Where to get the best views of Barcelona
Barcelona is a cosmopolitan city with many beautiful corners capable of inspiring and delighting the senses of any traveler. It is one of the most attractive and touristic cities in Spain, with a rich culture and history, and a unique architecture consisting of a mixture of different periods and artistic styles.
In the midst of the daily hustle and bustle, it is worth a stop to relax, have a drink and contemplate the city in all its splendor. If you are looking for a place to admire its beauty or just want to get the best photos of Barcelona, take note.
We leave you a complete list of places where you can enjoy the best views of Barcelona: terraces, parks, viewpoints and other free spaces (with address included).
The Turó de la Rovira was built about 260 meters above sea level and offers probably the best panoramic view of Barcelona. The so-called Búnkers del Carmel refer to the viewpoint that is located on this hill, where anti-aircraft batteries and cannons were installed for the active defense of the city during the Spanish Civil War. It is one of the most spectacular viewpoints in Barcelona, since from here you can see almost the entire city, with its grid geometry and its most characteristic monuments. It is a very busy place for tourists, so we recommend visiting it at dawn when there are fewer people and, in addition, there is no time restriction.
Admission: Free.
Address: Carrer de Marià Labèrnia, s/n.
Admission: Free, although if you plan to stay for a long time, you will probably have to have a drink at the terrace bar.
Address: Rambla del Raval, 17-21.
3. Tibidabo viewpoint
The Tibidabo amusement park, located on the highest peak of the Collserola mountain, has an impressive viewpoint with views of the entire urban coastline. You can take the funicular up to the top and enjoy the scenery from more than 500 meters above sea level. It is not necessary to buy a ticket to the park, as the Tibidabo viewpoint is free of charge. However, it is highly recommended to visit this theme park, which was inaugurated in 1905 and is the oldest in Barcelona.
Admission: Free.
Address: Plaza del Tibidabo, 3-4
4. Terrace of the Hotel W Barcelona
The luxurious W Barcelona hotel is located at the end of the beach promenade of La Barceloneta. Built in 2009, it was designed by the famous architect Ricardo Bofill and each of its suites has stunning panoramic views of the sea and Barcelona's coastline. On the 26th floor is the Eclipse bar, which has an outdoor terrace that can be accessed by guests and visitors alike. If you want to enjoy a glamorous and avant-garde atmosphere, have a drink on the terrace of this sail-shaped hotel with the beaches of Barcelona at your feet.
Admission: With a drink.
Address: Placa de la Rosa dels Vents, 1, End Passeig de Joan de Borbó
Montjuïc Castle is a former military fortress located at the top of Montjuïc mountain. Its privileged location allows visitors to enjoy spectacular views from the viewpoint, where you can see much of the city, the port, the coast of Barcelona and the Baix Llobregat region in the distance. The castle is open daily from 10 am to 6 pm.
Admission: 5 euros. You can enter for free on Sundays after 15h or at any time during the first Sunday of each month.
Address: Ctra. de Montjuïc, 66
The Las Arenas Shopping Center was built on the site of a former bullring and converted into a shopping and leisure complex. At the top, it has a wide variety of restaurants and a 360º viewpoint with unparalleled views of the city center, including Plaza Espanya, the Venetian Towers and the MNAC, among others. The mall is open daily from 10 am to 10 pm.
Admission: Free. However, if you choose to go up to the terrace in the panoramic elevator, the entrance costs 1 euro.
Address: Gran Via de les Corts Catalanes, 373 - 385
The National Art Museum of Catalonia (MNAC), which has the most valuable collection of Catalan art of the nineteenth and twentieth centuries, has two terrace-viewpoints on the rooftops of the Palace that offer a 360-degree view of the Barcelona skyline. From them you can see the main buildings and monuments of the city, such as the Sagrada Familia, the Agbar Tower and the Olympic Village. The terraces are open from Tuesday to Saturday from 10 am to 6 pm and on Sundays and holidays from 10 am to 3 pm.
