The 6 Best Rooftop Bars in Barcelona for Drinks With a View

Steeped in sunshine and set between the sparkling Mediterranean and the rolling Sierra de Collserola hills, Barcelona is a breathtakingly beautiful city. And where better to admire its good looks than from one of its many rooftop bars? Each one is an oasis elevated above the bustle and heat of the streets below. The best offer stunning Barcelona skyline views punctuated by iconic landmarks, from the fantastic spires of Gaudí’s Sagrada Família to the shining glass cylinder of the Torre Glòries.
 

Some are designed for adults-only relaxation. Others are more geared to family fun. Some can be found atop attractions ranging from shopping centres to museums. Others are located within hotels – which for residents solves the question of how to get home safely after an afternoon of indulgence. Whatever your ideal rooftop bar looks like, here are some of the best in Barcelona.

For those in search of a rooftop bar near the Sagrada Família, there can be no better choice than Tope. Set atop The Hoxton, a 4-star boutique hotel in the trendy coastal neighbourhood of El Poblenou, the seasonal restaurant and bar is infinitely Instagrammable with its creamy parasols, gauze-draped cabanas and lush palms. The centrepiece is the swimming pool, a fantasy of shimmering aquamarine over retro black-and-white chequered tiles. Lift your gaze from its enticing waters and there, prominent on the skyline, stands Barcelona’s most famous building and the world’s tallest church: the Sagrada Família.

The sight of its crown-like spires rising above the rest of the city is mesmerising at any time of day but especially during golden hour and just after dusk. Come for a pre-siesta cerveza served in a glass glistening with condensation or for margaritas sipped poolside in the afternoon sunshine. Stay to dive deeper into the cocktail menu or sample the delights of the bar’s Mexican taqueria as chilled beats take the atmosphere from daytime relaxation to evening fiesta.

• Avinguda Diagonal, 205, 08018
• Open 11am-11pm Sun-Wed, 11am-1am Thur-Sat
• Walk-ins accepted, loungers and cabanas must be reserved in advance 

Representing the height of sophisticated irreverence, The Lounge at ElCielo Rooftop has a reputation as one of the most stylish sky bars in Barcelona. It sits atop 5-star hotel Sofitel Barcelona Skipper in between Parc de la Ciutadella and Barceloneta Beach.
 

Expect astonishing views of Port Olímpic with its gleaming yachts. Beyond, the impossible blue of the Mediterranean mirrors the deep azure of the pool at the centre of the rooftop bar. The dark wood deck contrasts with cream-coloured armchairs, daybeds and parasols, adding to ElCielo’s impression of being the place to see and be seen in Barceloneta.
 

The restaurant serves locally sourced Catalan tapas and small plates, while the bar offers an eclectic choice of al fresco drinks including classic cocktails, refreshing spritzes and sparkling wines. During the daytime, the space is the exclusive domain of hotel guests. Come 5pm, members of the public are welcome to join in as the mood segues into a sultry party vibe set to the sound of DJs and live music.
 

ElCielo is particularly loved by those in the know for its summertime events. These include Mediterranean barbecues every Wednesday, Spritz O-Clock cocktail hours on Thursdays and Friday fiestas with themes ranging from Tropical to Golden Age.

• Avenue del Litoral, 10, 08005
• Open daily 10am-midnight, with public access from 5pm

Also located in the vibrant, beachfront neighbourhood of Barceloneta, Azul Rooftop Barceloneta restaurant and bar serves discerning customers all year round. It sits at the southern end of the bustling Passeig de Joan Borbó promenade, a unique setting that affords 360-degree views of the sea, the skyscrapers of the city centre and the distant Collserola hills. There are two elements to this spot: an indoor restaurant and cocktail bar, and a panoramic terrace with comfortable seating and plenty of greenery. Glass walls allow for uninterrupted views, while heaters provide respite from plummeting temperatures in winter.

Whenever you visit, a glance at the bar menu reveals an impressive wine list and a variety of classic and more unusual cocktails. Feeling a little peckish? The restaurant specialises in shared plates showcasing fresh Mediterranean ingredients ranging from Iberian ham to locally caught seafood and traditional, Basque-style rib steak. Sunday brunch is a particular highlight here: running from 1pm to 4pm it features buffet-style food stations, live music, a dedicated Petit Brunch space with a play area for children and the option to upgrade to an Open Bar ticket. There’s no charge for kids aged 5 and under.

