As an official Barcelona tour guide, I’ve selected some of my favourite places to enjoy the best views in Barcelona, from the Bunkers del Carmel and Montjuïc to lesser-known viewpoints hidden in churches and historic buildings.
In this guide, you’ll find both free and paid viewpoints, along with my recommendations to help you choose the best one whether you want to watch the sunset, photograph the Sagrada Família or simply enjoy a panoramic view of the entire city.
Best Viewpoints in Barcelona at a Glance
| Viewpoint | Price | Best for | Area |
| Bunkers del Carmel | Free | Sunset & panoramic views | El Carmel |
| MNAC / Montjuïc | Free | Classic Barcelona views | Montjuïc |
| Torre Glòries | Paid | 360° views | Glòries |
| Tibidabo | Free / Paid | Families & panoramic views | Tibidabo |
| Santa Maria del Pi | Paid | Views over the Old Town | Gothic Quarter |
| Barcelona Cathedral | Paid | Gothic Quarter rooftops | Gothic Quarter |
| Santa Maria del Mar | Paid | El Born & Old Town views | El Born |
Torre Glòries
Designed by architect Jean Nouvel, the tower was inspired by the shapes of Montserrat mountain.
Ovoid floor plan 144m 30 concrete floors covered in lacquered aluminum in 26 colors (earth, red, blue, green and grey) and 52,744 transparent and translucent glass slats in its outermost part.
You can visit 3 spaces:
Hipermirador Barcelona
Located on the -1 floor, it is a dynamic space where data from Barcelona is collected in real time with which different artistic installations, both visual and sound, are created.
Mirador de la Torre de les Glòries
Previously called the Agbar tower, an acronym for Aigües de Barcelona, a company that had its headquarters in this building from its inauguration from 2005 to 2015. It is currently named after the square where it is located.
From its viewpoint located 125 metres above ground, on the 30th floor you can enjoy an impressive 360º view of Barcelona, the layout of its streets, its best-known monuments, the sea, the mountains that surround it and the closest towns.
Cloud Cities
It is an immersive work by Tomás Saraceno that allows us to experience its suspended space in the viewpoint. Work to admire and to interact through its fabric.
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In the Ciutat Vella neighborhood, you can visit churches of great beauty and history, some of them offer visits to their terraces or towers from which to observe the oldest Barcelona.
Barcelona Cathedral Terrace
The Metropolitan Basilica of the Holy Cross and Holy Eulalia Cathedral, built at different times, began in the 13th century on the old Romanesque cathedral, built in turn on a Visigothic church that was preceded by an early Christian basilica. Its façade is from the XIX
In Catalan Gothic style that will be modified in other times, with its 3 naves, 1 apse with an ambulatory, chapels on its sides, choir stalls in its central nave, dome, stained glass windows and a cloister with 13 geese (symbol of the years of Santa Eulalia and her 13 martyrdoms) is a monument that I recommend you visit and go up to its roof.
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The Bell Tower of Santa Maria del Pi
The Basílica de Santa Maria del Pi is a beautiful 14th-century Catalan Gothic church located in the heart of Barcelona’s Gothic Quarter. Over the centuries, the basilica has survived earthquakes, wars and fires, which have led to several restorations.
Its impressive 54-metre-high bell tower was begun in 1379 and completed in the 16th century. After climbing the spiral staircase, you’ll reach the rooftop, where you can enjoy wonderful panoramic views over Barcelona’s Old Town and spot many of Ciutat Vella’s most important landmarks.
A visit can also include the basilica, museum, treasury and garden, as well as the tower itself.
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The Rooftops of Santa Maria del Mar
Located in the heart of El Born, the Basílica de Santa Maria del Mar is one of Barcelona’s finest examples of Catalan Gothic architecture. Construction began in 1329 and was completed in just 54 years, at a time when Barcelona was a major Mediterranean trading centre.
The basilica is closely linked to the history of the neighbourhood and its people. Its construction was supported by merchants, craftsmen and local workers, including the famous bastaixos, the porters who carried the heavy stones used to build the church from Montjuïc to the site.
Today, you can climb up to the towers and different levels of the rooftops, where you’ll discover a completely different perspective of the city. From above, you can admire the rooftops of Barcelona’s Old Town and enjoy beautiful views over El Born and the surrounding historic neighbourhoods.
The visit also includes access to the interior of the basilica, the museum area and the crypt.
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Would you like to discover Barcelona with an official tour guide?
Seeing Barcelona from above helps you understand the city, but walking through its streets is where you truly discover its history.
If you’d like to experience Barcelona in a more personal way, I can create a private tour tailored to your trip.
Would you rather enjoy the views with a drink?
Barcelona also has some spectacular rooftop terraces where you can enjoy incredible views of the city. I’ve selected my favourites in our guide to the best rooftop terraces with views in Barcelona.
More Viewpoints with Amazing Views of Barcelona
Other places in Barcelona from where you can see the city from other angles are:
Tibidabo
Tibidabo is one of the best places to admire Barcelona from above. Located in the Collserola hills, it offers spectacular panoramic views of the city, with the Mediterranean Sea in the background.
Besides the views, you can also visit the Temple of the Sacred Heart and the historic Tibidabo Amusement Park. It’s an especially good option if you’re visiting Barcelona with your family.
Bunkers del Carmel (Turó de la Rovira)
If you’re looking for an almost complete panoramic view of Barcelona, Turó de la Rovira is one of my favourite spots. From here, you can see the Sagrada Família, the grid of the Eixample, Montjuïc and the Mediterranean Sea.
My tip: come in the late afternoon, but don’t wait until sunset to head up—it’s one of the most popular viewpoints in Barcelona.
The MNAC Terrace
The MNAC Terrace offers one of the most iconic views of Barcelona. You can access it when visiting the museum, home to must-see works of art, including its outstanding collection of Romanesque frescoes from the Catalan Pyrenees.
- The Castell de Montjuic that has a good view from its wall and from several viewpoints that we find around the castle such as that of the Alcaide.
- If you prefer to see the city from the air, you can do it with the Montjuic Cable Car and the Barcelona Cable Car, as I explain on my website in the Barcelona with children section.
- And if you are lucky enough to visit the city during the Santa Eulalia festivities, you can access the Mirador de María Aurelia Capmany for free, located on top of the new City Hall building from where there is a privileged view of the city center
