15 Best Viewpoints in Barcelona (historic sites, scenic vistas and cool places to discover)
Visiting Spain at Barcelona is like no other city in the world. Full of amazing architecture, an abundance of sunlight and the best food comes in bite sized appetizers. Experience Barcelona by walking around, putting your head back and look up and savor the flavor of the city. But did you know Barcelona also offers breathtaking vista across the city? Where to find the best Barcelona top views and how to get there? I list the 15 vantage points that give you the best Barcelona views from above!
Weather and best time to visit Barcelona
Barcelona experiences a Mediterranean climate, characterized by mild winters and hot summers. The best time to visit the city largely depends on your preferences and the type of activities you want to engage in:
Spring (March to May): Spring is a wonderful time to visit Barcelona, as the weather is pleasant with temperatures ranging from 15°C to 22°C (59°F to 72°F). The city is blooming with colorful flowers, and it’s an ideal season for sightseeing, strolling through parks, and enjoying outdoor cafes.
Summer (June to August): Barcelona can get quite hot during the summer, with temperatures ranging from 25°C to 30°C (77°F to 86°F) and sometimes even higher. This season is perfect for beach lovers and those who enjoy vibrant nightlife and festivals. However, it can be crowded with tourists.
Fall (September to November): Fall offers milder temperatures ranging from 17°C to 24°C (63°F to 75°F). It’s a pleasant time to explore the city without the summer crowds. The city’s cultural events and local festivities are also in full swing during this season.
Winter (December to February): Winters in Barcelona are relatively mild, with temperatures ranging from 8°C to 15°C (46°F to 59°F). While it’s not beach weather, the city’s holiday lights and festivities make it a charming destination during the Christmas season.
Overall, the best time to visit Barcelona is during the shoulder seasons of spring and fall. These months offer comfortable weather, fewer crowds, and a chance to experience the city’s vibrant culture without the peak tourist influx. However, if you enjoy the lively atmosphere of summer festivals and don’t mind the higher temperatures, visiting during the summer can also be a memorable experience.
Here’s the 15 best Barcelona views from above Barcelona
When you’re walking around in a new city, buildings and streets all seem to look-alike and blur together into one big urban memory. A great way to refresh your sightseeing, is by finding a viewpoint where you can overlook the city. You can trace your steps where you’ve been and where you want to go. Luckily, Barcelona has many impressive rooftop views that are easily accessible to the public. Here are the best Barcelona views of city to explore and enjoy some of the wonderful vistas and scenic viewpoints to the city.
1. Visit the Cathedral of Barcelona
Did you know you can climb the cathedral of Barcelona? Walk around on the roof of the church and enjoy the 360 degrees views of the Barrio Gotic or the Gotic area of Barcelona. They have an elevator to bring you right up the roof. From there you’ll see the back of the facade of the church and the pinnacle and the closely knit streets and houses of the Gotic area. This is one of the easiest and most accessible Barcelona viewpoints in the city. With an easy access to the roof, you have a fast Barcelona city view of the Ramblas and Barrio Gothic areas in the historic district.
barcelona city top view – from the Cathedral viewpoint
Check out the top of the cathedral and views below
2. Rooftop La Pedrera
The building resembling a stone quarry on the corner of the Passeig de Gràcia is also called Casa Mila. Casa Mila or La Pedrera is a typical Gaudi house, with flowing lines, natural resemblance, amazing architecture and long queues to get in. Luckily, you can buy your skip-the-line-tickets in advance online which will give you access to roam around the house, explore the exhibition and venture out on the rooftop for chimney selfies and a good view on Barcelona. I really liked that from La Pedrera you can see the lovely colored house of Casa Batllo across the street.
The Barcelona view of the Gracia district and cool neighborhood views from La Pedrera and fun to explore along with the unique rooftop and chimney top designs.
**Get your entry to the Casa Milo in advanced here to avoid the lines from this attraction
The unsurreal Rooftop of the Casa La Pedrera in Barcelona
Here’s a fun tour of the entire Casa La Pedrera to explore in this video
3. Rooftop Casa Batllo
That is correct, right across the street from La Pedrera, you’ll find another famous Gaudi house, Casa Batllo. This pastel colored house from the outside, feels like you’ll submerge into the underwater world on the inside. The architecture of Casa Batllo is dominated by the nautical theme and nature. Once you do come up for air, the rooftop of Casa Batllo offers you a divers view of Barcelona. You get to see the gigantic block of stone that is Casa Pedrera, the broad avenue that is Passeig de Gracia and the older quarter of Barcelona in the distance. Combine that with the colorful tail of a dragon and you have an unique view in my opinion!
