Visiting Barcelona and enjoying its panoramas is a great way to discover the city. Barcelona is one of the prettiest cities in Europe thanks to its iconic buildings and the charm of its districts, from its small bohemian streets of Gracia, to its large avenues adorned with modernist monuments of the Eixample.
It’s definitely a city that is worth seeing from another angle. Here are a few of the most popular viewpoints available to enjoy during your trip.
Montjuïc
Montjuïc is a mountain in Barcelona, located to the southwest of the city. It rises to more than 170 meters high. It is definitely a location that cannot be missed on a trip to Barcelona and, therefore, once you get there, it is impossible not to immerse yourself in the views that the city offers. There are plenty of places to get great panoramic views. Among them, the Montjuïc Castle stands out above all, where it is recommended to go up a little before sunset and admire the views of Barcelona, its port and the blue hues of the Mediterranean sea.
From the top of the Montjuïc mountain, you can admire Barcelona from all angles. It offers three viewpoints: Montjuïc Park, Montjuïc Castle and its view of the port, and Miramar and its square overlooking the port and the city center. The Montjuïc cable car is a great way to see Barcelona from the sky and gradually discover the wonderful view. It connects Montjuïc Castle and Parc Montjuïc. At an altitude of more than 85 meters, you can see the beautiful Catalan capital in a panoramic light.
Tibidabo
Tibidabo Square is on the highest peak in Barcelona, so it makes sense that it offers stunning views of the Catalan capital. The access isn’t the easiest, but the reward is great – especially if you take the opportunity to take a break at the Tibidabo theme park. To add to its early 20th century amusement park with its vintage appearance, the hill is also home to the Temple of the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the Fabra Observatory. This route, popular as it is, is nonetheless a must-do for travelers as an amazing stopover during a city trip to Barcelona.
If you want to climb as high as possible to see the city, then Tibidabo is your place. You can reach a height of 512 meters above sea level, with impressive 360-degree views. But Tibidabo is not just a peak, it houses an amusement park famous for its big wheel with multi-colored benches – as well as a spectactular church, Sagrat Kaur. Tibidabo can be accessed with or without effort. You can climb on foot, by car or by funicular from Plaza del Doctor Andreu, or by bus T2A from Plaça Catalunya for only €3. This is one of the must-see viewpoints in Barcelona!
Parc Güell
In the north of the city, already famous for its architecture straight from Gaudí’s imagination, Parc Güell is also the perfect place to view Barcelona. From its balcony with its wavy bench, overlooking the city, you will see the most iconic monuments of Barcelona,the Agbar Tower, the Sagrada Familia, the Mapfre Towers and the cathedral.
Admiring these view with your own eyes is something you should do at least once, especially when you live in Barcelona. Once you have passed the famous “Drac”, you reach the Sala Hipòstila, supported by 86 columns. Immediately above, a large square opens up surrounded by a mosaic bench overlooking the city and the Mediterranean Sea, well known to people who have seen L’Auberge Espagnole. Even if this view is impressive, don’t stop. Follow the different paths that cross the park until you reach Turó de les 3 Creus, to admire the sights from other viewpoints.
Carrer d’Olot, s/n, 08024 Barcelona
Parc Guinardó
An ideal place to take children and enjoy a pleasant and relaxing walk, the Parc Guinardó offers some wonderful viewpoints, such as Mitja Lluna and Sant Joan. Although you have to be in good physical shape to climb its steep slopes, the views you get are well worth the effort. On a clear day, you can get great views – sometimes all the way to the coastal town of Montgat.
Guinardó is located in the north of Barcelona, there are several secret and fascinating places that you cannot miss. These areas cross landscapes and lesser known viewpoints. Little is known, however, that Bunkers del Carmels, which was a military defense area during the Spanish Civil War, is now an impressive watchtower.
Christophe Colombe
The “Monument a Colom” is located in the center of Plaça del Portal de la Pau. It is a large column with a height of 60 meters where the statue of Christopher Columbus was erected. For a great view of the city, you’ll take the elevator up from the bottom of the statue. From there you can enjoy the sea as far as the eye can see and the center of Barcelona.
The Cristóbal Colón Viewpoint was built in 1888 for the Universal Exhibition. Everyone knows the famous statue of Christopher Columbus located at the foot of the Rambla, but few have climbed to the top. However, it offers a picturesque view of the Mediterranean Sea, and you can also notice the hustle and bustle that reigns in the port of Barcelona. You can also enjoy seeing the Gòtic quarter from a different perspective.
Address: Plaça Portal de la Pau, s/n, 08001 Barcelona
Turó de la Rovira
A few years ago, the Turó de la Rovira viewpoint was a place that only locals visited. But its impressive view of the Catalan capital now makes it an unmissable place. This place is also known as the bunker because it was built during the Spanish Civil War to defend Barcelona from air raids by the Franco regime. The basement is located near the Guinardó Park in the Carmel region, and is an ideal place to have a picnic or watch the sunset.
These former shelters from the Spanish Civil War, which were almost unknown, have become the place of visit for many locals and tourists. This viewpoint is located in the Carmel neighborhood and is a space belonging to the Historical Museum of Barcelona. Despite the deterioration, a rehabilitation project was started for the Carmel bunkers, and they can now be accessed and enjoyed from the section of the city that faces the sea. Amazing sunrises and nights illuminated by lighting of the city lights can be enjoyed from up here.
There are two reasons why the city has these exceptional viewpoints. On the one hand, being surrounded by mountains and hills allows you to see the city almost like a bird. On the other hand, there are unique monuments and buildings that have also become points of reference for taking the best photos of Barcelona. Enjoy some of the viewpoints covered in the post with a Montjuïc eBike Tour!
