Barcelona from above: Five more unmissable panoramas

In the beautiful city of Barcelona, there are plenty of places from which you can gaze down on the city and see the Eixample grid in all its glory. These are our five absolute favourites.

1. A pool with a view

The Piscina Municipal de Montjuïc is one of the most impressive pools in Europe. Implemented in the slope of the eponymous hill, you can look out over the city while floating in the Olympic tub. To get the best views, climb the ten-metre-high diving platform. Because of its unique setting, the swimming pool has already starred in an iPhone commercial and a Kylie Minogue music video, and hosted the 1992 Olympic diving competition.

Piscina Municipal de Montjuïc. Photo © Wikipedia

2. In the King’s garden

Hidden between the many parks of Montjuïc, you’ll find the lush paradise that is the Jardins de Joan Maragall. Not only does this park amaze with its Versailles-like water parties, but it is also the garden with the nicest panoramic views of Barcelona. Walk behind the central mansion, plant yourself on the steps and enjoy this stunning view, which even many locals don’t know exists. No wonder the King of Spain opts to sleep in the park’s estate whenever he travels to Barcelona.

Tibidabo. Photo © Unsplash

3. High-altitude amusement park

If the thrill of height is not enough to get your legs shaking, you might want to climb Mount Tibidabo. At its top, you’ll find Spain’s oldest amusement park. The charmingly deteriorated fun park was built in 1889 and still combines stunning views with plenty of fun activities. If you are not in the mood to hit those rides, you can head to the free panoramic area, from where the view is just as impressive.

Photo © Pexels

4. On the city’s roof

A metropolitan city like Barcelona counts numerous rooftop bars, and it is hard to pick out just one. Yet, the view from the Ayre Hotel Rosellón’s roof is undoubtedly exceptional. While sipping your cocktail or nibbling on some tapas, you can stare at the mighty Sagrada Familia from up close. Even better: the prices are rather reasonable considering the view on offer. So, take the elevator up and find yourself a table next to the city’s most famous construction site.

Teleferico del Puerto. Photo © Unsplash

5. Floating over town

When on a tight schedule, you can gaze at the city while on the way to your next destination. From the adorable cable car between Barceloneta and Montjuïc, you get amazing views across town. Make sure to have your camera ready, as the trip passes faster than you might think. Once up, you can visit other viewpoints such as Jardins de Joan Maragall or La Piscina Municipal de Montjuïc, or take another cable car to go all the way to the top: to Castell de Montjuïc. Here, you can walk around the fortress for free, enjoying the beautiful vistas of the city and its harbour.