There is something very special about being on the top of a building, but soaking up the fresh air and breath-taking horizon sometimes just isn’t enough.
Fortunately, some proprietors have decided to take the experience one step further to prove that the sky’s the limit. Here’s 11 of the best rooftops in the world that set about redefining the humble ‘rooftop’.
Rooftop bar – Mumbai, India
The extravagant Aer Lounge, Mumbai. © Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts/Jaideep Oberoi
When in a big city, you spend a lot of time tilting your head to look up at the lively skyline. But if you’re in the Worli neighbourhood of Mumbai, the Aer Lounge at the top of the Four Seasons Hotel gives you a chance to challenge your vertigo and look down at this fast-growing metropolis from above.
Outside of monsoon season, you can come here and sip a cocktail along with Mumbai’s young, beautiful and rich. It might look like something from a sci-fi movie but, in this city, the futuristic rooftop fits in perfectly.
Rooftop art – Aarhus, Denmark
The glowing rooftop, Your Rainbow Panorama. © Hein Pedersen / ARoS
Rooftops are always great for rainbow watching, but what about a rooftop that is a rainbow? Head to the top of The ARoS Museum in Aarhus, and that’s exactly what you’ll find!
Well, sort of. Designed by Danish-Icelandic artist Olafur Eliasson, ‘Your Rainbow Panorama‘ was released in 2011 and has since become somewhat of a local treasure. Step in to the colour and soak up the spectacular 360° sights of Denmark’s quaint second city.
Rooftop racing – Turin, Italy
The Lingotto factory rooftop. © andre.m(eye)r.vitali
This local Turin landmark is a must for speed freaks and film geeks alike. Opened in 1921 by the hip automobile manufacturer Fiat, the avant-garde Lingotto building is a testament to the golden age of the great Italian motorcar.
Once the cars were made, they would be taken for a drive on the rooftop test track, which was later used for the famous final getaway scene in ‘The Italian Job’ (1969).
The Lingotto was reborn as an entertainment complex in 1989, replete with concert halls, shopping arcades and one fancy hotel. Yes, the innards of the building have changed, but the rooftop – complete with a stellar glass dome offering up sweeping sky views of the Italian Alps – remains intact and undefeated.
Rooftop trailer park – Cape Town, South Africa
The Airstream Trailer Park on the roof of the Grand Daddy Hotel. © Grand Daddy Hotel
Hotels are extremely creative when it comes to getting the most out of their rooftops – not least The Grand Daddy Hotel in Cape Town.
The hotel has imported seven shiny vintage Airstream trailers from the USA and established a cosy Americana trailer park on its roof, where you can lodge. Very boutique!
Rooftop pool – Dallas, USA
The glass-fronted pool cantilevers two and half metres out over the street below. © Hotel Joule
An outdoor swimming pool is a classic when a property developer wants to add some extra glitz and exclusiveness to his building. And it works.
In any case on the top of The Joule hotel in Dallas, a luxury hotel in a renovated high-rise from the 1920’s built in neo-Gothic style. On the top of the 10-storey hotel there is an attractive swimming pool which distinguishes itself by extending beyond the edge of the building.
Rooftop garden – London, UK
The greenest spot in Kensington. © The Roof Gardens
When the hustle and bustle of the big smoke becomes too much, this sky-high refuge will provide you with a bit of calm. Sitting on top of a former department store in London‘s lavish Kensington, The Roof Gardens feature three themed sections ‒ a ‘Spanish Garden’, a fragrant ‘Tudor Garden’ and, best of all, the flamingo inhabited ‘English Woodland’.
With stunning views and floral aromas, it’s made all the more delightful by the fact that it’s absolutely free of charge to visit ‒ a rarity in this upmarket district!’
Rooftop chill-out – Berlin, Germany
People relaxing in the sunshine at Berlin’s Klunkerkranich. © Julian Nelken
What do you do with an ugly disused car park? You transform it into a 2,500 sqm. rooftop summer garden, bar and chill-out area.
Tucked away in the hip Neukölln district, the Klunkerkranich is the perfect spot to enjoy the views of Berlin and drink a cool beer while being entertained by local DJs. Just like the capital city, the vibe here is seriously laid-back and great for meeting locals.
Rooftop paradise – Phuket, Thailand
The best rooftop in the world? Baba Nest, Phuket. © Sri panwa
Wow. Just look at it. How could this not be one of the best rooftops in the world?
With its opulent private lodgings and gastronomic tastes, the Sri panwa villa resort in south-eastern Phuket is a wondrous retreat. It’s made all the more perfect by the ‘Baba Nest’, a rooftop bar, lounge and swimming spot that offers you pretty unbelievable views of the glistening Andaman Sea.
Rooftop roller coaster – Tokyo, Japan
The ‘half-pipe’ roller coaster on the roof of Don Quijote’s Roppongi store. © southtopia
What do you do if you want to draw a little extra attention to your retail chain? Build an eye-catching half-pipe roller coaster on the top of one of your shops, of course!
That is exactly what the owners of the Japanese retail chain Don Quijote decided to put on the top of their eight-storey branch in the Roppongi District of Tokyo. Completed in 2006, the world’s most terrifying roller coaster is yet to be used, but it sure looks impressive in downtown Tokyo.
Rooftop skating – Chicago, USA
Sky Rink, Chicago. © The Peninsula Hotels
If you’re looking for a more graceful way to see a city’s skyline, then you should probably give The Peninsula Hotel in Chicago a try.
Or should that be a twirl? Every winter, this luxury resort remodels its roof into a synthetic ice-skating rink, open to all hotel, restaurant and spa guests, with the proceeds going to local children’s charities.
Offering panoramic views of Chicago’s Magnificent Mile and skyscrapers, you can finish off your skate on the Sky Rink enjoying glühwein (a tasty mulled wine from Germany) and warm sugar-topped fritters from the terrace bar.
Rooftop cinema – Melbourne, Australia
The Rooftop Cinema, Melbourne. © Rooftop Cinema
Melbourne gets so warm over the summer season that you can even watch a big screen movie under the open sky.
On the top of a building in the centre of the city is the Rooftop Cinema, where you can treat yourself to cocktails and cult films. Who needs 3D when you have real views this good?
