Mount Tibidabo
If you want to climb Tibidabo, one of Barcelona’s iconic mountains, you will find a variety of services and attractions. The magic mountain, commonly referred to as Tibidabo mountain or Mount Tibidabo, is situated in Collserola Natural Park near Barcelona. Along with Montjuc, it forms one of the two mountains that define Barcelona’s skyline, but Tibidabo, at 515 meters high, is by far the city’s highest point.
There is an amusement park at the top of the mountain, where you can enjoy various attractions, including a roller coaster, a Ferris wheel, a dream house and a puppet theater.
There is also a panoramic view of Barcelona from the top of the mountain, from where you can see the sea, the mountains and the buildings of the city.
To get to Tibidabo, you can take the Tramvia Blau, a line from 1901 that will drop you at the foot of the Funicular, built at the time to reach the Tibidabo Amusement Park. I will explain all the options to get there later.
What does Tibidabo have
- Spectacular views of the city: Tibidabo is the highest point in the city and from there you can enjoy spectacular views of Barcelona and its surroundings. It is an ideal place to take panoramic photos and capture the city from a different point of view.
- Attractions and entertainment: Tibidabo is known for its attractions and entertainment. You will find attractions for all ages, from the most exciting to the most gentle. There are also shows, games, restaurants and other activities.
- Impressive Architecture: One of the most amazing things about Tibidabo is its impressive architecture, which includes the Expiatory Temple of the Sacred Heart, an impressive church with a lovely view of the city.
- Easy access: To get to Tibidabo, you can take the Vallvidrera funicular or bus 196 from Plaça Catalunya. You can also arrive by car, although you should bear in mind that parking may be limited.
- Opening hours and visiting time: Opening hours vary depending on the season, but generally the park is open during the day and well into the night. Visiting time depends on what you want to do and see, but you can spend anywhere from a few hours to the whole day at Tibidabo.
- Services and facilities: El Tibidabo offers a wide range of services and facilities, including restaurants, gift shops, stroller rentals and other services for families with children.
What sights are there on Mount Tibidabo?
At Tibidabo Mountain, there are a variety of interesting locations to visit. The two most well-known attractions are the theme park and the Tibidabo temple, but you can also visit the Torre de Collserola, a communications tower designed by Norman Foster, and the Fabra Observatory, an extraordinary astronomical observatory at 415 meters above sea level.
A brief history of the mountain Tibidabo
A tiny neo-gothic chapel was constructed on Tibidabo in 1886, but it wasn’t until the establishment of El Tibidabo Public Limited Company in 1889—supported by real estate developer Salvador Andreu I Grau—that the mountain’s land started to be developed. The road, an amusement park, a funicular, and a tram were built initially, making it simple and quick to reach the mountain’s summit.
Why is Tibidabo called that?
Although the name Tibidabo’s origin is not totally established, numerous sources suggest that it is related to the Latin «Tibi dabo,»
It means «I will provide to you». These words are recorded in passages in the Latin Vulgate Bible and was said to Jesus by the devil whilst they looked out over the earth as a representation of everything he could offer him.
Locals were now able to visit the remote Mount Tibidabo because to the park’s enormous popularity and newly constructed transit lines. The lower portion of the mountain was gradually built in accordance with the Tibidabo Public Limited Company’s plans, and the neighborhood sprang to life.
Tibidabo viewpoints
The bottom portion of Tibidabo Mountain as well as the entire city of Barcelona are visible from many points around the mountain. But, there are two spots at Tibidabo that offer the most breathtaking views. A panoramic view of the entire city can be seen from the Temple of the Sacred Heart of Jesus’ (Temple Expiatori del Sagrat Cord de Jess) highest point, which is also the highest point of the mountain.
And the observation deck at the Collserola Tower, which is reachable by elevator. Along the various mountain roads (such as the Carretera de Vallvidrera, Passeig de les Aigües, Carretera de Sant Cugat, etc.), there are other perspectives to be found.
Tibidabo, as well as the Serra de Collserola Natural Park, is suitable for any form of expedition, whether it on bike or foot, to discover the flora and animals of the area. We advise you to visit the official website parcnaturalcollserola.cat to learn more about the routes that can be taken around the Serra de Collserola Natural Park as well as the various information sites situated throughout the park. parcnaturalcollserola.cat.
Interesting sights to see at the foot of Tibidabo
Several intriguing tourist and cultural attractions near the mountain’s base are also worth visiting, in addition to the amusement park and chapel on Tibidabo Mountain. Below, we highlight a few of these locations that we hope you will also visit.
Vallvidrera, a walk through Vallvidrera.
Vallvidrera, formerly a separate village from Barcelona, is now a neighborhood outside of the city. There is an information station here because it is where many of the walking paths around Collserola Natural Park begin. If you choose to take a stroll, we advise you to also look around the neighborhood, as it is home to many stunning modernist structures.
How to get to Tibidabo mountain
Are you interested in learning more about Tibidabo but worried that you won’t be able to find the sites you want to see and visit? If this is the case, irBarcelona gives you the option to go with one of the official tour guides of Barcelona and Catalonia who cooperate with us.
This enables you to spend a wonderful day learning about the mount’s history.
Map and directions to Mount Tibidabo.
You can take a bus, your own vehicle (such as a car or motorcycle), a train using the Tibidabo Funicular, or even walk to the summit of the Tibidabo mountain.
There are numerous routes to access the mountain’s various regions, each with their own pros and drawbacks, which we will list here.
- Private vehicle. Whether you are visiting the summit of Tibidabo (as well as the amusement park), or other areas of the mount, there are many car parks where you can park your car or motorbike.
- Tibibús Bus. At €2.95 for a single ticket, Tibibús is the bus that takes you to the Tibidabo amusement park (you don’t have to buy a ticket to the park to be able to go on the Tibibús) and it leaves you right at the entrance to the amusement park and the Temple of the Sacred Heart of Jesus.
- