Years ago, when I was hitchhiking in the foothills of Mount Tibidabo…
Many of us who spent our youthful years watching episodes of Friends will be familiar with Joey’s famous chat up line, but many people don’t realise that Mount Tibidabo in Barcelona is actually a real place. It’s not a mountain in the sense that Mount Everest is, but is one of the hills that form the Serra de Collserola mountain range in Catalonia, Spain.
In fact, Tibidabo is really easy to reach from Barcelona city centre and this guide will help you find out how to get there, what there is to do at Tibidabo and whether it’s worth the effort to get there.
Where is Tibidabo?
Sitting at 512m, Tibidabo is the tallest hill in the Serra de Collserola range. It can be seen from many places in Barcelona city centre, and sits right next to the city.
Top things to do at Tibidabo
It’s a small area at the top of Tibidabo in Barcelona, but don’t let that make you think there’s nothing to do there. The top things you can do at Tibidabo are:
Have fun at Tibidabo Amusement Park. Did you know Barcelona has a compact and quirky amusement park tucked away in the hills? It’s been operating since 1905 and is Spain’s longest running theme park.
Visit the Temple of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. From the outside, Sagrat Cor is visually stunning. Inside, you’ll find a compact, modest church that isn’t anything that would really make it a destination church. The real draw behind this church is the viewing platform.
There’s a lift most of the way, and stairs to the higher viewing platform, but the views here are really one of the best in Barcelona. On a clear day you can see for miles over the sprawling city and the bordering mountain range.
Soak up the best panoramic view of Barcelona. The viewing deck at Tibidabo offers panoramic views of Barcelona. It’s not quite as high as those from the top of the church at Tibidabo, so it might be better for those people who don’t love heights, but also it gives a different kind of view of the city than from the church. Plus, it’s free to check out the Tibidabo viewpoint, so you’ve got nothing to lose.
Visit Collserola Tower. Visible from a lot of Barcelona city centre, the tower was built in 1992 for the summer Olympics held in Barcelona. It’s primarily a communications tower, hence the height and location, but you can also visit the viewing deck for yet another chance at stunning panoramic views of Barcelona.
How long do you need at Tibidabo
The length of time you need to visit will vary depending on why you’re visiting. If the theme park is calling your name, you could easily spend a whole afternoon here, but note the theme park isn’t huge like nearby Port Aventura.
If you’re visiting Tibidabo to take in the stunning views and visit the church, you’ll just need an hour or two once you arrive at the top of the funicular. This is plenty of time to have a look around, check out the panoramic view from the Sky Walk and visit the church too. You can get even higher views of Barcelona and the surrounding natural park of Parc Natural de la Serra de Collserola from the top of the church at Tibidabo…definitely worth the climb!
How to get to Tibidabo from Barcelona
Tibidabo is easily accessible from the centre of Barcelona, and one of the most convenient ways to reach Tibidabo is by taking a combination of public transport options:
Metro and Bus: Start the journey by taking the L7 line of the Barcelona Metro to Avenida Tibidabo station. From there, hop onto the bus (line 196) to the base of Tibidabo, or walk up the hill if you’re ready to brave the incline.
Funicular: To ascend the mountain and reach Tibidabo Amusement park, jump on the Tibidabo Funicular at the tram’s final stop. The funicular ride itself is an experience, offering breathtaking glimpses of Barcelona as you climb towards the summit.
If you don’t fancy tackling the public transport route, you can opt for a taxi or ride-sharing service for a more direct and flexible journey. This is a convenient option if you’re traveling with family or prefer a quicker route to the top.
What else to do in the area
Hikers will rejoice because this is a popular area to get out and get your step count up in nature. There are a huge number of trails to check out in Parc Natural de la Serra de Collserola. In fact, pretty much the only other thing to do near Tibidabo is nature related unless you head back down the hill to Barcelona.
Near the funicular station at the bottom of Tibidabo, there’s a restaurant with a gorgeous view of Barcelona. It’s not in the main tourist area so you’d have to know it to go there, but Mirablau has seats lining along the window so you can enjoy a meal with a view. They’ll be reluctant to give you a window seat if you’re not eating there, but the view and pitstop on the way to Tibidabo is worth it anyway.
Where to stay when visiting Tibidabo
Tibidabo is an easy day trip from Barcelona, so to make the most of your time it would be recommended to stay somewhere central in the city. For easy access from Barcelona city centre to Tibidabo, and a central location in the city, stay somewhere close to Placa Catalunya, or with easy connections to there.
If you’re looking to stay outside of Barcelona city centre, somewhere a little more rural with stunning views and less of the hustle and bustle of city life, there are a few accommodation options in the area of Tibidabo. One of the breathtaking options in the hills that is quite a way out of the city is Gran Hotel La Florida G.L Monumento. If you’d prefer something a touch more affordable, with more neighbourhood vibes but still easy access to Tibidabo, check out the Sant Gervasi-la Bonanova or Gracia neighbourhoods.
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