There are many places to enjoy theBarcelona, especially from some of the best viewpoints of Barcelona, a city that, being surrounded by mountains, has several of them natural, which are true wonders.
Although in addition to these, Barcelona has numerous buildings and churches with high bell towers, which have magnificent views from its terraces, from which you can marvel at the city's perspective, although this is not especially characterized by its skyscrapers, like other large cities .
We know that we are not wrong if we tell you that any time is good to go to any of them, since all are really incredible regardless of the time of day, although we always recommend climbing to the viewpoints at sunset, at which time you can enjoy of an idyllic image of Barcelona with the Mediterranean Sea in the background and the colors of the sunset.
With this in mind, we have made a list of what we think are the 5 best viewpoints in Barcelona, based mainly on the possibility of having different perspectives of the city.
1. Basilica Santa Maria del Pi
The Basilica Santa Maria del Pi, surrounded by the beautiful squares of Pi and Sant Josep Oriol in the Gothic quarter, has on top of its bell tower what is for us, the best viewpoint of Barcelona.
This Gothic church stands out in its interior for its fantastic stained glass windows, a large vault and an important collection of Catalan goldsmith, although for us, the climb to its octagonal bell tower, with huge walls 4 meters thick, is the authentic icing from the cake. In addition, being a guided tour, while climbing its 54 meters high, by its narrow spiral staircase, you will learn the history and method of building the tower.
In the final part you will see its 6 bells before the 18th century, from where you will have as a gift unique views of the entire historic center and all of Barcelona, only surpassed by those of the terrace, from where the 360-degree panoramic views are simply unsurpassed.
Visiting hours: every day from 10am to 6pm, taking into account that the last guided tour of the bell tower is at 4pm.
Basilica of Santa Maria del Pi
- How to get to the Basilica Santa Maria del Pi:
Metro, Green Line (L3), Liceu stop
Urban bus, lines 14, 59, 91
2. Park Güell
It is in the Park Güell, masterpiece of the brilliant architect Antoni Gaudí, full of sculptures, fountains and buildings of naturist style, in addition to one of the most essential places to visit in Barcelona, where you will find another of the best viewpoints of Barcelona.
The viewpoint, located on a huge terrace of the Plaza de la Naturaleza, is surrounded by a wavy bench full of beautiful mosaics, perfect for sitting and enjoying the views, since being located in the upper part of the city, the views from Barcelona they reach the sea, with a close-up of some modernist buildings of Park Güell such as the Casa del Guarda.
Until a few years ago the park was free to enter, but in recent years, due to the large number of tourists who visited it every day, the capacity was limited and a payment for access was introduced.
Keep in mind that every half an hour there is a quota of 400 people and a way to avoid them and secure your entry, is by reserving the entrance with a maximum of 3 months in advance or by booking this guided tour in Spanish.
Park Güell is open every day of the year and you can check the schedule here.
Park Güell, one of the best viewpoints in Barcelona
- How to get to Park Güell:
Metro, Green Line (L3), Lesseps or Vallcarca stops
Urban bus, lines H6, 32, 24 and 92
3. Carmel Bunkers
Going up to the Carmel bunkers to watch the sunset is another of the best free things in Barcelona that you can do. Located in the upper area of Turó de la Rovira, 250 meters high, from this viewpoint you will have a magnificent panorama of the city, which makes it for many locals and tourists, in another of the best viewpoints of Barcelona.
In addition to the incredible views, this is a place with a lot of history, in which are the remains of anti-aircraft bunkers that were built to protect Barcelona from aerial bombings that occurred during the Civil War.
After this, for many years they were abandoned until in recent years, both by the word of mouthAs with the power of social networks, it has become a very busy place, where in addition to enjoying the views, many people stay to have a picnic or have a drink with their friends.
If you can't go at sunset, there is also a good light first thing in the morning. Of course, you have to be lucky and cross your fingers so that the fog of pollution does not spoil the image.
The viewpoint has no schedule, but we recommend you come throughout the day or at sunset.
Carmel Bunkers
- How to get to the Carmel Bunkers:
Bus V17 and 119, the last meters are made on foot.
