Barcelona is not the ideal setting to watch Wednesday’s eclipse. Despite this, the public does not want to miss this historic event. These paragraphs are a guide on what one can do, and also what one should not do, to enjoy this phenomenon close to home.
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POSTCARDS FROM MONTJUÏC
The Castell will host the city’s main event
The City Council will set up the main event to watch the eclipse at the Castell de Montjuïc. The anticipation is high. Although those over 16 years old must pay 12 euros, tickets are already sold out. Doors will open at seven in the evening, and people will be able to visit the exhibitions in this facility until eight. Additionally, the City Council will distribute sunglasses. The public will also receive safety advice, as well as a brief scientific explanation to understand what happens during an eclipse. The mountain also offers other privileged spots, such as the Montjuïc or Migdia viewpoints. A special device from the Urban Guard and the Mossos d’Esquadra will try to speed up access.
From the Mediterranean
Cruises, catamarans, and private boats
The sea will be another great viewpoint this Wednesday. Charter companies that usually offer outings to watch the sunset with sailboats, catamarans, or speedboats will turn their products into excursions with certified glasses. The beach is not, but the sea is one of the best places to see this phenomenon. Additionally, several cruise companies designed their voyages thinking of offering their travelers a unique experience. The waters will be very busy. Maritime Rescue reminds private boat owners these days to be extremely cautious, especially when returning to port, when dozens of boats will try to dock at the same time.
At Torre Glòries
A very unique scene next to the Sagrada Família
There are still tickets available to watch this eclipse from the Torre Glòries viewpoint. This building will offer the public a tremendously unique scene of this phenomenon, especially during its final phase, as attendees will be able to follow its progression from 125 meters high, from the 30th floor, with the Sagrada Família basilica in the foreground and the Collserola mountain range as a frame. The facility designed by architect Jean Nouvel only put 80 tickets on sale. Each costs eighteen euros. This is the usual rate to access this building.
Other viewpoints
The summit of Tibidabo and l’Arrabassada
Another privileged spot to watch this phenomenon will be the Tibidabo mountain. It is the highest point of the Collserola mountain range. This summit offers a panoramic view that is hard to match. However, if one chooses this spot, it is most advisable to arrive well in advance and by public transport. If one goes by private vehicle and with less margin, they may find themselves in a traffic jam and miss the spectacle. Also, it is important not to get confused. The Tibidabo amusement park is not a good place to watch the eclipse. The park itself issued a statement to inform about this circumstance. “From this site, the eclipse cannot be seen due to the position of the facility.” However, not far away is a more recommended place these days, the l’Arrabassada viewpoint.
Places to avoid
The Carmel bunkers and Collserola park
The 360-degree panorama over Barcelona offered by the Carmel bunkers makes the Turó de la Rovira viewpoint a very special place to watch the eclipse. However, for years the City Council has greatly restricted the promotion of this spot to alleviate overcrowding. Despite this, the Council will delay the closing time of the site so that those who come do not start looking for other spots nearby and cause more disturbances to residents. The Urban Guard will be very attentive to ensure that the arrival of taxis and VTCs does not clog the access points. The municipal police will also keep an eye on Collserola park. This lung of Barcelona remains closed to stop the swine fever. What happens is that quite a few people lately believe this green area should reopen as soon as possible and return to normal, and also some try to sneak in.
To understand it all
Exhibitions at Cosmocaixa and RACAB
With the aim that the public understands what an eclipse really is, why it happens, and what it entails, Barcelona also offers a good number of cultural activities these days. The premises on the Rambla of the Royal Academy of Sciences and Arts of Barcelona (RACAB) host the exhibition Eclipsis . This exhibition reviews RACAB’s contributions to the study of this phenomenon, on the occasion of the exceptional series of three solar eclipses visible in Spain between 2026 and 2028. Additionally, CosmoCaixa is offering several proposals designed for the whole family, such as the screening of the film Kiru and the Mystery of the Lost Moon or the immersive experience Planetario 3clipse .
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The city’s rooftops
Terraces with views, cocktails, and DJs
Special cocktails for the occasion, small dishes and gastronomic proposals, live music… even individual tarot readings. These are some of the activities prepared on the terraces of Barcelona’s hotels. The success of some of the options to follow the eclipse from one of the city’s rooftops was demonstrated by the quick public response. For example, the spots for ‘The Eclipse Affair’, the author cocktail and lunar ceviche tapa proposal at Casa Fuster, sold out in less than three days. In other establishments, there is no option to reserve and the public will be admitted until capacity is reached, such as at the Nobu Hotel (on Avenida Roma with views over Plaça dels Països Catalans and a maximum capacity of 120), where since yesterday they serve the Solar Eclipse, a mix based on tequila and orange. The afternoon of the eclipse will also feature a live DJ session. No reservation is needed at Kimpton Vividora (on Carrer del Duc, in the Gothic Quarter), where they prepare a special afternoon mixing cocktails (with a special mix for the day) and astrology (with individual tarot readings). Another emblematic terrace, that of the Mandarin Oriental on Passeig de Gràcia, will have a pop-up bar where Silvia Dorniger (one of the owners of Aldea Barcelona, recognized as one of the 50 best bars in Europe) will serve cocktails inspired by the eclipse. Also on Passeig de Gràcia, atop the Majestic, on the Dolce Vitae terrace, there will be a gastronomic combination with a proposal from chef David Romero, author cocktails, and a live DJ session. La Isabela, the terrace of Hotel 1898 (on La Rambla) is another option to follow the eclipse, accompanied by a selection of tapas and the special cocktail of the day. The terraces of Sofitel Barcelona Skipper, Me, Ohla Eixample, or the Claris Hotel will also celebrate the eclipse, and all establishments will have certified glasses available
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