Amsterdam's rooftops: canals, harbour and church spires seen from above
A city born from a dam on the Amstel
Capital of the Netherlands, even though the government sits in The Hague, Amsterdam is the country's most populous municipality, with more than 930,000 inhabitants. Its name comes from Amstelredamme, the dam on the Amstel around which a small fishing village grew up in the 12th century. The city became one of the world's leading ports during the Dutch Golden Age, and its centre still bears the mark: a network of concentric canals, linked by perpendicular canals, forms a veritable spider's web around the old De Wallen district.
Since 2010, the 17th-century canal ring, bounded by the Herengracht, the Keizersgracht and the Prinsengracht, has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site. On Dam Square, the Royal Palace, built in the 17th century, recalls the power of the merchant city, while the museums on the Museumplein, including the Rijksmuseum, draw visitors from all over the world.
A flat city best seen from above
In a city where buildings rarely rise more than a few storeys, getting up high changes everything: the pointed roofs of the canal houses, the bell towers of the Westerkerk and St Nicholas Basilica, the comings and goings of boats on the IJ and the modern districts on the outskirts can all be taken in at a single glance. Amsterdam's rooftop bars are often set atop hotels, new towers or unusual buildings, and many stay open all year round thanks to their glass-walled rooms.
Where to get up high in Amsterdam
Around Central Station and the harbour
Just behind the station, on the 11th floor of the DoubleTree by Hilton, LuminAir serves signature cocktails beneath a ceiling of glowing clouds, facing St Nicholas Basilica. A few steps away, the sloping roof of the NEMO Science Museum forms a large, free public square, with a restaurant and bar, above the basins of the Oosterdok. On the Singel side, CIMA Rooftop Bar, which opened in late 2025 on the roof of the Renaissance Amsterdam Hotel, pairs Mexican cuisine with views of the dome of the Koepelkerk. Across the IJ, reached by the free ferry, Madam occupies the 20th floor of the A'DAM Tower, with one of the most spectacular panoramas in the city.
In the heart of the old centre
A stone's throw from Dam Square, the W Amsterdam brings together two venues: the W Lounge, a bright cocktail bar on the 6th floor, and MR PORTER, a steakhouse and lounge extended by a rooftop terrace. A little further south, Blue offers a 360° view by day from the glass tower of the Kalverpassage shopping centre, above the Kalverstraat.
To the east: docks, gardens and nights out
On Java Island, the Skybar Malabar at the Hotel Jakarta serves Indonesian-inspired cocktails facing the IJ. In the Weesperbuurt, the roof of Zoku hides a garden with greenhouses, hammocks and a terrace open to all. Further afield, Canvas, on the 7th floor of the Volkshotel, turns from restaurant into dance floor at weekends, while GAPP, on the roof of the Hotel Casa, focuses on local craft beers in the warmer months.
To the south: the towers of De Pijp, Zuidas and the Amstel
On the 23rd floor of the Hotel Okura, the Twenty Third Bar offers one of the highest views in the city, next to the Ciel Bleu restaurant. In the Zuidas business district, Hasta La Vista, Baby! serves Mediterranean cuisine and cocktails on the 19th floor of the INNSiDE by Meliá. Along the Amstel, Ventuno Skylounge, on the 21st floor of the Ruby Emma Hotel, offers Italian dinners accompanied by shows every evening.
To the west: a park and a former pirate platform
Above the Rembrandtpark, Floor17 combines a restaurant, bar and roof terrace on the 17th floor of the Leonardo Hotel, with rooftop curling in winter. In the Houthaven, REM occupies a former pirate television platform from the North Sea, standing on stilts above the water, with a glass-walled bar and a roof that opens in summer.
Cocktails, food and atmosphere
Prices for every budget
Cocktails often cost €12–15 at laid-back spots such as Canvas, GAPP, Zoku or the Skybar Malabar, and €16–22 at upscale hotel bars such as the Twenty Third Bar, CIMA or LuminAir. Many rooftops also serve proper food: grilled beef at MR PORTER, Italian cuisine at Ventuno, seasonal dishes at REM or Floor17.
A rooftop for every occasion
As a couple, with friends or with family
For a romantic evening for two, the view from the Twenty Third Bar or Madam at nightfall never fails to impress. With friends, the DJ nights at Canvas, LuminAir or CIMA keep the night going. With family, the free NEMO roof and the Zoku garden are ideal for a break in the fresh air.
Getting around easily
The centre is easy to explore on foot or by bike. Metro lines 51, 53 and 54 serve, among others, Wibautstraat station, next to the Volkshotel; free ferries link Central Station to the north bank of the IJ, day and night.
Tips for making the most of Amsterdam's rooftops
Season, booking and entry requirements
Open-air terraces, such as GAPP or the roof of REM, are at their liveliest from late spring to autumn, but many glass-walled bars stay open all year round. Several venues do not take reservations, such as the Skybar Malabar: arriving early is still the best way to get a table at sunset. Finally, some places require smart dress or an entry ticket, such as Madam in the evening: check before you go.
Photo : acediscovery / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 4.0