Do not forget that with Omio you can find many offers of cheap plane, train and bus tickets to travel and get to know Barcelona at the best price.
4. The MNAC terraces
The National Museum of Art of Catalonia, also known as MNAC, in addition to having one of the most important collections of Romanesque art in the world, has two great viewpoints that are visited by many tourists.
With a privileged location on the mountain of Montjuic, this museum located inside the huge National Palace, opened two terraces a few years ago; the first with views of Avenida Cristina Cristina, the Fountain of Montjuic, Plaza España, to the distant Torre de Collserola and Tibidabo and the second in which they stand out among the buildings of the city, the Sagrada Familia and the Agbar Tower.
It is in this second viewpoint where you can also see a part of the Olympic Ring with the Palau Sant Jordi, the Telecommunications Tower and the Lluís Companys Olympic Stadium, including, in the distance, the castle of Montjuic.
If you do not want to enter the museum you can enjoy fantastic views of the Montjuic fountain area from the different terraces that are in front of the palace and are free to access.
The entrance to the museum is only free on Saturdays from 3 in the afternoon and on the first Sundays of each month, so you can also take advantage of this moment to make the visit.
The visiting hours are from Tuesday to Saturday, from 10am to 6pm from October to April, closing the rest of the months at 8pm. Sundays and holidays, from 10am to 3pm.
MNAC Terrace
- How to get to the National Museum of Art of Catalonia, MNAC:
Metro: L1, L3 Stop Pl. Espanya
Bus:
55 Stop: National Museum of Art of Catalonia / Ethnological Museum
150 Stop Pl. Espanya - Av. De l'Estadi / Piscines Picornell
13 Stop Av. Francesc Ferrer i Guardia / Poble Espanyol
37 Stop Pl. Espanya - Av. Paral·lel
9, 27, 50, 65, 79, 109, 165, D20, H12, V7 Plaça Espanya stop
5. Montjuic Castle
Montjuïc Castle, located at the highest point of the mountain that also bears his name, has incredible views of the city and the Barcelona coast. This former military fortress has lived through different war episodes during its more than 300 years of history, and stands out for its bulwarks and artillery pieces, as well as for its strategic location.
One of the best things to do in Barcelona is to climb the castle with the cable car from Miramar Avenue, from which you will enjoy excellent views of the city from a bird's eye view. You can book the cable car tickets here.
Although initially it may seem tired, we recommend you go down the side of the mountain that takes you to the port area, where there are several terraces, which for us exceed the views of the castle itself.
Visiting hours: every day from 10am to 8pm.
Views from Montjuïc Castle
- How to get to Montjuic Castle:
Cable car from Miramar Avenue
Bus 150 from Avenida de la Reina Maria Cristina
Other viewpoints of Barcelona
- Las Arenas: This shopping center has a panoramic viewpoint on the terrace with good views of Plaza España and Montjuic.
- Sagrada Familia: you can climb one of the towers to see the surroundings of the city surrounding the church and some decorative elements outside.
- Columbus Monument: it has good views of the final area of the Ramblas and the Olympic Port, although it is narrow and uncomfortable.
- Torre Collserola: it has the highest views of the city from its glazed panoramic viewpoint.
- Parque del Guinardó: in the highest part of the park there are viewpoints with good views of Barcelona.
- English Court of Plaza Cataluña: from the restaurant on the top floor you can have another perspective of Plaza Catalunya and Paseo de Gracia.
- Hotel W: from the Eclipse bar you will have magnificent views of the sea and the Barceloneta neighborhood.
- The Mirablau restaurant: located on the slope of Tibidabo, you have good views at night and during the day while eating or drinking something.
- Turó del Putxet Park: on top of the Turó del Putxet there are gardens with incredible views of Barcelona.
- Tibidabo: this old park offers remote views but that allow you to realize the size of the city.
If you feel like helping us complete the list of the 5 best viewpoints in Barcelona, add your recommendations in the comments.
** This article is written as part of a collaboration as Omio Ambassadors, but always based on our experiences, with original content and without any brand having influenced us in any case.
