The Best Rooftop Bars in Barcelona
If there’s one thing I never get tired of in Barcelona, it’s a good rooftop.
I’ve lived in Barcelona for years, so I’ve had plenty of time to try different rooftops around the city. And honestly, they all feel completely different. Some are all about the view. Some are better for dinner. Some are perfect for a cocktail at sunset, and some are the kind of place where I could sit on a couch for hours and completely forget that I was supposed to be sightseeing. That’s why I don’t want to give you another list of 20 Barcelona rooftops where every place gets described as “stunning”.
These are the rooftops I’d actually recommend to a friend.
I picked them because each one gives you something different, whether you want to see the Sagrada Família, look over El Born, have dinner somewhere beautiful, spend an afternoon by a rooftop pool or find a spot that feels a little less obvious. So, here are my personal favorite rooftop bars in Barcelona.
The Hoxton, Poblenou
Best for: Sagrada Família views and a different side of Barcelona
The Hoxton is one of my favorite rooftops when I want to get away from the usual Barcelona tourist route for a little while.
It’s in Poblenou, and that already gives the whole experience a different feeling. You’re not surrounded by the busiest streets of the Gothic Quarter or right in the middle of Eixample. Poblenou feels more relaxed, with its creative atmosphere, wider streets and the beach not far away.
And then you look towards the city and see the Sagrada Família. That’s what makes this rooftop special to me.
The Sagrada Família isn’t right in your face. You see it in the distance above the Barcelona rooftops, which I actually really like. It feels like you’re looking at the city rather than sitting directly in front of a tourist attraction. The rooftop is home to Tope, with tacos, aguachile, margaritas and other Mexican-inspired food and drinks. The rooftop itself is open for walk-ins, while the pool is reserved for hotel guests.
The vibe: Relaxed and a little more casual than some of the luxury hotel rooftops in central Barcelona. I’d come here with friends, order a margarita and some food and stay around sunset.
What I love: The location. I love that you get an iconic Barcelona view without being right in the middle of the busiest tourist areas. It also works really well as part of a day in Poblenou. You could explore the neighborhood, head towards the beach and finish the day here.
What I wouldn’t come here for: If your only goal is to get the closest possible view of the Sagrada Família, I’d choose somewhere else. The beauty of The Hoxton is the wider view and the atmosphere around it.
My tip: Go before sunset. The Sagrada Família looks beautiful in the late afternoon light, and staying until the sun goes down gives you a completely different view of Barcelona.
If you’re thinking about staying here during your Barcelona trip, this is one of those hotels where I think the rooftop adds real value to the stay.
CHECK THE HOXTON BARCELONA → HOTEL
And if you’re still deciding where to stay, my Barcelona district guide breaks down the areas I’d choose depending on what kind of trip you want.
READ MY WHERE TO STAY IN BARCELONA GUIDE
The Barcelona EDITION
Best for: El Born views and dinner. The Barcelona EDITION is one of my favorite rooftops when I want to combine a beautiful view with an actual dinner.
The Roof sits on the tenth floor and looks over the rooftops of El Born, with views towards Santa Maria del Mar and the Mediterranean. The space has sofas, armchairs and a small rooftop pool, which gives it more of a relaxed garden feel than a typical cocktail bar.
But what I personally like most is the food. The menu changes, which is something I really appreciate because it makes the experience feel less repetitive. I wouldn’t come here thinking you have to order one specific Instagram dish. I’d look at what they’re serving when you go and make an evening out of it.
The vibe: It feels like somewhere I’d go for a proper evening rather than quickly stopping by for one drink. It’s especially nice around sunset when the old rooftops of El Born start changing color. It’s especially nice around sunset when the old rooftops of El Born start changing color.
What I love: The view over El Born. You’re looking down over the old city, and I love seeing all the different rooftops and historic buildings from above. You’re looking down over the old city, and I love seeing all the different rooftops and historic buildings from above.
My tip: Come around sunset and stay for dinner. The Roof currently operates throughout the year, including its glassed-in area for colder or rainy days.
CHECK THE BARCELONA EDITION → HOTEL
And if you love this part of the city, I’d definitely spend some time exploring El Born before or after. It’s one of my favorite areas to walk around without having a strict plan.
Ohla Rooftop
Best for: A rooftop at night. Ohla is one of the rooftops I’d save for nighttime. Yes, the view is beautiful during the day too, but for me, the whole place changes once the lights come on.
The rooftop has a glass pool framed by Frederic Amat’s sculptures, and at night the illuminated water gives the whole terrace a completely different atmosphere. This is one of those places where I’d rather come after dinner, order a cocktail and stay for a while.
What I love: The pool at night. That’s the thing I remember most. The combination of the illuminated pool, the city lights and the old Barcelona skyline makes this one feel completely different from the daytime rooftop experience.
My tip: Come after sunset. Have dinner somewhere in the Gothic Quarter first, then come here for drinks. The hotel is right in the Gothic Quarter, close to the Cathedral and Palau de la Música.
La Terraza del Central
Best for: Comfortable couches, the pool and El Born views. This is the rooftop I’d choose when I don’t want to rush. La Terraza del Central is one of those places where you sit down and immediately think, okay, I could stay here for a while.
The couches and Balinese beds are a huge part of the experience for me. You’re above the Gothic Quarter, looking over the historic buildings towards El Born and the Mediterranean. The rooftop also has an infinity pool. And the pool is seriously one of the most beautiful rooftop pools in Barcelona. There’s something about sitting up here, looking over the city, while everything below is busy and you’re completely removed from it.
