Considering the balmy Mediterranean climate that bathes Barcelona in sunshine year round, it took a while for hotels to wise up to the potential of their rooftops. Only 15 years ago it was almost impossible to find a rooftop pool in Barcelona, but nowadays there are hotels in every price category with plunge pools, loungers and superb views across the city and out to sea. There is even a 'Hotel Terrace Week', usually in June, when the best of these open to the public. Bars of course feature highly on the holiday agenda; it's hard to find a more soothing antidote to a day spent parading the streets than kicking back with a fancy drink as the sun sets over the spires and rooftops of this enchanting city. Here's our pick the best hotels with rooftop bars in Barcelona, featuring the top spots for imaginative cocktails, astonishing views, infinity pools, lovely gardens, Michelin-starred restaurants, live music and barbecue nights.
A luxuriously appointed hotel located in a former bank amid the glorious Modernista facades of Passeig de Gràcia. With opulence and chic at its very core, apparent from the moment you cross the raised walkway into the lobby, this is not a hotel for the faint-hearted, but neither is it stuffy. Guests can relax in the lovely Mimosa garden area on the first floor, or up on the rooftop, with its panoramic views, where they can work up an appetite in the pool before relaxing over a Peruvian-inspired lunch at restaurant and bar Terrat. Read expert review From £ 571• The best luxury hotels in Barcelona
Sunny, friendly and supremely comfortable, The Serras is one of a new breed of stylish and unstuffy five-stars changing the face of the Barcelona hotel scene. From the moment you check in (seated, and with a welcome tray upon which sits warm flannels, water, chocolates, cava, coffee or orange juice), courteous and friendly staff cannot do enough. Its decked hotel bar with rooftop pool and restaurant (serving ceviche and salads), with views across the port, is worth a visit even for non-guests. The pool is not big enough to swim in, but is a glorious place to cool down while looking over the yachts bobbing in the harbour. Read expert review From £ 267• The best budget hotels in Barcelona
One of the loveliest hotels in its price range, the Villa Emilia is not especially central, but conveniently close to various forms of public transport. It offers a characterful blend of modern design and antique furniture and artworks, with a secluded, leafy rooftop terrace and bar. In the summer months it can get quite lively upstairs, as can the downstairs piano bar. On Thursday nights there’s a barbecue on the roof, while off the lobby is the Zinc Bar, which serves Mediterranean dishes and tapas, and has a piano player on busy nights. Complimentary afternoon tea is served on the mezzanine everyday at 5pm. Read expert review From £ 94• The most romantic hotels in Barcelona
The fairly unique style of the Claris is defined by an eclectic approach to design and, above all, the precious artworks, archaeological finds and ancient rugs found in each room and the common areas. Owner Jordi Clos is a well-known Egyptologist and aficionado of pre-Columbian art, and a part of his collection forms a small museum. On the first floor, dim sum restaurant Mr Kao is a stylish, Shanghai-inspired affair with the finest steamed buns in town, while the action moves upstairs to the exceptional rooftop restaurant in spring and summer. Don’t miss the luxurious 'Big Breakfast' which is served on the roof in good weather and includes oysters and champagne. Read expert review From £ 156A modern five-star hotel within a stone’s throw of most of the attractions of the Old City. Built in 1926 and inspired by the Chicago school, this was once a family home and is still owned by the grandson of the original owner, and exudes Art Deco grandeur from its elegant façade to its stylish fonts. Renowned for its stunning rooftop infinity pool, it has a clutch of other facilities that do it proud, and a tasteful – if sombre – design. The rooftop Skybar is open from April to October, and is a great place for a Martini-with-a-view (particularly if you fancy a dip in the pool). Read expert review From £ 272• The best restaurants in Barcelona