Admission: 2 euros (access included if you buy the general museum ticket)
Address: Palau Nacional, Parc de Montjuïc, s/n
The highest structure in Barcelona is located in the Collserola communications tower, which was built for the 1992 Olympic Games, at 560 meters above sea level. On the tenth floor is a public viewpoint with privileged views of Barcelona and the Natural Park of the Sierra de Collserola. It is probably the place with the best views of Barcelona from afar, covering some 70 kilometers of the city and its surroundings, including the mountain of Montserrat and the Cadí-Moixerò range. The viewpoint is quite far from the city center, so it is advisable to go by car.
Admission: 5 euros.
Address: Ctra. de Vallvidrera al Tibidabo, s/n
The Basilica of Santa Maria del Pi has a terrace that offers the best views of the Ciutat Vella district, the Gothic Quarter and the historic center of Barcelona. The bell tower is accessed by climbing a spiral staircase and there is only room for one person on each step, but the climb is worth it. From the terrace you can see the harbor, the mountains and the typical rooftops of the city, as well as churches, buildings and emblematic squares such as the Plaza Reial.
Admission: 9 euros.
Address: Plaça del Pi, 7
The Turó del Putxet park has a viewpoint with incredible views of Barcelona, surrounded by gardens with different species of trees, plants and shrubs typical of the region. This place is especially beautiful in spring, when it is full of flowers.
It is advisable to be in good shape to climb up the hill of Putxet, as the park has many slopes, but it is worth climbing them all to enjoy the views and the surrounding gardens. Many people usually go up by bicycle, taking advantage of its ramps and paved roads.
Admission: Free.
Address: Carrer de Manacor, 9.
If besides enjoying beautiful views of Barcelona, you want to do something different and learn more about the city's history, culture and traditions, join a free tour in Barcelona with local guides. They know the city perfectly and can give you the best tips to explore the city and make the most of your stay.
If you liked the article and want to take note of these places, feel free to save it and share it on your social networks!
By Kristina Kinson
In the midst of the daily hustle and bustle, it is worth a stop to relax, have a drink and contemplate the city in all its splendor. If you are looking for a place to admire its beauty or just want to get the best photos of Barcelona, take note.
We leave you a complete list of places where you can enjoy the best views of Barcelona: terraces, parks, viewpoints and other free spaces (with address included).
1. Bunkers of Carmel - Turó de la Rovira
The Turó de la Rovira was built about 260 meters above sea level and offers probably the best panoramic view of Barcelona. The so-called Búnkers del Carmel refer to the viewpoint that is located on this hill, where anti-aircraft batteries and cannons were installed for the active defense of the city during the Spanish Civil War. It is one of the most spectacular viewpoints in Barcelona, since from here you can see almost the entire city, with its grid geometry and its most characteristic monuments. It is a very busy place for tourists, so we recommend visiting it at dawn when there are fewer people and, in addition, there is no time restriction.
Admission: Free.
Address: Carrer de Marià Labèrnia, s/n.
2. Hotel Barceló Raval
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Located in the multicultural neighborhood of El Raval, in the heart of Barcelona, the Barceló Raval hotel has a 360º terrace-viewpoint on its top floor that offers excellent panoramic views of Barcelona. In addition, the rooftop has a small pool and in the evenings there is usually a DJ playing live music. It's a great place to relax and enjoy cocktails or a glass of wine surrounded by an elegant atmosphere.
Admission: Free, although if you plan to stay for a long time, you will probably have to have a drink at the terrace bar.
Address: Rambla del Raval, 17-21.
3. Tibidabo viewpoint
The Tibidabo amusement park, located on the highest peak of the Collserola mountain, has an impressive viewpoint with views of the entire urban coastline. You can take the funicular up to the top and enjoy the scenery from more than 500 meters above sea level. It is not necessary to buy a ticket to the park, as the Tibidabo viewpoint is free of charge. However, it is highly recommended to visit this theme park, which was inaugurated in 1905 and is the oldest in Barcelona.
Admission: Free.
Address: Plaza del Tibidabo, 3-4
4. Terrace of the Hotel W Barcelona
The luxurious W Barcelona hotel is located at the end of the beach promenade of La Barceloneta. Built in 2009, it was designed by the famous architect Ricardo Bofill and each of its suites has stunning panoramic views of the sea and Barcelona's coastline. On the 26th floor is the Eclipse bar, which has an outdoor terrace that can be accessed by guests and visitors alike. If you want to enjoy a glamorous and avant-garde atmosphere, have a drink on the terrace of this sail-shaped hotel with the beaches of Barcelona at your feet.
