Barcelona was practically built for rooftop bars. Between the Mediterranean Sea on one side, Gaudí’s spires on the other, and near-constant sunshine, a stunning view is never more than a few floors up. After nine years living here, I’ve worked my way through most of the city’s terraces, and this guide rounds up the best rooftop bars in Barcelona by neighborhood, with what each one is actually known for.
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Key Takeaways
- Best overall view: OHLA Barcelona and Grand Hotel Central, both with rooftop pools overlooking Barcelona Cathedral in Ciutat Vella.
- Best for Sagrada Família views: Mandarin Oriental’s Terrat and the terrace at Sercotel Rosellón in the Eixample.
- Best for a sea view: W Barcelona’s Wet Deck in Barceloneta and the InterContinental’s 173 Rooftop Terrace on Montjuïc.
- Best for cocktails over hype: The Edition Hotel and Sir Victor Hotel, both quieter, design-forward options in the Eixample.
Looking for the Perfect Hotel in Barcelona? Here Are My Top Picks:
- Best overall luxury hotel: Alma Barcelona
- Best hotel in El Born: Miiro Borneta
- Best romantic boutique hotel in the center: Wittmore Hotel
- Best design-forward stay: Seventy Barcelona
- Best rooftop & city views: The Barcelona EDITION
The Top Rooftop Bars in Barcelona by Neighborhood
Ciutat Vella: Cathedral and Gothic Quarter Views
Barcelona’s old town has the highest concentration of rooftop bars with a direct line to the Barcelona Cathedral, and most are a short walk from Plaça Catalunya or La Rambla.
- Rooftop at OHLA Barcelona is the terrace everyone posts about, with a glass-walled pool, front-row bar stools, and a panoramic view stretching from the cathedral to the Mediterranean Sea. Open to non-guests from 7 PM.
- Sky Bar at Grand Hotel Central pairs an infinity pool with one of the most photographed panoramas in the city. Open to all guests after 8 PM, with a cover charge if you’re not ordering food.
- L’Àtic at Lamaro Hotel (the rebranded Hotel Colón) sits directly across from the cathedral doors, arguably the closest rooftop view of the building in the city. Free for non-guests, no reservations, expect a short line. One of my personal favorites.
- Barceló Raval has a 360-degree terrace on the edge of El Raval with a small pool, solarium, and live acoustic music on Thursdays in summer.
- The Roof at Barcelona EDITION pairs a stylish rooftop bar with Latin American and Asian-influenced small plates, part of a hotel that’s become one of the most talked-about openings in the city.
- Pulitzer Terrace, just off Plaça Catalunya, is more about atmosphere than the view itself, expect live music, a DJ, and a BBQ in the evenings.
Passeig de Gràcia and Eixample: Sagrada Família and Skyline Views
This is Barcelona’s boulevard of grand hotels, and several of the rooftops here look straight down Passeig de Gràcia toward Casa Batlló and Casa Milà, with the Sagrada Família visible in the distance.
- Terrat at Mandarin Oriental Barcelona is the most polished option on the strip, recently reimagined with Hublot, serving contemporary Spanish sharing plates and luxury cocktails from around April to October.
- La Dolce Vitae at Majestic Hotel draws a mixed crowd of locals and visitors for cocktails and a resident DJ, right on Passeig de Gràcia.
- La Terraza del Claris, atop Hotel Claris, is a quieter, elegant option with a strong restaurant attached, a good pick if you want a proper meal alongside the view.
- Sir Victor Hotel‘s rooftop is more secluded than most, with elaborate cocktails and a smaller, design-conscious crowd. I come here often with friends as it’s more lowkey than some of the other more touristy spots.
- Casa Bonay‘s rooftop, known as The Chiringuito, leans into a beach-club feel with BBQ and natural wine, usually requiring a reservation in advance.
- Mood Rooftop Bar, on the 9th floor of The One Barcelona, is a newer addition with Mediterranean small plates and views toward La Pedrera, Montjuïc, and the sea.
- Terraza Sercotel Rosellón has the single best close-up view of the Sagrada Família of any rooftop in the city, close enough that it almost feels touchable.
Rooftops on Top of the Landmarks Themselves
A handful of Barcelona’s most famous buildings have their own rooftop experiences, separate from the hotel scene.
