the water a very unusual appearance.

To get to the bar you’ll head to the cobblestone alley in the back of the hotel. The rooftop is situated in the heart of the Alfama, far enough from the water so you still get the view of the building tops but close enough to smell the sea!

Memmo Alfama Terrace – by Memmo Alfama Terrace – Sourced from their website

The bar offers drinks and snacks. By day you’ll find the hotel guests lazing about and by night the space shifts into an open bar area where even non-hotel residents are welcomes to enjoy.

Sun loungers are available to all on the level below the bar deck.

Topo in Lisbon

Commercial Center Martim Moniz, Praca Martim Moniz

Staying near the Alfama, Topo Rooftop is fast becoming one of the trendiest places to see and be seen while in Lisbon. The bar overlooks the gorgeous town of Mouraria, and from the roof you’ll enjoy the São Jorge Castle sparkling in the distance.

Visit this rooftop during sunset as the evening takes a swing into the sensual with live DJs and drink specials.

Topo in Lisbon – by Topo – Sourced from their website

Some people, including myself, like to think of Topo as somewhat of a hidden gem of Lisbon. This is largely due to how tricky it can be to find. It is on the top floor of a very unassuming shopping mall called Martim Moniz. You’ll get to the bar by entering the mall and taking the elevator to the 6th floor.

Come hungry! The tapas as Topo are delicious!

Bairro Alto Hotel Terrace in Lisbon

Praça Luís de Camões 2

Barrio Alto is a historic neighborhood in terms of greater Lisbon. Over the years, it has become the place to stay, visit, eat, drink and party for everyone who makes their way to this city.

The free guided walking tours will make you right past the iconic The Barrio Alto hotel. Since opening in 2005, this vicinity has been an award winner in more ways than one. Today we visit for the rooftop bar!

Bairro Alto Hotel Terrace – by Bairro Alto Hotel Terrace – Sourced from their website

Overlooking the rustic buildings of the Barrio Alto neighborhood heading toward the Tagus, the view from this bar is incredible. It’s panoramic and stretches as far as the eye can see right across the shores of Lisbon.

It is a spacious rooftop which has caused it to become a favorite hangout for local Lisbon dwellers as well. You’ll have to arrive early if you’d like to get a table, especially if you’d like to be there for sunset (which I do recommend).

The rooftop bar actually sits on the Praça Luís de Camões, a popular public square in the Barrio!

Chapitô à Mesa in Lisbon

Costa do Castelo 7

If you take anything from this roundup it should be this next rooftop bar. Reported to be one of the best rooftop bars in the world, Chapitô à mesa sits in the heart of the Alfama and takes a bit of effort to fine — but so worth it!

Chapitô à Mesa – by Chapitô à Mesa – Uploaded by them

Upon arriving at the address, enter the jewelry shop and find the stairwell. Take the stairs up… and more stairs up… and just when you think you’ve made it to the top, find the additional skinny staircase and let it take you right through to the terrace.

Once inside this hidden gem you’ll believe the hype. The menu is simple and distinctly Portuguese. In this bar you’ll sip port wines while the sun bounces off of the surrounding rooftops.

The outside tables are where you want to sit if possible.

Terraço Chill-Out Limão in Lisbon

Av. Duque de Loulé 83

Calm, chic and central to Lisbon, this new terrace is making waves since the recent opening of the boutique hotel that it is attached to. The H10 Duque de Loulé is a new concept built into a beautiful 18th century building in the Lisbon city center.

The rooftop Limão has fast become one of the most popular afterwork hangouts for those residing in the area.

The blue, white and wooden theme of the rooftop gives the space a slightly Greek feel, but overlooking the Tagus you are quickly transported right back to Lisbon at first glance.

This is not the kind of place where one comes to get loud and rowdy. The rooftop is modest and ideal for people looking to engage in conversation, enjoy thoughtfully crafted drinks and appreciate the city.

If you know where to look, Lisbon is rooftop bar heaven. The above are where I’ve had the best experiences around the city, however there are probably a few hundred more that I’ve yet to encounter.

Let me know what more you find during your stay!

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