The vibe: Relaxed and a little luxurious without feeling too formal. This is more of a slow afternoon rooftop for me than a quick cocktail stop.
What I love: The couches. I know that sounds like a small thing, but it changes the experience. A lot of rooftops look beautiful but don’t necessarily make you want to stay. Here, I could genuinely spend hours sitting, talking, eating and looking at the city. The view over El Born is another huge plus.
What I wouldn’t come here for: The rooftop pool is for hotel guests, so don’t book this thinking you’re automatically getting a pool day. The hotel currently states that pool access and sunbed reservations are exclusive to hotel guests. If the pool is the main reason you’re coming, I’d stay at Grand Hotel Central.
CHECK GRAND HOTEL CENTRAL → HOTEL
For everyone else, the rooftop restaurant and bar are still open to visitors.
My tip: Make this an afternoon rather than a quick stop. Order something, get comfortable and give yourself time to actually enjoy the rooftop. The restaurant currently serves Mediterranean-inspired dishes and cocktails, with the rooftop open from midday.
Casa Luz
Best for: A beautiful rooftop dinner that feels a little more under the radar. Casa Luz is my kind of Barcelona recommendation. It’s not the first rooftop that comes up when you search for things to do in Barcelona, and that’s part of why I like it.
The rooftop sits on the sixth floor of Hotel Casa Luz, right in the center of Barcelona. The terrace is designed for spending time there throughout the day, from breakfast to drinks and tapas once the sun goes down. But personally, I’d save this one for food.
The vibe: More relaxed and restaurant-like than some of the bigger hotel rooftops. It feels like somewhere you could actually meet someone for dinner rather than somewhere you only visit to take a photo and leave.
What I love: It feels like a find. That’s important to me when recommending Barcelona. There are plenty of places that look amazing online because everyone has posted them a hundred times. Casa Luz doesn’t have that same feeling for me. You can come here for dinner, have a drink, sit on the terrace and enjoy the city without feeling like you’re in the middle of a rooftop attraction.
What I wouldn’t come here for: I wouldn’t put this at the top of your list if your only goal is a dramatic panoramic skyline. I’d come here because I want a good evening with food, drinks and a nice terrace. The restaurant focuses on Mediterranean dishes and local-style tapas.
Sir Victor
Sir Victor is the rooftop I’d choose when I want something easy. There are rooftops where you plan the whole evening around going there. Sir Victor isn’t really that for me. I like it because it feels relaxed. You can come for a drink, order some food, stay for longer than planned and enjoy the view.
The rooftop sits just off Passeig de Gràcia and has views towards landmarks including Casa Milà and the Sagrada Família. The current menu is Mediterranean-inspired, and the rooftop is open for lunch, drinks and dinner.
The vibe: Relaxed, stylish and easy. It works just as well for a casual drink as it does for dinner.
What I love: The food. I like having tapas and sharing a few things while sitting outside. I also like that this is a rooftop I’d happily visit in different seasons. In summer, you get the full open-air Barcelona feeling. In winter, it still makes sense to come here for a drink and something to eat as it gets heated.
What I wouldn’t come here for: If you’re looking for the most dramatic rooftop view in Barcelona, there are others I’d choose first. Sir Victor is more about the combination of food, atmosphere and location for me.
My tip: Combine it with Passeig de Gràcia. Spend the afternoon walking around Casa Batlló, La Pedrera and the shops, then finish with drinks or tapas at Sir Victor.
If you’re looking for a hotel in this area, you could also stay at Sir Victor itself, which gives you the rooftop, spa and a location right next to Passeig de Gràcia.
Terrassa de Vivi
Best for: Barcelona Cathedral views. If you’ve already seen the Sagrada Família from every possible angle, I’d look for a rooftop with a completely different view. For me, that’s Terrassa de Vivi.
The reason I like this one is simple: the Cathedral. You get that beautiful old Barcelona view instead of another rooftop trying to give you the same Sagrada Família photo.
What I love: Especially around sunset, the historic buildings around the Gothic Quarter look completely different from above. It also works perfectly after exploring the old city because you’re already right in the area.
My tip: Go around golden hour and combine it with a Gothic Quarter afternoon. Walk through the old streets, stop for tapas and then head up here for a drink as the light changes.
CHECK TERRASSA DE VIVI → HOTEL
If you want to explore more of the Gothic Quarter, you could also book a walking tour or food experience and finish the afternoon at the rooftop. EXPLORE GOTHIC QUARTER EXPERIENCES
Which Barcelona rooftop should you choose?
I don’t think you need to visit seven rooftops during one Barcelona trip. I’d pick one based on the kind of experience you actually want.
- If you want to see the Sagrada Família from a different part of the city, go to The Hoxton.
- If you want dinner with beautiful views over El Born, choose The Barcelona EDITION.
- If you want to spend a slow afternoon somewhere with comfortable couches and an incredible rooftop pool, go to La Terraza del Central.
- If you want a rooftop and lunch/dinner that feels a little less obvious, try Casa Luz.
- If you want to see Barcelona at night with an illuminated pool, choose Ohla.
- If you want something relaxed with tapas, Sir Victor is my choice.
- And if you want that beautiful historic Barcelona Cathedral view, go to Terrassa de Vivi.
For me, that’s what makes Barcelona rooftops so fun. There isn’t one perfect rooftop. The experience changes depending on where you are in the city, what you’re doing that day and whether you want a quick drink, a long dinner or an entire afternoon of doing nothing. And honestly, some of my favorite Barcelona days have involved exactly that. No strict itinerary. Just exploring the city, finding somewhere pretty to sit and staying until sunset.
