Must see: My top 5 places with amazing views of Barcelona

Do you want to have Barcelona at your fingertips? Do you want to enjoy a stunning view of the entire city from one place, search for famous landmarks in the panorama, and enjoy magical sunrises or sunsets? I have prepared a few tips for you on places to go in Barcelona so that you can fully enjoy these unforgettable moments.

Where are the best views in Barcelona?

Sightseeing spots in Barcelona
Map with places where you can find the best places to observe the city panorama

1. The top of the Christopher Columbus monument

This is the most accessible viewpoint in the city – just a few steps from the famous La Rambla street, a short distance from the sea you will find the monument to Christopher Columbus. In the places where his ships anchored after discovering America in 1493, you can take a small elevator to a height of 60 meters and enjoy the view of the sea, Montjuic hill, the city, Tibidabo or the port. The upper platform can accommodate a maximum of 10 people, so I recommend coming here as early as possible - maybe you will be lucky enough to be here without other visitors. Many people do not know about this viewpoint and pass it by without noticing, which is certainly a great shame! More about the monument and my impressions of visiting the viewpoint can be found in a separate article. 

Price: € 8 (Tickets)

2. The top of Tibidabo hill

View from Tibidabo hill

The second tip, where you can find breathtaking views of Barcelona, is a little further away from city ​​centerJust head to the Serra de Collserola hills and visit Tibidabo (where there is also a great amusement park that you shouldn't miss, especially if you have headed to Barcelona with kidsThis mountain overlooking Barcelona from the northwest will show you the entire city and you can really easily identify all the famous buildings of the city skyline (Sagrada Família, Glories Tower, Hotel W,…).

There is a good view from the panoramic platform right at the entrance to the park (free). Alternatively, prepare a few euros and use the elevator in the nearby Temple de Sagrat Cor church and take the elevator to the highest tower. More about visiting this viewpoint in the article about Tibidabo. 

Price: Free viewing, lift to the highest church tower €5

3. The peaks of Montjuïc hill

Montjuic Castle in Barcelona

Another place, or rather area, where you can enjoy beautiful views is Montjuïc hill.

With its height of 173 meters, it offers panoramas that include not only the city itself, but also the sea and the surrounding landscape. You can get to the top by some one from cable cars or get some exercise and walk up here. Honestly, it's not that much effort and you can get to the top of the hill, where the fortress of the same name stands, from the metro in less than half an hour. Get here in the morning and you can watch the beautiful colors of the sunrise, but most importantly, it's peaceful... Read more about the fortress on top of Montjuïc hill.

Price: Free viewpoint, paid cable cars

4. Bunkers in Carmel

The eternally full bunkers of El Carmel in Barcelona

While you'll find peace and quiet on Montjuïc early in the morning, you won't find it in the bunkers in the Carmel district. A lot has changed since my first visit to Barcelona. Previously, this place was open 24/7 and you could go there safely under the cover of darkness or early in the morning. However, in the last few years, regulations have been introduced due to unruly tourists and "opening hours" have been introduced. 

Yes, this place, where war bunkers used to stand, still offers great views of the city skyline. However, there are a lot of people here, sometimes they are very loud and sociable, but maybe that's what you're looking for... 

Read more about the bunkers in Carmel and their history in a separate article. 

Price: Free

5. View from the iconic Torre Glòries tower

View from the Torre Glories tower in Barcelona

Barcelona has several high-rise buildings near the sea. If you're not lucky enough to stay at the W Hotel or the Hotel Arts on the beach, check out the nearby Torre Glòries in the Poblenou district of the city. Sant Martí. 

This 144-meter-high, iconic tower has an observation deck at the top, offering beautiful views of Barcelona and its surroundings. You can walk around the entire perimeter of the tower, so you can enjoy a full 360° view.

I recommend visiting during the so-called golden hour, just before sunset, when the city plays with a thousand colors... In summer, there is often live music at this time, so you can enjoy the view of the city and enjoy the delicious local wine cava. 

You can find more about Torre Glòries in a separate article..

Price: €18 for the Hyperview Barcelona tour and entrance to the platform.

Honorable Mention: Torre Urquinaona

I got the idea for this article a long time ago. And I even wrote it out! In the original version, I wanted to mention one more place – the brutalist tower block Torre Urquinaona, which can be found in the center, not far from the square of the same name. metro station of line L1. On the 20th floor of this 70-meter building, there used to be a nice 360° observation deck connected to a bar. Moreover, the interior was really stylish and very atypical for Barcelona. During my first visit, it made me feel like I was teleported to some hipster place in Berlin... Too bad it's closed now. Maybe it will be open again sometime in the future, which is why I decided to record it here. 

And which prospect is the best?

Are you expecting me to give you one clear answer? :-) Well, I'm going to disappoint you - each of the places mentioned is unique in its own way and I personally like them all. Each one will appeal to you in a completely different way and you will also perceive them differently depending on your mood. If you have the space, visit them all carefully and form your own opinion about them...

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👇 Don't miss this!

  • Discount tourist cards—save on city transportation and get free admission to museums and landmarks, plus great discounts at shops and restaurants.
  • Buy tickets online—save money, time, and stress by purchasing admission to attractions from the comfort of your home through the Barcelona Tourist Office’s online store; if you’ve never bought tickets online before, read my detailed guide along with my personal experience on how to do it.
  • Find Accommodations—plenty of hotels, hostels, and guesthouses at reasonable prices. You can book immediately and pay after your stay.
  • Rent a car—if you don’t want to walk or want to venture further out of Barcelona, try Rental Cars. They’ll deliver the car to the airport, and you won’t have to worry about a thing.

Map with my tips for places in Barcelona

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