Barcelona’s a city of varying elevations. And there’s nothing like being in a really high place — and seeing the lay of the land of a large city below. Barcelona has got the Mediterranean Sea to the south, manic city blocks in Eixample, and the steeper hills of Montjuic to the southeast. So step up and enjoy the Barcelona scenic views. Check out these spots for the best panoramic views in Barcelona!

Best views in Barcelona, Spain

1. Museu Nacional d’Art de Catalunya (MNAC)

The palatial building that houses the museum is a majestic sight on its own. No, it’s not a palace, but an enormous Italian-style building with a tall cupola and sits on the Montjuic hilltop. On a sunny day, the views from MNAC are spectacular. To get there, climb the many steps to the entrance. If you’re a lazy bum like me, you can use the escalators on the sides. If you do climb the stairs, you’ll have to celebrate like Rocky Balboa once you reach the top.

Once up, you’ll get a view of the busy roundabout at Plaça d’Espanya. Look a bit further and you’ll see the gorgeous Barcelona cityscape. Even further off is Tibidabo, the mountain ranges to the northwest.

Consider going to MNAC at night as well —  you can enjoy the Magic Fountain Show below, where dancing waters move to the choreography of music and lights.

2. Park Guell

This famous-for-a-reason park is one of my favorite parks in the whole wide world.  Where else can you find twisting tree trunks, tilted walkways, and hypercolored tile work?

To get to this park on a hill, you can find metro and bus stops nearby. Climb up to the main terrace of the park, where you’ll find the multicolored tiled bench shaped like a sea serpent.

From here, you can see the park’s main entrance below, which are two buildings resembling colorful gingerbread houses. But beyond that, you’ll see the city’s buildings and the beautiful shoreline of the Mediterranean sea. Definitely one of the Barcelona best views!

3. Barceló Raval Hotel

Barceló Raval Hotel is a cylindric building on the pedestrian Rambla del Raval. The trendiness of the hotel in this gritty part of town makes for a kind of strange old-meets-new juxtaposition. On the terrace rooftop, you get a 360º view of the mountains, the sea and the city surrounding the hotel.

If you fancy a closer look at something interesting, you can check it out through the standing binoculars along the glass walls.

And if you’re not in a hurry, go ahead and order a mixed drink or a cocktail. The terrace also has a bar, a swimming pool, and a sunroof for those who want to lounge around and relax. The terrace is open from May to October. Who would have thought El Raval would have one of the best Barcelona views?

4. La Sagrada Familia

Undoubtedly one of the most famous attractions in Barcelona, La Sagrada Familia is a stunning basilica not only from the outside but from the inside as well. Its peculiar towers shoot up 65 meters, and you can go up through two of them. The Nativity facade has views of the East, and the Passion facade faces the city center. You can even get up close and see the tops of the towers, which resemble multi-coloured asparagus tips. At least that’s what I think.

To go back down, you’ll have to climb down a spiral staircase. So if you suffer from vertigo or even claustrophobia, this might be a little scary.

The advantage: you can peek outside of several balconies and windows and get a great view of the narrow spiraling staircase on the inside. Coming here also gives you a piece of Catalan history and culture too.

5. Montjuic Castle

Montjuic Castle used to be a military stronghold and political prison. (What kind of crazy torture went on here?) Today it houses a military museum and is used as a cultural space for concerts, seminars, and exhibitions.

Its southeastern location gives you breezy views of Barcelona. On the seaward side, you’ll see the cityscape and the Mediterranean Sea. From Jardins del Mirador, you’ll find a view of the busy industrial port. It’s surrounded by lush gardens, making it a sweet place to enjoy Barcelona’s scenery.

6. Las Arenas Commercial Center

Once you’re up, you can catch a glimpse of the beautiful Fira Montjuic exhibition area and the MNAC museum. To the west, you’ll see Parc de Joan Miró and the tall, colorful sculpture, “Dona i Ocell”. You can also sit down and have some tapas and drinks at one of the swanky restaurants and bars. At nighttime, It’s also a fantastic place to get a view of the Magic Fountain show.

7. Bunkers del Carmel

What was once an almost unknown spot for its breathtaking views, the Bunkers del Carmel was popularized by a teenage romance film called “Tengo Ganas de Ti” in 2012. Here you’ll find old bunkers which were used during the Spanish Civil War and were used to prevent air attacks. Located at the Turó de la Rovira, you can see the city skyline, the coast, Tibidabo, and several outskirts of Barcelona.

The Bunkers del Carmel a low-key place to go to get away from the crowds. If you plan to go on a warm day, bring some shade and water. Or, go as it cools down in the evenings to watch the sky change colors during sunset. It’s about a 10-minute hike from the bus stop. It’s a fantastic place to enjoy Barcelona from above.

8. Tibidabo Amusement Park

Tibidabo is the highest point in Barcelona, and you are guaranteed to get magnificent views from here. I came here to the Tibidabo Amusement Park in the summer, and I was surprised to see how gorgeous the view is. Instagrammers seem to have popularized Bunkers del Carmel as the best view, and while it is the best free view, the view from the Tibidabo Amusement Park takes the crown.

Also, if you go on the Talaia, a ride that’s like an arm that swings up, you can get that breathtaking shot of the Tibidabo Sagrat Cor church – and post it all over Instagram.

Know any other places where you can get a great view to see panoramic Barcelona? Have you been to any of these places?

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Can you suggest another place in Barcelona with splendid views? Let me know in the comments!