15+ Jaw dropping City Views in Barcelona with map
Barcelona is one of those cities where their amazing skyline steals the show. Tall buildings, cathedrals, mountains, and scenic points warrant a bucket list of best city views in Barcelona, for every traveler to check out. So here are the 15+ scenic and jaw-dropping views in Barcelona that you should consider exploring.
Where to find breathtaking views in Barcelona?
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Many of them are free, and the ones that are not – we have included skip the line tickets for your convenience. And to make it easier, we have included a map at the end of this post – you can thank us later 🙂
Bunkers del Carmel – Local’s favorite viewpoint in Barcelona
This was on our Spain bucket list for a long time, and we didn’t waste any time and checked it out on our first day in Barcelona. Bunkers del Carmel was an anti-aircraft gun site that was used in the Spanish Civil War of 1936. Today, it is frequented by locals (and tourists) and has become one of the hidden gems of the city for those breathtaking views in Barcelona.
There is no entry fee to enter the Bunkers del Carmel. You can take public transportation to reach the site, which the locals lovingly call the ‘bunkers”. Head there just before sunset for a short hike and sit at any of the dilapidated-graffiti ridden concrete rubbles. And here is the best part, wait till the sun goes down in the city of Barcelona.
From the Bunkers del Carmel, you can clearly see the Sagrada Familia and the sea – far far away. Go there with your sweetheart or hang out/picnic with friends.
How to get to Bunkers del Carmel?
- Get down at El Carmel metro or El Coll La Teixonera metro and walk up the hill.
- Or Guinardó Hospital de Sant Pau metro stop and walk up through the Parc del Guinardó.
Remember to wear comfortable shoes, preferably hiking shoes.
Entry fee: Free
Park Güell viewpoints in Barcelona
Park Güell is the wonderful creation of Catalan architect Antony Gaudí. It was initially constructed as a residential oasis, away from the industrial hustle-bustle of Barcelona city center.
Today Park Güell is home to Gaudi museum, a protected monument from where you can soak in city views of Barcelona. There is an entry fee for the monument area of Park Guell.
Although the city views in Barcelona can be appreciated at this Instagrammable spot, there is another viewpoint in Park Guell that deserves attention.
Turó de les tres creus, which literally means “the hill with three crosses”, is the highest point of Park Guell. Because of its location at a high level, you will be mesmerized by stunning views in Barcelona from here.
How to get to Park Güell? There are many ways to get to Park Guell
- One of the stops at hop on & hop-off tour,
- Head to Alfons X (L4) metro station, use the free shuttle bus (included with online tickets)
- Bus 24 from Passeig de Gracia or Placa Catalunya will get to you right to the park gates.
Entry fee: Free for Turó de les tres creus. Paid for Park Güell Protected Monument – 10 euros for adult entry. Book tickets here
Sagrada Familia – City Views in Barcelona
The famed Sagrada Familia Cathedral is a MUST visit when you are in Barcelona. Sagrada Familia Cathedral is a Catalan architectural gem. Antony Gaudi is associated with the Sagrada Familia, although he was only the second architect to have taken on the church’s project.
When Gaudi was alive and working on the Sagrada Familia, he predicted that it will take about 300 years to built this church which is only slightly shorter than the highest mountain in Barcelona – the Montjuic.
The instability and arson during the Spanish Civil War destroyed all the blue prints that Gaudi created to build the Sagrada. Today many architects from all over the world have contributed to the design and building of the Sagrada Familia Cathedral.
Sagrada Familia Cathedral is incomplete and is due completion on the death anniversary of Anthony Gaudi in 2026. We hope to return to Barcelona to see the finished church, which is absolutely gorgeous inside.
Take the time to explore the church interiors and climb the stairs to see the city views in Barcelona from their towers.
Entry to the Sagrada Familia is not free, but it is totally worth it.
We took a guided tour of the Sagrada Familia, which included entry fees and free time at the cathedral after. We highly recommend booking tickets online and ahead of time to beat the crowd. Purchase a ticket online with a guide
How to get to Sagrada Familia? There are many ways to get to Sagrada Familia
- One of the stops at hop on & hop off tour,
- Get down at Sagrada Familia metro station
- Taxi
Entry fees: 17 euros for adult entry. Purchase a ticket online with a guide
Monument of Christopher Columbus – Monument a Colom Viewpoint
Not many people know that you can climb at the top of the Cristobal Colon monument for amazing city views in Barcelona.
Monument a Colom, as the locals call it, is a monumental tower erected in 1888 to commemorate the historical event of Columbus leaving for the discovery of the Americas in 1493.
This tower is 60 metres tall, with Columbus pointing at the sea – highlighting the golden era of Sea Discoveries. The tower is located at the Square of the Gate of Peace near the Port Vell area.
