Barcelona is beautiful for many reasons. And yes, of course, among those reasons are its buildings, the oldest and the most modern ones too…
Today, we want to make a tour of the tallest buildings in the city. And is that, among so much architectural work, it is easy to get lost when identifying those that make up the Barcelona Skyline.
Barcelona’s skyline is a mix of ancient and modern architecture that continues to evolve as the city grows. Among the many buildings that make up this impressive skyline, there are a few that stand out as must-see destinations for anyone visiting or living in the city. From the iconic Sagrada Familia to the imposing Torre W Barcelona, these buildings offer a glimpse into Barcelona’s unique history and modernization. In this article, we will explore the main buildings of Barcelona’s skyline and what makes them so special.
Hotel Arts and Torre Mapfre are twin buildings located near Barcelona’s beach and stand out for their height and modern design. Their joint presence adds a distinctive element to the city skyline. The Mapfre Tower and the Hotel Arts in the Olympic Village, both 154 meters high, were erected during the first urban redevelopment of the city for the 1992 Olympic Games.
Both buildings are 154 meters high.
Mapfre Tower
The Mapfre Tower was designed by architects Iñigo Ortiz and Enrique León. Construction of the tower began in 1989 and was completed in 1992. Like the Hotel Arts, it was built as part of the transformation of the Olympic Village for the Olympic Games.
At 154 meters high and 44 stories, the Mapfre Tower is another of Barcelona’s most recognizable skyscrapers. It houses offices and is the headquarters of Mapfre, one of Spain’s leading insurance companies. Its design includes a glass and steel façade, and its presence next to the Hotel Arts contributes to the modern and dynamic aesthetics of the Olympic Village.
Hotel Arts
The Arts Hotel was designed by American architect Bruce Graham and is part of the Ritz-Carlton luxury hotel complex. Construction began in 1990 and was completed in 1992, just in time for the Olympic Games. The hotel is located on Barcelona’s beach and offers panoramic views of the Mediterranean Sea and the city.
With its 44 floors and 154 meters high, the Hotel Arts is one of the tallest buildings in Barcelona. It has 483 rooms, including 56 suites, as well as restaurants, spa, swimming pools and conference rooms. Since its opening, the hotel has been a place to stay for high-profile visitors and has contributed to Barcelona’s reputation as a luxury destination.
Agbar Tower
The Agbar Tower, officially known as Torre Glòries, is an iconic skyscraper in Barcelona. Here is its history:
The idea to build the Agbar Tower came about in the 1990s when Barcelona’s water company, Aguas de Barcelona (Agbar), decided to relocate its headquarters. The company was looking for a bold, iconic design that would reflect its modern and dynamic image.
The design of the Agbar Tower was commissioned to French architect Jean Nouvel, in collaboration with the architectural firm b720 Fermín Vázquez Arquitectos. The project was presented in 1999 and construction began in 2001.
The tower is located in the technology district @22, on the border between the Sant Martí district and the Poblenou neighborhood. With a height of approximately 144 meters and 38 floors, the Agbar Tower stands out for its cylindrical shape and its exterior facade.
The façade design is one of the most distinctive aspects of the tower. It is composed of thousands of glass panels of different colors and sizes, which can change their appearance depending on the light and perspective. At night, the tower is illuminated with LED lights, creating a luminous effect that makes it a focal point on the Barcelona skyline.
Construction of the Agbar Tower was completed in 2005 and it was officially inaugurated in September of the same year. In addition to housing Agbar’s offices, the building also contains other spaces, such as a convention center and an observation deck on the top floor offering panoramic views of Barcelona.
The Agbar Tower has become an architectural icon of Barcelona and is internationally recognized. Its unique and bold design, combined with its presence in the city’s skyline, has made it a landmark and a prominent tourist attraction.
But the Barcelona skyline is constantly evolving, it is neither fixed nor definitive.
And in this sense, we can talk about the Sagrada Familia; it is estimated that in 2026 the works of Antoni Gaudí’s building will be completed, and among the towers that it will have, some will exceed the height of the Hotel Arts and the Mapfre Tower. And some of the towers of the Sagrada Familia will be more than 172 meters high.
The tallest tower in Barcelona, Montjuïc, is 173 meters high.
The great Gaudi considered it the mountain of God. And the theory goes that this should be the maximum height of the city’s buildings…
Basilica of the Sagrada Familia:
Since December 2021 certainly the skyline of Barcelona has changed thanks to the Star of Mary of the Sagrada Familia.
The Sagrada Familia is one of the main tourist attractions of Barcelona and the Star of Mary has become one of the most recognized elements of this monument. In addition to its aesthetic beauty, the star has a religious significance and is appreciated both for its symbolism and its contribution to the unique architecture of the basilica.
On top of it today there is a star that can be admired from practically the entire city.
Do you want to know more about the star of Mary?
we leave you this article where we explain it all!
National Palace
Located on the mountain of Montjuïc, the Palau Nacional is an imposing building that houses the National Art Museum of Catalonia (MNAC). Its majesty and elevated location make it an integral part of the skyline.
The Palau Nacional de Montjuïc, known in Catalan as Palau Nacional, is an imposing building located on Montjuïc mountain in Barcelona, Spain. Here is its history:
Construction of the National Palace began in 1926 as part of the 1929 Barcelona International Exposition project. The aim of the exhibition was to showcase Barcelona’s economic and cultural progress to the world.
The architect Eugenio Cendoya and the engineer Pere Domènech i Roura were in charge of the design of the National Palace. The building was constructed in a neo-baroque style with Renaissance influences and boasts an impressive façade and a privileged location at the top of Montjuïc mountain.