• Passeig de Joan de Borbó, 101, Planta 8, 08038
• Open 5pm-1am Mon-Fri, 1pm-1am Sat-Sun

While many rooftop terraces in Barcelona are aimed primarily at adults, NOU19 Rooftop is the exception. Firstly, it’s set within Novotel Barcelona City, a hotel with dedicated family rooms and a generous policy that allows up to two kids aged 15 or under to stay and eat breakfast for free. Secondly, it’s uniquely designed with high walls impossible for children to climb over or accidentally fall off, giving parents peace of mind while they relax. The walls, which are also handy for preventing wind chill, don't impede the spectacular 19th-floor views thanks to their floor-to-ceiling windows.

Through these you can admire a reach-out-and-touch-it perspective of Torre Glòries and the rest of the Poblenou and Glòries neighbourhoods. Safety and panoramic views aside, reasons to choose NOU19 Rooftop include a triangular swimming pool with easy stepped access, plenty of sun loungers and a hot tub. The separate bar area offers indoor and outdoor seating for when younger guests need a break from the sun; while the menu caters to grown-ups and kids alike with cocktails, beers, wines, fruit juices and smoothies. Best of all, NOU19 is also known as one of the more affordable rooftop bars in Barcelona.

• Avenida Diagonal, Carrer de la Ciutat de Granada, 201, 08018
• Open daily 10am-midnight
• No reservations needed, walk-ins welcome. Pool and hot tub are exclusively for guest use

The prize for the most uniquely located rooftop restaurant in Barcelona has to go to 11 Nudos. This dining and drinking destination occupies part of the panoramic rooftop of Arenas de Barcelona, a modern shopping and entertainment complex occupying the old bullring at Plaça d'Espanya. Its setting makes it ideal for dinner or an aperitif after an afternoon spent exploring the delights of the Montjuïc neighbourhood and its lush green parks, Olympic architecture and grand historic buildings.
 

The menu at 11 Nudos draws inspiration from the Atlantic Ocean. Line-caught squid, prawn croquettes, tempura langoustine – all of these pair superbly with selections from the bar’s specialty sherry menu or a pitcher of sangria. Cocktails, artisanal beers and a wine list round out the libations on offer. This rooftop bar in Barcelona can be enjoyed all year round, offering you a choice between an indoor dining room and the 300-metre terrace with its canopy of woven greenery.

• Arenas de Barcelona, Gran Via de les Corts Catalanes, 373-385, 08015
• Open daily noon-midnight

Cosmico Rooftop at the exclusive SLS Barcelona resort is known as one of the most stylish cocktail bars in Barcelona. Expect sweeping views of the superyachts in Port Forum with stunning sea and city panoramas beyond. The club itself is effortlessly photogenic, with twin infinity pools, cream-piped maroon umbrellas and in-water loungers for the ultimate relaxation experience.
 

Come for daytime dips and elevated sips, then stay for dancing and drinking into the evening fuelled by an impressive menu of signature cocktails. The cuisine focuses on Japanese sharing plates: think oysters, gyoza and sushi.
 

This rooftop bar in Barcelona is also beloved for its weekend parties. Throughout the summer, join the city’s cool crowd at Tardeos sessions every Friday and Sunday. These laidback early evening gatherings feature the freshest house and Afro-house beats, setting the scene nicely for a night out in the Catalonian capital. On Saturdays, DJs spin the decks at Cosmico Rooftop from 6pm to 11pm.

• Port Forum, Carrer de la Pau, 2, 08930
• Open daily noon-11pm
• Reservations are recommended for Tardeos and DJ sessions 

With so many rooftop bars in Barcelona, there are options for every taste and budget whether you’re looking for a 5-star resort experience or something a little more affordable or family friendly. The vast majority of rooftop bars are located within hotels, but many allow non-guests to visit within certain hours. Often, if a bar has a swimming pool that will be reserved exclusively for guests. Rooftop bars can be found in most areas of the city, with some of the most scenic sunset bars in Barcelona located in beachfront neighbourhoods like Barceloneta and Poblenou.