Casa Batlló‘s Dragon Roof hosts seasonal evening events with live music on top of one of Gaudí’s most photographed buildings, and just up the street, Casa Milà (La Pedrera) runs summer jazz concerts on its rooftop most Thursday and Friday evenings. Neither is a standing bar in the traditional sense, but both are worth booking if you want a rooftop evening that’s also a piece of Barcelona architecture.
Barceloneta and the Sea: Best for a Mediterranean Sea View
- Wet Deck at W Barcelona sits right on the sand in Barceloneta, with the Mediterranean essentially at arm’s length. It’s the pick if you want a party atmosphere alongside your view, with regular guest DJs.
- 173 Rooftop Terrace at InterContinental Barcelona, on Montjuïc, trades the beach for a 360-degree panoramic view that takes in the port, Sagrada Família, and Plaça Espanya, with a pool and Balinese beds for a full afternoon.
Not a Rooftop, But Worth a Mention: Salts Bar at Montjuïc
Technically not a rooftop, but I’d be doing you a disservice if I left it off this list. The Salts bar at Piscines Municipals de Montjuïc, the outdoor pool built for the 1992 Olympic diving events, sits perched on the hillside with one of the best panoramic views of the city for a fraction of what you’ll pay elsewhere. Grab a drink from the poolside bar and take in a sweeping view over the rooftops toward Sagrada Família and the sea, all for the price of pool entry rather than a rooftop cocktail. It gets busy on hot summer afternoons, so go earlier in the day if you want a good spot, and go for sunset if you just want the view. It’s an easy add-on if you’re already spending the day on Montjuïc.
Practical Tips for Barcelona Rooftop Bars
Most hotel rooftops open to the public from late afternoon or early evening, generally 6 or 7 PM, though rooftop pools are almost always reserved for hotel guests only. Reserve ahead for sunset, especially between May and September, when several of the most popular terraces (OHLA, Lamaro, Barcelona EDITION) form a line before opening.
Dress code across the board is smart casual, swimwear and flip-flops are for guests using the pool, not for the bar. Expect to pay €12–18 for a cocktail at most of these venues, with the more design-forward spots like Mandarin Oriental or the Barcelona EDITION at the higher end. A cover charge or minimum spend sometimes applies if you’re not ordering food.
FAQ About the Best Rooftop Bars in Barcelona
What is the best rooftop bar in Barcelona?
My favorite rooftop bars in Barcelona are Grand Hotel Central and The Edition Hotel for the classic cathedral-and-skyline view.
Do I need to be a hotel guest to visit a rooftop bar in Barcelona?
No. Nearly all of the rooftops on this list are open to the public in the evening, though the pools themselves are usually reserved for hotel guests only.
Which rooftop bar has the best view of the Sagrada Família?
Terraza Sercotel Rosellón has the closest view, while Mandarin Oriental’s Terrat and Mood Rooftop Bar both offer good distant views alongside a Montjuïc and Mediterranean panorama.
Do I need a reservation to go to a Rooftop Bar in Barcelona?
It’s strongly recommended for sunset, especially in summer. Some rooftops, like L’Àtic at Lamaro Hotel, don’t take reservations at all and instead operate on a first-come first-serve basis.
What should I wear to a rooftop bar in Barcelona?
Smart casual works everywhere on this list. Do not come in your beach attire and t-shirts. Trust me, you may be denied at the door.
Planning the Perfect Trip to Barcelona
Rooftop bars are an easy win when you’re building out a Barcelona itinerary. They don’t need a dedicated block of time, you can fold one in before dinner or after a day of sightseeing, and most only need an hour to make an impression. My advice: pick one near whatever you’re already doing that day rather than trying to cross the city for a specific view. The Eixample rooftops pair naturally with a Passeig de Gràcia afternoon, Ciutat Vella’s work well after wandering the Gothic Quarter, and Barceloneta’s make sense once you’ve spent the day on the beach.
Below are a few more guides to help you fill in the rest of the trip.
- Is Barcelona Worth Visiting?
- Best Neighborhoods to Stay in Barcelona
- Is Barcelona Safe? What You Need to Know
- Best Hotels in Barcelona: From Boutiques to Luxury Hotels
- 25 Things to Do in Barcelona
- Barcelona Travel Guide: 3-Day Itinerary
- The Best Coffee Shops in Barcelona in 2026: A Local’s Guide
- When Is the Best Time to Visit Barcelona, Spain?
- The 15 Best Day Trips From Barcelona: 2026 Guide
- The Best Breakfast and Brunch in Barcelona: 14 Local Spots Worth Waking Up For
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