Barcelona from above: 15 best views inBarcelona
If you’ve been following Feast of Travel for a while, you will know that this is something I always recommend in any destination guide I ever write. And that is because seeing a city from above doesn’t only give you a cool #instamoment, but also it lets you put the city into the new perspective, it helps you orientate and, in many cases, it makes you understand its history a bit better (why was the city built there, where were the city walls located and how it would deffend from attackers…). This post is dedicated to the best views in Barcelona.
Watching Barcelona from above has all these perks, but also it is special because of its particular city plan. In the 19th century, Barcelona consisted basically of Ciutat Vella (the Old Town), and there were some surrounding towns (Sants, Gràcia, Sant Andreu, etc.). The need for an expansion of the city was clear, and this became true with the idea of Ildefons Cerdà, who designed a city plan to connect the Old Town with the surrounding towns. This plan was called Eixample (quite literally “Expansion”) and it is very characteristic of Barcelona with the grid pattern and octogonal blocks.
Travel tip: this area is particularly rich in modernist architecture.
With no further ado, here’s a list with the best spots for fantastic views of Barcelona:
Post Contents
1. Turó de la Rovira and Búnkers del Carmel
Turó de la Rovira is a hill in the Carmel area that was used as an aircraft warfare during the Spanish Civil War. Despite there never was a bunker in the hill, it is locally referred as Búnkers del Carmel. This is one of the best viewpoints of the city, as it offers a 360º view of Brcelona.
Although this used to be out of the tourist scope, in recent years hoards of tourists are visiting the site with organized tours and the charm is no longer as it was. However, the views are still incredible so it is a good option if you want to see the city from above.
Photo credit: Antonio Olmedo with CC BY-SA 2.0
2. Parc Güell
Parc Güell is one of Gaudí’s most famous creations, but it is not only architecturally beautiful. It also offers some of the best views of the city! You can buy tickets to the architectural site for 8.50€ and skip the line here, or visit the free part of the park. This part does not contain any of the Gaudí elements, but if you climb up the hill Turó de les Tres Creus you will find a much less crowded and much better view of the city.
Modernisme in Barcelona through Gaudí: Parc Güell
3. Tibidabo
Tibidabo is the highest mountain in Barcelona and, as such, it offers some priviledged views of the city. It is located in the Collserola range and its summit is occupied by Tibidabo Amusement Park and the Sagrat Cor church. The 1905 Tibidabo Amusement Park is a fantastic way to get some of the best views in the city from one of the rollercoasters, especially when traveling with children.
The summit is easily accessible with public transport by minibus, Funicular and the Tramvia Blau, and of course by car as well.
You can take advantage of the fantastic views of the area and have a drink or some tapas at Restaurant Mirablau at the Funicular stop. Although the quality is perhaps not the highest, it offers some of the best views in the city at a reasonable price.
4. Sagrada Família
Sagrada Família is the unfinished masterpiece by renouned architect Antoni Gaudí and has become the symbol of the city. You can buy special tickets with access to the interior and to the tower, which offers views of Barcelona from the middle of the Eixample neighborhood with its characteristic city plan.
Modernisme in Barcelona through Gaudí: Sagrada Família
5. Santa María del Pi
Another church that offers fantastic views of the city is Santa María del Pi. This 15th century church is located in Barri Gòtic, in the heart of the city. The views from the tower allow for a priviledge sight of Barcelona’s old town which can make you understand the history of the city a bit better. The guided tour is fantastic and surprisingly cheap!
You can combine your visit to Santa María del Pi with our route through medieval Barcelona or our guide to Las Ramblas:
→ Medieval Barcelona: a route through Barcelona’s Old Town
→ Guide to Las Ramblas in Barcelona
6. Telefèric del Port and Telefèric de Montjuïc
The Port Vell Aerial Tramway or Telefèric del Port is a cable car that links the suburb of Barceloneta to the hill of Montjuïc. It was opened in 1931 and for over three decades it was the highest aerial lift in the world. The lift offers a great view of the Old Harbour, the Columbus monument and the beach.
You can link this visit with Ramblas, Barceloneta and Montjuïc:
Guide to Las Ramblas in Barcelona
A guide to Montjuïc in Barcelona
7. Castell de Montjuïc
The Montjuïc Castle is also a fantastic place to enjoy great views of the city. This old military fortress dates back from 1640. The rooftop viewpoint has a 360º view of the city and the sea and it often hosts events.
