In a nutshell
- Barcelona has some seriously spectacular viewpoints where you can see the city from a completely different perspective.
- We’ll show you the best spots for views in Barcelona — both the well-known classics and a few under-the-radar picks you might not have on your radar yet.
- The options are as diverse as the city itself — from soaring towers and mountain summits to cool rooftop bars with a drink in hand.
- Our top favorites: the Bunkers del Carmel at sunset and Montjuïc, ideally reached by cable car for views on the way up too.
Barcelona Viewpoints on a Map
So you can see exactly where Barcelona’s most beautiful viewpoints are located, we’ve marked them all on a map below.
Bunkers del Carmel
The Bunkers del Carmel are among our absolute top favorites when it comes to Barcelona views. The former defensive installation sits on a 262-meter-high hill, and the panorama from up there is truly spectacular.
The atmosphere is most magical at sunset, when the sky above the city and Tibidabo mountain turns shades of orange and red.
This is no longer a secret, which is why you’re basically never alone up here. That said, you’ll mostly encounter locals, and the spot is still far less crowded than other vantage points in the city.
So in a way, you’ve still found an insider tip in Barcelona! And the best part: it’s completely free to enter.
How to Get to the Bunkers del Carmel
The Bunkers del Carmel are located in the north of Barcelona, a bit away from the city center. Your best bet is to take bus 24 to the stop Ctra del Carmel – Mühlberg. From there it’s about a 12-minute walk uphill.
Our tip: You can also combine a visit to the Bunkers with Park Güell. It’s about a 25-minute walk away.
Bunkers del Carmel on Google Maps
Montjuïc
No list of the best views in Barcelona would be complete without Montjuïc. The 173-meter-high hill, often referred to as Barcelona’s “local mountain,” offers several spots with breathtaking vistas.
Here are our favorites:
- Mirador del Castell de Montjuïc: 360-degree panoramic views from the walls of the fortress at the summit of Montjuïc (Google Maps location)
- Mirador de l’Alcalde: a charming green space with fantastic views over the city (Google Maps location)
- Mirador del Palau Nacional: a direct view of the Font Màgica fountain and Plaça d’Espanya — especially beautiful at night (Google Maps location)
How to Get to Montjuïc
We recommend taking the Telefèric de Montjuïc cable car up the hill. It departs from the Parc de Montjuïc station and takes you all the way to the summit. Along the way, you’ll enjoy stunning views of the city, the harbor, and the sea.
More about this in our Montjuïc guide:
Tibidabo
Alongside Montjuïc, Barcelona has a second local mountain: Tibidabo. At 512 meters, it’s the highest point in the city.
One of the best overlooks on Tibidabo is the Sagrat Cor church. The view from the platform above the crypt is already fantastic. But you can also take the elevator up to the roof of the church — the vista from up there is even more spectacular.
Other great spots on Tibidabo include the 288-meter-tall Torre de Collserola TV tower and the Ferris wheel at the Tibidabo Amusement Park.
Get tickets for Tibidabo Amusement Park
How to Get to Tibidabo
From the city center, your best options are Barcelona’s hop-on hop-off bus to Tramvia Blau – Tibidabo or metro line L7 to Av. Tibidabo. With either option, you then transfer to bus 196 and ride to Pl del Doctor Andreu. From there, take the Telefèric de Tibidabo funicular straight to the summit.
Read our guide to the Tibidabo as well:
Park Güell
Park Güell is one of the most popular attractions in Barcelona — and not just because of its unique architecture, but also because it offers seriously stunning views of the city skyline.
The best views are from the Plaça de la Natura. From this huge terrace, you get a perfect look at the two entrance pavilions, the rooftops of the city, and the sea — one of the most iconic photo spots in Barcelona.
Park Güell is situated on a hill in the Gràcia neighborhood. The neighborhood is beautiful and a great place to explore on a guided tour of Barcelona.
Our tip: If you want as few people as possible in your photos, visit the park early in the morning — especially if you’re spending a weekend in Barcelona.
How to Get to Park Güell
The nearest metro station is Lesseps. From there, it’s about a 20-minute walk to the main entrance of the park. Alternatively, you can take bus 24 to Travessera de Dalt, from where it’s about a 10-minute walk.
