Top 5 Rooftop Bars in Istanbul with Bosphorus Views

The City of Rooftops

Because Istanbul is built on steep hills surrounding the Bosphorus strait, it boasts arguably the best rooftop bar scene in Europe. Watching the sun set over the Golden Horn with a cocktail in hand is a mandatory Istanbul experience.

Our Top Picks

1. Monkey Istanbul (Şişhane): Located atop the Nejat Eczacıbaşı building, this trendy spot offers incredible sunset views over the Golden Horn. It gets very crowded, so arrive early.
2. 16 Roof (Swissôtel The Bosphorus): Perched high above Beşiktaş, this ultra-luxurious terrace offers a direct, unobstructed view of the Bosphorus Bridge and the Asian side.
3. Mikla (Pera): While primarily a Michelin-starred restaurant, its rooftop terrace bar is open for drinks. The 360-degree view of the historical peninsula is unmatched.
4. Spago by Wolfgang Puck (Nişantaşı): Located atop the St. Regis hotel in the high-end Nişantaşı district, this glamorous spot is where Istanbul's elite gather.
5. Alexandra Cocktail Bar (Arnavutköy): Located right on the water in the chic Arnavutköy neighborhood, this multi-level bar offers incredibly close views of the Bosphorus traffic.

The Late-Night Transport Problem

Getting to these bars is easy; getting home is the hard part. Attempting to flag down a taxi in Beşiktaş or Arnavutköy at 2:00 AM is a notorious nightmare. Taxis will refuse to use the meter and demand outrageous flat rates.

Protect your evening by booking our VIP Chauffeur Service (available as an hourly hire). Your driver will wait for you outside the club and whisk you safely back to your hotel in a premium Mercedes van.