**Get your entry to the Casa Battlo in advanced here to avoid the lines from this attraction
Dragon spine on the rooftop of Casa Batllo in Barcelona
Here’s a fun tour of Casa Batilo
4. Museum of National Art of Catalonia
In all fairness, I haven’t visited the museum of Catalonian Art (Museu Nacional d’Art de Catalunya) to look at their pieces of art. But I have been to the museum to enjoy the sweeping views of Barcelona! Situated at the tip of the Montjuic, the MNAC stands tall at the head of a large staircase, going down to the Plaça d’Espanya. If you stand with you back against the museum, you’ll see a big part of Barcelona, framed by antique pillars and dramatic statues. The staircases and water fountains, guide your eyes to the city below as it unfolds in front of you feet.
Tip – If you hang out at night time for sunset and gorgeous views, you can also stay to watch the magic fountain water show with music that is fun to do at night time.
**Get your Museum of National Art of Catalonia in advanced here to avoid the lines from the Barceloneta area to Montjuic.
One of the best views in Barcelona is from this point on Montjuïc
Here’s a quick tour of the MNAC building
5. On the Teleferic from Montjuic
One of the best Barcelona views from above are at Montjuic and from different viewpoints around the mountain top area. With such a large hill, embracing the city, it is logical to find some great vistas here. You can take the bus or metro up Montjuic, or climb the stairs from Placa d’Espanya. But you can also take the Teleferic from Montjuïc down to the harbour. Float across the sky, over the hill, the city and the harbour. Swap land for sea views as you slowly descend down to the Barcelona shoreline.
The Barcelona views down below with panoramic vistas throughout the whole city makes exploring Montjuic fun along with all the cool attractions on the hill.
**Get your Teleferic ride in advanced here to avoid the lines from the Barceloneta area to Montjuic.
Gliding down on the Teleferic to the harbor of Barcelona
Here’s a video tour of the Teleferic to Montjuic Hill
6. Columbus statue
Near the harbor, at the end of the famous Las Ramblas pedestrian area, you’ll find a tall column with a statue on top. The statue is of Columbus pointing his finger into the distance. Although a nice landmark in the city, did you know the base is home to the organization behind wine tourism in the Catalonia area? And did you know the elevator takes you right up to Columbus his head for 360 degrees views of the sea and Barcelona? For a few euros, you get dazzling views of the Ramblas and the harbor of Barcelona with this unique Barcelona top view of the immediate area.
City view of Barcelona from the Columbus Statue
You can actually take an elevator ride inside the statue for fantastic views of Barcelona below
7. Palau Güell
One of the best views in Barcelona from above is at Park Guell. Another great Gaudi house with rooftop views, is the Palau Güell. This urban palace for the Güell family, is one of Gaudi’s first houses and you see a less refined touches that he later perfected in newer houses. But the Palau Güell does offer bubbly bright-colored chimneys and a chance to enjoy the Barcelona view. Decipher the Raval neighborhood and Barcelona landmarks in the distance. Probably one of the best sunset views of Barcelona to visit and enjoy the magic hour and end of day in this fabulous city.
**Get your entry to the Palau Guell in advanced here to avoid the lines from this attraction
Here’s a tour of the Famous Palau Guell by Gaudi and the cool Chimney tops on the roof
8. Climb the towers of the Sagrada Familia
The Sagrada Familia, Gaudi’s still unfinished masterpiece is slowly entering the final stage of her long and troubled building process. Only a couple of years are left, to put a crown on Gaudi’s masterpiece. The Sagrada Familia is an exuberant tale of the Christian faith, combined with an architectural ode to nature and a plethora of light, dazzling her visitors. If you’re lucky to snag up those coveted tickets to visit the church and climb one of the towers, you can see the towers up close. And get the view of Barcelona with her square quadrants below you.
**Get your entry to the Sagrada Familia in advanced here to avoid the lines from this attraction
Here’s a tour of the insides and checking out the Nativity Tower
9. Sant Pau Hospital
A cool Barcelona viewpoint from above is at the Sant Pau Hospital. The only problem with climbing the towers of the Sagrada Familia is, that you’ll not get a Barcelona view with the Sagrada Familia in it. It is like climbing the Eiffel tower in Paris and missing that one iconic landmark of the city in your pictures. Luckily, this post is full of Barcelona viewpoints, so you can pick the best one! A great view of Barcelona with the Sagrada Familia is from the former Hospital de Sant Pau.