For a small entry fee, you can climb to the top of the tower and soak the views of the sea and the city center of Barcelona, all the way up to Montjuic.
How to get to Christopher Columbus Monument?
- One of the stops at hop on & hop off tours,
- Walk from La Rambla towards Port Vell or Port of Barcelona Cruise terminal area
- Taxi
Entry fee: 5.40 euros per adult entry. Get your tickets here
Casa Mila – See Barcelona City Views
Casa Mila or Le Pedrera is another beautiful creation of Anthony Gaudi. Built out of stone and decorated by wrought iron designs on the window balcony, Casa Mila is a platform to view the city of Barcelona in all its glory.
Originally designed and built for the Mila family (Pere Mila i Camps) as their residence, today Casa Mila is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is home to many art galleries and stores, including the rooftop access for panoramic views of Barcelona.
How to get to Casa Mila?
- One of the stops at hop on & hop off tour,
- Metro: lines 3 and 5, estació Diagonal (Casa Milà – La Pedrera)
- Bus: 7,16,17, 22, 24 and V17.
Entry Fee: 22 euros. More about Casa Mila visit
Arenas de Barcelona City Views
The Arenas de Barcelona was home to a bullring arena in the past. But the bullring arena was left empty and abandoned for the longest time in Barcelona. The reason was that bullfighting was never a trend in Catalonia like it was in Seville in Andalucía.
In 2011, a major facelift of the Arenas was done and opened to visitors. The rooftop terrace is open to tourists to soak in mesmerizing views of the Plaza de Espanya and the Palau Nacional, located just minutes away from the Arenas.
The Arenas rooftop terrace is accessible by elevators, located on the exterior of the building. Once you reach the top, 360-degree views of the city awaits you.
How to get to Arenas de Barcelona?
- One of the stops at hop on & hop off tour,
- Metro: Lines L1 and L3. Pl. Espanya Station
- FGC Railway: Lines L8, S4, S8, S33. Pl. Espanya Station
- Bus: #9, #13, #23, #27, #37, #46, #50, #56, #65, #91 and #109
- Aerobus: Bus to Prat Airport Terminals 1 and 2
Entry fee: Free
Cable Car to Mont Montjuic – Scenic viewpoints in Barcelona
Montjuic is a mountain located near Barcelona city limits. Montjuic has been a testimony to Barcelona’s existence since time immemorial. Today it houses some of the finest tourist attractions in Barcelona starting with the Palau Nacional and MNAC Arts museum, Magic Fountains, Spanish Villages, and the oldest fortress – Montjuic Castle or the Castell de Montjuic from the 17th century.
There are also tons of sites and buildings from the 1992 Olympics that were held in Barcelona in Montjuic. And of course, add them all to your Spain itinerary.
But to get to Montjuic, you will have to take a cable car (you also have options for tour or driving there), but the best views are from the panoramic cable car ride, which you shouldn’t miss.
Location: Located on the lower terminal adjacent to the Montjuïc Park upper station. It climbs higher up the Montjuïc hill to a terminal near the Montjuïc Castle on the summit of the hill. It works like a metro line and links up with M lines L2 and L3, and Parc de Montjuïc or Montjuic Park.
Telefèric de Montjuïc Cable Car Ride Fees: 12.70 euros for a return trip. Book cable car ride to Montjuic here
MNAC or Museu Nacional d’ Art de Catalunya
Museu Nacional d’ Art de Catalunya or MNAC for short is the largest art museum in Catalonia. The museum is housed inside the National Palace, which was built for the 1992 International Trade Exposition.
The building itself is very stunning to look at, and its location at Mont Montjuic means gorgeous views everywhere, especially from their balconies.
How to get to Museu Nacional d’ Art de Catalunya?
- One of the stops at hop on & hop-off tours,
- Metro – L1and L3 / Pl. Espanya
- Bus – 55 (closest), 150, 37
- Walk – Walk from Plaça Espanya – Avinguda Maria Cristina to an escalator up to the museum
- Drive – Free parking on-site
Entry fees: 12 euros. Book tickets for MNAC here
Amusement Park in Mount Tibidabo Viewpoint Barcelona
Tibidabo is the highest point in Barcelona, and one place you should go for taking in magnificent views of Barcelona. The Sacred Heart Basilica or the Tibidabo Sagrat Cor church is the crowning glory of Mont Tibidabo.
If you are into hiking, Tibidabo will not disappoint. Or if you are like us, hop on a sightseeing tour and get off at the Tibidabo Amusement Park to gorgeous panoramic views of the city.
At the park, there are tons of activities and amusement rides to keep you busy for half a day. The other half you should eat and admire the views (or admire them while enjoying a Ferris wheel ride).
