Complete guide

Rooftop Bars Istanbul

2023 update
Turkey Flag
Country Turkey
Currency Turkish lira
Best time to visit April - November
Rooftop grade 8/10
Rooftop Bar Istanbul
Rooftop Istanbul

13 best rooftop bars in Istanbul

Updated:September 2, 2023

Istanbul is one of the biggest cities in the world, and the best way to get an overview of the vast city is to head up to an Istanbul roof bar. Then you can mix sunset views over the Bosphorus with tasty food and drinks.

To help you out, this complete guide will lead you straight to the best rooftop bars Istanbul, packed with all info you need about each venue: opening hours, dress code, pictures, maps, booking links and much more. From stylish rooftop restaurants to more charming and relaxed rooftop lounges.

So, which is the best rooftop Istanbul? Just scroll down and find the Istanbul rooftop bar best suited for you.

The list
Rooftop bar Istanbul The Bank Roof Bar in Istanbul
1

The Bank Roof Bar

$$$ | 7th floor | Karaköy
  • Highlights
  • Beautiful
  • Panoramic views
  • Unique flavors

Perched on top of The Bank Hotel in Karaköy, Istanbul's most hip area, The Bank Roof Bar invites to an elevated and imperishable experience. This stylish and open air terrace comes surrounded with magnificent views over the Old City, and up here you can indulge in everything from classic and signature cocktails, a wide variety of whiskies and local & international wines, as well as a unique selection of finger foods. Open daily to all, The Bank Roof Bar is pretty much always a great choice to enjoy Istanbul from above, in an upscale yet casual atmosphere.

Rooftop bar Istanbul Simone at RUZ Hotels in Istanbul
2

Simone at RUZ Hotels

$$$ | 6th floor | Beyoglu
  • Highlights
  • Intimate
  • 360° views
  • Rooftop bar + restaurant

Covering the top floors of the luxury boutique hotel RUZ Hotels, Simone includes both a rooftop bar and terrace, and a rooftop restaurant. Blending panoramic interior seating with outdoor terraces, here you get some truly breathtaking views over Istanbul. Indulge in a Mediterranean-inspired menu, filled with everything from delicious pizza to fresh pasta, complemented with crafted signature cocktails, gorgeous beers and splendid wines. Open daily from breakfast to late night, Simone is always a prime Istanbul rooftop to enjoy elevated hours in a laid back atmosphere.

Rooftop bar Istanbul Mikla (Hotel Marmara Pera) in Istanbul
3

Mikla

$$$$ | 15th floor | The Marmara Pera
  • Highlights
  • Rooftop pool
  • 360-view
  • Praised restaurant

The rooftop terrace Mikla at the Marmara Pera Hotel has pretty much everything one could ask for. Rooftop pool, rooftop bar, rooftop restaurant and a stunning view over Istanbul in every direction. Most famous is probably the restaurant part of Mikla, which earned spot nr. 52 in the Worlds 50 Best Restaurants-ranking of 2019. But apart from food at the very highest class, you can also visit the rooftop bar, that offers great cocktails and mellow vibes in a very stylish setting. Or even better, stay at the hotel and also enjoy the fantastic rooftop pool.

Rooftop bar Istanbul 16 Roof in Istanbul
4

16ROOF

$$$$ | 16th floor | Maçka Democracy Park
  • Highlights
  • Weekend vibes
  • 360-view
  • Restaurant

This multi-level terrace bar and restaurant is a real 'happening' place, perched on top of of the Swissotel, located on the European banks of the Bosphorus. From the rooftop you get a magnificent view over Bosphoren and the Asian part of the city. Here you can enjoy great international food every night (7-11pm), complemented with a really impresive wine menu along with a 'Sky Menu', ranging from well-crefted signature cocktails to a wide range of beers and cigars. Always a vibrant atmosphere, but really kicking off during weekends with live acts and DJs.

Rooftop bar Istanbul Spago Istanbul in Istanbul
5

Spago Istanbul

$$$$ | 8th floor | Maçka Democracy Park
  • Highlights
  • Restaurant & lounge
  • Stylish venue
  • Fantastic views

A beautiful rooftop restaurant and lounge, found on top of the prestigious The St. Regis Istanbul, in one of the most prestigious areas of the city, the Nişantaşı district. Mixing restaurant and lounge, as well as indoor and year-round outdoor seating, the Spago rooftop offers some amazing views over Bosphoren and the close by Maçka Democracy Park. Here you can enjoy a fusion of dishes mixed with American, Asian and Italian influences, made by famous chef Wolfgang Puck, as well as crafted signature cocktails, high-end spirits and fine champagne.

