The 15 best rooftop bars in Barcelona

As the name suggests, this spot is, well, pretty damn majestic. Here, you're on the tenth floor of the Hotel Majestic, with Barcelona at your feet and views stretching from Tibidabo to Montjuïc, passing by the Torre Glòries, Sagrada Familia, and Casa Batlló. But that's not the only thing that brings us back here again and again. Somehow, La Dolce Vitae never gets too crowded, and the food is spectacular. Think tartare, hamburgers, ceviche, poke and fabulous pasta. Our top tip? Order the blinis with smoked salmon and the octopus with saffron potatoes and Pico de Gallo vinaigrette. Pure magic. 

You might have guessed this, but this bar has 360-degree views over the city. Found on the 11th floor, this is Barca like you've never seen it, with panoramic views at 40 metres high. It's open daily from 12pm to 2am, and the cocktails are really fabulous. The best way to enjoy 360 is on the weekend, when they run a (very reasonably priced) brunch on the rooftop: Head up to the heavens, get tipsy, and perhaps take a nap after. Perfection. 

The Monument Hotel doesn't have its name just for show: it's located in Enric Batlló's house, an architectural gem from the 19th century, that's part of the Golden Square of L'Eixample. Its rooftop Verbana is an intimate and green space with a pool, sofas and a chill out area and an extensive food menu, with some of the best sandwiches you'll ever taste. Its especially famous for the bokata martintxo, a Galician beef steak sandwich with sardine cream and chips, but there's more traditional dishes on offer too, like the oxtail ravioli with foie gras sauce. For a tip, head there at lunchtime on a weekday, where you can get a Michelin-starred lunch for a really reasonable price.

If you like a roof terrace with a bit of history, this is the place. El Palace was inspired by the romantic garden of the palace built by Francesc Cambó, and the paintings of modernist artist Ramon Casas. It's basically a very beautiful rooftop garden, boasting a pool and over fifty plant species, fountains and pergolas, an oasis of peace, and the perfect antidote to that flashy neon ‘luxury’ often associated with rooftop bars. Throughout the week, they put on a fantastic lineup of activities, from outdoor movie nights (with all-you-can-eat popcorn) to yoga, pilates and brunch. Check out their schedule to book online.

From the rooftop of this palace built in 1850, you get a panoramic view of Barcelona's entire coastline. It’s worth making a reservation to enjoy a drink at sunset or have dinner; the city lights and the port gradually illuminate, and the sea turns into a mirror of sparkling reflections. The best part is that the terrace menu at this cosy four-star spot is actually pretty reasonably priced: you can grab a good bottle of wine for €20, and cocktails start at €10. Plus there’s live music at 7pm on Fridays, 5pm on Saturdays, a pool party with a DJ and live music, and a live music brunch on Sundays.

Many of Barcelona's rooftops offer a restricted view of the city's major sights. The terrace at the top of the Grand Hotel Central is a sure way to avoid disappointment: with its seemingly endless pool (for guests only) and impressive views of almost the whole city, it's no surprise that this terrace doesn't stay empty for long. The limited public access adds to the popularity of the venue. They take reservations, and it's well worth booking ahead especially as prices here are relatively cheap... in rooftop terms. If you book in advance for dinner, you don't have to pay a cover charge.

This spot is great in more ways than one. From its reasonable prices (by rooftop bar standards) to its panoramic views of the city, plus live music every Wednesday. But its vibe is what sets it apart. When the place fills up in the evenings or at the weekend, there's a certain zen to the city skyline in the backdrop, an Aperol Spritz in hand, arm at a constant 45-degree angle, and the melody of the DJ's track wafting overhead. If the sun starts to get at you, you can cool off by dipping your feet in the pool. Stay a bit longer and catch an unbeatable sunset view. 

Only a stone's throw away from Barcelona's busiest square, Plaça Catalunya, this urban garden is the perfect place to kick back and relax on a temperature-friendly night. Sip a sweet cocktail while enjoying the tropical paradise around you, and as if that wasn't enough, during The Pulitzer's famous concerts and DJ sets throughout the week, dance the evening away for no extra charge. Whereas the view from this terrace may not be outstanding, the kitchen's crunchy chicken definitely is, so make sure you don't miss out on the culinary delights of Catalan and Spanish cuisine while delighting in this green oasis in the centre of Barcelona.