5 viewpoints to enjoy the Barcelona skyline for free!
Panoramic view of Barcelona from the Carmel Bunkers
The curious topography of Barcelona, a plain bordered to the east and west by Montjuïc mountain and Collserola range respectively, means that in our city there are many spots from which to capture sensational panoramic photos. You just need to go on Instagram and follow hashtags like #barcelonatopviews or #skylinebarcelona to see how much people enjoy posting images of the city's skyline. That's why today we suggest five places from which to get the best snapshots of Barcelona to post on your wall. And the best part, you don't have to pay to access them! Some are well-known, others are yet to be discovered, but all the spots we suggest are worth visiting at least once. Shall we start?
1. Montjuic
The entire mountain is a gigantic viewpoint. Montjuïc has among its foothills various places where you can enjoy a great panoramic view of the city, the seafront... and even the Baix Llobregat. One of the most outstanding spots is the terrace of the MNAC, from which you get a great perspective of the Maria Cristina avenue, with the four columns of Puig i Cadafalch and the Venetian towers in the foreground, with the rest of the city behind and Collserola in the background, crowned by the Tibidabo basilica and the telecommunications tower.
As we ascend the mountain, the views become more panoramic, offering a broader perspective. A prime example is Miramar Avenue, from where we can see the northern part of the city and the seafront, including Port Vell, Barceloneta, and the Olympic Village in the background. And for a 360º view, Montjuïc Castle is the best choice, as being at the top of the mountain allows you to contemplate every cardinal point of our city. It's just a matter of deciding which can get us more likes ;-)
2. The Creueta del Coll
A lung located in the upper area of the city (geographically speaking), almost touching the Collserola mountain range and which retains a strong personality inherited from the old Pedrera del Coll, which was situated on a hill. Its main attraction is undoubtedly the excellent panoramic view of Barcelona. Without the overcrowding of other viewpoints, such as the Carmelo anti-aircraft batteries, Creueta del Coll is an ideal place to enjoy a picnic while watching the city's sunset.
Another attraction for visiting the place is a pond that serves as a municipal swimming pool for the neighborhood residents in the summer, and a sculpture created by Eduardo Chillida called Elogio del Agua, made of concrete and weighing about 50 tons. It is suspended over the water and held only by four steel cables anchored in the rock, giving the sculpture an astonishing sense of lightness.
3. The Bunkers of Carmelo
One of the coolest places in Barcelona. Outside the boundaries of Guinardó Park, but just a few minutes away, are the anti-aircraft batteries of Turó de la Rovira, or what is the same, the bunkers of Carmelo, built on the top of the hill during the Civil War and where anti-aircraft batteries were installed to defend the city from fascist bombings.
Far from its gloomy past, the space has become fashionable in recent years, as it is one of the few places from which you can enjoy a 360º panoramic view of the entire city. Hundreds of visitors come there every day to take a photo with the city at their feet or to have a picnic to regain strength after the climb to the top of the hill. Even though it is a very popular place, the excellent turnover of people ensures that the feeling of freedom and tranquility at one of the city's summits is absolute.
4. Water Road
A balcony of nearly 10 kilometers with views of Barcelona. On the slope of Collserola, this forest track stretches from the Penitents neighborhood to Pedralbes, passing through Vallvidrera, and ends at Mireia square in Esplugues, next to the Diagonal Tennis Club. In total, more than 9 kilometers to walk and play at discovering different perspectives of unique buildings: the Bellesguard tower, the Sant Ignasi de Sarrià school, the Bruc military barracks, the UB university campus, the Camp Nou... and so on as far as your eyes can see, since its elevated position allows for a panoramic view of the entire plain of Barcelona, up to the Fòrum and the three chimneys of Sant Adrià.
5. Tibidabo Esplanade
At 512 meters above sea level, the esplanade at the foot of the Basilica of the Sacred Heart is undoubtedly the highest point from which to contemplate Barcelona for free. Higher up, although with an entrance fee, is the Collserola Tower Lookout, at 560 meters above sea level, offering views that under normal weather conditions, can reach 70 km in distance, allowing one to make out the Montserrat massif and the Cadí-Moixerò mountain range.
But as the options presented so far are for a low-cost route, Tibidabo becomes the best viewpoint of all those the city has. In addition to its height, its location almost centered on the north-south axis of Barcelona means that the panoramic view is complete, managing to fit the entire plain of Barcelona on your mobile screen, from the Fabra Observatory to the Montjuïc Castle, including Park Güell and the Mapfre Towers.
Although in this post we have focused on the natural and peripheral viewpoints of our city, Barcelona has many other places within the urban area where you can enjoy its skyline while savoring a barbecue or a fine signature cocktail. You'll have to spend some money to experience them, but it will be worth it. And so will the number of likes you'll get. So stay tuned.
