Are you looking for the best views of Barcelona? At these 15 best viewpoints in Barcelona you’ll enjoy breathtaking views of the city, whether you’re looking to enjoy the city from a different perspective, the ideal location for a romantic date, or just the perfect lookout to close your last day in Barcelona with an epic sunset. From abandoned civil war facilities, to parks, rooftop bars, elegant restaurants or even a castle, let’s find the best viewpoint for you!
For those of us who are lucky to call Barcelona our home, we see it its beauty every day, while walking on its streets enjoying the view or just rushing to get to work or school. But what happens when you look at it from a different perspective? The view takes your breath away and you fall in love with it once again, just like the first time. Which of these viewpoints do you still have to tick off your list?
1. Bunkers del Carmel
In my opinion, this is where you’ll get the best panoramic views ever, and it’s a must-see for anyone who’s in Barcelona.
Bunkers del Carmel are a military facility used during the Spanish Civil War which was later abandoned. They’re located in the Carmel district, to the North of the city centre. Getting there is not that easy, though. I personally suggest you take bus line 22 which departs from Plaza Cataluña and will leave you in front of a road that takes you up to the bunkers.
Once there, you’ll get to see the city’s main landmarks such as the Sagrada Familia and the Agbar tower, as well as the sea and the sorrounding hills, while you can enjoy the best panoramic picnic ever.
2. Park Güell
No matter how many millions of tourists visit Park Güell every year, it will never be overrated. Because it represents one of Gaudi’s most famous and fascinating works, of course, but also because of the views of of Barcelona that you can enjoy up there.
Located on the slope of Carmel hill, Park Guell is one of Barcelona’s most visited viewpoints in Barcelona. Gaudi’s talented work is the perfect frame for Barcelona’s skyline views—I just love the contrast it creates between pastel colors and grays! You’ll catch stunning views from many points in Park Guell, but the most breathtaking of them are definitely the views from the long mosaic bench.
Click here to BUY TICKETS for Park Guell
from Barcelona’s Tourism Board Official website
3. Tibidabo
With its 512 meters, Tibidabo is the highest peak in the Collserola mountain range, which surrounds Barcelona. This makes Tibidabo, at one end of the city, one of the best viewpoints in Barcelona. Here you can see the whole city skyline, which ends abruptly at the endless blue sea. You definitely shouldn’t leave Barcelona without visiting Tibidabo!
But the views of Barcelona are not the only thing you can see up here: at Tibidabo you’ll also find an impressive church and an amusement park. I love how you can spot Tibidabo from pretty much anywhere in the city, especially during sunset, when the colors of the sky make the perfect backdrop for Tibidabos’ church and ferris wheel.
4. Museu Nacional d’Art de Catalunya (MNAC)
Closer to the city center, on Montjuic hill, you’ll find Museu Nacional d’Art de Catalunya. There are many viewpoints in Montjuic, but I love this one because of the contrast between statues, green, and the city, as well as the live music that street performers are always playing up here.
Getting to MNAC is very easy, all you have to do is get to Plaza España and then walk around 10-15 minutes from there. But don’t rush it—along the way you’ll find the famous venetian towers and the magic fountain. In fact, if you’re here around sunset time, don’t just go home after enjoying the views! Stay a little longer and witness the interesting light and music show that takes place at the “magic fountain” every day.
5. Montjuic Castle
All the way up on Montjuic there’s another impressive viewpoint that’s actually a castle! Montjuic Castle is actually an old military fortress built by the Spanish army. With these views, it’s easy to understand why this was such a strategic location.
Montjuic Castle is open to the public and it’s a very interesting visit, especially if you’re into castles and military history. You can get to Montjuic Caste with bus line 150, or by foot after a long but scenic walk uphill.
6. Hotel Catalonia Barcelona Plaza
If you want to enjoy a glass of wine or a fancy dinner with amazing views of Montjuic, then this is the place to be! On the rooftop of Hotel Catalonia Barcelona Plaza you’ll find The Clock, the hotel’s rooftop bar. From up here you can see the impressive views of Montjuic, MNAC, busy Plaza España right below, and the magical colors and lights of the Magic Fountain.
The Clock is open to the public every day from 9 AM to 2 AM, and I absolutely recommend it if you’re looking for the best viewpoints in Barcelona to enjoy with a special someone, while enjoying a glass of wine.
7. Telefèric
On this list of the best viewpoints in Barcelona, of course we couldn’t leave out Telefèric! This cable car is one of the best places to see amazing views of Barcelona’s skyline, the port, and the sea.
