Bermeja Views Rooftop Bar at Hotel El Pilar

Right over Plaza de las Flores in Estepona's old town, on the roof of Hotel El Pilar Andalucía, Bermeja Views earns its name. The Sierra Bermeja mountains fill the view behind a sea of whitewashed roofs.

I came up at dusk, when the old town lights flick on and the mountains shift from grey-green to violet. The cocktails were better than I expected for a hotel rooftop, and the kitchen sends up Japanese small plates from Makako downstairs.

There's a catch. The bar has closed and reopened more than once, so the hours aren't reliable. Call before you climb up.

Below I cover the vibe, the cocktail and food menu with prices, the view and seating, how to book, the dress code, and how to find the entrance.

Note: This venue has experienced temporary closures. Call ahead (+34 633 206 169) or check Instagram @bermeja_views to confirm it's open before you visit.

The Vibe

Refined, not stuffy. The rooftop blends Andalusian touches with clean modern lines, and it stays small enough to feel personal.

I shared the terrace with hotel guests, a couple of local pairs on date night, and two friends who'd found the place on Instagram instead of a guidebook. Evenings pull a stylish crowd, but nobody's trying too hard.

The music stays low. This is a sunset-and-conversation rooftop, not a party one. For DJs and dancing you'll want one of the louder spots in my guide to the best rooftop bars in Estepona.

Menu & Prices

Cocktails are the headline here, and they earn it. I worked through a few and didn't hit a dud, which isn't always true on hotel rooftops.

Drinks:

• Signature cocktails: €10-15
• Classic cocktails: €9-13
• Wine by the glass: €6-10
• Premium spirits: €8-14
• Beer: €5-7

The food is the part most menus online miss. The kitchen sends plates up from Makako, the hotel's restaurant, and the bar menu leans Japanese rather than the usual Spanish tapas.

Food:

• Sushi and gyoza: €8-16
• Small wagyu burgers and sharing bites: €10-20
• Seasonal small plates using local produce

Order a couple of plates with the cocktails and you've got a light dinner. For the latest cocktail list, check bermejaviews.com or ask at the bar.

What's on the menu at Bermeja Views?

Cocktails are the focus, with signature drinks running €10-15 and classics €9-13. Food comes up from Makako, the hotel's restaurant downstairs, so it's Japanese small plates rather than Spanish tapas: sushi and gyoza run €8-16, small wagyu burgers €10-20. Order two or three plates alongside the cocktails and it works as a light dinner.

The View & Seating

Standing above Plaza de las Flores, you look straight over Estepona's old town. The Sierra Bermeja mountains rise behind the rooftops, the whitewashed houses and terracotta tiles spread below, and the Mediterranean shows as a thin blue line in the distance.

Go for golden hour. Early evening warms the mountains, then the lights of the old town come up underneath you as it gets dark.

Seating options:

• Lounge furniture for slow evening drinks
• High-top tables for cocktails and small plates
• Corner spots that work for couples
• A mix of covered and open-air zones

Tables are limited, and the corner spots go first. Arrive before sunset on a weekend if you want one with the mountain view. If you'd rather face the sea than the mountains, Cielo Skybar points the other way.

How to Make a Reservation

Given the venue's occasional closures and boutique nature, advance planning is essential.

Reservations:

• Highly recommended, especially for weekends and summer evenings
• Essential if visiting from out of town to avoid disappointment

Contact:

• Phone: +34 633 206 169
• Email: restaurantmanager@elpilarandalucia.com
• Instagram: @bermeja_views (check for current status updates)

Walk-ins: May be possible during quieter periods, but calling ahead is strongly advised given the venue's operating history.

Dress Code

Bermeja Views maintains a smart-casual atmosphere befitting its boutique hotel setting.

What works:

• Evening: Smart casual (collared shirts, dresses, tailored trousers)
• Daytime: Neat casual wear
• Well-kept footwear (avoid flip-flops in the evening)

What doesn't work:

• Beachwear after sunset
• Very casual sportswear
• Beach flip-flops or overly casual sandals

The dress code reflects the sophisticated vibe - think "effortlessly stylish" rather than formal.

Access & Getting There

Finding it: Bermeja Views sits atop Hotel El Pilar Andalucía on Plaza de las Flores, in Estepona's old town. Enter through the main hotel entrance and take the elevator to the rooftop level.

The rooftop is open to non-hotel guests when operating. Just walk into the hotel lobby and head for the elevator.

Getting there: The old town is pedestrian-friendly and best explored on foot. From the beachfront promenade, it's about a 10-minute walk inland.

Parking:

• Public car parks on the edge of the old town (5-10 min walk)
• Street parking very limited due to pedestrian zones
• Taxi/Uber: Tell them "Hotel El Pilar, Plaza de las Flores"

Public transport:

• Bus stops along Avenida España
• The old town is compact and walkable from most Estepona locations

Accessibility: Elevator access from the hotel lobby makes the rooftop accessible.

Photos of Bermeja Views

A look at the hotel's floodlit facade on Plaza de las Flores and the mountain view over cocktails on the terrace. Both were shot on my visit, not supplied by the hotel.

Click to enlarge

Location & Map

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Plaza de las Flores, 12, 29680 Estepona, Málaga

Our Verdict

When it's open, Bermeja Views is one of the more refined rooftops in Estepona. The mountain-and-old-town view is genuinely good, the cocktails hold up, and the Japanese small plates make it work as a light dinner rather than just a drinks stop.

The honest catch is reliability. It has gone quiet before, so a phone call beforehand saves a wasted climb up the old town's hills.

Best for: couples and small groups who want sunset views, strong cocktails, and a calm, stylish evening over a loud one.

Skip if: you're on a tight budget, travelling in a big group, or you want a guaranteed open door without checking first.

If you find it closed, The Old Town Hotel rooftop is the nearby fallback for adults-only quiet, though that one is hotel guests only.

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Is Bermeja Views currently open?

No, not reliably. Bermeja Views has closed and reopened more than once. When it's running, hours are roughly 18:00 to 02:00 daily, longer in summer. Call +34 633 206 169 or check Instagram @bermeja_views before you climb up, since the schedule isn't guaranteed.

Is Bermeja Views open to non-hotel guests?

Yes, when operating, Bermeja Views welcomes non-hotel guests. Simply enter through the Hotel El Pilar lobby and take the elevator to the rooftop.

Do I need a reservation at Bermeja Views?

Reservations are highly recommended, especially given the venue's operating history. Contact them directly at +34 633 206 169 to book and confirm availability.

What are the views like from Bermeja Views?

The rooftop offers panoramic views of the Sierra Bermeja mountains, Estepona's historic old town, and Plaza de las Flores below, with glimpses of the Mediterranean coast in the distance.

Is there a dress code at Bermeja Views?

Smart casual is expected, particularly in the evening. Think collared shirts, dresses, and proper footwear rather than beachwear or flip-flops.