Bunkers del Carmel

The bunkers were built in 1937 to defend Barcelona against Francoist bombing raids during the Civil War, and their raised concrete platforms above the Carmel neighbourhood now offer one of the widest unobstructed views of the city, from Sagrada Família to the sea. Unlike the polished, ticketed viewpoints elsewhere in Barcelona, this one has an informal, locally-loved character, people bring their own drinks and picnics and gather especially at sunset, which explains both its high trendy score and its strong reviews. There's no entry fee and no set hours, but it does require a genuine uphill walk through residential streets to reach. It rewards travelers willing to leave the main tourist circuit for a more local, unpolished experience.