#1 Sky Terrace at Hotel Schweizerhof, Bern

Above the rooftops of Bern, the roof terrace of the Schweizerhof near the main railway station surprises with a 360-degree panoramic view of the old town, the Federal Palace of Switzerland and the peaks of the Bernese Oberland with the Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau. Enjoy refreshing cocktails and light summer dishes accompanied by cool lounge music in a stylish, relaxed atmosphere. The "Sky Terrace" is a favorite among both locals and hotel guests, often resulting in a wait by the elevator on the ground floor or at the lobby bar before gaining entry.

#2 Attika Rooftop Bar at Hotel Bern

The discreetly modern four-star hotel is hidden behind a monumental Art Nouveau façade on Zeughausgasse near the Zytglogge tower. The hotel's best-kept secret is the "Attika Rooftop Bar," tucked away from view but offering a delightful escape on warm spring and summer evenings. Bar manager Simon Becker has done the maths: Located at exactly 566 metres above sea level, it is the highest bar in Bern's old town. Nevertheless, the usual "altitude surcharge" is not applied to the drinks - the prices for drinks, wines and finger food remain on the ground, much to the delight of the guests. And unlike in many trendy rooftop bars, the music is not too loud.

#3 La Muña Restaurant & Rooftop Bar at Hotel La Réserve Eden au Lac, Zurich

The neo-baroque walls of the luxury hotel dating back to 1909 contrast perfectly with the maritime-influenced design by Philippe Starck. The trendy Japanese-Peruvian restaurant "La Muña" is located on the sixth floor, featuring a terrace on one side and a rooftop bar on the other, all under the large roof dome that encloses its interior. "A place where you can forget your everyday worries" was the aim, according to Starck. This has been a complete success, not least because the two roof terraces and most of the rooms have a frontal view of Lake Zurich and the neighbouring Utoquai lakeside resort. When the sun sets behind the Uetliberg, the magic is perfect.

#4 The Nest at Hotel Storchen, Zurich

There are a few rooftop restaurants in Zurich, but only a few where you feel so completely at the centre of things. Nowhere else can you experience this special, incomparable Zurich feeling as authentically as on the roof of the Hotel Storchen. Located in the real historic heart of the city, right on the Limmat and next to the Limmat boat jetty, you can enjoy a postcard-worthy view of the Grossmünster, Fraumünster, guild houses and Quai bridge all the way up to the lake from the sixth floor. Unfortunately, many others know this too, which is why it is advisable to arrive before the after-work rush hour. You often still must queue in the hotel lobby by the lift, but it's worth it - not least because of the delicious bar snacks such as salmon trout ceviche with avocado or watermelon salad with feta and mint. There are also champagne cocktails, delicious non-alcoholic drinks and a few fine wines by the glass.

#5 Rooftop at Hotel Banana City, Winterthur

The business hotel takes its unusual name from the banana-shaped building complex in the former industrial area near the railway station. When the weather is nice, business quickly fades into the background - then the sun shines longer over the rooftops of Winterthur and the cocktails taste even better. "Grill buffet with unlimited servings." is on the menu every Friday and Saturday evening from 24 May 2024 (CHF 79 per person).

#6 Noohn Rooftop, Basel

The cosmopolitan-looking gastro complex delights with various restaurant and lounge areas for every mood. But it's best at the top: the roof terrace of the Noohn is and remains a hotspot for chilling out, flirting and feasting with an all-round urban panorama. There are freshly squeezed juices, invigorating cocktails and ice-cold champagne, as well as Euro-Asian salads, sushi and specialities from the wok. In the distance, the setting sun colours the Basel skyline pink-orange - the perfect way to ring in the summer in a good mood.

#7 Penthouse at Hotel Astoria, Lucerne

The Penthouse, which has an indoor and outdoor area and is therefore suitable for use all year round, was the pioneer of rooftop bars in Switzerland. Located on the eighth floor of the Hotel Astoria, the roof terrace is a highlight of the city of lights. Sit on comfortable sofas, order a "Penthouse Special" of tequila, Charleston liqueur, white peach and passion fruit juice with a portion of tuna tataki with ponzu and enjoy the sunset. Later in the evening, the music gets a little louder and the guests pay less attention to the panoramic view than to who else is there. Those seeking a satisfying meal are drawn to the ground floor and basement, where "tout Luzern" meets in the restaurants La Cucina (Italian), Mekong (Asian) and Thai Garden.

#8 Sky Lounge at Royal Savoy, Lausanne

Lac Léman, which opens at its widest point near Lausanne, seems like an unique film set with changing lighting effects. This is because the moods over the lake can change rapidly: from the typical soft, hazy pastel colours to the darkening black of a thunderstorm in the space of a quarter of an hour. From the Sky Lounge on the seventh floor of the Royal Savoy, you can see everything - the Valais Alps, the gently sloping Grammont mountain range to the west, the Vaud capital and the vine-dominated coastline of La Côte. The attentive crew serves exquisite wines and cocktails as well as Mediterranean dishes that are fresh and imaginative and, above all, prepared without any fuss.

#9 Madhouse Rooftop at Hotel Ibis Styles, Lausanne

In the once disreputable industrial district and today's trendy neighbourhood of Le Flon, boutiques and pubs, galleries and dance clubs attract a broad, consumer-minded public. Live and let live is the motto here, and this liberal attitude also makes it easy for non-locals to quickly feel at home. The Rooftop in the Ibis Styles hotel is a harmonious hub of the neighbourhood. The whole world comes and goes, business deals are finalised and love affairs begin. Atmospherically uplifted by lively sounds and delicious snacks, one always gets the feeling that there is something to celebrate. 

#10 Roof Lounge at Giardino Lago, Locarno-Minusio

The Roof Lounge is not quite on the roof of the maritime design villa, but it is at treetop level, so that you can look out over the hustle and bustle of the car-free lakeside promenade of Minusio onto Lake Maggiore and indulge in the dolce farniente with colourful cocktails and laid-back music. White sails, rustling palm trees and the splashing of the water create a holiday feeling just like on the Italian Riviera. If you get hungry after the delicious tapas: On the ground floor, the "Ristorante Lago" tempts you with cheerful Italianità and meat specialities from the 800-degree high-performance oven.