5x the best views of barcelona
Barcelona is a city that I hold near and dear to my heart. Walking through the different neighbourhoods, having the beach close by, the sun on your face almost year-round and stuffing my face with amazing Catalonian cuisine seems like a dream too good to be true. However, all of that can be found in Barcelona. Coming from the Netherlands where the land is flat as far as you can see, it amazed me to find hills and mountains surrounding the city on all sides. So today I am going to tell you where to go to utilize the terrain difference and get the best views of Barcelona!
Park Guëll
At the top of neighbourhood Gracia lies Park Guëll, an incredible masterpiece that combines architecture with nature so seamlessly it seems like it was just meant to be that way. I’ve visited the park around 5 times and it’s beauty never fails to amaze me. You can spend a lot of time wandering around and finding some new stunning artworks or viewpoints around every corner. Because it lies on a hill, you can get one of the best Barcelona views from this park. I highly recommend checking it out and taking enough time to walk around and explore every corner of the park. Make sure you get your tickets in advance, especially in the tourist season they can be sold out very quickly.
Bunkers del Carmel
You wouldn’t normally think some old bunker ruins filled with graffiti would sound like an attractive place to go for most people. But the bunkers del Carmel earned their place in the best Barcelona city viewpoints. During opening times you can visit the bunkers and sit high and mighty above the city. This place is so spectacular that even though there is nothing to do besides enjoying the view, I still spent 2,5 hours here. If you can take some time out of your day to visit, I would highly recommend it! You can even start here and then walk down the mountain, you will end up at Park Guëll as your next stop.
Montjuic
Climbing up the Montjuic mountain is an incredible experience that has you stopping to look at viewpoints at every turn. Don’t forget to visit the botanic cactus garden on the way for some amazing nature. At the end of your hike, Montjuïc castle awaits you with its rooftop experience that offers incredible views of the seaside as well as the city. And if you’re not too excited about walking up a mountain, no worries! Take metro line 3 to Parellel and there you will find a funicular to take you all the way up the mountain. However, the views you get by walking cannot be exceeded.
Tibidabo
If you have some time left over on your trip, I definitely recommend visiting Tibidabo. This theme park is situated at the top of a mountain and is, in my opinion, the most incredible Barcelona city view point. Since it is a bit further out of the city, I recommend to take at least half, but preferably a full day to visit. You can hike up or down the mountain, have an amazing time at the theme park, visit the cathedral or just go and enjoy seeing the entire city from up above. It takes some time to visit, but if you’re itinerary allows it I would definitely go. I think it’s one of those really special gems in the city that you just can’t miss.
Hotel Colón
Last but not least, the rooftop bar of Hotel Colón offers spectacular views over the Catedral de Barcelona. This cathedral is one of the most beautiful in the city and is definitely worth a visit on its own. But on my recent trip to Barcelona, I discovered the rooftop bar of Hotel Colón. While getting a drink here is incredibly expensive, the views make up for it in tenfold. The rooftop bar usually opens at 12, but make sure to get there early to avoid the crowds.
So, that’s my list of the best viewpoints of Barcelona. Have you visited any of these or do you have any additions to my list? I am so curious to hear what you think, please leave a comment below!
Until next time!