Best roof terraces in Malaga
Malaga has good rooftops. Really good ones. The city’s geography, with its low skyline, historic monuments, the sea on one side and the mountains on the other, means that getting a few floors up transforms the view in a way that doesn’t happen in every city. On a warm evening with the Alcazaba lit up, the sea sparkling in the distance and a cold drink in hand, it’s hard to argue that anywhere else does this better.
We’ve covered 15 options here, from the highest point in the city to a sea-level terrace where the waves lap under your feet. There’s something for every budget and every occasion. The “How to choose” box below is the quickest way to find yours.
How to choose yours
- Best views in the city: AC Palacio – up there on the 15th floor, nothing comes close.
- Best for the Alcazaba and old quarter: ME Melia or La Terraza de la Alcazaba.
- Best pool terrace: H10 Croma for 360-degree views, Room Mate Valeria for the port.
- Best for a special occasion: Lolita Sky View at the Only You Hotel.
- Best budget option: La Terraza de la Alcazaba, with great views as well.
- Best for non-drinkers: all terraces serve soft drinks, coffee and mocktails; Terraza San Telmo has a particularly good non-alcoholic list.
- Most unusual: El Balneario; not a rooftop at all, but a sea-level terrace in a historic bathing house with the waves literally underneath you.
- Best in winter: Parador de Gibralfaro for sweeping views on a clear day, or ME Melia for catching the winter sunset facing southeast.
Pool roof terraces in Malaga
If you like your rooftop terrace to come with a pool, here are your venues. Note that to use the pool you usually need to be staying at the hotel.
ME Meliá
This terrace at one of the few 5-star hotels in Malaga opened in late 2025 and boasts some of the best views in town, taking in the Alcazaba, old quarter skyline and much of western Malaga. Lots of seating, including loungers (for guests using the decent-sized pool) and drinks with tapas also available.
Where: ME Meliá is on the corner of Plaza de la Merced.
Best for: views of the Alcazaba and the church towers in the old quarter – don’t miss the detail of the turret on Santiago Church.
Top tip: this rooftop faces southeast, so it’s perfect for taking in a winter sunset.
Open daily 11am to 1am
La Danza – Palacio de la Tinta
Malaga’s newest rooftop space (opened in June 2026) is in the 5-star Palacio de la Tinta hotel in the Malagueta district. On the fourth floor, the terrace has views of the sea and city skyline, with the Gibralfaro hillside to the north. The plunge pool is for guest use only, but the general space is open to the public.
Where: Paseo de Reding, La Malagueta
Best for: lower-rise but attractive city views and slightly cheaper cocktails than some other roof top bars. Those at La Danza start at €10.
Top tip: This is one of the quieter terraces in town and we think it’s worth walking to La Malagueta to enjoy it.
Open daily noon till midnight
AC Palacio Hotel
This is as high as it gets in Malaga and the rooftop terrace on the 15th floor at the AC Palacio Hotel obviously boasts the best views of the city. Drinks can be taken poolside, although if you want a dip you need to be a guest.
Where: AC Palacio Hotel is next to the Cathedral and directly opposite Plaza de la Marina.
Best for: views of the city at night, particularly the Cathedral, just a stone’s throw away from the terrace.
Top tip: Time your visit just after sundown to have a better chance of getting a table.
Open daily noon till late
Molina Lario Hotel
Intimate poolside drinks on La Terraza, a small terrace on the top floor of the hotel. On the 8th floor, views aren’t quite as spectacular as the AC Palacio but you do get up close and personal with the Cathedral. Live music on Sunday evenings from 6.30pm onwards.
Where: the hotel is almost opposite the Cathedral on Calle Molina Lario.
Best for: after-lunch drinks on a Friday to get the weekend off to a great start.
Top tip: enjoy the executive menu of the day at Matiz restaurant downstairs first.
Open Monday 4.30pm to midnight, Tuesday, Wednesday and Sunday 1.30pm to midnight, and Friday and Saturday 1.30pm to 0.30am.
