Thessaloniki is built on a slope facing the sea, which makes it a natural rooftop city — get a few floors up and you're rewarded with the Thermaic Gulf, the White Tower and, on a clear evening, Mount Olympus floating across the water. The catch is that not every hotel rooftop earns its markup; some sell the view and skimp on the drink. We sorted the ones worth the lift ride from the ones that aren't. Here are the best, and exactly what each is for.
The best rooftops at a glance
Each of these does something distinct — the view, the vibe, or the location. Pick by what you want the evening to be — a rooftop at golden hour is the classic romantic evening, one of the ideas in our Thessaloniki for couples guide.
| Rooftop | On top of | Best for | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| The Loft | The Met Hotel | Sunset cocktails | White Tower & coastline |
| Ennea | MonAsty hotel | All-day, boho-chic | Near-360° sea & city |
| Orizontes | Electra Palace | Dressed-up dinner & drinks | Aristotelous & the gulf |
| ON Rooftop | ON Residence | Design-led seafront cocktails | Straight over the Thermaic Gulf |
For the classic sunset-over-the-sea drink, book The Loft or ON Rooftop, both right on the waterfront. For the most central, see-the-square view, it's Orizontes on Aristotelous.
1. The Loft at The Met Hotel — the sunset pick
Crowning The Met Hotel, The Loft has one of the widest panoramas in the city, looking straight out toward the White Tower and the curve of the coastline — which makes it the sunset destination. The setting is sleek and grown-up, with a long cocktail list and gourmet small plates, and it's rated 4.6 across more than 5,000 reviews. Come an hour before sundown, claim a rail-side table, and watch the light go down over the gulf.
2. Ennea at MonAsty — the all-day terrace
Ennea, atop the MonAsty Autograph Collection hotel, offers a near-360-degree sweep over both sea and city from a boho-chic terrace of olive trees and easy sofas. It works from afternoon coffee through to evening cocktails, with a refined but relaxed mood, and it's open daily from late morning. The wraparound aspect — old town behind you, water in front — makes it the most versatile rooftop in the centre.
3. Orizontes Roof Garden at Electra Palace — the grand one
On the roof of the Electra Palace right on Aristotelous Square, Orizontes is the dressed-up choice: a chic, monochrome roof garden with views over the square, the Thermaic Gulf and Mount Olympus. It runs all day — breakfast with a view, lunch, inventive small plates and cocktails with resident DJ sets at night. This is the one for a special-occasion drink in the heart of the city, with the most iconic square in Thessaloniki laid out below.
4. ON Rooftop at the ON Residence — the design-led seafront one
Atop the ON Residence on the Nikis waterfront, ON Rooftop pairs a glass-walled lounge and a wood-decked terrace with an uninterrupted view straight across the Thermaic Gulf. The cocktails are the point here — an inventive list from serious mixologists, with small plates alongside — and the west-facing aspect makes it a superb sunset spot, all Mediterranean ease and a little Art Deco polish. Rated 4.6, it's the most style-forward of the seafront rooftops.
When to go, and what to expect
- Time it for sunset. Arrive 45–60 minutes before sundown to land a good table; the best seats fill fast on summer evenings. See our sunset spots guide for the timing.
- Dress a little up for Orizontes and The Loft — these are hotel rooftops with a smart crowd.
- Expect hotel pricing. Cocktails run roughly €10–14, more than a street-level bar. You're paying for the view, so make it count by going at golden hour.
- Reserve for weekend evenings and for Orizontes' dinner service.
- For something different, the revolving Skyline café-bar atop the OTE Tower isn't a hotel rooftop, but it delivers the same drink-with-a-view — a full 360° turn over the city and gulf, with no entry ticket.
What to skip
A word of honesty: a few hotel rooftops trade entirely on altitude and serve forgettable, overpriced drinks. The tell is a generic cocktail list and a view that's mostly other buildings. If the rooftop isn't one of the four above and the only selling point is "it's high up," you'll drink better — and cheaper — at a ground-level cocktail bar in Valaoritou or Ladadika. Go up for the genuinely great views; stay down for the genuinely great cocktails.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best rooftop bar in Thessaloniki?
The Loft at The Met Hotel is the top pick for sunset, with a wide panorama toward the White Tower and the coast. For a central, square-side setting, Orizontes Roof Garden on the Electra Palace overlooks Aristotelous Square, while Ennea at the MonAsty offers near-360° views of sea and city.
Which Thessaloniki rooftop has the best sunset view?
The Loft at The Met Hotel faces the Thermaic Gulf and the White Tower, making it the classic spot for sunset over the water. Ennea's wraparound terrace also catches it well. Arrive 45–60 minutes before sundown to secure a good table, as the best seats fill quickly on summer evenings.
How much do drinks cost at Thessaloniki rooftop bars?
Cocktails at the city's hotel rooftops typically cost around €10–14 — more than a street-level bar, reflecting the view and the setting. Coffee and lighter drinks are cheaper, especially at all-day spots like Ennea and Orizontes that serve from morning onward.
Do you need to book a rooftop bar in Thessaloniki?
For weekend evenings and around sunset it's wise to reserve, especially at The Loft and at Orizontes, which also serves dinner. On quieter weeknights you can usually walk in, but arriving early still gets you the best view seats along the rail.