Rooftop bar Istanbul Restaurant 24 at Georges Hotel Galata in Istanbul
6

Restaurant 24 at Georges Hotel Galata

$$$$ | 5th floor | Galata Tower
  • Highlights
  • Restaurant
  • Great views
  • Charming

Close to Galata Tower you find the fabulous boutique hotel Georges Hotel Galata, and on the top floor a lovely rooftop restaurant and bar that offers magical views of Bosphorus and the Golden Horn. Open to all, the rooftop has a stylish contemporary setting and here you can enjoy tasty dishes with a local touch, along with well-crafted cocktails and a good selection of Turkish wines. With a relaxed and sophisticated vibe, you can visit for a romantic dinner or just late night cocktails, looking out over the amazing night-time vistas of the Bosphorus.

Rooftop bar Istanbul 5. Kat in Istanbul
7

5. Kat

$$$ | 5th floor | Taksim Square
  • Highlights
  • Cozy restaurant
  • Bosphoren view
  • Live music

About 5 minutes walk from Taksim Square you find the roof terrace 5. Kat, which is a small but very cozy café, bar and restaurant with a breathtaking view over the Bosphorus. The setting on the terrace is almost as beautiful as the views, picturesque and stylish at the same time with intimate dining tables, lots of greenery and also a very nice bar. Here you can enjoy large menus of both food and drinks, with great mediterranean and local style food and a wide range of drinks, from classic cocktails to raki. All in a harmonius vibe and with a very friendly service.

Rooftop bar Istanbul 360 in Istanbul
8

360 Istanbul

$$$$ | 9th floor | Galatasaray
  • Highlights
  • Restaurant
  • Magical 360-view
  • Entertainment

From this roof terrace you get one of the best views in Istanbul, really worthy of its name, the 360-degree views reach almost as far as Istanbul can take you. The 360 rooftop has a concept containing 4 words: CUISINE, ENTERTAINMENT, VIBE and AMBIANCE. And this is what you can expect, good Turkish meze fused with international cuisine, a wide range of drinks and a very vibrant and fun atmosphere, often highlighted by different live acts and perfomances. Especially during weekends and the Club360.

Rooftop bar Istanbul Seven Hills Restaurant in Istanbul
9

Seven Hills Restaurant

$$$ | 6th floor | Blue Mosque
  • Highlights
  • Seafood restaurant
  • Blue Mosque views
  • Great atmosphere

Boasting fantastic views over the Blue Mosque, Hagia Sophia Museum and the Bosphorus, Seven Hills Restaurant is the top seafood restaurant and rooftop Istanbul, if you want to mix tasty food with amazing vistas. Open from breakfast to late dinner, and drinks anywhere in between, the rooftop menu includes fish brought in fresh daily from the Marmara Sea, both Turkish and international dishes, and from the bar you can order everything from fine alcholic drinks to tea, coffee and soft drinks.

Rooftop bar Istanbul Vogue Restaurant & Bar in Istanbul
10

Vogue Restaurant & Bar

$$$$ | 13th floor | Bjk Plaza/Besiktas
  • Highlights
  • Molecular cocktail menu
  • Bosphoren view
  • Great food

A chic and minimalist rooftop restaurant and bar, located on top of the Bjk Plaza in Besiktas. Vouge delivers amazing food, unbeatable views of the Bosphorus along with a trendy atmosphere. And, a very cool molecular cocktail menu. Enjoy a wide range of world cuisine dishes, from pasta and grills from the Josper oven to over 70 varieties of sushi. Everything very well made. Vogue also have an impressive list of both local and international wines. Open from noon, so works well for lunch, dinner or cocktails any time, but preferably timed with the magical sunset.

Rooftop bar Istanbul Serica Restaurant in Istanbul
11

Serica Restaurant

$$$$ | 6th floor | Karaköy
  • Highlights
  • Elegant
  • Soil to plate
  • Beautiful views

Found in the up-and-coming district of Karaköy, at The Bank Hotel Istanbul, the elegant Serica Restaurant offers an adventure from soil to plate. The venue holds a stylish and sleek interior dining room with open kitchen and panoramic windows, as well as an outdoor terrace stretching around the venue, surrounded by beautiful views over the Old City. Open daily for dinner, here you can experience the fresh Aegean, the rich Black Sea, the cult Central Anatolia and the multicolored Southeast in a truly elevated setting.

Rooftop bar Istanbul The Roof at The Ritz-Carlton in Istanbul
12

The Roof at The Ritz-Carlton

$$$$ | 8th floor | Maçka Democracy Park
  • Highlights
  • Infinity pool
  • Amazing views
  • Urban oasis

Surrounded by lush greenery, The Roof is a true urban oasis, found on top of the five star The Ritz-Carlton Istanbul. This open-air terrace comes with modern and comfy lounge sofas, complemented with a sleek bar and a truly amazing rooftop infinity pool. Add some magical views of the Bosphorus and Istanbul, and you sense that The Roof is really something special. Open from morning to night, here you can enjoy an intimate atmosphere and a large selection of food and drinks. From 'French Brasserie'-style dishes to refreshing signature cocktails and an impressive selection of wines.

