The best roof terrace bars for cocktails with a view in Seville

Thanks to year-round warm temperatures, Seville is an outdoor city where terrace drinking is enjoyed in all seasons.

Nightlife in Seville is focused on hotel rooftop bars for their creative cocktails and stunning views, but also to catch the breeze during sweltering summer nights. Most stay open even in winter, with blankets and heaters on hand to keep you cozy on cooler evenings. Hours mentioned here can change seasonally, so always check ahead before you visit.

La Terraza-Bar, EME Catedral Mercer

The roof terrace bar at EME Catedral Mercer is the closest to the 500-year-old cathedral; it's situated opposite the north side with its in-your-face gargantuan flying buttresses. Choose from intimate or larger areas on various levels, the smallest of which seems within touching distance of the Gothic edifice. Cocktails start at €14 (this is a five-star establishment, after all); pick from classics like a Negroni or a Cosmopolitan, or try a Spritz Veneziano (bitters, cava and soda). You can also picar (snack) on cheese or carpaccio de buey (ox carpaccio). DJs spin tunes for a well-heeled crowd on Fridays and Saturdays. Open 1pm to 1am.

Puravida, Fontecruz Sevilla Seises

A beach-bar vibe pervades the spacious terrace at the Fontecruz Sevilla Seises, with its rustic cane roof and upcycled furniture. Sit on jazzy pallet sofas by the bar for quieter moments, or in the larger open space to watch flamenco groups perform on Sundays, with the Giralda as a spectacular backdrop. The corner area with long white wall sofas has a Balearic seaside feel and is great for groups. This bar is well known for inventive house cocktails, such as Yoni Me Monic (aged rum with pineapple, passionfruit and lime, €8). A food menu in summer features fusion bites like tacos and salads. Open 3pm to 9pm Sunday to Thursday, 3pm to 10pm Friday and Saturday.

Terraza-Bar, Doña María

Winning the 'best Giralda view' award – bang opposite the minaret-turned-bell tower – this is one of Seville's most long-standing roof terrace bars, atop the old-school Hotel Doña María. Its wall paintings are pretty, but can’t compete with the Giralda at sunset – you’ll gasp in awe as the Moorish brickwork turns glowing pink and orange. House cocktails include Luz de Sevilla (€11.50 Martini, grapefruit soda, angostura bitters and marmalade), while Tanqueray’s orange-flavored Flor de Sevilla gin is a local favorite, unsurprisingly. Open 1pm to 1am.

The Corner House

Hip hostel The Corner House in boho Alameda, overlooking the area’s broad avenue with its classical statues, lines of trees and buzzy outdoor scene, has a club-vibe wraparound terrace with moody, dark decor. Order a glass of tangy Gabriela manzanilla sherry (€4.50) while you soak up alternative Seville. Heaters and blankets are on hand for the colder months. Open 4pm to 9pm Sunday to Thursday, until late Friday and Saturday.

Roof, Casa Romana

With a young crowd and classical decor – panels of colored azujelo ceramic tiles against cream walls – Roof at Hotel Casa Romana is another multi-level bar. Downstairs are wall sofas for lounging, with sunshades stretched overhead, while the two upstairs areas catch more breeze on hot nights. A bonus is the view of the Metropol Parasol, the mushroom-shaped contemporary architectural landmark in Plaza de la Encarnación, lit up in colors at night. Simple but delicious nibbles include artichokes with ham (€7) or tomato with tuna (€6.50); sample another local gin, Puerto de Indias (€7). Open 12 midday to 8pm Wednesday and Thursday, and to midnight Friday through Sunday.

La Terraza, Inglaterra

This is one of the city's more sophisticated bars, on the roof of the 170-year-old Hotel Inglaterra on Plaza Nueva. The large space faces the tree-lined square, towering above the rooftops on the 6th floor. Its glass wall offers crystal-clear views of the Ayuntamiento (City Hall) opposite, as well as the cathedral, and fabulous sunsets on the opposite side. The glamorous crowd comes for the extensive cocktail list (Negroni, Sex on the Beach and more, all €12). The alcohol-free, fruity, sweet-and-sour Acid Fresh is a revelation, as is the excellent service and atmospheric illuminated tables. DJs provide a soundtrack of chill-out tunes on Friday and Saturday evenings. Open 3pm to midnight, and to 2am on Friday and Saturday.

Level 5th, Ribera de Triana

Head across the river to the old ceramics and sailors’ quarter, where the modern Ribera de Triana Hotel has a spacious corner terrace on its fifth floor. You get superb views of the Río Guadalquivir and Triana Bridge, beautifully illuminated at night. This bar has one of the city’s most extensive spirits menus, with nearly 40 rums and whiskies, and 50 gins, on offer. For a Mediterranean-scented G&T, try the Mojiterraneo: Gin Mare with orange, lime, basil and tonic (€9). Open 5pm to late.

Terraza Fulton, Palacio Alcázar

The roof of Hotel Palacio Alcázar is home to the smallest of Seville's terrace bars, with just 14 tables, giving it a cozy, romantic feel – oleanders and olive trees add to the charm. It also offers some of the city’s most economically priced rooftop cocktails (€7.50), with cold meats and cheese tapas on offer too. This is the only rooftop bar where you can cop an eyeful of the crenelated walls and towers of the Alcázar, Seville's fortified royal palace where scenes from Game of Thrones were filmed, as well as the cathedral’s impressive sacristy dome. Open 8am to midnight.

La Fortissima Gastroterraza

For a more foodie experience, this rooftop terrace restaurant near the cathedral offers full-on lunch and dinner (no tapas, only half or large plates), and even tastings of local produce, along with lesser-known but excellent Montilla-Moriles wines (€4 a glass). The menu is a mix of classic Sevillano fare (stewed oxtail, hake goujons), and more experimental dishes like Mozárabe cod with apples, raisins and pinenuts (large plates €16-20), or cod-stuffed deep-fried olives (€6); ask for the daily specials. An added aesthetic bonus is the beautiful neo-Mudejar brick tower with colorful tiles. Reservations are essential on Saturday nights. Open 1pm to 4pm and 8pm to11pm Mon-Thur, 1pm to 11pm Friday through Sunday.

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