Top Viewpoints of Barcelona you can enjoy for free
Barcelona is a city full of history and interesting neighbourhoods with narrow streets and hidden squares, but if you go to the high areas of the city you can get a completely different impression of Barcelona from a new point of view.
There are few things more impressive than enjoying Barcelona from one of its multiple viewpoints. So just grab a beer and good company and head to one of Barcelona “miradors”.
TURÓ DE LA ROVIRA (BUNKERS DEL CARMEL)
In the heart of El Carmel neigborhod, el Turó de la Rovira rises proudly in the middle of this northern Barcelona’s neigbourhood. This place used to be an old bunker of the Spanish Civil War is now one of the best spots to enjoy an unforgettable sunset.
How to arrive: Take metro L3 towards Trinitat Nova and get down at Penitents. From there take bus 119 towards El Carmel and get down at Marià Lavèrnia.
MIRADOR DE L’ALCALDE (MONTJUÏC)
El Mirador del Alcalde is a large terrace on the eastern slope of the Montjuïc mountain, at the foot of the castle, with magnificent views over the port of Barcelona and the coastal area of Barcelona. The area is structured in a series of terraces at different levels, connected by flights of stairs and soft-slope parterres.
How to arrive: From Plaça Espanya take bus 150 towards Castell de Montjuïc and go down at “Castell”. From there walk up and when you reach “La Sardana monument” you have el Mirador de l’alcalde on your left hand side.
MIRADOR DEL MIGDIA (MONTJUÏC)
If you want to contemplate an exceptional view of Barcelona, the Mirador del Migdia park is one of the best places to do it. In addition, for those who want to walk, is full of trails that allow you to walk along the southern slope of the mountain of Montjuïc. At la Caseta del Migdia, there is a bar with a great terrace in summer time.
How to arrive: From Plaça Espanya take bus 150 towards Castell de Montjuïc and go down at “Castell”. From there walk up to the castle and walk around it on the sea side. El Mirador del Migdia is just on the opposite side of the castle from where you arrive.
MNAC (MONTJUÏC)
Montjuïc Mountain, located on the southern side of the Barcelona coastline, is an excellent viewpoint of the city. From the front of MNAC you will have unique panoramic views of Barcelona. In addition, this is a great place to take a walk through this quiet area where you can find some places of interest such as the National Art Museum of Catalonia, the Olympic Stadium or the Magic Fountain (go at sunset to see the Magic fountain show).
How to arrive: Take metro L1 & L3 to “Espanya”. Exit the metro station and walk up Avinguda Maria Cristina (between the towers).
MIRADOR DEL POBLE SEC, MIRAMAR (MONTJUÏC)
An exceptional place to admire the harbour of Barcelona and its surroundings is Miramar. Apart from enjoying the views, you can walk through the Gardens of Mossèn Costa i Llovera which were designed for the International Exhibition held in 1929. On the way down you can take the Cable car which will bring you to La Barceloneta, the old fishermen’s village.
How to arrive: From Plaça Espanya take bus 150 towards Castell de Montjuïc. Get down at Av Miramar – Estació del Funicular. From here you have a 10 minutes walk.
LAS ARENAS SHOPPING MALL
This is one of the most unique places in the city. Las Arenas, is a shopping mall opened in 2011 which is located in the remodeled building of the old bullring of Las Arenas in Plaça d’ Espanya. The original building, inaugurated in 1900, was a Bullfighting square all the way to 1977 when it was closed. After many years abandoned, and many projects, finally re-opened in 2011 as a mall and now offers great views over Montjuïc area.
How to arrive: Take metro L1 & L3 to “Espanya”. You will see it when you exit the metro Station.
TIBIDABO
The Tibidabo is the highest peak in the Serra de Collserola. With 512 meters of height, it is one of the best viewpoints to contemplate the city. The Tibidabo Amusement Park, which opened in 1899, is the oldest in Spain, plus one of the first to be built in Europe. Some of the ancient attractions still work.
How to arrive: From Plaça Catalunya take Ferrocarrils de la Generalitat train S1 (towards Terrassa) or S2 (towards Sabadell) and get down at “Peu del Funicular”. From there take the Funicular de Vallvidrera to the top. From here you can either walk (30min.) or take bus 111.
CARRETERA DE LES AIGÜES
La Carretera de les Aigües is the ideal way to enjoy a good walk with great views over Barcelona. This path is very popular which can be easily accesed from the city is a splendid viewpoint from the Collserola mountain range.
How to arrive: From Plaça Catalunya take Ferrocarrils de la Generalitat train S1 (towards Terrassa) or S2 (towards Sabadell) and get down at “Peu del Funicular”. From there take the Funicular de Vallvidrera and get down at “Carretera de les Aigües”. You have to ask to stop by touching a button on the train or at the station.
PARK GÜELL
The Parc Güell may not be a conventional viewpoint, since it is one of the Modernist wonders of Antoni Gaudí that has turned Barcelona into what it is. But since we are going to visit this peculiar park, why not take advantage of its views?
Its location in the high levels of Barcelona provide magnificent views, especially on clear days and the panoramic view of the undulating benches covered in trencadís, with the view of the Hotel Arts and the Torre Mapfre with the Mediterranean in the background is priceless.
Park Güell has a free part you can visit without buying any entrance fee. This is the highest part of the park, from where you have the best panoramic views over Barcelona.
How to arrive: Take metro L3 and get down at either Vallcarca or Lesseps station. From either stops you have a 15 minutes walk.
