The Carmel Bunkers in Barcelona became one of the most famous viewpoints in all of Barcelona. Every day, hundreds of people visit the bunkers to have a panoramic view of Barcelona’s coastline, the Sagrada Familia, Montjuic and the port. But there are some things you should know before visiting: For example, how to get to the bunkers del Carmel with public transport, what are the opening hours, and what happens after the bunkers are closed?
That is something we will talk about in this blog post. I have been living in Barcelona for a year and visited the Carmel Bunkers with a friend some days ago. And spoiler alert: In my opinion, this is the most beautiful viewpoint in Barcelona. Panoramic views from the beach, from Montjuic to Mount Tibidabo. Could there be anything more beautiful?
Keep reading to find out how to get to the Bunkers del Carmel and anything else that you need to know.
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Where are the “Bunkers del Carmel” in Barcelona?
The Carmel Bunkers are in the Northern Area of Barcelona. You can find them by searching “Bunkers Carmel” on Google Maps. Sometimes, people also refer to them as “MUHBA Turó de la Rovira”, which is the official name for the monument of the walls of the anti-aircraft fortification.
We also have to mention the “Turó de la Rovira”, which is the hill overlooking Barcelona where the bunkers are located. Sometimes you will see media mentioning it instead of saying “Bunkers del Carmel”
Now let’s talk about how to get to the Carmel Bunkers:
How to get to Bunkers del Carmel in Barcelona: What is the best way?
To answer the question “How to get to Bunkers del Carmel”, you have to understand that the bunkers are a bit further away from the city center of Barcelona. Which means, you will probably not be able to reach them with public transportation.
As a local, I can recommend the following options:
How to get to Bunkers del Carmel with public transport:
1. Take the bus to get to Bunkers del Carmel
Going to Bunkers del Carmel by bus is probably the most convenient option. Here, you can choose from several buses: Bus Number V19, Bus 22 or Bus 24.
Make sure to check Google Maps to see which bus stop is the most suitable for you. Most buses will take you close to the Bunkers, and you will have to walk the remaining 10 minutes up. A single bus ticket in Barcelona costs 2.55€. If you plan to stay in Barcelona for a couple of days and use the public transport system of the city, I recommend getting the HolaBCN card.
My tip: Also, check the app beforehand to see the bus schedules and to see which bus you would like to take back home. That way, you don’t have to wait for such a long time.
2. Take the metro to the Carmel Bunkers
If you want to take the metro to the old bunkers, you have two options:
- The closest Metro stop is “Alfons X”, reachable with the yellow line L4. It is still a good 20-minute walk to the bunkers, so I would recommend taking the V19 bus from the station that will take you closer. Of course, you can walk all the way there, but it does get steep, and you will end up tired!
- You can also take the blue line (L5) to the metro stop “El Carmel”. Then, you still have to walk around 25 minutes, but the walk is not that steep and is easier. A very good option to reach the Carmel Bunkers, too
The closest metro stations are “Alfons X” and “El Carmel”, so you can check them on the app if you need to.
3. Take the cab to Bunkers del Carmel
I am not going to lie: When I went to the Bunkers del Carmel to watch the sunset with my friend, I wanted to take the bus first. But I ended up being late. So I just took a cab instead. The great thing about Barcelona is that you can simply call a cab on the streets. An empty cab is going to show a green light on the roof. Alternatively, you can also use one of the apps available, e.g., Bolt, Uber and Cabify. I have all 3 of them and usually compare to see what the best price option is. But very often I just get a cab in the street if I am in a rush.
If you get a cab to the Bunkers del Carmel and you go from the city center, the trip should not take you longer than 20 minutes and should cost around 15€.
I wrote a complete post about taxis in Barcelona, which you can find here.
4. Go to the “Bunkers del Carmel” by car
Last but not least, you can also visit the Carmel Bunkers by car. There is a car park close to the viewpoint where you can park your car. Then, you only have to walk the way up to the panoramic viewpoint, which takes you less than 5 minutes. Yes, you will have to pay to park your car there.
Last option: Walk all the way to Bunkers del Carmel
Yes, you can walk all the way to the Carmel Bunkers. It is a very scenic walk if you are not in a rush. BUT it is a walk that is 100% UPHILL, and parts of it have a very steep climb. While Barcelona is a very walkable city, I would not recommend it because it is very tiring.
Other blog posts about Barcelona you should check out:
Barcelona bucket list: This Barcelona bucket list includes all the must-see places, travel experiences and most important monuments in Barcelona
Can you drink the tap water in Barcelona: In this blog post, we tell you if you can drink the tap water in Barcelona and where you can get drinkable water during your Barcelona trip
Most beautiful buildings in Barcelona: This blog post talks about the most beautiful monuments and buildings in Barcelona, Gaudí buildings, historical monuments and more!
