Fall in love with the best views in Barcelona on your next city break

A strong contender for the best viewpoint in Barcelona is also one of the easiest to get to. Take a stroll up past the legendary Montjuic dancing fountains to reach the front of the Museu Nacional d’Art de Catalunya (MNAC), one of the best museums in Barcelona, housed in a strikingly beautiful building. Art lovers will enjoy a visit to this museum and will easily be able to while away hours browsing the expansive collection of art housed here. But of course, another one of its main attractions is the spectacular view across Barcelona, with the Plaça de Espanya just below you and the rest of the city centre beyond.

Right next to the Plaça de Espanya, offering a different perspective to the art museum, is the Arenas de Barcelona shopping centre. This was once the city’s main bull ring but has been converted into a popular shopping centre with a 360-degree rooftop terrace. This makes for a great photo opportunity, and there’s a wide selection of restaurants and bars for you to choose from for a bite to eat.

Barcelona and Gaudí are practically synonyms, and Parc Güell is one of his most impressive creations. Entrance to this park, which was originally planned as a "garden city", just behind the Gracia neighbourhood, used to be free. However, due to the huge influx of tourists eager to see the views of Barcelona, an entrance fee has been charged for part of the park for some time now, and access is restricted. So if you want access to the heart of the park and see more of Guadí’s work, then it’s best to book tickets online before you go. 

The good news: the best views in Barcelona are from the freely accessible part of the park, so if you're just there for the view, you'll have no problem. Moreover, at one of the park's exits, you'll stumble across another beautiful viewpoint, the Mirador de Joan Sales, named in honour of the Catalan writer Joan Sales. Entrance to this is also free.

The Barcelona bunker viewpoint is a secret that was once closely guarded by locals, but it is where you get the best Barcelona panoramic view. It’s a little way out of town and can be a little complicated to access depending on where you’re staying, but it’s worth it. Hop in a taxi or take a bus, which will drop you off closer than the metro will. Located on a 262 metre-high hill, here you can find the remains of old anti-aircraft guns from the Spanish Civil War. Admission is free and some even argue that it is the best sunset view in Barcelona. Lots of people take a bottle of something to pop as the sun goes down to make the occasion extra memorable.

Montjuic Castle is another place where you can enjoy the best views in Barcelona, this time from a slightly different perspective, as you’re closer to the coastline and the port. Once a watchtower that became a castle in the 17th century, this fortress played a key role in much of the city’s turbulent history. Now, it’s an interesting place to visit with some educational exhibits. And, of course, the 360º views are to die for. 

Not only is Montjuic home to impressive Barcelona views, but it is also where the iconic 1992 Olympic Games were held and it is home to the Poble Espanyol open-air museum, used as a film set. So, if you are a hiker, you can enjoy a hike up the mountain, but if you want a more leisurely plan, opt for a cable car ride or hop in a taxi. 

Quite a bit higher than Montjuic, but also a bit further away, is the Tibidabo viewpoint, arguably Barcelona's most famous mountain. It’s one of the defining features of Barcelona’s skyline, reaching 515 m above sea level. A small chapel was first built here at the end of the 19th century, but by the time the 20th century dawned, visitors could come by road, funicular, or tram to visit the legendary theme park that opened here. No visit to Barcelona is complete without a trip up to the top of the mountain and some fun in the amusement park, which is now over 100 years old. There are 25 rides here, all offering spectacular views, and some dating back nearly as long as the park itself, like the legendary aeroplane, which was built way back in 1928. Soaring above the city in this classic ride is an experience you won’t forget in a hurry. Bring a picnic and make the most of your day exploring this unique theme park by enjoying it in the sunshine, marvelling at the amazing Barcelona mountain view.

If you are on the search for the best views in Barcelona, head to the city’s churches. These are not only worth visiting as attractions in themselves, but with their tall bell towers, they also offer some of Barcelona's most beautiful vantage points. The most famous is the view from the bell tower of the church of Santa Maria del Pi in the Barrio Gótico, whose terrace offers a spectacular 360° view of Barcelona. 

Since access is only possible with a guided tour, expect to book in advance, especially during peak season. But rest assured, group sizes are small and the beautiful views across the city are worth the planning.

Other beautiful views can be enjoyed from the towers of the Sagrada Familia, Barcelona Cathedral, or Santa María del Mar.

Standing at the foot of La Rambla, the Mirador de Colom is a 60-meter-tall monument honouring Christopher Columbus. Built for the 1888 Universal Exposition, this Barcelona viewpoint marks the spot where Columbus reported to Queen Isabella I and King Ferdinand V after his first voyage to the Americas. Visitors can ascend via a narrow elevator to a viewing platform just below the statue, offering panoramic views of the Gothic Quarter, Montjuïc, and the Mediterranean Sea. While the space at the top is compact, the historical significance and central location make it a worthwhile stop for those exploring Barcelona's rich heritage.

Rising 144 meters above the city, Torre Glòries, formerly known as Torre Agbar, is a modern architectural icon designed by Jean Nouvel. The Barcelona observation deck, opened to the public in 2022, offers 360-degree views encompassing landmarks like the Sagrada Família, Montjuïc, and the Mediterranean coastline. The experience begins with "Hyperview Barcelona," an interactive exhibition that uses real-time data to depict the city's dynamic ecosystem. A highlight is "Cloud Cities Barcelona," a walkable, multi-sensory installation by artist Tomás Saraceno, suspended within the tower's dome, inviting visitors to reflect on urban life and environmental interconnectivity.

Of course, in a city like Barcelona, there was never going to be any shortage of rooftop bars - the perfect place to kick off a great night out. If you’re looking for the best views of Barcelona and want a cool place where you can relax and enjoy the sunset whilst sipping on a delicious cocktail, then you’re in luck. Take your pick from a wide range of rooftop bars, many inside some of Barcelona’s best hotels. Two of our favourites are the bars on the roofs of Gaudí’s creations, Casa Batlló and Casa Milà. These bars are totally unique and part of the quintessential Barcelona experience. So, when looking for a cool Barcelona night view, make sure to pinpoint these places on your map.