In a nutshell
- There are plenty of unique viewpoints in Barcelona where you can see the city from a whole new perspective.
- We show you the best spots to experience Barcelona from above – both well-known places and hidden gems that might not have been on your radar.
- Barcelona’s viewpoints are as diverse as the city itself – from tall towers and mountain peaks to cool rooftop bars, there’s something for everyone.
- Our favorite views of Barcelona are from the Bunkers del Carmel at sunset and from Montjuïc, the city’s most famous hill, with its scenic cable car.
Best Views in Barcelona on a Map
To help you see exactly where you can find the best views in Barcelona, we’ve marked them on a map for you.
You can also download the map and use it offline.
Download the map of Barcelona’s best views as a PDF
Bunkers del Carmel
The Bunkers del Carmel are one of our absolute favorites among the best viewpoints in Barcelona. The former defense site is located on a 262-meter-high hill, and the view from there is truly amazing.
The atmosphere is best at sunset, when the sky over the city and the Tibidabo mountain turns shades of orange and red.
This place is no longer a secret, so you’re rarely alone. However, you’ll mostly find locals here, and it’s much less crowded than other viewpoints in the city.
So, in a way, you’ve still discovered a hidden gem in Barcelona! And the best part: It’s free to visit.
How to get to the Bunkers del Carmel
The Bunkers del Carmel are located in the northern part of Barcelona, a bit outside the city center. The best way to get there is by taking bus 24 to the Ctra del Carmel – Mühlberg stop. From there, it’s about a 12-minute walk uphill.
Our tip: You can also combine your visit to the bunkers with a trip to Park Güell. It’s about a 25-minute walk from there.
Bunkers del Carmel on Google Maps
Montjuïc
You can’t talk about the best views in Barcelona without mentioning Montjuïc. The 173-meter-high hill, often referred to as Barcelona’s ‘local mountain’, is home to several stunning lookouts.
These are our favorites:
- Mirador del Castell de Montjuïc: 360-degree panoramic view from the walls of the fortress at the top of Montjuïc (Google Maps location)
- Mirador de l’Alcalde: idyllic green space with great views over Barcelona (Google Maps location)
- Mirador del Palau Nacional: 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 to the top of the hill. It starts at the Parc de Montjuïc station and takes you all the way up. Along the way, you’ll have a fantastic view of the city, the harbor and the sea.
Tibidabo
In addition to Montjuïc, Barcelona has a second city mountain: Tibidabo. At 512 meters, it’s the highest point in the city.
One of the best viewpoints on Tibidabo is the Sagrat Cor church. The view from the platform above the crypt is amazing. But you can also take the elevator to the roof of the church – from there, the view is even more spectacular.
Other cool viewpoints on Tibidabo include the 288-meter-high TV tower Torre de Collserola and the ferris wheel at the Tibidabo Amusement Park.
To the ticket for the Tibidabo Amusement Park
How to get to Tibidabo
The best way to reach Tibidabo is by taking the hop-on hop-off bus in Barcelona to Tramvia Blau – Tibidabo or the L7 metro to Av. Tibidabo. From either stop, transfer to bus 196 and ride to Pl del Doctor Andreu. From there, the Tibidabo Funicular takes you straight to the top.
Park Güell
Park Güell is one of the most popular places to visit in Barcelona – not just for its unique architecture, but also for the amazing views over Barcelona’s skyline.
The best viewpoint is Plaça de la Natura. From this spacious terrace, you get a perfect view of the two entrance pavilions, the rooftops of the city, and the sea – one of the most iconic photo spots in Barcelona.
Our tip: If you want fewer people in your photos, visit the park early in the morning – especially if you are in Barcelona on a weekend.
How to get to Park Güell
Park Güell sits on a hill in the Gràcia district. The nearest metro station is Lesseps, from where it’s about a 20-minute walk to the main entrance of the park. Alternatively, you can take bus 24 to Travessera de Dalt and walk the remaining 10 minutes.
Torre Glòries
One of Barcelona’s most striking landmarks is the Torre Glòries skyscraper.
It’s already impressive from the outside, but the real highlight is on the 33rd floor, 125 meters up: The Mirador Torre Glòries observation deck, with a 360-degree view over Barcelona’s neighborhoods, the sea, and the surrounding mountains.
In addition to the stunning view, Torre Glòries also hosts exciting exhibitions. One highlight is the interactive, floating art installation ‘Cloud Cities Barcelona’ by Argentine artist Tomás Saraceno, which you can even climb on. Really cool!