Not far from the Sagrada Familia, this complex of modernist buildings has recently opened for visitors. Roam the halls to learn about the history of this hospital and marvel at the glass stained windows with epic Barcelona views with the Sagrada Familia included.
**Get your entry to the Hospital de Sant Pau in advanced here to avoid the lines from this attraction
Check out this gorgous Art Nouveau complex below
The Sagrada Familia in the distance, seen from the Sant Pau Hospital
Best Barcelona viewpoint a little bit further away from the center
What makes a viewpoint epic and unforgettable? It has to be high up, provide unobstructed views of the city and a breathtaking view of course! These viewpoints are a little bit further out of the city center, but still easily manageable if you want to find amazing panoramic views of Barcelona.
Barcelona city top view – at Parc Guell
10. Amazing views from Parc Guell
One of the best views from Barcelona from above and another Gaudi masterpiece is also one of the biggest tourist attractions in Barcelona, is the lovely Parc Güell, situated in the north of the city. Situated on the slopes of what was once called the “Bare Mountain” (Muntanya Pelada), Gaudi transformed it into a lush, flowing park with gardens and Modernist architectural features. You can visit the park for free, but the best sight and view of Barcelona, is from the monumental zone with her terrace overlooking the park and the city. You need to get a ticket for that part of the park. In the far distance you’ll see the Mediterranean Sea, but in front of you, is a sea of city. You can see the whole of Barcelona, framed by colorful benches and modernist landmarks. The sunset is particular pretty at this Barcelona viewpoint.
**Get your entry to the Parc Guell in advanced here to avoid the lines from this attraction
Sunset at Parc Güell, one of the best viewpoints in Barcelona
Here’s a gorgeous tour from the top of Parc Guell another Gaudi creation
11. Skybar of the Grand Hotel Central
One of the coolest hangout spots and views of Barcelona from above is at the Skybar. Barcelona is full of swanky hotel with rooftop pools that offer hipster drinks (with umbrella) to all visitors, not just their hotel clientele. One of the best hotel views of Barcelona would probably my top pick for best rooftop hotel bar is the Skybar at the Grand Hotel Central. If you’re not staying at the hotel, you can visit the Skybar from 1.30 pm till 9 pm. Order a drink, take a dip in the infinity pool and gobble up the sweeping views of Barcelona. What more do you need after a full day of sightseeing in Barcelona.
The views are amazing at the Skybar, take a look
12. Eclipse Bar
Another unique view of Barcelona from above at Barceloneta is at the Eclipse Bar. Do you know that conical shaped building in Barcelona that turns magic blue and red at night in Barceloneta? That building is the W Barcelona Hotel, also known as the Hotel Vela (Sail Hotel). All the way, at the 26th floor, you’ll find the Eclipse Bar. Nightlife focal point of Barcelona, the Eclipse Bar also offers one of the best views in Barcelona. Dance the night away as you’ll gaze at the dark city with million of twinkling lights at your feet.
Wow, the views from the Eclipse Bar in Barcelona is amazing!
13. Bunkers del Carmel
A silent reminder of the Spanish Civil War, the Bunkers of Carmel, sit firmly at the Turó de la Rovira hill in the Carmel area. The bunkers were used as anti aircraft warfare but now form another great viewing point of Barcelona. Once a local’s secret viewing point, now it is flocked by tourist who lounge around all day, meeting up and having a picnic. Especially at sunset it can be hard to find a safe spot to take in the bird’s eye views of Barcelona, but it is all worth it.
Enjoy the Barcelona view from the Bunkers del Carmel
Another fun and colorful spot for views of Barcelona from the Bunkers del Carmel
14. Tibidabo
One of the biggest Barcelona views is at the top of Tibidabo. At 512 meters (1,679 feet) above sea-level, Mount Tibidabo is Barcelona’s highest mountain and definitely the best view of Barcelona with a panoramic landscape of the entire city. Take the old vintage tram up the mountain and release your inner child at the theme rides at the Tibidabo amusement park. Or enjoy a picnic while savoring the views from Tibidabo with the Sagrat Cor church in your back. If this isn’t high enough for your taste, the Basilica del Sagrat Cor Tibidabo has 2 viewing platforms. The first one can be reached by elevator for a couple of euros. Here’s you’ll find yourself at the same level at the impressive bronze Christ statue. Climb higher via stairs to the very top of Tibidabo. Now at 548m (1,797 ft.) you’ll find exhilarating views of Barcelona at night or even basking in sun in the daylight.
An amusement park, a dramatic church and one of the best Barcelona viewpoints, Mount Tibidabo is all in one.
