There are only a few hours left until the most anticipated event of the summer: the solar eclipse. A phenomenon that has been dominating the front pages of national media for weeks and has been the main topic of conversation on every sidewalk café and in every WhatsApp group across the country.
And, although it won’t be visible in its entirety in Barcelona , that doesn’t mean it isn’t a spectacle worth witnessing. In fact, the event is so special that the city won’t experience another eclipse of this kind (with 99.7% of the Sun obscured) for another 154 years, in 2180. Furthermore, that same night will feature another of the summer’s most spectacular astronomical events: the Perseid meteor shower. That’s reason enough for anyone who was hesitating between going out to see it or staying home with the blinds drawn to go out and enjoy one of those once-in-a-lifetime moments.
In the provinces of Tarragona and Lleida—both within the totality path—20 official observation sites have been established. The Montsec Astronomical Park has deployed a large portion of its team of astronomers to three of these sites in the province of Lleida, where visitors can observe the eclipse accompanied by a professional team.
But if you don’t have a car, you’re finishing work late, or you simply don’t want to leave Barcelona, here are some of the best vantage points in the city to watch the eclipse.
Viewing Spots on Montjuïc and the Serra de Collserola
The castle’s orientation and the height of Montjuïc Mountain—more than 170 meters above sea level—make it the top recommended spot to enjoy an eclipse at sunset.
The Castle will open its doors from 7:00 p.m. to 9:30 p.m., but tickets are already sold out, so we recommend heading to the Mirador del Migdia or one of the other highest points on the mountain to enjoy a full panoramic view of the event. It’s a good idea to arrive early, as this is one of the spots expected to draw the largest crowds.
If you’d like to find a spot a bit further from the city center, the Mirador de l’Arrabassada, on the Sant Cugat road, or the summit of Tibidabo promise spectacular views. To get to any of these spots, it’s important to keep two things in mind: the interior of the natural park is closed to the public, so you can only access it via roads, public transportation, or the funicular; and you’ll need to arrive early, especially if you’re driving, as there could be major traffic jams and delays.
Since it won’t be possible to see the Sun from the Tibidabo amusement park at that altitude, the organizers have issued a statement warning people not to go to the park if they want to enjoy the event.
The Glòries Tower and Guinardó Park
Two urban and panoramic viewpoints that many people haven’t considered are the Torre Glòries and the Parc del Guinardó.
The first venue offers a panoramic view from a height of over 125 meters, with tickets available at the regular price (€18). There are still a few tickets left for the eclipse on their website, but capacity is limited to 80 people per session.
The upper area of Guinardó Park, next to the Fuente del Cuento fountain, is another spot offering a view of the eclipse’s peak and spectacular views of the city.
Urban Viewpoints and Terraces
Barcelona has a wide variety of terraces and rooftops from which to view the eclipse above the city’s buildings, complete with music, cocktails, or excellent dining options. Prices vary greatly depending on the type of entertainment offered, the location, and demand, but the vast majority require an admission fee or a minimum purchase.
Some of these venues have organized special events and cocktail hours to mark the eclipse: Dolce Vitae (Passeig de Gràcia, 68), Mandarin Oriental ( Passeig de Gràcia, 38–40), Nobu Hotel (Avenida de Roma, 2–4), Kimpton Vividora (Calle del Duc, 15), ElCielo (Avenida del Litoral, 10), La Isabela restaurant ( La Rambla, 109), ME Barcelona (Calle de Casp, 1), and the Hotel Claris (Calle de Pau Claris, 150) are just a few of the terraces from which to experience this moment. Before planning a visit to any of these places, it’s a good idea to check their availability; at some, admission is on a first-come, first-served basis, but others do require a reservation.
A slightly more premium option—but one that offers a perfect view of the phenomenon—is to watch the eclipse from the sea. This experience isn’t limited to those who own their own boats, as there are companies offering approximately 4-hour boat tours to experience the eclipse from the Mediterranean. Sailwiz, Nautic Ocean, and Creuers Mare Nostrum are just a few of the companies that still have spots available for this activity. Prices may vary depending on the company and the type of vessel, but generally range from 120 to 250 euros per person.