To the ticket for the Mirador Torre Glòries
How to get to the Torre Glòries
The nearest metro station is Glòries, just a 2-minute walk from the tower entrance.
Towers of the Sagrada Família
The Sagrada Família – the most famous building by architect Antoni Gaudí – is at the top of most visitors’ sightseeing lists in Barcelona. But did you know that you can not only visit the basilica from the inside, but also climb its towers?
When booking your ticket, you choose whether you want to visit the towers of the Nativity façade or the Passion façade. We opted for the Nativity façade.
At the top, you walk across a bridge that connects two towers. The view from there is beautiful, but the bridge is relatively short and in most places, the view is restricted by the protective grating.
So, you won’t get a panoramic view of Barcelona here. However, you do get the chance to see the façade and towers up close – truly impressive!
To the ticket for the Sagrada Família (tower visit optional)
How to get to the Sagrada Família
The Sagrada Família metro station and the Mallorca – Marina bus stop are just a few meters away from the basilica.
Sagrada Família on Google Maps
Barcelona Cathedral
Barcelona Cathedral is one of the most impressive Gothic buildings in the city and an absolute highlight if you’re interested in architecture and history.
What many people don’t realize: Your admission ticket also grants you access to the cathedral’s rooftop terrace – and from there, you get a beautiful view over the rooftops and alleyways of the Gothic Quarter and can even spot Montjuïc in the distance.
While the rooftop terrace isn’t as high as some other viewpoints in Barcelona, it’s much less crowded, so you can enjoy the view in peace and quiet.
To the ticket for Barcelona Cathedral
How to get to Barcelona Cathedral
The cathedral is located in the heart of the Gothic Quarter and is easily accessible by Barcelona’s public transport. The nearest metro station is Jaume I, just a few minutes’ walk away.
Barcelona Cathedral on Google Maps
La Terrassa de les Indianes
Now, we have a real insider tip for great views in Barcelona: La Terrassa de les Indianes – the rooftop terrace of the 1881 per Sagardi restaurant on the Museu d’Història de Catalunya.
It’s located right by the harbor and offers a fantastic view of the fancy yachts, the promenade, and the Mediterranean. You can also see the Columbus Monument and the mountains in the background.
Our tip: Come in the evening – the sunset view is especially beautiful!
The museum itself is one of the most fascinating museums in Barcelona, telling the history of Catalonia in a really interesting way. But if museums aren’t your thing, no worries: You can access the terrace without visiting the exhibition.
How to get to La Terrassa de les Indianes
The nearest metro station is Barceloneta, just a short walk from there. Alternatively, buses stop nearby, like at the Pla de Palau stop.
La Terrassa de les Indianes on Google Maps
Hotels with Rooftop Bar
Want to experience Barcelona from above at night? A cool rooftop bar is perfect for that!
You can find some of the best rooftop bars on hotels in Barcelona. We’ve picked out our favorite hotels with a view that you can also visit if you’re not staying overnight:
- Barceló Raval – Bar 360°: The rooftop terrace wraps around the entire building. This lookout is icredible!
- Sercotel Rosellon – Terrassa Sercotel Rosselló: famous for its unbeatable view of the Sagrada Família.
- The Hoxton, Poblenou – Tope: great bar/restaurant with a view of Barcelona. Another little insider tip!
- W Barcelona Hotel – Noxe: pure luxury with spectacular views over the beach and the sea.
Note: As most rooftop bars are quite popular, you should definitely book in advance via their websites.
FAQ about the Best Views in Barcelona
Where is the best view of Barcelona?
Our personal favorites are the Bunkers del Carmel and Montjuïc.
From the Bunkers del Carmel, you get an incredible 360-degree view of Barcelona – definitely a highlight, especially around sunset!
Montjuïc also has amazing lookouts, along with beautiful nature and some great sights.
Both are perfect spots to view Barcelona from above!
Which mountain views are best in Barcelona?
If you’re looking for the best mountain views in Barcelona, you’ve got two great options: Montjuïc and Tibidabo.
Montjuïc offers awesome views of the city and the coastline, plus it’s home to some cool spots like the Olympic Park and the Montjuïc Castle.
On the other hand, Tibidabo, the higher of the two, gives you a breathtaking panoramic view of the whole city – plus you’ve got the fun vibe of the Tibidabo Amusement Park up top.
Where is the best view of Barcelona at night?
For the best view of Barcelona at night, head to the Bunkers del Carmel. The panoramic view of the city, with all the lights sparkling, is absolutely magical.
These were our tips for the best views in Barcelona
Do you know any other unforgettable viewpoints in Barcelona? Feel free to share them with us in the comments.