Rooftop bar Istanbul Balkon Restaurant & Bar in Istanbul
13

Balkon Restaurant & Bar

$$$ | 7th floor | Asmalımescit
  • Highlights
  • Relaxed & casual
  • Nightly vibes
  • Fantastic view

This is a relaxed and bohemian Istanbul rooftop, with a lovely view over the Bosporus and the city. Located in Asmalımescit, the rooftop is open from lunch until late night, offering international food and drinks, as well as a great atmosphere. The rooftop menu include pub-like dishes, well-favoured cocktails and cold beers. Nothing fancy, but perfect for a casual meal with views. Visit for relaxing hours in the sun during daytime, or a more vibrant setting at night when the entertainment starts.

The Rooftop Guide
About the author

This guide was made by The Rooftop Guide, the world's leading experts on rooftop bars. With over 800 rooftops visited over the last five years, we keep you up to date in the ever growing universe of rooftop venues.

Istanbul Rooftop Map
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City info

Rooftop bar Istanbul

Rooftop-grade: 8/10

Prime season: April-Nov

Residents: 15 millions

Climate: coastal

For those who like to enjoy food and drinks there are plenty of good restaurants and rooftop bars in Istanbul. The climate here is almost always warm and because of that you can enjoy the roof terraces all year round.

There's a lot of fantastic terraces in Istanbul with magnificent views and vistas. Given that Istanbul is one of the world's 10 largest cities, the Istanbul rooftop bars here are quite scattered. Most, however, around the Taksim Square and the slightly more central areas.

Due to the warm climate and the size of the city, there are some very good opportunities to find some awesome rooftops for those who are looking for a place to drink with a view at here. Between some roof terraces there’s walking distance, while others require a taxi ride.

As a tourist, it's very convenient and affordable with taxi here. The typical Istanbul rooftop bar is located at a restaurant with breathtaking views over the city and sea.

About Istanbul

Istanbul is Turkey's largest city with about 15 million inhabitants. With that number, it is also one of the world's largest cities. The city is divided into an Asian and a European part, where 60% of the population lives in the European part. The city is also Turkey's economic and cultural center, even though it is Ankara that is the capital of the country. Istanbul is surrounded by water, the main reasons being the Bosphorus and the Marmara Sea. There are numerous attractions in the city such as the Blue Mosque, the bazaar or to watch a soccer game with any of the city's top teams.

Food, drink and party on rooftop bars in Istanbul

Which are the best rooftops in Istanbul? Among rooftop bars in Istanbul, you can find both fantastic food, healthy drinks and really good party. Some of the city's best and most luxurious roof terraces have fantastic restaurants. Here you can eat both Turkish and international cuisine to the view of the skyline of Istanbul, the Bosphorus and the Sea. As for drinks at the rooftop terraces of Istanbul the most classic range of cocktails are available and also beer and wine of course. What is special here is the Turkish specialty raki, which can be ordered from the city’s rooftop bars. Partying until the early hours at a rooftop bar in Istanbul is not that common. Here you mainly hang out to drink cocktails or eat good food, before heading off to one of the city's nightclubs.

Alltitude and views from the rooftop bars in Istanbul

Istanbul is one of the world's largest cities, and here there are a lot of high-rise buildings with absolutely stunning rooftop terraces. Most of Istanbul's rooftop bars are located in high-rise buildings or a building on top of any height, to get a good overview over the city. The view can be obtained from the terraces can be quite magical. Everything from the views of the Bosphorus, the city center, the Blue Mosque and the sea. If you put the view in the first place when visiting a rooftop bar, then Istanbul is a very good city to visit.

Other attractions in Istanbul

There are lots of things to do in a mega city like Istanbul. Here you can visit the famous mosque Hagia Sofia is the most famous landmark in the city, take a boat trip on the Bosphorus (which separates Asia and Europe), stroll around the Grand Bazaar and buy raw materials and miscellaneous stuff or take a Turkish bath, which is said to purify both body and soul. For those who are interested in sports, there are three big football teams in Istanbul. Galatasaray, Besiktas and Fenerbahce. All plays in the Turkish top league. If you want to see on a derby between these teams should be aware that it can get really messy.

Rooftop pools in Istanbul

Istanbul has almost all the prerequisites for being a city where it is ideal to have a rooftop pool. Here there are some luxurious and stylish rooftop swimming pools with stunning views of the city and the sea. There is something special to be in a swimming pool on a roof and just look out over the city and its surroundings. The city view in Istanbul is very powerful, and also has one of the world's coolest sunrises. And why not experience it in a rooftop pool. The rooftop pools in Istanbul may only be used by hotel guests. Book a hotel with rooftop pool directly with us and take advantage of the best rates and deals right now.

Flights and hotels in Istanbul

Istanbul has two major airports. One located little outside of town and the other a little closer. Both airports are very busy and aircrafts from around the world take off and land here daily. As we mentioned earlier, Istanbul is one of the world's largest cities, which also offers an incredible large range of hotels. Many of the hotels in Istanbul also has really good roof terraces. Book a hotel on our site and take advantage of the best prices and deals on the market. Want a rooftop bar at your hotel? It can be booked directly on the site of the rooftop bar with us.