Great Britain
1. Saltwater, Nottingham
The only rooftop bar in the city, Saltwater is a pretty impressive set-up; a terrace that can hold up to 250 party-goers, either for lazy days in the sunshine or slightly more energetic nights. The cocktail menu is impressive and the formal (yet still pretty affordable) indoor restaurant is a good spot for supper. Heat lamps and canopies mean you can party alfresco pretty much whatever the temperature; a good thing, with summers like ours.
· 0115 924 2664; saltwater-restaurant.com
2. The Roof Garden, Great John Street Hotel, Manchester
Feast your eyes on vistas of Coronation Street and Castlefield; not quite an idyllic Mediterranean scene but the cityscape makes an exciting backdrop for a drink or two, and there's even a hammock for total chilling. The Roof Garden is open until 10pm for non-residents (though only hotel guests can use the alfresco hot-tub so you might be tempted to check in too).
· 0161 831 3211; greatjohnstreet.co.uk
3. The Glasshouse, Edinburgh
The Glasshouse offers a shady, lavender-scented haven away from the hustle of the streets below. There is an immaculate lawn, edged with tables where you can eat or just have drinks and watch the sun set over Calton Hill.
· 0131 525 8200; theetoncollection.com
4. Coq D'Argent, London
Right in the throbbing commercial heart of the City of London - next to the Bank of England, the Royal Exchange and Mansion House - is this oasis of calm, a rooftop garden complete with lawns and ornamental box hedges. There's a (very) pricey indoor restaurant, but a more reasonably priced list of bar snacks for eating outside. Sit on the lawn with your drink or gaze smugly down on the suits hurrying along the pavements far below.
· 020 7395 5000; coqdargent.co.uk
5. Rockwell, Trafalgar Hotel, London
Arguably the best-located rooftop bar in the capital, perch on one of the stools that look out across Trafalgar Square and you're practically eye-to-eye with Lord Nelson. It's a small space, and the chic white sofas and parasols give it a slick, Ibiza-at-sunset feel. A word of warning - it's often closed for private parties, so ring ahead to check.
· 020 7870 2900; thetrafalgar.com
Italy
6. Rooftop Bar, Hotel Raphael, Rome
In the heart of Rome, near the vibrant Piazza Nova, this is a great place for soaking up the atmosphere without having to contend with the tourist hordes. You can see the Vatican from the picturesque terrace and the surrounding patchwork of colourful roofs - stop for a coffee by day, or cocktail by night and if you're peckish you can dine on great Italian cuisine.
· 00 39 06 682831; raphaelhotel.com
7. La Terazza Rose, St George Hotel, Rome
You have to like rosé if you're going to drink at La Terazza; it's the only bar in Europe to be dedicated exclusively to rosé wines. Actually, there is one other option - champagne, served up with platters of seafood which make a suitably swish supper for this sleek cream and stone-coloured space.
· 00 39 06 686611; stgeorgehotel.it
8. Sky Lounge, Hotel Continentale, Florence
This wide, decked terrace, edged with long cream sofas and plumped-up cushions, at the top of the medieval Consorti Tower, is the cherry on the cake at the Continentale; perfect for peering down at the hordes on the Ponte Vecchio, or taking in the panoramic view along the River Arno and out to the countryside beyond. Open from 11am until midnight, it attracts a stylish crowd in the evenings.
· 00 39 055 2726 4000; lungarnohotels.com
9. Skyline, Hilton Molino Stucky, Venice
Come on up for breathtaking views along the Guidecca Canal as far as Piazza San Marco, while you enjoy an aperitif or cocktail. It's lovely by day and very romantic at night, with the lights of Venice twinkling on the water.
· 00 39 041 2723311; hilton.com
Croatia
10. The Top, Adriana Hotel, Hvar
Hvar is Croatia's hippest destination; a picturesque town of polished cobbles and terracotta-roofed houses, with a clutch of newly renovated elegant hotels. One, the Adriana, has a fabulous bar - aptly named The Top; all sleek sofas, chrome bar stools on multi-level terraces, and a clientele of blinged-up Russians and yachting types, all keen to point out their gin palaces bobbing in the harbour below.
