One of my favorite parts of the day is sunset, and when travelling I find it really fun to experience a destination’s unique sunset views.

On my recent visit to Barcelona with my mom, we inadvertently stumbled across a great walking itinerary that takes you past major sights and sweeping views beautifully illuminated by the colors of sunset.

Barcelona Sunset Walk

Barcelona is located on the coast, so it may seem a great place for beachy sunsets. However, the city is located on the Mediterranean Sea facing east, so for the best sunset views you have to head for the hills.

Olympic Park

Start at Olympic Park 45-minutes before sunset. Barcelona hosted the Summer Olympic Games in 1992, and many of the remaining facilities from the games, including the stadium, Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys are located on the hill of Montjuïc.

Walk around the stadium and admire its vast profundity and the Olympic torch.

Next stop is Montjuïc Communications Tower. Built for the Olympic Games, this white tower represents an athlete holding an Olympic torch.

The park around here is a great place to watch the sunset over the city and provides a great backdrop for photos.

Barcelona’s Magic Fountain

As the colors slip out of the sky, walk down the hill past Palau Nacional, a neo-Baroque style building that is home to the Museu Nacional d’Arte de Catalunya (MNAC).

As darkness takes hold, the front of the Palau Nacional is a great spot to begin watching Magic Fountain, a free light and water show that runs nightly. From the Palau Nacional, several tiered terraces complete with fountains of their own lead down to Placa de Carles Buigas, home to the fountains that house the show.

The Magic Fountain operates from 9-11:30 p.m. in summer months and 7-9 p.m. the rest of the year.

The show is certainly not World of Color at Disneyland or the Bellagio Fountains in Vegas, but it is still beautiful and entertaining. Wind down steps to these terraces and take in the views from each platform before taking a seat on the steps near the main fountains.

After you’ve had your fill of the water effects, lights and music, continue walking along Avenida Reina Maria Cristina to Placa d’ Espanya. One of Barcelona’s most important and largest squares.

The Arenas of Barcelona

For uninterrupted views of the city at night head into the Arenas, a shopping center located in a former bullring at the end of Placa d’ Espanya. The complex has a rooftop you can walk (or dine) around. Take a glass elevator to the top for one euro or ride the escalators for free.

Now it’s time to treat yourself to a well-earned drink or cup of gelato – your walk is over.

Have you watched sunset in Barcelona? Do you have any other recommendations for great spots to see the sunset in Barcelona? Leave your recommendation in the comments below!