Barcelona sits on the northeast coast of Spain, with a coastline facing roughly southeast. Which means the sun rises over the sea, yes! But… sadly it does not set directly into the sea.
Instead, the sunset happens over the city, that’s why hilltops like the Bunkers, Montjuïc, or Carretera de les Aigües are so popular – …from these spots, you get a front-row seat to a colorful sky over the city, with the sea catching some light in the distance.

As always, to make your exploring easier, I linked each place name in this guide directly to its location on Google Maps, so just click on the name, and you can save, plan, or navigate. – …you’re welcome!

So, anyway… Here’s a guide to the best spots in Barcelona to watch the sun go down.

Hilltop & Panoramic Views

Bunkers del Carmel

The Bunkers are legendary for a reason. Perched on a hill with 360-degree views of the city, you can see everything: Sagrada Família, Montjuïc, and even the Mediterranean in the distance.

It’s a favorite with locals and photographers, so it can get crowded… best to arrive early, I promise, it’s worth it. Sunset here is pretty epic…

Park Güell

Gaudí’s mosaics are stunning during the day, but at sunset, they turn into magic. Head to Turó de les Tres Creus or Teatre Grec for those breathtaking views over the city of Barcelona.

This one’s a bit more structured tho cuz you’ll need tickets to get into the monumental zones, but it’s totally worth it for that magical combination of color, architecture, and skyline.

✨Want to see more of Gaudi masterpieces around the city? Check out my full guide to all of Gaudí’s works in Barcelona

Turó de Putxet

A quieter, low-key alternative to the Bunkers. This small hill in Gràcia gives you panoramic city views without the tourist crowds.

Montjuïc Hill

Montjuïc is full of sunset options.
The castle viewpoint delivers those classic panoramas over the city and the port. For something quieter, head to the hill’s hidden terraces – …two of my favorites are Mirador de l’Alcalde and Mirador del Migdia, both offering views over the city, the port, and over the sea.
You can even wander through the Montjuïc Cemetery – … if that’s your thing… – which actually has an unexpectedly eerie yet beautiful atmosphere at golden hour….

Mirador de Torre Baró

With these castle ruins, it feels a bit like a secret treasure. High above the city, it offers crazy views without the crowds. It’s a little adventure to get there, but that’s part of the fun – … and the sunset is worth it.

Carretera de les Aigües

This is a long, mostly flat path along the Collserola mountains above the city. The full trail is about 9 kilometers, but you don’t need to walk it all – … just choose a section. Don’t worry, from almost anywhere along the path, you get uninterrupted views over Barcelona and the sea, making it one of the best places for a sunset – … and a bit of an exercise to complete your 10.000 steps of the day.

Tibidabo Hill

Aaand, of course, as the golden hour arrives, Tibidabo offers probably the most unique 360° experience. The elevation gives you the full gradient of sunset, sky, city, and sea, all at once.

Rooftop & Terrace Views

Museu Nacional d’Art de Catalunya

The steps and rooftop terrace of MNAC give amazing views of Barcelona. The light hits beautifully, making it perfect for photos – … can be crowded tho.

Hotel Rooftops

Barcelona’s hotel rooftops are perfect for a laid-back urban sunset. Different perspective, higher up, city streets below, sky overhead, maybe a cocktail in hand…

✨For a full list of places to grab a drink while the sun sets, check out my list of the 15 best rooftop bars in Barcelona

Beaches

Barceloneta Beach

The classic choice – golden light hitting the sand, reflections dancing on the waves. Busy, yes, but iconic for a reason.

… my favorite corner, forever:

Castelldefels & the Winter Sunset

Just southwest of Barcelona, Castelldefels is a special case. The beach sits west-southwest, so in winter, the sun actually goes into the sea – a rare treat for this area. On clear days, the low winter sun creates intense colors and long reflections, making it a stunning contrast to the city-facing sunsets of Barcelona.

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Clearly… Barcelona is a city that loves the golden hour… So grab a friend, a blanket, a bottle of wine, maybe an engagement ring and head to one of these viewpoints and just take a moment and enjoy these views.

… there’s something magical about watching the sun say goodnight to Barcelona…

Aaaanyways,

See you at the next one,

Noémi

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