Leo Budapest (Outdoor Only)

A rooftop view in Budapest can amount to an impromptu 20th-century history lesson of Hungary. Scan the Danube's bank from atop, and you'll see classically-proportioned, grand buildings alternating, seemingly randomly, with glass and concrete boxes. Those modern structures, not all of them visually pleasing, sprung up during the Communist era (1947-1989) to replace what's been flattened by WWII American bombs.

You can see this for yourself at Leo, a sleek rooftop bar in Buda perched above the swanky Hotel Clark but open to the public. The place is almost within arm's reach of the Chain Bridge, a historic Budapest landmark, with equally good vistas of the Buda Castle and the whole city. Even to local residents, it's a memorable experience. Accordingly, prices are steep — cocktails and aperitifs start at €13. (If you're on a budget, grab some beers at a grocery store and hike up to the hillside next to the Buda Castle Tunnel, around the corner from here, for similar views).