Are you visiting Spain and looking for the best rooftop pools in Barcelona? Well, you’ve come to the right place!
Located in the south of Europe, in the Spanish region of Catalonia, Barcelona is hardly a hidden gem. It is one of the most popular cities to visit in Spain, well known for its lively nightlife, stunning architecture, vibrant culture, and long, sandy beaches.
While the busy atmosphere of Barcelona certainly adds to its appeal, it can be hard to get away from the crowds of people swarming the streets and beaches of Barcelona.
Still, there is a way. It is possible to enjoy sunny Barcelona days, sip on cocktails, and swim away from the crowds. Tall Barcelona buildings hide an elevated experience you should add to your Barcelona itinerary – swimming in spectacular rooftop pools.
If you are ready to discover Barcelona from a different perspective, here is our selection of the 9 best rooftop pools in Barcelona!
Note: This post is part of our “Guest Posts” series, in which travelers present amazing places around the world. The following article is written by Louis.
Overview of the Best Rooftop Pools in Barcelona
I know you can already imagine yourself swimming, sipping cocktails, and gazing at the Barcelona skyline from a sky-high rooftop pool. However, you need to be aware that most of Barcelona’s rooftop pools are in upscale hotels and are open only to guests at the hotel.
In this article, I will include some rooftop pools in Barcelona with public access, but you should consider staying in one of the hotels mentioned for the best experience.
- Renaissance Barcelona Fira Hotel
- Ohla Barcelona Hotel
- Mandarin Oriental, Barcelona Hotel
- Iberostar Selection Paseo de Gracia Hotel
- Hotel Arts Barcelona
- W Barcelona Hotel
- Hotel 1898
- Grand Hotel Central
- Piscines Municipals de Montjuïc
BARCELONA INFOBOX
Where to stay in Barcelona: Hotel Santa Marta (Great hotel in the center near attractions & beach) or W Barcelona (Luxury option directly at the beach)
The most popular activities & tours in Barcelona
Sagrada Familia Ticket – Skip the Line
Camp Nou – Barça Museum und Tour
Barcelona Card – More than 25 Attractions
Getting there: Make sure to check for the best flight deals on Flight comparison-Sites like Skyscanner
Transport: T-Casual Ticket (10-trips-Ticket) or Hola BCN Day Ticket
Want to rent a car? You can find great deals on RentalCars. It gets cheaper from El Prat Airport.
Barcelona Must-Have: Practical Spanish Travel Dictionary or Catalan Travel Dictionary and Barcelona-Guide
Renaissance Barcelona Fira Hotel
Renaissance Barcelona Fira Hotel has one of Barcelona’s most stunning rooftop pools. This panoramic pool, surrounded by palm trees, will make you feel like you have walked into a tropical oasis.
There is plenty of space around the pool, without any feeling of claustrophobia, thanks to the hotel being one of the tallest buildings in the area. You will feel like flying as you swim in crystal clear water, overlooking the rooftops of Barcelona.
There is a bar and a fine-dining, panoramic restaurant on site. You will notice the unique, tropical style all around the hotel as you can walk through the palm tree path on your way to the pool.
The hotel is located in Plaza Europa Square. Metro station Europa-Fira is just a quick walk from the hotel, so it is easy to reach by public transport.
Check the rates and availability at Renaissance Barcelona Fira Hotel
Ohla Barcelona Hotel
Ohla Barcelona is a boutique hotel located in the heart of Barcelona’s historic center. It is a hidden oasis away from the crowds while still surrounded by some of the city’s most popular sightseeing and shopping areas.
The rooftop pool of Ohla Barcelona offers a stunning, panoramic view of the historic center of Barcelona. You can soak in the sun while admiring Plaça de Catalunya and Barcelona Cathedral.
If you are in the mood for a drink, there is a rooftop bar serving cocktails next to the pool. The hotel has 3 different restaurants on-site offering traditional Catalan cuisine and tapas if you want a quick local snack.
Ohla Barcelona is located in the city center, and you can easily reach it by public transport as Urquinaona Metro Station is only 200 m away.
Check the rates and availability at Ohla Barcelona Hotel
Mandarin Oriental, Barcelona Hotel
Mandarin Oriental hotel has one of the most luxurious rooftop pools in Barcelona. The rooftop pool, lined with greenery for privacy, provides a calming oasis away from the noise and traffic of the bustling city.
You can enjoy a refreshing drink or Spanish coffee from the poolside cocktail bar and a light Peruvian or Mediterranean meal.
The rooftop pool is open only to guests at the hotel during the day, but after 5 pm, everybody can come to enjoy a drink and the sunset view at the bar.
For complete relaxation, there is a rooftop yoga class next to the pool on Sunday mornings.
You can easily reach Mandarin Oriental by public transport, as it is right next to the Passeig de Gràcia metro station.