All the tips and info about Park Güell can be found here:
Torre Glòries
One of Barcelona’s most distinctive landmarks is the Torre Glòries skyscraper.
It’s already striking from the outside, but the real highlight is this: on the 33rd floor, at 125 meters up, you’ll find the Mirador Torre Glòries observation deck — with 360-degree views over Barcelona’s neighborhoods, the sea, and the surrounding mountains.
In addition to the incredible views, Torre Glòries also hosts fascinating exhibitions. One standout is the interactive, floating art installation “Cloud Cities Barcelona” by Argentine artist Tomás Saraceno, which you can even climb on. Really cool!
Get tickets for the Mirador Torre Glòries
How to Get to Torre Glòries
The nearest metro station is Glòries. From there, it’s just a 2-minute walk to the entrance of the tower.
Towers of the Sagrada Família
The Sagrada Família — the most famous work of architect Antoni Gaudí — tops most visitors’ sightseeing lists. But did you know that you can do more than just explore the basilica from the inside? You can also climb its towers!
When booking your ticket, you choose whether you want to go up the towers of the Nativity façade or the Passion façade. We went with the Nativity façade.
At the top, you walk across a bridge connecting two towers. The view from up there is lovely, though the bridge is relatively short and at most points the safety railing limits the sight lines.
So you won’t get a sweeping panorama here. What you will get, however, is the chance to see the façade and the towers up close — truly impressive!
Get tickets for the Sagrada Família (tower visit optional)
How to Get to the Sagrada Família
Just a few steps from the basilica are the Sagrada Família metro station and the Mallorca – Marina bus stop.
Sagrada Família on Google Maps
All our tips for the Sagrada Família can be found here:
Barcelona Cathedral
The Barcelona Cathedral is one of the city’s most impressive Gothic structures and an absolute highlight for anyone interested in architecture and history.
What many people don’t realize: your entry ticket also gets you up to the cathedral’s rooftop terrace — and from there you get a truly stunning view over the rooftops and alleyways of the Gothic Quarter, with Montjuïc visible in the distance.
The rooftop terrace isn’t quite as high as some other vantage points in Barcelona, but it’s much less crowded, letting you soak in the view at a leisurely pace.
Get tickets for the Barcelona Cathedral
How to Get to the Barcelona Cathedral
The cathedral is located in the heart of the Gothic Quarter and is easy to reach by Barcelona’s public transportation. The nearest metro station is Jaume I, just a few minutes’ walk away.
Barcelona Cathedral on Google Maps
La Terrassa de les Indianes
Now here’s a genuine under-the-radar pick among Barcelona’s viewpoints: La Terrassa de les Indianes — the rooftop terrace of Restaurant 1881 per Sagardi atop the Museu d’Història de Catalunya.
It sits right at the harbor and offers a fantastic view of the elegant yachts, the promenade, and the Mediterranean. The Columbus Monument and the mountains in the background are also clearly visible from here.
Our tip: Come in the evening — the view at sunset is especially beautiful!
The museum itself is one of the most fascinating museums in Barcelona. It tells the history of Catalonia in a genuinely engaging way. But if museums aren’t really your thing, don’t worry: you can access the terrace without visiting the exhibition.
How to Get to the Terrassa de les Indianes
The nearest metro station is Barceloneta, just a few minutes’ walk away. Buses also stop nearby, for example at the Pla de Palau stop.
Terrassa de les Indianes on Google Maps
Hotels with Rooftop Bars
Want to experience the best views in Barcelona after dark? A great rooftop bar is the perfect way to do it!
Some of the best rooftop bars can be found at hotels in Barcelona. We’ve picked out our top favorites, which you can visit even if you’re not staying there:
- Barceló Raval – Bar 360°: The rooftop terrace wraps all the way around the entire building. The view is seriously incredible!
- Sercotel Rosellon – Terrassa Sercotel Rosselló: known for its unbeatable views of the Sagrada Família.
- The Hoxton, Poblenou – Tope: a great bar and restaurant with views over Barcelona. Still something of a local favorite that not everyone knows about!
- W Barcelona Hotel – Noxe: pure luxury with spectacular views of the beach and the sea. It’s a large property, but one of the city’s most famous hotels — for something more personal, check out our tips for unique design hotels in Barcelona.