FAQ: How to get to Bunkers del Carmel in Barcelona & other questions
What are the “Bunkers del Carmel” in Barcelona?
The historic site of the Carmel Bunkers was built during the Spanish Civil War in the 1930s and served as anti-aircraft fortifications. Back then, the bunkers were an anti-aircraft battery, housed guns, and provided shelter for the soldiers. The bunkers were supposed to give shelter in case of aerial attacks which, thank god, never happened. But let’s talk about the history of this place:
Huge cannons were placed at the top of the bunkers to protect Barcelona and its citizens from bombings. Its strategic point and location overlooking the whole city made it the perfect place for that. After the Civil War, those were removed, and the walls of the bunkers are the only things that remain there.
Fast forward to today, the Carmel Bunkers are probably the most popular viewpoint in Barcelona, attracting hundreds of people every single day. And the reason for that is obvious: From there, you have a 360-degree panoramic view of Barcelona. You will see the port of Barcelona, the beach, the Sagrada Familia, the Agbar tower, and even Mount Tibidabo. So make sure to put them on your Barcelona bucket list!
The best views of Barcelona are at the Bunkers del Carmel
Thanks to the 1992 Olympic Games, Barcelona received wide international attention. Tourism has been increasing since the 90s. And once the tourists discovered this gem in Barcelona, more and more people ended up visiting Barcelona’s best viewpoint.
But don’t get me wrong: This is not a hidden gem of Barcelona anymore. You will find many locals and tourists enjoying the views and it does get crowded during the afternoon. But still, I think it is one of the most beautiful viewpoints in Barcelona and totally worth visiting. Over the recent years, it has become a very popular tourist site due to the best panoramic views of Barcelona that we have here.
While you can reach the Bunkers of Carmel with public transport, I would recommend wearing proper shoes (no heels) since you will have to walk a part of the way up. At the top of the viewpoint, the terrain is not great, so make sure to bring comfortable shoes.
Are the Carmel Bunkers worth visiting?
The “Bunkers del Carmel” is one of the most beautiful viewpoints in Barcelona. This is one of the few spots in the city where you can get a 360 view of Barcelona and its surroundings. The best views of Barcelona for sure!
From the top of the hill, you can see the entire city of Barcelona! You will be able to see la Sagrada Familia, Plaça Catalunya, and the Mediterranean Sea, from the beach to the port. So, if you are a photography enthusiast, this is the ideal spot for you to visit in Barcelona.
And not only that, the history of the bunkers goes back to the tumultuous times of the Spanish Civil War in the 1930s.
Can I watch the sunset at Bunkers del Carmel?
As 2025, you can visit the “Bunkers del Carmel” in the afternoon, but the police will ask you to leave BEFORE SUNSET. Please check the opening hours online, as Google does not usually update it:
The opening hours of the Bunkers del Carmel in Barcelona are:
- 9am to 7.30pm during the summer months
- 9am to 5.30pm during the winter months
This means that you will most likely not be able to watch the sunset at the Carmel Bunkers. The police come every day before the closing time and ask visitors to leave. But you can enjoy the surrounding areas and watch the sunset from there.
Why do they do that?
The short answer: Due to the extreme popularity of the site
The long answer: The Carmel Bunkers received a lot of bad publicity over the last years. People used to organise illegal raves, leave trash at the side, play loud music and similar. The locals were fed up, and now the police took their measures.
Can I visit the Bunkers del Carmel in 2025?
Unfortunately, as of 2025, you are not able to watch the sunset at the Bunkers del Carmel, because the police close the area before sunset. During summer, the police come a 7.30 pm and during winter at 5.30 pm. Which means, you will be asked to leave the area right before sunset.
If you are planning to visit the Carmel Bunkers, I recommend going in the early afternoon to make sure you have enough time to enjoy your stay before the closing hours.
Can I buy food and drinks at the Carmel Bunkers?
As of today, there is no supermarket close to the Bunkers, so you will have to bring your own drinks and food. This is something that I highly recommend. Chances are high that you will have to walk a bit, so bringing some water and snacks is a good idea. You don’t want to get hungry while enjoying these stunning views!
Is it true that the Bunkers del Carmel are closed?
The Carmel Bunkers were closed during the pandemic. According to newspaper articles, people organized illegal raves at the site, which annoyed the locals living in the area. In 2025, the Bunkers del Carmel are open again, BUT the area gets closed down by police right before sunset.
So if someone told you, “You can’t go there anymore,” they are probably talking about when the bunkers were closed down during the pandemic. You can still visit the bunkers in Barcelona in the morning and in the afternoon. The best time to visit Barcelona’s bunkers would be in the morning or the early afternoon.
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