Here’s a fun tour of Mount Tibidabo in Barcelona
15. Montjuic Castle lookout points at Montjuic
The fortress lookout points at Montjuïc in Barcelona offer an extraordinary and commanding view of the city and its surrounding landscapes. Perched atop Montjuïc Hill, these historical lookout points were once part of the Montjuïc Castle, a fortress dating back to the 17th century.
From these elevated vantage points, visitors are treated to breathtaking panoramic vistas of Barcelona’s skyline, the Mediterranean Sea, and the bustling port. The views extend to iconic landmarks such as La Sagrada Família, the W Barcelona Hotel, and the Gothic Quarter, showcasing the city’s blend of historic and modern architecture.
As you wander through the castle’s grounds, you’ll encounter different lookout points that provide unique perspectives of the city below. The terraces and walls of the fortress offer ample opportunities for photographers and travelers to capture the beauty of Barcelona from various angles.
Beyond the cityscape, the fortress lookout points at Montjuïc also boast natural beauty, with lush greenery and landscaped gardens that complement the urban panorama. Visitors can take a moment to appreciate the serene Mediterranean coastline stretching into the distance.
Extra bonus view at Montserrat Mountains
One of the best day trips from Barcelona, Montserrat is a great way to escape the clustered urban vibe and get some fresh mountain air. Attractions are the monastery, the choir, the mountains and the view! Take the train from Barcelona to Montserrat and zip up the mountains with funicular. Hike around the mountains to called Sant Jeroni (Saint Jerome). At 1,236 meters (4,055 feet) above sea-level this is the highest peak. Take in the hazy views of the soft sedimentary rock formations that make up the Montserrat Mountains.
The oddly shaped rock formations in the Montserrat Mountains near Barcelona
Visiting The Monserrat area of Barcelona below
Where to eat in Barcelona
So many amazing dining venues around this foodie city from street food, local mom and pop restaurants, farmers markets to ultra fine dining venues. Check out all these tasty spots to explore and enjoy around the city now.
What to eat in Barcelona, check out these favorite spots and what to eat in the city
Delicious tapas bars to explore in Barcelona
Best places to enjoy around Barcelona
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Where to stay in Barcelona?
There are so many different options of accommodations and areas to stay around the city, but here are some suggestions.
A luxury boutique hotel with a michelin star restaurant overlooking Port Vell that is trendy, cool and very modern ammenities and convenience.
Located in the Gothic Quarter with spacious rooms,views of the cathedral and easy access to the historic district, the hotel is quiet amid this urban and crowded district
Located in the Ribera district with a relaxed and comfortable vibe and close to the Arc de Triomphe. Spacious and clean rooms, easy walk to many attractions and a rooftop bar/hang out area makes this a fantastic stay in Barcelona with views.
Check out all these other well rated hotel reviews in Barcelona for updated prices and availability in the area.
How to get around Barcelona to visit many of these historic sites and impressive views
Since most of these sites are in places from above with views, some of the sites within easy access to each other is very walkable to get to many of the rooftop places of interest. You can also take public transportation and Taxi/Uber to reach many of these places for easy access to these sites.
Taking public transportation
Traveling by Metro
The metro system around Barcelona covers the many districts around the city and is easy to get to many of the outlying areas of town and inexpensive public transportation. To learn more about the TMB metro system (Transports Metropolitans de Barcelona) around the city, check out the main website here for more inspiration and information.
Traveling by trams
Barcelona’s trams are easy to follow and inexpensive getting around the city, they cover many parts of the city and city center area. Check out the basics and information here for a quick look at the tram systems around Barcelona.
Traveling by busses
The bus systems (TMB) are extensive to get around Barcelona and takes some getting used to find the various routes to take around the city. To find out more information on getting around by bus system, check out their main website here for more details and information.
Travel by Taxi / Uber
For easy convenience and fast transport to these many viewpoints around Barcelona, you can easily flag a local taxi or use Uber to get around the city and visit many of the outlying spots with gorgeous vistas to enjoy around the city.
**Consider getting a transport card to traveling around Barcelona in advanced here to avoid paying for each trip location
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Guest post Bio
Written by Naomi from Probe around the Globe. Naomi is a train travel enthusiast who is crackers about cheese and loves history and ruins. She mainly travels in Europe and visited Barcelona on many occasion. Always looking to make travel planning easier, Naomi dedicates her blog to writing practical tips for your urban travel adventures.