There are three stations where you can catch the Telefèric: at San Sebastian tower in Barceloneta, Jaime I tower next to the World Trade Center, and Miramar tower on Montjuic. The ticket price is normally 8.90€ for a one-way ticket, and 13.50€ for a return ticket. Click here to get your tickets!
8. Barceló Raval
Located in the heart of El Raval neighborhood, Barceló Raval is definitely one of the tallest buildings in this old part of the city. This design hotel has a rooftop bar, located on the 11th floor and open to the public, where you can enjoy some breathtaking 360º views over the city.
The rooftop bar at Barceló Raval, called 360º, is open to the public every day from 11 AM to 1 AM. Absolutely recommended for a special date or for a sunset drink with friends. If you’d like to book a room at the hotel, click here.
9. Collserola Tower
Located on the Cerro de la Vilana hill, in the heart of Collserola mountain range and not far from Tibidabo, Collserola tower is also one of the best viewpoints in Barcelona. However, it’s not known visited by many people mostly because of the fact it’s far from the center and you can only get there by car.
The Collserola Tower is actually a 288-meter high telecommunications tower, which makes it Barcelona’s tallest building and viewpoint. It was built for the Olympic games between 1990 and 1992. The viewpoint, which is in total 560 meters high, open to the public between March and December, from 12 PM to 2 PM. It’s always best to confirm your visit in advance.
10. Las Arenas
Las Arenas is the name of an old bullring, now converted into an interesting shopping mall. Located on Plaza España, this shopping mall still preserves the circular shape and red bricks of the old bullfight arena. While I don’t necessarily recommend you go here for shopping (and better stay away from its restaurants!), it is an interesting stop if you’re looking for the best viewpoints in Barcelona.
On the top floor of Las Arenas Shopping Mall you’ll find a 360º viewpoint. You can access it directly using the elevator located out on the street instead of having to go all the way across the mall, but this elevator will cost you 1€. The views of Plaza España, Montjuic, and Barcelona’s skyline from up here are pretty amazing!
11. Columbus Monument
The Columbus Monument is an icon of Barcelona, marking the end of Las Ramblas and the beginning of the seafront walk, called Passeig de Colom. The monument is a tribute to Spain’s most famous explorer, and features him holding a map in one hand, and his other hand pointing at something… What is Columbus pointing at? No one knows for sure!
This monument is one of the best viewpoints in Barcelona, where you can see Barcelona’s old town in detail, and the contrast with the sea and the harbor. It’s open to the public, it does have an elevator, and the entry ticket costs around 5.40€. Click here to get your tickets to Columbus Monument.
12. Mirador de Horta
One of the best viewpoints in Barcelona—and one of the most Instagrammable— is Mirador de Horta, located at the northern end of the city. Here you’ll find some benches under the pine trees, a parking area, and… a swing! This is definitely one of the swings with the best views you’ll ever find.
How to get to Mirador de Horta? You can get to Mirador de Horta either by car (and park it right there), or on foot (it’s a 20-minute walk away from Valldaura metro station).
13. El Corte Inglés Plaza Catalunya
Yes, we’re talking about the biggest department store in the city. Even if you don’t care about shopping, you should visit El Corte Ingles and go all the way up, to the cafe. Located on the 9th floor, this panoramic restaurant offers some of the best views in Barcelona.
You can admire the magnificent Plaza Cataluña, follow the street all the way up Passeig de Gracia, or look even further away, at Sagrada Familia, or watch the sun set between the mountains. Don’t expect anything fancy—this is a self-service restaurant. But that’s also what I like about it, you can just go up, take a look, and sip a coffee, undisturbed.
14. Mirablau
Whether you’re looking for a place to enjoy a beer, a full meal, or dance to some music, you can do all that—and with impressive views of the city— at Mirablau. This place is restaurant and bar, which becomes a club at night.
When it comes to restaurants or bars with a view, Mirablau is definitely the place to be. It’s open from 11 AM until late at night (or early in the morning?), so there’s no excuse not to drop by and admire the stunning skyline views!
15. Santa Maria del Pi
This medieval church in the heart of Barcelona’s Gothic Quarter is one of the oldest in the city, but it’s a real competitor to all those newer, modern rooftops and viewpoints. The first documents that mention this church go all the way back to 987, but the current building dates back to the 14th century. In any case, it’s a very old and loved church in the city.
The church is open to visitors every day, who can visit for free between 9:30 AM and 8:30 PM—But in order to enjoy the views you’ll have to pay an extra fee to go all the way up to the belltower, from where you’ll have some spectacular views of the roofs of the old buildings of the Gothic Quarter. Click here to get your tickets!
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