10 great sunrise spots in Barcelona: Beaches, hilltops, and more

Whether you’re an early bird who loves to hit the ground running or you’re still up from experiencing the city’s famous nightlife, watching the sunrise in Barcelona may just be one of your favorite memories from your whole trip. Because of how the Spanish city’s coastline faces east, there are some incredible local opportunities to watch the sun come up over the sea.

While beaches like Barceloneta Beach and Mar Bella Beach are undoubtedly great options, those aren’t the only sunrise spots in Barcelona worth checking out. Barcelona is a city built on hills — you may hear them referred to as Barcelona’s Seven Hills, which means there are plenty of elevated viewpoints to get a good look far across the city, like at the lookouts in Parc del Carmel and from the church atop the Tibidabo hill. If you’re trying to find that perfect vantage point, these are the best places to watch the sunrise in Barcelona.

1. Barceloneta Beach

Barceloneta Beach stays buzzing thanks to its location in the heart of the city, golden sand, and string of nearby restaurants and cafes. While the beach is known to get pretty crowded, particularly during the summer, heading here for sunrise means more space for yourself and an excellent view of the sun rising above the water.

Know before you go

• Bring a blanket or towel to sit on and a swimsuit if you want to take a dip in the ocean.
• Head to the end near the W Hotel since it’s normally less crowded and then, you can get the building’s iconic sail shape in your view.

Opening hours

Open 24 hours

2. Parc del Carmel

Perched on the El Carmel hill, Parc del Carmel offers some of the best views of the city skyline, which means it also gives you some of the best sunrise views in all of Barcelona. It’s easy to wile away here, meandering along the tree-lined paths. There are a few lookout points in the park, including Mirador de la Farma.

Know before you go

• Don’t miss seeing Ian Hamilton Finlay’s sculpture “The Present Order is the Disorder of the Future,” which was made from stone taken from Montjuïc.
• Parc del Carmel borders Park Güell (a whimsical complex of gardens designed by Antoni Gaudí), so you may want to tack on a day trip to the latter after.

Address

Municipality of Horta-Guinardó, 08032 Barcelona

Opening hours

Open 24 hours

3. Tibidabo

The hill Tibidabo is known to many as the home of the famous Tibidabo Amusement Park, but even when the attraction hasn’t opened for the day yet, it’s worth it to trek up there to get one of the best sunrise views in Barcelona. The hill’s 512-meter height means far-reaching vistas.

Know before you go

• Check out the area around Temple Expiatori del Sagrat Cor church or the nature trails to find your perfect spot.
• Don’t forget to turn around to see the sun’s rays light up the church’s facade.

Address

Sarrià-Sant Gervasi, 08035 Barcelona, Spain

Opening hours

Open 24 hours

4. Montjuïc

Another of Barcelona’s many hills and a place of museums and gardens, Montjuïc is a great place to soak up some history, art, and, of course, views. From its elevated vantage point, you can see a beautiful sunrise over the city and port — especially at the Mirador del Migdia viewpoint.

Know before you go

• Stick around after sunrise to check out Montjuïc Castle, a former military fortress that opens at 10:00 AM.
• The funicular that takes people up the hill opens too late for prime sunrise viewing, but it’s a fun option to get back down later.

Address

Sants-Montjuïc, 08038 Barcelona

Opening hours

Open 24 hours

5. Parc del Guinardó

Once a private estate, the sloping Parc del Guinardó is one of those spots where you can really slow things down and take a breath while traveling in Barcelona. Less frequented than Park Güell, this park is a large, tranquil green space with multiple lookout points to see far across the city and to the ocean.

Know before you go

• Check out each of the park’s unique areas: the urban park, historic landscaped gardens, and lush woodland.
• The park is very close to Bunkers El Carmel, former anti-aircraft fortifications that now draw people wanting panoramic views.

Address

Municipality of Horta-Guinardó, 08032 Barcelona

Opening hours

Open 24 hours

6. Sailing Cruise

Watching the sun rise from land is one thing, but watching it from a cruise or boat, floating on the Mediterranean Sea, is another. A designated sunrise sailing cruise offers the special experience of seeing the sky’s colors change along the uninterrupted horizon and reflect beautifully onto the water.

Know before you go

• Sailing cruises in Barcelona normally depart from Marina Vela Barcelona, Port Olimpic, or Port Vell.
• If you’re not sure if you get seasick, be on the safe side and pack some motion-sickness medication.

7. Mar Bella Beach

Part of the Sant Martí district, Mar Bella Beach is a little over 500-meter (1640-feet) stretch of soft sand where you can get awe-inspiring views of the sunrise over the Mediterranean Sea. Stick around to enjoy facilities like volleyball courts, a skateboarding area, a kids’ playground, and the ping pong table.

Know before you go

• Be prepared to see some people in just their birthday suits — this beach has a designated nudist area.
• Mar Bella Beach is known for being LGBTQ+ friendly.

Opening hours

Open 24 hours

8. Carretera de les Aigües

Leave the bustling life of Barcelona for a bit to enjoy the sunrise from Carretera de les Aigües, a roughly six-mile, generally flat hiking trail in Collserola Natural Park that you can tackle by foot or by bike. There are many nice sunrise spots to have a little pitstop along this scenic, dirt path that rises above the city.

Know before you go

• Of the various starting points, Plà dels Maduixers is one of the most popular.
• There’s not much shadow, so bring a hat and a water bottle (you can refill them at the drinking fountains along the way).

Address

Ctra. de les Aigües, s/n, Sarrià-Sant Gervasi, 08017 Barcelona

Opening hours

Open 24 hours

9. Port Vell

Seeing an amazing sunrise doesn’t always mean having to find the highest viewpoint possible or a place of completely uninterrupted vistas. At Port Vell, also known as Old Port, the masts of all the boats make for a nice contrast to a sky colored in pinks and oranges by the sunrise.

Know before you go

• Sant Sebastià Beach is right next door and another one of the best places to watch the sunrise in Barcelona.
• While in the area, consider visiting the Museum of the History of Catalonia or the aquarium.

Address

Rambla de Mar, s/n, 08039 Barcelona

Opening hours

Open 24 hours

10. Sunrise Paddleboarding Tour

Maybe you want to watch the sunrise from the water, but boats aren't your thing. How about a paddleboarding tour? With fewer people out on the water at this early hour, you may find that it’s far easier to concentrate on your balance and the wonderful views that stretch out before you.

Know before you go

• Many sunrise paddleboarding tours conveniently start from Barceloneta Beach.
• Paddleboarding tours often last between 1 and 1.5 hours.