· 00 385 2175 0200; suncanihvar.com
Turkey
11. 360, Istanbul
In a city with many rooftop bars, 360 continues to be the most spectacular. A spacious restaurant with floor-to-ceiling windows opens out onto a huge terrace where you can eat, drink or - later - get a shimmy on with Turkey's rich and beautiful, when the bar turns into one of the city's hippest clubs.
· 00 90 21225 11042; 360istanbul.com
Cyprus
12. The Cliff Bar, Grecian Park Hotel, Protaras
This lovely bar overlooking the sea is all dark wood floors, wicker furniture and comfy cushions. A great place to hang out playing backgammon in the shade by day, or soaking up the lovely lantern-lit ambience by night.
· 00 357 2384 4000; grecianpark.com
Portugal
13. The Terrace, Bairro Alto Hotel, Lisbon
Check out the terracotta-roofed sprawl of Lisbon and the meandering River Tagus from this secluded terrace while sipping a glass of something chilled. The hotel's a delightful boutique pad in a restored 18th-century building and the roof's a very relaxing spot for chilling by day or night. It opens until midnight in the summer.
· 00 351 2134 08220; bairroaltohotel.com
Spain
14. La Terraza Del Urban, Hotel Urban, Madrid
Get here early to enjoy fantastic views over the Madrid skyline from La Terraza's designer armchairs and sexy sofas (it's all candlelit after dark too). Mingle with a sleek, young crowd in even sleeker surroundings as you work your way through the impressive cocktail list. There's even a tempting swimming pool for when things heat up.
· 00 34 9178 77770; derbyhotels.com
15. The Penthouse, ME, Madrid
Aim to get to ME, the former Hotel Reina Victoria, before midnight or you will spend the rest of the night queueing. Currently one of Spain's hottest bars, it's hard to tell whether the gorgeous clientele are punters or bar staff; the accent on good looks may well be down to the fact the bar is owned by Randy Gerber, otherwise known as Mr Cindy Crawford. Dress up, and pack a stack of euros - this kind of glamour doesn't come cheap.
· 00 34 9154 18200; memadrid.com
16. Universal Etnia Terrace, Hotel Azahar, Seville
Alfresco teahouse by day, cocktail spot by night, and rather crowded dance space in the early morning, the Etnia Terrace is the only rooftop spot in the old town that is open year round. Sometimes there are dance performances in the evenings, and the food options are startlingly eclectic - from sushi to ostrich and kangaroo steaks.
· 00 34 9543 84109; espacioazahar.com
17. L'elephant, San Rafael, Ibiza
The wide, square terrace at L'Elephant has played host to just about everyone from Paris Hilton to Jade Jagger and doubles as a pre-dinner cocktail bar, and a post-supper club. It can be a little attitude-y, so glam up if you want to get in, but it doesn't get more classically Ibizan than lazing on one of the square, cream sofas with a capirinha, while the DJ gets all ambient beneath the stars.
· 00 34 9711 98056; elephant-ibiza.com
18. Las Animas Puerto, Valencia
Opened for the America's Cup last year, the terrace of Las Animas Puerto is now one of the trendiest nightspots in the city. The views over the beach and sea are beautiful, the balmy weather lasts long into the autumn and drinks are reasonably priced - what more could you want?
· 00 34 9021 08527; grupolasanimas.com
Francee
19. Hotel 3.14, Cannes
Part of the Avant Garde hotel group, 3.14 lives up to its owners' name; the terrace is all about the pool by day, but by night the waterfall and bamboo forest provide a spectacular backdrop for cocktails.
· 00 33 4929 97200; 3-14hotel.com
Greece
20. Galaxy Bar, Athens Hilton, Athens
Nibbling on dim sum while gazing at the Acropolis can feel a bit surreal, but the Galaxy Bar serves up an Oriental, rather than meze, snack menu on its open-air terrace. There is a formal restaurant as well, and later in the evening the whole set-up morphs into more of a club, with guest DJs keeping it buzzing until four in the morning.