A way to complement the visit is to get there by Telefèric de Montjuïc (not to be confused with Telefèric del Port above). Telefèric de Montjuïc is another Cable Car line that links the Funicular station with a station near the Castle and it offers great views as well. You can buy tickets for the Cable car here.
Have a look at our guide to the Montjuïc area:
A guide to Montjuïc in Barcelona
8. Palau Nacional
Palau Nacional is a Renaissance-inspired building designed for the 1929 International Exhibition located in the Montjuïc hill. It is home of the National Art Museum of Catalonia (MNAC) and it offers a great view of the Exhibition site with the Magic Fountain, the four columns representing the Catalan flag, the Venecian towers and the Arneas shopping mall located in a former bullfighting pit.
You can climb up to the National Palace for free, and you can buy tickets to the fantastic exhibition of Catalan Romanesque art of the MNAC here.
Have a look at our guide to the Montjuïc area:
A guide to Montjuïc in Barcelona
9. Arenas Shopping Mall
The Arenas Shopping Mall is built in a former bullfighting pit in Plaça d’Espanya. The rooftop terrace has free access and it is full of bars and restaurants, and offers a priviledged view over the square and the International Exhibition complex at Montjuïc, including the Palau Nacional.
Have a look at our guide to the Montjuïc area:
A guide to Montjuïc in Barcelona
10. Hotel Barceló Raval Terrace
The Hotel Barceló Raval is a hip hotel in the center of Barcelona that offers an outdoor terrace with 360º view of the city. The terrace has a pool and a solarium as well as a bar and a viewpoint. The terrace is open depending on weather conditions and from April to November they have a live DJ.
Photo credit: Thomas Willemsen with CC BY-NC 2.0
You can combine your visit to Santa María del Pi with our route through medieval Barcelona or our guide to Las Ramblas:
Medieval Barcelona: a route through Barcelona’s Old Town
Guide to Las Ramblas in Barcelona
11. Eclipse Bar W Hotel
The W Barcelona Hotel has become one of the most iconic buildings in the city. Popularly known as Hotel Vela (Sail Hotel) because of its shape, it has a dominant view over the Barceloneta suburb and priviledged views of the beach.
Its Eclipse Bar is open to the public and you can get these fantastic views without having to pay for a room in the hotel.
You can pair the views from the W Hotel with a visit to Barceloneta:
12. Torre de Collserola
Torre de Collserola is a communication tower mainly used for TV and radio transmission built for the Olympic Games of 1992 in Tibidabo hill in the Collserola range. The height of the hill and the height of the tower make it the highest point in all of Barcelona, so the views from the 10th floor are unparallel!
13. Turó del Putxet
The park in Turó del Putxet is located in the foothill of Tibidabo and, as such, it offers a great view of the city. The park itself is also a fantastic way to have a relaxed day out of the hustle and bustle of the city. If it’s sunny, bring your picnic basket and make a day out of it!
Photo credit: Börkur Sigurbjörnson with CC BY 2.0
14. La Pedrera
Casa Milà or La Pedrera is one of the best known works of architect Antoni Gaudí and an icon of Catalan modernism. Being located in Passeig de Gràcia, one of the most important streets in the city, it offers fantastic views of the city center. You can buy your tickets here or check the schedules for Jazz Nights in La Pedrera.
Modernisme in Barcelona through Gaudí: La Pedrera
Photo credit: Fred Romero with CC BY 2.0
15. Casa Fuster
The Hotel Casa Fuster is one of the most beautiful modernist buildings in the city designed by Lluís Doménech i Muntaner in 1910. Located at the top of Passeig de Gràcia, this building was originally thought as a residential building, but in 2004 it became a luxury hotel. However, the rooftop terrace is open to the public and, at a much cheaper price than the entrance fee to La Pedrera, you can enjoy of the sunset with views over Passeig de Gràcia and sipping on a nice cocktail.
Photo credit: Jordi Motlló with CC BY-NC-ND 2.0
Closing statement
Don’t miss out on the opportunity to the magical city that is Barcelona from above. A sunset in warm weather, a view of the city and the sea… It’s a beautiful experience!
Find out more about this wonderful city in our general post about Barcelona:
Top 10 things to do in Barcelona
Make sure you don’t miss any experiences by buying the tickets for the attractions Barcelona at Tiqets.com and skipping the lines here:
In particular I recommend purchasing the Barcelona Card if you are interested in visiting some of the city’s museums and attractions. With this card you get free entrance to many museums and attractions as well as unlimited use to the public transport for an amount of time as well as transport from and to the airport. It also includes a discount coupon booklet that you can use for other attractions, tours and entertainment of the city.
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