Admission: With a drink.
Address: Placa de la Rosa dels Vents, 1, End Passeig de Joan de Borbó
5. Montjuïc Castle
Photo: Wikimedia - Kippelboy / CC BY-SA
Montjuïc Castle is a former military fortress located at the top of Montjuïc mountain. Its privileged location allows visitors to enjoy spectacular views from the viewpoint, where you can see much of the city, the port, the coast of Barcelona and the Baix Llobregat region in the distance. The castle is open daily from 10 am to 6 pm.
Admission: 5 euros. You can enter for free on Sundays after 15h or at any time during the first Sunday of each month.
Address: Ctra. de Montjuïc, 66
6. Terrace of Las Arenas Shopping Center
The Las Arenas Shopping Center was built on the site of a former bullring and converted into a shopping and leisure complex. At the top, it has a wide variety of restaurants and a 360º viewpoint with unparalleled views of the city center, including Plaza Espanya, the Venetian Towers and the MNAC, among others. The mall is open daily from 10 am to 10 pm.
Admission: Free. However, if you choose to go up to the terrace in the panoramic elevator, the entrance costs 1 euro.
Address: Gran Via de les Corts Catalanes, 373 - 385
7. MNAC Terrace
Photo: Flickr - Jorge Franganillo (CC BY 2.0)
The National Art Museum of Catalonia (MNAC), which has the most valuable collection of Catalan art of the nineteenth and twentieth centuries, has two terrace-viewpoints on the rooftops of the Palace that offer a 360-degree view of the Barcelona skyline. From them you can see the main buildings and monuments of the city, such as the Sagrada Familia, the Agbar Tower and the Olympic Village. The terraces are open from Tuesday to Saturday from 10 am to 6 pm and on Sundays and holidays from 10 am to 3 pm.
Admission: 2 euros (access included if you buy the general museum ticket)
Address: Palau Nacional, Parc de Montjuïc, s/n
8. Collserola Tower Viewpoint
The highest structure in Barcelona is located in the Collserola communications tower, which was built for the 1992 Olympic Games, at 560 meters above sea level. On the tenth floor is a public viewpoint with privileged views of Barcelona and the Natural Park of the Sierra de Collserola. It is probably the place with the best views of Barcelona from afar, covering some 70 kilometers of the city and its surroundings, including the mountain of Montserrat and the Cadí-Moixerò range. The viewpoint is quite far from the city center, so it is advisable to go by car.
Admission: 5 euros.
Address: Ctra. de Vallvidrera al Tibidabo, s/n
9. Basilica of Santa Maria del Pi
The Basilica of Santa Maria del Pi has a terrace that offers the best views of the Ciutat Vella district, the Gothic Quarter and the historic center of Barcelona. The bell tower is accessed by climbing a spiral staircase and there is only room for one person on each step, but the climb is worth it. From the terrace you can see the harbor, the mountains and the typical rooftops of the city, as well as churches, buildings and emblematic squares such as the Plaza Reial.
Admission: 9 euros.
Address: Plaça del Pi, 7
10. Turó del Putxet Gardens
Photo: Flickr - Taavi Randmaa (CC BY-SA 2.0)
The Turó del Putxet park has a viewpoint with incredible views of Barcelona, surrounded by gardens with different species of trees, plants and shrubs typical of the region. This place is especially beautiful in spring, when it is full of flowers.
It is advisable to be in good shape to climb up the hill of Putxet, as the park has many slopes, but it is worth climbing them all to enjoy the views and the surrounding gardens. Many people usually go up by bicycle, taking advantage of its ramps and paved roads.
Admission: Free.
Address: Carrer de Manacor, 9.
If besides enjoying beautiful views of Barcelona, you want to do something different and learn more about the city's history, culture and traditions, join a free tour in Barcelona with local guides. They know the city perfectly and can give you the best tips to explore the city and make the most of your stay.
If you liked the article and want to take note of these places, feel free to save it and share it on your social networks!
By Kristina Kinson
19
February,
2019
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