Conclusion to the 15 Best Viewpoints in Barcelona
In conclusion, Barcelona’s 15 best viewpoints offer a mesmerizing journey through the city’s architectural splendors, natural landscapes, and vibrant neighborhoods. From the iconic spires of La Sagrada Família to the panoramic vistas from Montjuïc Hill and Tibidabo, each viewpoint presents a unique perspective of Barcelona’s charm and allure.
Capturing the city from above allows you to witness the intricate details of Gaudí’s masterpieces, the glimmering Mediterranean Sea, and the bustling streets below. Whether you explore the historic alleys of the Gothic Quarter or bask in the sun-kissed terraces of Park Güell, each viewpoint unveils a new facet of Barcelona’s enchanting beauty.
From hilltop fortresses to modernist rooftops, these vantage points offer moments of awe-inspiring wonder and a chance to connect with the soul of this dynamic Catalan metropolis. Whether you are a photographer seeking the perfect shot or a traveler in search of breathtaking experiences, these viewpoints promise unforgettable memories and a profound appreciation for the vibrant tapestry that is Barcelona. Embrace the heights, indulge in the views, and immerse yourself in the undeniable magic of this captivating city.
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This is absolutely wonderful. For a person who is yet to go to Barcelona this is an invaluable guide . Thanks
You definitely need to visit and check out all these amazing viewpoints in Barcelona
Nice article, just a small correction: the picture with the title: “Funny looking chimney and the Cathedral of Barcelona on the roof of the Palau Güell” is misplaced. It is a view of Barcelona from the Park Güell. The Palau Güell, is located in “El raval”, one of the old districts of the city. The view from it’s roof is completely different, but also interesting.
Awesome, thanks for the correction, so many amazing views of Barcelona from above
There is so much to see and do in Barcelona and these viewpoints are great to get a view of the city. I love all of the gaudi sites around the city.
Barcelona is amazing and the views of the city from above are worth the small effort to see these places
Incredible captures! Such mesmerizing views.
I have been to some of these places, wish I had taken these kind of pics.
It’s a little effort to get to these sites, but the viewpoints of Barcelona are really spectacular don’t you think?
Soooo many great viewpoints! My favorite was from the castle. I really liked the old bullfighting ring terrace too
Yes the castle views are spectacular with city, harbor and coastline views of Barcelona
Beautiful views! I really love the view of La Pedrera. I would love to go to Barcelona.
All these views of Barcelona are really amazing worth the small effort to visit most of these sites.
Great choices – some that we have not yet enjoyed so look forward to experiencing in the future!
There’s definitely a lot of good choices to see Barcelona from different viewpoints and not just from above
Barcelona is such a treasure trove of culture and heritage. Each of the sites that you have shared here have such amazing architecture and stories. I loved La Pedrera – it seems quite quirky. I feel that I might just need around a week to cover these all. Loved all your shots.
Yes, I agree the architecture is quite unusual and makes the city so fashionable and fascinating to explore from an architectural viewpoint
Love the idea of seeing Barcelona from above. Your photos make me jealous that we didn’t do that 7 years ago when we visited.
Definitely worth an effort to go back and visit Barcelona and check out all these views from above
I loved the views of the city from the top of La Sagrada and Park Guell when I was in Barcelona. Le Pedrera and Casa Battlo also offer great views. Rest of them I have not really tried. But they also seem to be great.
The views from the top of Barcelona are definitely worth visiting and seeing some spectacular scenery and city views
Even though I am not a big fan of Barcelona (I prefer the smaller towns in the region and the countryside/rugged coastline), I do love the view from the fortress on top of the hill which wasn’t too far from the coastline. Its been a hell of a long time since I been to the city. I think i need to go back and give it another chance.
Barcelona has some amazing views for this huge city
The skip the line option at Casa La Pedrera sounds fabulous. I would much rather hunt out more view points in Barcelona than wait in line. I figure that you spend a fair amount of money to be on vacation so your time is too valuable to waste in line.
Yes there are some great tips to seeing the popular attractions without the lines especially for these popular views of Barcelona
I have never been to Barcelona. Now I really want to travel there to see all the magnificent buildings and views. Wonderful post!
There are so many amazing attractions and views to Barcelona, definitely worth a visit
Fantastic views! I’ve been to Barcelona — and loved it — but did not get a chance to see the city from these perspectives. I know I’ll be returning so will make sure I check out al least a few of these spots.
Yes these are definitely the best views around Barcelona, hope you get to see most of these some day
You’ve got some great shots of Barcelona, Noel. I love that city as it is SO filled with eye candy! Thx for sharing your favourites with us.
Barcelona has so many amazing views and most from above, I love all these wonderful viewpoints