Room Mate Valeria
This roof terraces in Malaga comes with its own pool (guests only) and great views of the port and Muelle Dos. We especially like the view of the pergola from the top.
Where: Room Mate Valeria sits on the corner of Plaza de la Marina and Muelle Heredia.
Best for: sea and port views.
Top tip: head here after a meal at one of the venues in Soho. We like Cavala and Alita for more formal dining and Picnic for great burgers and wraps.
Open daily 11am to 2am. Over 18s only after 10pm.
Lolita Sky View
This roof terrace is on the 8th floor at the Only You Hotel, not far from Room Mate Valeria. Views are equally spectacular and include Calle Larios on the north side. There’s an infinity pool (staying guests only).
Where: Alameda Principal 1, just off Plaza de la Marina.
Best for: port views across the infinity pool.
Top tip: treat yourselves to a sharing plate or two and a little something from the wine list.
Open Sunday to Thursday 1pm to midnight, Friday and Saturday 1pm to 1am.
Salles Hotel Malaga Centro
Slightly out of town, the terrace at Salles Hotel Malaga Centro is a popular spot with locals and offering a great choice of live music and entertainment. There’s also a pool and the terrace has panoramic views of the Cathedral, Alcazaba and the sea beyond.
Where: Calle Mármoles 6, on the west side of the river.
Best for: views and local vibe
Top tip: check out the events calendar in the Stories in their Instagram account.
Open daily 11am to 1am
H10 Croma
One of the newest roof terraces in Malaga, this one is also probably the largest. Located on the top floor of the H10 Croma hotel, it wraps around the whole building and includes a plunge pool (staying guests only).
Where: Calle Prim 4, on the west side of the old quarter near the river.
Best for: 360-degree views of Malaga.
Top tip: head here for a quieter little something, especially at weekends.
Open Sunday to Thursday 11am to midnight and Friday and Saturday 11am to 1am.
Other rooftops in Malaga
Malaga has a good choice of other roof terraces too, even if there isn’t a pool. The following list includes some of the best:
La Terraza de la Alcazaba
Vistas of Malaga’s oldest monument don’t get much better than this and there’s something special about gazing at the Alcazaba Fortress over a cocktail. You also have a bird’s eye view of the Roman Theatre. The views are best at night when both monuments are lit up.
Where: on the 4th floor of Alcazaba Premium Hotel in Calle Alcazabilla, next to the Albeniz Cinema.
Best for: views of the Alcazaba.
Top tip: this is a busy terrace so visit mid-week or early on in the evening to grab a seat.
Open Sunday to Thursday 3pm to 2am, Friday and Saturday 1pm to 2am.
Terraza San Telmo
You could almost be in Tuscany up here as you gaze at the terracotta roofs and towers. Terraza San Telmo has several areas including a more private corner and they all come lit up in funky blue and green.
Where: on Calle San Telmo, behind the Carmen Thyssen Museum.
Best for: the long list of cocktails that include several non-alcoholic options.
Top tip: head for this terrace after a visit to the Carmen Thyssen Museum whose rooftops you can see below you.
Open Wednesday and Thursday 4pm to 1.30am, Friday and Saturday 4pm to 2am and Sunday 4pm to 1am. (Closed Monday and Tuesday)
Vincci Larios Diez
This chic Vincci hotel in Malaga has a smallish terrace overlooks Calle Larios, with frontline views of the Cathedral.
Where: Calle Larios 10.
Best for: relaxed gazing at Malaga’s historic rooftops with a cocktail in hand.
Top tip: make for this terrace after a spot of shopping in Malaga.
Open daily 1.30pm to 1am.
Alternative roof terraces in Malaga
Cobalto 15 & Nusa Malaga
Not on a rooftop but still up high enough to get a good view of Muelle Uno and Malaga old town. These terraces offer drinks (non and alcoholic).