· 00 30 21072 81111; hilton.co.uk/athens
21. Cavalieri, Corfu Town, Corfu
There's more to Corfu than grisly resorts such as Kavos; Corfu Town has stunning Venetian architecture, and elegant cobbled streets and squares - best looked down on from above with an icy gin and tonic. The rooftop bar at the Cavalieri Hotel offers the best vantage point, with views extending over the roofs to the countryside beyond. The ice cream is pretty spectacular too.
· 00 30 26610 39041; cavalieri-hotel.com
22. Megaron, Heraklion, Crete
Built in the 1920s, and converted into a hotel in 2003, the Megaron is a sleek retreat in the heart of the shopping and business district. The fifth-floor bar has stunning views across the Old Harbour and a relaxed, sophisticated ambience.
· 00 30 28103 05300; gdmmegaron.gr
Russia
23. Park Hyatt Conservatory Lounge & Bar Terrace, Moscow
Come here for some of the best views of Moscow - the Kremlin and the Bolshoi are a stone's throw away - and rub shoulders with some of the city's movers and shakers. Arrive early to bag a table on the outdoor terrace for an evening of vodka cocktails under the stars (there's indoor space too, with a glass wall when the weather turns).
· 00 749 578 31234; moscow.park.hyatt.com
Czech Republic
24. Bazaar Mediterranee, Prague
The long walk up Nerudova, is matched by the haul up the winding stairs when you finally reach Bazaar Mediterranee - but it is all worth it. The view is stunning. Avoid the downstairs restaurant that specialises in rather odd 'shows' (prancing chaps in spangly leotards) and instead sip a martini and gaze down at the tourist hordes battling up Mala Strana, Prague's busiest street. Booking essential.
· 00 422 5752 5050
Germany
25. Long Island Summer Lounge, Frankfurt
On the roof of the car park of the Frankfurt stock exchange, this huge bar opened last summer, touting itself as a 'Beach Club' in the middle of the city. Open daily from 11am-1am, there are two pools for lounging by while you explore the cocktail menu and soak up the view.
· 00 49 6929 723596; longislandlounge.de
26. Sky Beach, Stuttgart
Above the car park of the Kaufhof department store (the John Lewis of Germany) you will find an unusual outdoor space for a drink. It's all palm trees, sand underfoot and deckchairs and hammocks for lounging to the sounds of Cafe del Mar. The beach bar opens daily until mid-September, with a smaller version open in the winter, with patio-heaters and minus the sand. There's a second Sky Beach in Cologne too.
Austria
27. The American Bar, Penz Hotel, Innsbruck
This is a lovely place for an alfresco summertime drink or two, with the snowcapped mountains as a backdrop. There is a retractable roof, but no heaters, so only the brave venture outside after the October chill sets in.
· 00 43 5125 75657; the-penz.com
Estonia
28. Lounge 24, Tallinn
Twenty floors above the medieval old town, the views from the terrace stretch to the sea, and you can either sip cocktails alfresco, or slip inside for a simple supper behind the floor-to-ceiling windows. The bar is part of the Radisson SAS hotel, but non-residents are welcome.
· 00 372 682 3000; radissonsas.com
Norway
29. Q Lounge, Grims Grenka Hotel, Oslo
Located in Norway's new Grims Grenka hotel in the historic heart of Oslo, Q Lounge is a hot destination for champagne and cocktails on long summer nights. Ask the house mixologist to whisk you up a designer cocktail and lay back and relax on the plumpest of cushions while soaking up views over Akershus Castle and the city.
· 00 47 2310 7200; grimsgrenka.no
Sweden
30. Champagne Bar, Clarion Sign Hotel, Stockholm
Opened in February, Clarion Sign is the largest hotel in Stockholm, a stylish granite and glass affair bursting with design classics. The super-stylish champagne bar is on the eighth floor (and there's a rooftop pool too).
· 00 46 8 676 9800; clarionsign.com