How to get to Amusement Park in Mount Tibidabo?
- One of the stops at hop on & hop off tour,
- Metro – L7. L7 train, get down at Plaza de John Kennedy – 2 Avenida Tibidabo
Entry Fee: Registration is 22 euros and 48 euros per adult entry. Tibidabo’s Panoramic Area is free to access (main entrance), you can see Tibidabo Park’s attractions as well as enjoy some of Barcelona city views from here.
Torre de Collserola – Highest Scenic viewpoint in Barcelona
Torre de Collserola is a telecom tower built for the 1992 Olympics in Barcelona. The tower was designed by Norman Foster and has become an iconic landmark to the city.
Located at the highest point in Barcelona at Mont Tibidabo – this is the HIGHEST you can go in Barcelona to see the city from above.
How to get to Torre de Collserola? Accessing Torre de Collserola is a bit harder than the other viewpoints of Barcelona mentioned here.
- FGC Catalunya has a Barcelona to Torre de Collserola bus service, and tickets cost $2 – $4 and the journey takes 13 min.
- Moventis operates a bus from Barcelona to Torre de Collserola and tickets cost $3 – $5 and the journey takes 44 min.
Entry Fee: Adults: 5.60 euros
Casa Batlló – Barcelona city views
Another creation of Gaudi, Casa Batllo was built as a residence for the Batllo family. The interiors of the casa are stunning, depicting a myriad of colors – like a kaleidoscope.
From the many windows (on the top floor), you are welcomed to amazing views of Passeig de Gràcia neighborhood and other city views in Barcelona.
To explore Casa Batllo in entirety, allot 1-2 hours for your visit and there is an entry fee.
How to get to Casa Batllo?
- One of the stops at hop on & hop off tour,
- Metro – L3 to Passeig de Gràcia. Exit from Calle Aragó-Rambla Catalunya
- Walk – From Casa Mila
Entry fee: 25 euros for adult entry. Buy entry tickets to Casa Batllo here
World Trade Center in Barcelona Views
The World Trade Center in Barcelona (WTCB) was created as a business center for the 1999 World Trade Exposition. Surrounded by the sea, with welcoming views of Port Vell and Christopher Columbus monument, the WTCB is yet another spot in the city to take in breathtaking views of Barcelona and the sea.
This location is open for businesses and there are restaurants in the building. Head to the highest floors of WTCB to see Barcelona and the Mediterranean Sea from above.
How to get to WTCB?
- One of the stops at hop on & hop off tour
Entry fees: Visit one of their restaurants
Stay in these hotels for breathtaking views of Barcelona
Barcelona has some of the tallest skyscrapers in the country. Many of them are luxury hotels, painting the skyline of Barcelona. The hotels listed below are open and you can stay in them to wake up to amazing views in Barcelona.
- Hotel Miramar – Housed in a stunning 1920s building, Hotel Miramar is a delightful place to stay and soak in all the stunning views of Barcelona. Hotel Miramar is located in Mont Montjuic and offers city views as far as Las Ramblas and bustling city center. If you can’t stay here, book a couples retreat (they offer spa packages) and enjoy those jaw-dropping sunsets with champagne and company. Check out Hotel Miramar Barcelona
- Hotel Arts – Located near Port Vell and surrounded by waves and sounds of the Mediterranean Sea, Hotel Arts is the second most expensive hotel in Spain. Did you know Ariana Grande reserved a whole floor in this hotel for her stay! Well, you can book a room (or a floor too) and enjoy scintillating views of Barcelona from the Arts hotel. The hotel also has a spa on its 43rd floor and has 16 restaurants on-site, including one 1-star Michelin restaurant. Book your stay at Hotel Arts
- Barceló Raval Hotel – This popular hotel has the best rooftop bar. Located on the Rambla del Raval, this hotel is within walkable distance to many shops, Gothic Quarter and La Rambla itself. There is a rooftop terrace with an outdoor pool as well as a bar, restaurant, and lounge with a terrace. Book a stay at Barceló Raval Hotel
- Hotel W – Located only 4 kilometres away from La Ramblas, Hotel W is an upscale hotel, offering amazing sea and city views of the area nearby, including the busy touristy lanes of Barcelona. The hotel’s cylindric building is a treat to watch from afar! Check out Hotel W here
Map of Best viewpoints in Barcelona Barcelona City Views
We visited Barcelona and were pleasantly surprised so many vantage points the city has for taking in those mesmerizing views. That prompted us to visit as many as we could and create this list for you. Hope you enjoyed reading!
Read more Europe and Barcelona Travel Tips
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Europe in winter and other seasons – Here are seasonal Europe resources that might interest you
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- Prague: What to expect in Prague in March
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