As any runner preparing for Barcelona’s up-coming marathon will tell you, Barcelona is not a flat city! The Catalan capital is anything but and several hilly areas spring up around the city, not to mention the slope all the way from the beach to Tibidabo in the north.
While the hills may be a nightmare for those runners, they are certainly a treat for visitors to the city as they offer some spectacular postcard-perfect views! The famous Park Güell is one such hill with a view, while Montjuïc also has some great panoramas of both the Mediterranean Sea and the rest of the city. Add to that the Tibidabo mountain which towers over the city, and there really is no shortage of hills to climb up with your camera.
Park Güell
Image: papalars
The first place to start climbing might as well be Park Güell, also often referred to as the Gaudí Park. This is the park that Antoni Gaudí designed for the Güell family and you’ll recognise several of the park’s famous landmarks from the guidebooks, such as the mosaic dragon, the market court and the large square of serpentine benches.
The most spectacular part, however, is from the park’s highest point, a small stone hill with three crosses from the top. From there you can enjoy views of the whole city and can see down the tree-lined Passeig de Sant Joan or gaze across towards the Sagrada Familia. From that whole part of the park there are plenty of photo opportunities and as a popular tourist spot there is always someone there to snap your picture for you.
In terms of getting to the park, which lies in the Gràcia area of the city, you can take the Metro to Vallcara and follow the signs to the park or the crowds of tourists. Luckily with this route, there are escalators to help you with the climb, something you should really appreciate!
Montjuïc
Down by Plaça Espanya is the second of the city’s major bumps. Montjuïc was the site of the 1992 Olympic Games, but a visit doesn’t come without a fair climb! Start of by climbing the stairs to the MNAC museum, past the magic fountains. From there you can climb further to see the Olympic Stadium and even higher up you’ll find Montjuïc Castle.
The castle is well worth the hike as you’ll not only have views of the city (this time from the opposite direction than from Park Güell), but you’ll also be able to look down on the port and see the work that goes on by the sea.
The area has so much to see and so many landmarks are found here, so it’ll be hard to cover Montjuïc in just an afternoon. It might be worth staying in this area, therefore, to get the chance to see everything and if thinking of doing so then an Oh-Barcelona apartment in Montjuïc or an area close by would make sense.
Tibidabo
Image: I. Mlinaric
Look one way in Barcelona and you’ll see the sea. Look the other way and you’ll see a huge hill with a church on top. That hill is the 512 metre tall Tibidabo Mountain and from the top you can, as you might expect, enjoy fantastic views over the entire city.
There is a bus available from Plaça Catalunya to get up to the top, but the real joy of a trip to Tibidabo is the walk up there. Take the Metro to Penitents, cross the motorway and, yup you guessed it, start walking up! There are several paths to take that all eventually arrive at the top and each is well signposted, so you shouldn’t worry about getting lost.
Once at the top, climb up to the courtyard outside the church and take in Barcelona’s best view!
Not enough mountains? Then there’s another one…
Image: wxwillett
If these three hills still don’t satisfy your thrill for heights then know that just an hour train ride away is Montserrat, a little town in the rocky hills with a monastery, cafés and some of the coolest mountains in Catalunya. Trains to Montserrat leave from Espanya Metro and a visit is the perfect day-trip if in the city for a longer stay.
No matter where you stay in Barcelona, you’ll be close to somewhere to climb! But if only in the city for a few days and only looking to snap those great views of Barcelona then staying somewhere on the green Metro line makes sense as it is connected to the three hills mentioned. Get planning and pack your boots today!
Post written by Euan McTear