Exuding a vibrant cool, this is where the party people stay, which is not to say that you could not have a perfectly peaceful time. The plush, airy lobby sets the tone with its white leather sofas and zebra print rugs, and the funky design ethic continues all the way to the rooftop cocktail bar, which buzzes in the warmer months – not only with guests but also savvy locals. Breakfast can also be enjoyed on the roof at Café del Marvibe where you’ll find a continental buffet plus the likes of eggs and chorizo cooked to order. Read expert review From £ 106• The best Barcelona hotels near La Rambla
Sandwiched between a pedestrianised medieval street and the port, the Duquesa is well positioned for beach lovers as well as sightseers. The hotel was famously the city’s last bastion of chintz, but recent refits have updated its look, while retaining its classical lines and old-world feel. The crowning glory of the hotel is the rooftop terrace, with its navy blue-tiled plunge pools, cocktail bar and restaurant overlooking the yachts of the Port Vell. Extras such as complimentary snacks, are typical of a much more expensive hotel, as is the design of the rooms and the level of service. Read expert review From £ 112• The best hotels in Barcelona city centre
Dazzling opulence greets you from around every corner, and the legacy of a previous incarnation as a Ritz is still evident in the thick swirly carpets and luxurious drapes, gathered up with silk ropes. On the roof there’s a 14-metre swimming pool along with the Winter Garden bar. The pride of the hotel is the Caelis restaurant, whose chef Romain Fornell won his first Michelin star aged 24. The 19 brasserie is open for more casual hotel-type fare and tapas, as is the Winter Garden. Both function as a bar, or there is the wonderfully cosy Bluesman bar downstairs. Read expert review From £ 272• The best Barcelona hotels with pools
Dominique Perrault’s soaring building resides in Poblenou, an area long touted as Barcelona’s answer to New York's Meatpacking District, and comprises a four-star and a five-star hotel. Facilities, which are available to all guests, span a sauna, Turkish bath, whirlpool tub and a good-sized swimming pool with plenty of day beds. But the Sky’s crowning glory is the Michelin-starred Dos Cielos restaurant, perched on the 24th floor, with food that threatens to outmatch the views. This floor is also home to the Terrace, an alfresco bar with yet more incredible views. Meanwhile, the plain rooms are thankfully enlivened by floor-to-ceiling windows. Read expert review From £ 112• The best honeymoon hotels in Barcelona
Featuring moody urban interiors speckled with clever vintage flair, this boutique 56-room hotel feels more like home. Comfy furnishings, slick terrace spaces, tasty treats and exceptional extras all conspire to keep guests lingering despite a close proximity to the buzzy Born district. The cosy rooftop terrace provides 360-degree city views and divides into two urban spaces; a guests-only sundeck and pool lounge area and the urban-hip Lolea Bar boasting cushy sofas, high-top bar stools and chill-out tunes. Rooms are stylishly simple and feature ultra-comfort beds, grey-hued walls, aged-wood flooring, vintage-feel décor and brass light fixtures. Read expert review From £ 90• The best boutique hotels in Barcelona
A swish, contemporary five-star hotel located right in the heart of Barcelona, on one of its most elegant streets. It offers a friendly and laid-back vibe, as well as a gorgeous panoramic view from its rooftop pool and romantic olive tree-studded terrace. From up here you can even see as far as the grand Plaça d’Espanya. The stand-out dining establishment is the Eleven BCN Bar & Terrace, also located on the rooftop, which has both indoor and outdoor seating and offers everything from craft beer to gourmet tapas and innovative cocktails to rival any of the city’s top bars. Read expert review From £ 144• The best five-star hotels in Barcelona
Situated on La Rambla, this hotel is nothing if not central. Although it is part of the Núñez i Navarro Hotels chain, the 1898 feels delightfully original, blending grand architectural features with quirky, colourful decor and a handsome colonial feel. In the summer months, the roof is the place to be, with a wonderful alfresco bar, plenty of sofas and a pool that is small but swimmable. For the colder seasons there is an indoor pool, and there is also a spa and a very well-equipped gym. In the evening they show classic movies in the lobby or on the roof when the weather allows. Read expert review From £ 124Contributions by Jessica Benavides Canepa & Esme Fox
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