However, the construction of the National Palace was not completed in time for the 1929 exhibition, leaving it unfinished. During the following years, the building fell into disuse and was damaged during the Spanish Civil War in the 1930s.
After the war, the National Palace was restored and became home to the National Art Museum of Catalonia (MNAC), which opened in 1934. The MNAC exhibits an extensive collection of Catalan art from the Middle Ages to the 20th century, including paintings, sculptures, Romanesque, Gothic and Renaissance art, as well as modernist and contemporary art.
The National Palace is an important landmark of the city of Barcelona and has witnessed numerous historical and cultural events over the years. Its majestic architecture and elevated location make it an integral part of Barcelona’s urban image.
Today, the National Palace and the National Art Museum of Catalonia remain a popular tourist attraction and a prominent place to enjoy breathtaking panoramic views of the city from its terrace.
In conclusion, Barcelona’s skyline is a fascinating mix of old and new, with landmarks such as the Sagrada Familia and the Olympic Ring. The city’s modernization plan has resulted in the construction of impressive skyscrapers, such as the striking Torre W Barcelona. Visitors can enjoy a full view of the city’s skyline from several points, and the Museu Blau del Parc del Forum offers a unique perspective with its impressive whale skeleton. With its constantly changing skyline and the availability of archival photos, Barcelona is truly a city that captures the imagination and offers endless opportunities for exploration and discovery.
Collserola Tower
This Norman Foster-designed communications tower is located in the Collserola mountain range on the outskirts of the city. Its futuristic design and hilltop location make it a prominent feature of the Barcelona skyline.
Construction of the Collserola Tower began in 1989 and was completed in 1992, on the occasion of the Barcelona Olympic Games. It was designed by British architect Sir Norman Foster and Spanish engineer Julio Martínez Calzón.
The tower was erected to improve the telecommunications infrastructure in Barcelona and to provide broadcasting and telecommunications services for the city and its surroundings. In addition, its distinctive architectural design was conceived to become an iconic landmark and tourist attraction.
The Collserola Tower is approximately 288 meters high and is constructed mainly of concrete and steel. It consists of a truncated cone structure with an observation deck at the top, offering panoramic views of Barcelona and its surroundings.
The tower’s design is innovative and futuristic, with a combination of geometric shapes and technological elements. It stands out for its elegant steel lattice structure and its bright white color, which gives it a distinctive appearance in the Collserola landscape.
In addition to its primary function as a telecommunications tower, the Collserola Tower houses a public observation deck at the top, as well as a revolving restaurant that offers a unique culinary experience while diners enjoy the constantly changing panoramic views.
The Collserola Tower has become an iconic symbol of Barcelona and one of the city’s most recognizable landmarks. In addition to its essential technological function, its unique architectural design and location in the Collserola mountain range have made it a popular tourist attraction and an integral part of Barcelona’s urban image.
Expiatory Temple of the Sacred Heart of Jesus in Barcelona.
It is another element that stands out in the skyline of Barcelona.
The Expiatory Temple of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, commonly known as the Tibidabo Temple, is an imposing Catholic temple located at the top of Mount Tibidabo in Barcelona, Spain. Here is its history:
Construction of the Tibidabo Temple began in 1902 and was undertaken by Spanish architect Enric Sagnier i Villavecchia. The temple was conceived as an act of atonement and devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus after the loss of the Spanish colonies in America in the late 19th century.
The architectural design of the temple combines several styles, including neo-Gothic and Catalan modernism. It is characterized by its impressive facade and its location at the top of Mount Tibidabo, which gives it a prominent position in the Barcelona landscape.
The construction of the temple was prolonged for many years due to different difficulties, such as lack of funding and the interruption caused by the Spanish Civil War in the 1930s. It was not until 1961 that the construction of the temple was completed and it was consecrated.
The Tibidabo Temple consists of three levels. On the lower level is a crypt dedicated to worship and contemplation, while on the middle level is the main church with a large central nave and several side chapels. At the top, there is an impressive statue of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, which rises to a height of 7.5 meters.
The temple offers spectacular panoramic views of Barcelona from its elevated location on Mount Tibidabo. In addition to its religious aspect, it has become a popular tourist attraction and an emblematic symbol of the city.
Today, the Tibidabo Temple is a place of worship, but it also houses a museum that shows the history and construction process of the temple. Visitors can climb to the top of Mount Tibidabo to enjoy the views and explore the temple and its surroundings.
Diagonal Telephone Tower
The list of emblematic buildings that help create the Barcelona Skyline could not miss the Torre Telefónica Diagonal.
The construction of the Telefonica Diagonal Tower began in 2004 and was completed in 2011. It was designed by Japanese architect Toyo Ito, in collaboration with the architecture firm b720 Fermín Vázquez Arquitectos. The building was constructed to house the offices and telecommunications services of Telefónica, one of Spain’s leading telecommunications companies.
The Torre Telefónica Diagonal is approximately 110 meters high and has 23 floors. Its architectural design is futuristic and distinctive, with an exterior glass structure that resembles a series of interlocking cylinders or tubes in a spiral shape. This unique shape has earned it the nickname “The Spiral.”
The tower was conceived to meet high standards of sustainability and energy efficiency. It has efficient lighting and air conditioning systems, as well as solar panels on its façade, which help reduce energy consumption.
In addition to its function as Telefónica’s headquarters, the Telefónica Diagonal Tower also houses other spaces, such as an auditorium, an exhibition hall and areas for events and conferences. The top floor of the building offers a terrace with panoramic views of Barcelona.
The Telefónica Diagonal Tower has become an architectural landmark in Barcelona and is recognized for its innovative design and distinctive presence in the city skyline. In addition to its contribution to the urban environment, the tower has received recognition for its sustainable and technological aspects.
[Article updated in May 2023 ]
