traveldk.com

The mountain of Tibidabo is the best vantage point for a bird’s-eye view of Barcelona. Thrill-seekers opt for a spin on the Tibidabo fairground attraction (Parc d'Atraccions del Tibidabo) called La Atalaya, a rickety basket attached to an ancient crane-like contraption which gives a 360-degree view of Barcelona, the sea and the Pyrenees. A less giddy option is the Torre de Collserola (Torre de Collserola) with its transparent lift rising up 288 m (945 ft). And for those who wish po keep their feet firmly on solid ground – cocktail in hand – settle in at the Mirablau barHip Drinking Spots.

Montjuïc offers myriad viewpoints. The best is from the castle and gardens with their superb panoramas over the port and the city. Take the cable car up to the castle and walk down through ever-changing vistas to the Bar Miramar (see Restaurants, Cafés, Bars & Clubs) for a refreshing drink. Also see Castell de Montjuïc & Museu Militar.

The sea offers a less vertiginous view of the cityscape. Glide out of the harbour on the pleasure boats known as golondrines or try the exhilarating trip under sail on an enormous catamaran. Both trips offer ample views of the city and of the new Port Olímpic area. (Tours & Trips).

The swaying cable cars that glide slowly between the Port and Montjuïc are something of a Barcelona landmark. To those not afraid of heights, they reveal hidden aspects of the city and provide a pleasurable way to get to the top of Montjuïc. (Tours & Trips).

At the end of La Rambla, the statue of Christopher Columbus offers a good vantage point for viewing the city. The column, rising 80 m (262 ft), was built in 1888. The elevator that whisks visitors to the top has, fortunately, been renovated since then!

When work first began, Gaudí’s magical church lay on the outskirts of the city and Barcelona would have been just a shadow in the distance. A hundred years on, the church is located in the heart of the Eixample and the bell towers offer dizzying vistas of the entire city. An added bonus are the wonderful close-ups of the extraordinary Sagrada Família itself. (Sagrada Família).

The top floor of this department store has a glass-fronted cafeteria and restaurant with a terrace – an excellent place to lunch or just have a coffee. From here there are views of the nearby Plaça de Catalunya, the old town and the Eixample. The enormous store below stocks just about anything you might need to buy.

In the north of the city, Gaudí’s monumental Modernista park presents spectacular views across Barcelona and out to the Mediterranean from its various terraced levels. Trees and patches of woodland act as welcome shade from the fierce summer sun. (Parc Güell).

From the heart of the Barri Gòtic, the Cathedral rooftop offers one of the least changed vistas in the city. Look out over the ramshackle rooftops – some dating to the 12th century – and the narrow alleys that spill out in all directions. There is a small charge for the elevator to the top. (Barcelona Cathedral).

For a birds-eye view of Barcelona consider a helicòpter ride over the city. Helipistas SL will take a minimum of 2 people on a 30-minute ride over Mont-juïc, the port and the southern part of the city. Transport to and from the out-of-town airport is included in the price.