In front of you, the sky. AND, at your feet, the city. Although it seems that you are going climbing, you have only equipped yourself with a mobile. And why else, if the only mountains that can be seen are several kilometers away. They are urban viewpoints, where leaning over a railing will give you more vertigo than going on a cycle route with ET Of course, the photo will be worth it. Or so all the ‘instagrammers’ promise.
This is the influencer life cycle: with the imminent arrival of spring and long days, the season begins to take photos of orange skies without having to run from work to catch the last rays of sunlight. And, for this reason, from March to October, the value of sites with views skyrockets at the same rate as the price of gasoline.
In Barcelona there are dozens of options to get a ‘story’ in orange colors that has more experience than Ciudadanos. This same Saturday an urban viewpoint in Urquinaona will be added to the list; in April, another in front of the Sagrada Família. Celebrate the time of year when sunset photos are up to par.
360º panorama
New visual attraction
Located in the Urquinaona tower (Plaza de Urquinaona, 6), Unlimited Barcelona is one of the new visual attractions welcoming the sunset season to Instagram. It opens this Saturday, 12, and offers virtually unprecedented views until now. Located at 70 meters high (on the 20th floor of the building), the glass walls allow a 360º panoramic view of the entire city.
The viewpoint is open on weekends and holidays, and admission costs between 12 and 24 euros, depending on the time of day (of course, the sunset slots are more popular). The visit not only includes a bird’s-eye view of Barcelona, but also temporary art exhibitions and, of course, the opportunity to explore the Indiana Jones architecture of this building, normally closed to the general public.
Sagrada Familia in detail
Gaudi with binoculars
Another novelty in the Barcelona skyline: Urban Watching, a viewpoint to see the Sagrada Família in 4K. initiative of Swarovski Optican optical company dedicated to binoculars and telescopes, which has installed its technology in the Sardenya attic, 319, to observe “every last detail, even imperceptible textures from the street” of the temple, assure its promoters. Not even Beth in the ‘Dime’ video clip had her so close to her. In addition, the oblique location of the penthouse is strategic, according to the company. “Allows you to enjoy the Sagrada Família with Gaudí’s eyes», which «said that the best way to see the Sagrada Família is from a diagonal position, not frontally, since it is the way in which the towers do not overlap». Although we have to wait a little longer to see Gaudí’s trencadís up close: the opening to the public is scheduled for april 2.
Heidi Views
Swings over Barcelona
Other ‘hot spot’ ‘influencer’ of the Barcelona sunsets, the swings with privileged views of the city. Here more photos are taken hanging than in a Cirque du soleil ‘book’. 10 minutes from the Horta viewpoint is the classic point of pilgrimage for tiktokers and instagrammers: “The swing of Barcelona”, they renamed it on the internet. Coming across it is a bit of a lottery: they take it down and restore it.
There are more swings scattered around Collserola. “Currently we have two, one in the road of the aigües and another near the Collserola tower», says Júlia, responsible, together with her father, Xavi, for the Gronxadors BCN initiative (@gronxadorsbcn, On Instagram). They have hung swings in Canyelles, Coll de la Ventosa, Turó d’en Segarra, Carmel and next to Park Güell, although these are no longer available. “They’ve been taking them away from us, I don’t know if it’s hooliganism or what,” laments Júlia. So, when you go to enjoy the Heidi views, she remembers her: respect these pieces of street furniture.
Above sea level
coastline skyline
Obviously, the coastal option cannot be missing. After all, the sea is one of the great attractions of the city’s ‘skyline’. The sea views offered by the harbor cable car are among the highest and most complete in Barcelona, as they include from Barceloneta to Montjuïc. It has two entrances, at the Torre de San Sebastián (Paseo de Joan de Borbó, s/n) and the Estación de Miramar (Avenida de Miramar, s/n), and costs between 11 and 16 euros.
A plan B, further from the center, the roof of the Museum of Natural Sciences of Barcelona (Leonardo Da Vinci Square, 4-5). Here you will not only appreciate the views of the entire coastline of the Fòrum, the Three Towers of Sant Adrià and the Maresme coast, but you can also do so by walking through its garden, the Live Rooftop, a green space of 7,100 m2 with three types of Mediterranean meadows and three freshwater lagoons displayed on the roof of the museum. A green oasis where to disconnect
The guiri option
typical monuments
There is always the option to bet on the classics and marking a route so touristy that you could only make it more foreign by wearing flip-flops and socks. Great monuments like the Columbus statue (Plaza Portal de la Pau, s/n), The stone (Paseo de Gràcia, 92), the MNAC (Montjuïc Park, s/n), the sands (Gran Via, 373-385) and the Park Guell they also have heart-stopping views, and each one of different parts of the city: from the Rambla and the port, to the heart of the Eixample.
If you prefer a more local option, where English is not the default language, you can wait for the next edition of the 48H Open House Barcelona. The festival opens monuments for a weekend with less usual views than a mea culpa in the mouth of Ayuso. For example, some of the ‘greatest hits’ of past editions were the Columbus Buildingthe arc de triomf or the Venetian Towerswhich had sky-high attendance.
sacred lookouts
Cathedrals and basilicas
It is the best way to approach God. And not only because you are in a sacred place: but because you are at the highest point of the basilicas of Barcelona. The most popular temples in the city center, the Cathedral (Pla de la Seu, s/n), Santa Maria del Pi (Plaza del Pi, 7) and Santa Maria del Mar (Plaza de Santa Maria, 1) include in their visits access to their terraces or bell towers. If you do not touch the sky here, it is clear that you are missing a couple of Hail Marys.
A less crowded option is the bell tower of the Basilica of Sant Just square. Its views will leave you breathless, and not only because you can see the entire old town, including the cathedral and the two famous basilicas, but also because to access this spectacular panorama you have to go up 176 steps On foot. Yes, take a bottle of water with you for when you reach the top of this gothic everest. Admission is 2 euros and it is only open from Monday to Friday, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Eat in style
Views in the menu
If climbing hundreds of steps to have the city at your feet is not your style and you prefer to take your ‘stories’ sitting down, the most comfortable option: contemplate the views with a plate on the table. For example, located at the top of the Museum of the History of Cataloniafrom the terrace of 1881 by Sagardi (Pau de la Vila, 3), perfect for vermouthing, by the way, you can see the port, Montjuïc and Barceloneta.
Wave High Seas Tower (Paseo de Joan de Borbó, 88), a Barceloneta classic. Located on one of the cable car stops, 75 meters high, it has 360º views of all of Barcelona. Finally, Nobu (Avenida de Roma, 2), the fusion restaurant located on the 23rd floor of what was Torre Catalunya. Of course, an enviable panorama.
bird’s eye view
helicopter tour
Related news
That being 70 meters high is not enough for you? Do you lack adrenaline to see the city from a glass building? Make your ‘stories’ from a bird’s eye view with a helicopter tour. Of course, it is likely that the flying pulse will leave you with a photographic ‘book’ that is more blurred than Albert Rivera’s future work. There are several companies in Barcelona that promise an experience to match, such as Barcelona Helicopter, with 12-minute routes that fly over emblematic buildings such as the Torre Agbar or the Camp Nou. More options, yumpingcompany dedicated to adventure sports, or Cathelicopters. Both have ‘packs’ that will allow you to contemplate Barcelona, literally, over your shoulder.