Where: walk along Muelle Dos under the pergola and climb the slope by the Pompidou to reach the terraces. Nusa Malaga is the closest while Cobalto 15 is slightly further along.
Best for: sundowners as you watch the sunset over the city skyline.
Top tip: make for this terrace after you’ve explored the Malagueta area. Find out what to see in this part of Malaga.
Cobalto 15 is open Sunday to Thursday noon to 2.30am and Friday and Saturday noon to 3am. Nusa Malaga is open Sunday to Thursday noon to midnight and Friday and Saturday noon to 1am.
Parador de Malaga Gibralfaro
Not exactly a roof terrace, but this space at the Parador de Malaga Gibralfaro gets you as high as you can go in the city. The views are lovely at any time of day, but particularly stunning at sunset.
Where: Monte de Gibralfaro
Best for: sweeping views of the city, Malaga bay and beyond.
Top tip: treat yourself to a taxi up here and then stroll back to the city via the footpath as you enjoy the views.
Open daily 11am to midnight
Gourmet Experience
The Gourmet Experience on the top floor of the Corte Ingles department store includes a rooftop terrace, open for drinks. We like this terrace because it’s usually quite quiet and you get to see Malaga Cathedral from the front, a view that difficult to find elsewhere in the city.
Where: the Corte Ingles is located to the west of the Alameda Principal just after you cross the main bridge.
Best for: unusual views of Malaga Cathedral, which you rarely see from this angle.
Top tip: buy some gourmet food produce to take home.
Open Monday to Saturday 10am to 10pm.
El Balneario
Not on a rooftop and actually at sea level, but definitely a terrace and one well worth visiting. Located on the way to Pedregalejo and El Palo, Terraza El Balneario makes a great place for any meal and any drink. Live music on Saturday and Sunday afternoons. Based in the old Baños del Carmen bathing houses, the terraces are literally lapped by the waves.
Where: an easy walk from the centre of town along the seafront promenade. Or you can get the bus (nos 3 and 11) from the Alameda Principal.
Best for: early bird breakfasts and lazy Sunday lunches. Winter sunsets are particularly spectacular.
Top tip: combine it with a visit to the historic shipyards next door, one of the more unusual things to do in Malaga.
Open Wednesday to Sunday noon to midnight.
Le Rooftop 17
This terrace at Hotel Mariposa offers a spacious chill-out area decorated in an eclectic French style with some of the hotel’s signature art pieces. Full bar service is available along with a choice menu of snacks and tapas plus a tempting range of desserts.
Where: in the heart of Soho on Calle Casas del Campo.
Best for: a cool urban vibe and some inspirational décor.
Top tip: combine it with a visit round the street art in Soho.
Open Sunday and Tuesday 4pm to 11am and Wednesday to Saturday 4pm to midnight. (Closed Mondays)
FAQs about Malaga rooftops
Expect to pay from €7 for a mocktail and from €10 for a cocktail. Prices are considerably higher at roof terraces at 4 and 5-star hotels (e.g. from €14).
Yes, most have a full range of beer, wine and soft drinks. You can also buy coffee and other hot drinks at some.
Smart casual is the norm. You won’t get in if you’re wearing swimwear or look as if you’ve just been to the beach.
Not usually unless you’re a hotel guest.
Many do and have lunch and dinner menus. Others provide snacks.
Most terraces have piped music and in the summer, many have DJ sets or live music.
Usually not and most work on a first-come, first-served basis. If you arrive and the terrace is full, you join a wait list, which could be long if it’s a Friday or Saturday night.
Map of Malaga roof terraces
Looking for Malaga news?
Keep up to date with the latest about Malaga by signing up to our free fortnightly newsletter. In your inbox every other Friday!
Start planning your upcoming trip to Malaga!
Planning to visit Malaga?
All you need for a short break in Malaga!
Get Malaga at your fingertips quickly and easily with our handy ebook. Full and guided itineraries for a short break in the city whether you’re visiting for 2, 3 or 5 days. All you need to make the absolute most of your stay. And for just €4.95!