The 10 Best Rooftop Bars in Barcelona
View of Barcelona from Park GĂĽell
In addition to being (arguably) Europe’s capital of Surrealism, Barcelona is also the capital—per our admittedly unscientific data gathering—of rooftop tipples. Our only objection is that many of Barcelona’s best rooftop bars are part of international hotel chains that offer fabulous views but somewhat impersonal, and pricey, settings.
So, why not take advantage of Barcelona’s beverage breadth to explore a variety of spots? Want to sip craft cocktails in an upscale environment? Perquè no? Dream of a low-key place to lounge with views, beer, and possibly tapas on hand? És clar que sĂ.
With that in mind, here’s a smattering of our best 10 bars in Barcelona, both rooftop and ground-level, to wash down your next trip.
To Rooftop …
Altitude and alcohol don’t always mix, but there’s no place we’d rather elevate our drinking experience than with these rooftop bars in Barcelona:
Sky Bar
Set in the stately Grand Hotel Central, you can reach Sky Bar with a lovely stroll through Barcelona’s picturesque Old Town to Via Laietana. The Grand Hotel’s building is worth a gander in and of itself: dating to 1926, it was designed by architect Adolf Fiorensa, who drew inspiration from the style of the Chicago School—as evidenced by the building’s Neoclassical features and grid-patterned window structures. Head up to Sky Bar for the evening (note that the bar is reserved for guests only during the day) to sample views of the Barcelona skyline with a side of vermouth, tapas, and dessert. (Tip: this is a particularly spectacular spot to catch the sunset.)
Sky Bar in the Grand Hotel Central Via Laietana, 30, Ciutat Vella, 08003 Barcelona
1881 Per Sagardi
Not all of Barcelona’s best rooftop bars are perched atop hotels: 1881 Per Sagardi sits, instead, atop the History Museum of Catalonia. The restaurant—which serves delightful bites of Mediterranean cuisine—is accompanied by Terrassa de les Indianes, a modern cocktail bar on a terrace that provides delightful views of the Port of Barcelona. From here, look out over the posh yachts on the water while indulging in a craft cocktail menu and lots of tapas. (Note that the terrace gets its name from Catalan calico fabrics, otherwise known as “Indianes,” an important part of Catalan’s trade in the 1800s).
1881 Per Sagardi Palau de Mar – Plaça Pau Vila, 3, 08039 Barcelona
Terraza 360°
When we find ourselves near the Ciutat Vella or the Sant Antoni neighborhoods, we like to pop into the Hotel Barceló Raval, which sits right between the two neighborhoods. The Terraza 360° rooftop bar, located on the hotel’s 11th floor, is special because it offers 360-degree views and thoughtful service—the staff has seemingly thought of everything needed to take full advantage of the views. Explore the city with the complimentary binoculars, easily on hand, to your eyes’ content, while jugging a glass of wine from nearby Penedés.
Terraza 360° Rambla del Raval, 17-21, 08001 Barcelona
Terraza Ayre
One of our favorite places to rest our feet after a tour of the Sagrada Familia, Terraza Ayre is a quick stroll away, situated in the Ayre Rosellon Hotel. After seeing Gaudi’s masterwork from the ground, this little terrace gives a complementary view from above, along with a relatively affordable menu of tapas, desserts, and drinks. There’s usually plenty of seating to choose from.
Terraza Ayre Calle RosellĂłn 390, 08025, Barcelona
El Sueño
For the minimalist and trend-hawks of the set, El Sueño might be just the ticket. Located in Barcelona’s Gothic Quarter, El Sueño is situated within The Serras Hotel. The rooftop is lush with its own greenery, adorned with dark wood fixtures and offers inventive cocktails and snacks from a Michelin-starred chef. This is one of the more upscale spots on our list, with cocktails running upwards of 15€—we like to have a sunset drink and bite here before sampling a more local spot on ground-level. (Also worth noting—El Sueño also offers a nice variety of cold pressed juices if a detox option is in order).
El Sueño Passeig de Colom, 9, 08002 Barcelona
Terrassa Mirador Blue View
While we’ve found that most rooftop spots are primarily tourist destinations, the Blue View is an exception, and is a popular pre-dinner stop for locals and visitors alike. Atop Hotel Casa Fuster, the Terrassa is a quick jaunt from the Passeig de Gracia, and offers not only a stunning exterior—the facade is crafted entirely from marble—but also live music on many evenings and a view of Mount TIbidabo in the distance.
Terrassa Mirador Blue View Passeig de GrĂ cia, 132, 08008 Barcelona
Or not to rooftop…
Just because there’s not a skyline view doesn’t mean it’s without atmosphere. To the contrary, Barcelona’s more local, lower visibility locations come laden with plenty of personality. Amble through a handful of them with a culinary historian or chef on our Barcelona Tapas Tour, or follow the itinerary below for a few the best Barcelona bars we know:
Zona D’Ombra
Nestled in the Barri Gotic but off the well-trodden track of Las Ramblas, this little Italian wine bar specializes in Spanish and Italian wines as well as Italian aperitifs. Founded by a couple of friends on the heels of a visit to Venice, we’ve found that the Zona d’Ombra is just the spot when we’re feeling a little homesick for Italy. It sports an excellent wine selection by bottle or glass, Italian aperitifs, and tapas—we like to settle back with a spritz and a plate of dried beef carpaccio.
Zona d’Ombra Carrer de Salomó ben Adret, 12, 08002 Barcelona
L’Ascensor
Perhaps the best part of this spot is the ride up an original wooden lift (not for the claustrophobic!) that deposits you into a charmingly retro, chatty locale. It’s primarily a cocktail bar: we go in for the vast selection of gin-based beverages, though there are plenty of liquor options to appease all tastes. Best of all, we thrill to the fact that the service team are seemingly all long-timers—with many of them having spent many of the past 30 years in employ here—which pleasantly adds to the bar’s classic, intimate feel.
L’Ascensor Calle Bellafilla no. 3, 08002 Barcelona
Bodega Lo Pinyol
Technically a restaurant, Lo Pinyol is a perennial Context guide favorite in Barcelona’s iconic Grà cia neighborhood. Once an independent city within Barcelona that’s bordered by Park Guëll, Grà cia is now known for its atmospherically narrow rues that tumble out into lovely leafy plazas. Lo Pinyol’s a friendly local spot for homemade vermouth and a bevvy of Catalonian tapas and pescatarian delights like sardines in vinegar.
Lo Pinyol Carrer del Torrent de l'Olla, 7, 08012 Barcelona
La Xampanyeria
If your exploring takes you down near the waterside Barceloneta neighborhood, we always recommend elbowing your way into this little nook on Carrer de la Reina Cristina. It can get busy, but it’s hard to get too fussed with a glass (or two) of cheap, refreshing Cava and delicious small plates of local ham and cheese in hand.
La Xampanyeria Carrer de la Reina Cristina, 7, 08003 Barcelona’
There’s plenty more to do in the Catalan capital, of course—round out your eating and drinking itinerary with a Context private or small group tour of Barcelona. Txin txin!
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