Check the rates and availability at Mandarin Oriental, Barcelona Hotel
Iberostar Selection Paseo de Gracia Hotel
This hotel with a rooftop pool is ideally located, right in the city center of Barcelona, on Plaça Catalunya Square.
The rooftop pool of Iberostar Selection Paseo de Gracia Hotel overlooks the fountains of Plaça Catalunya Square and offers a breathtaking sunset view. Soak in the sun on their elegant poolside terrace or swim in the pool, taking in the Barcelona atmosphere.
You can get a cocktail at the rooftop bar next to the pool. If you get so comfortable that you don’t want to leave, there is also a restaurant on-site.
The hotel is located in the city center and is easily accessible by public transport, with Urquinaona and Universitat metro stations nearby.
Check the rates and availability at Iberostar Selection Paseo de Gracia Hotel
Hotel Arts Barcelona
The luxurious Hotel Arts Barcelona, located next to the Barceloneta beach, has one of the best rooftop pools in the city, thanks to its stunning sunset view.
This rooftop pool is lined with palm trees for an authentic tropical atmosphere, and it overlooks the modern golden fish sculpture built for the 1992 Barcelona Olympics.
The sunsets from the rooftop pool of Hotel Arts are incredible, with an unobstructed view of the open sea.
The poolside bars offer a wide range of drinks and light meals to enjoy. There are a couple of restaurants in the hotel, including a 2 Michelin stars restaurant serving fine Mediterranean cuisine.
The best way to reach Hotel Arts is by Metro line 4. The metro station Ciutadella I Vila Olímpica is just next to the hotel.
Check the rates and availability at Hotel Arts Barcelona
W Barcelona Hotel
Another hotel on the Barceloneta boardwalk, W Barcelona Hotel, is one of the most iconic buildings in Barcelona. This upscale hotel at the beginning of the boardwalk captivates the attention of everyone who visits Barcelona with its unique sail shape.
The rooftop pool in W Barcelona Hotel is out of this world. The infinity pool, shaded by palm trees, overlooks the Barceloneta beach and the Mediterranean sea.
While this beautifully maintained pool is generally only available to the guests at the hotel, on the weekends during the summer, you can get a ticket to the Wet Deck Barcelona poolside party with DJs for day and night pool parties.
The W Hotel is a 20-minute walk from Barceloneta Metro Station, and there is a bus stop outside the hotel.
Check the rates and availability at W Barcelona Hotel
Hotel 1898
The rooftop pool in Hotel 1898 offers some of the best views of Barcelona’s landmarks. Located inside a colonial-style building with unique architectural and historical heritage and Specialty Monument status, it is a landmark in itself!
This rooftop pool is perfect for relaxation, soaking in the sun, and admiring the sunset over Barcelona Cathedral. It is an upscale and quiet pool where you can truly recharge.
There is a cocktail bar on the terrace next to the pool, so you can refresh yourself with a delicious drink or traditional Spanish tapas.
As Hotel 1898 is situated on the most popular street in Barcelona – La Rambla, it is easy to reach by public transport. The closest metro station is Liceu.
Check the rates and availability at Hotel 1898
Grand Hotel Central
If you are looking for a rooftop pool with the most impressive sunset view in the city center of Barcelona, Grand Hotel Central is where you will find it. This infinity pool will make you feel like you’re floating among the rooftops as you observe Barcelona landmarks around you.
You can spend the whole day at this incredible pool, sipping cocktails from the rooftop cocktail bar, or enjoying an innovative Catalan-style dinner with a panoramic view in one of the restaurants in the hotel.
Grand Hotel Central is located in the charming Gothic Quarter. It is easily accessible by public transport, just a short walk from Jaume I metro station.
Check the rates and availability at Grand Hotel Central
Piscines Municipals de Montjuïc – rooftop pool in Barcelona with public access
Finally, the Municipal pool of Montjuïc might feel like cheating when you see it on this list, as it is not a rooftop pool in the strict sense of the term. However, this public pool, located at the top of Montjuïc hill, offers a breathtaking view of the city.
Montjuïc pool doesn’t have an upscale rooftop atmosphere, as the others on this list do. The facilities are pretty basic. You can rent a sunlounger or just bring your towel and lay out in the sun.
This Barcelona rooftop pool is open to the public from July to September, and the entry fee is around €6.50 per person. Well worth it for the view you get!
The best way to reach the Montjuïc pool is to take a metro L2 or L3 to Paral·lel station and then a Funicular de Montjuïc to the top of the hill. You could also walk 15 minutes uphill if you are in the mood!
Final thoughts on the best rooftop pools in Barcelona
Owning and maintaining a pool yourself is a real pain. Why not leave the hard work to the professionals, and try out one of these amazing Barcelona rooftop pools on your next Spanish getaway?
You will love the lively atmosphere of Barcelona and the opportunity to find a relaxing oasis in one of these pools away from the crowds.
Make sure to add a rooftop pool day to your Barcelona itinerary and discover a different perspective of this vibrant city!
