Cities from Up High

All cities merit being viewed from above. And in many of them it is in fact possible to enjoy a leisurely stroll, savor a bite to eat or have a drink while delighting in postal-worthy bird’s-eye views. And I can already disclose that this post will take you on a tour through some of the best spots to have a large city at your feet. Dare to come up with me?

Bogota at Your Feet, Colombia

Monserrate is the highest point in the city, and since there’s nothing higher around, we can guarantee that the mountain crowning the city of Bogota boasts the best views over the capital. The summit is at 3152 meters above sea level but it’s worth every minute of the journey up. At its top we find the Señor de Monserrate Basilica and the Sanctuary of Señor Caido, two pilgrimage sites that draw masses, both in colonial style. And there are three ways to get up there: by cable car, by funicular, or simply by hiking (be warned that this third option is not an easy one). To me, the ideal solution is to go up by funicular or cable car, and then walk down if the temperature allows it. And while you are at it, you might as well grab lunch or dinner there. You’ll find several restaurants and the views are priceless.

Sarajevo Hills, Bosnia

Sarajevo is surrounded by five hills from which the Serbian army bombed the city during the Yugoslavian War. Over the years, Bosnians have lost their fear of climbing them, and the hills are slowly becoming welcome refuges to escape the city’s bustle. Sarajevo’s central location makes the views spectacular from any of the five hills. Prepare to find fortifications such as Yellow Fortress and White Fortress, and the graveyards of Kovači, Koševo, Alifakovac, the Jewish graveyard, or the City Hall, all bearing haunting traces of the war that destroyed the city back in the 90’s.

Budapest’s Two Sides, Hungary

As everyone knows, the Hungarian capital is divided in two: Buda and Pest, separated by the Danube River flowing in between. Well, what you might not know is that Buda has perfect views over Pest. It’s a phenomenon rarely seen elsewhere; two cities built at two heights, with hundreds of meters in between, two marked architectural styles, and two cultures and stories that are now united. To get the best views over Budapest one has to reach the top of Buda, either walking or by funicular. Once there you’ll be able to see the cityscape, with the Danube at your feet, and presided by the Hungarian Parliament (considered one of the prettiest in Europe). Behind it, the Jewish quarter. In front of it, historical bridges, such as the famous Chain Bridge. That’s the most typical postcard view of Budapest we can think of, the Pearl of the Danube.

Feeling like a King in Stockholm, Sweden

And here is another example of a city divided in parts. Stockholm consists of 14 islands, although the old town and the best views are on the Island of Gamla Stan. My advice to you is to find the Gondolen Building and get into the Katarina, and exterior elevator that will take you up 35 meters to show you Stockholm from a different perspective: with the Royal Palace, the City Hall, the Skeppsholm Bridge, the National Museum, Stortorget Square, the Swedish Academy and the Nobel Museum, Lake Malarën and the Baltic Sea down below. The skybridge on the Gondolen Building has become a romantic spot for young lovers and Swedish teenagers to visit because, among other things, it’s just meters away from the alleged home of Lisbeth Salander, the popular protagonist of the Millennium series by the great Stieg Larsson. For those interested: the girl’s home is supposed to be located on the last story of number 9 on Fiskargatan Street.

Twitter: @DianaRPretel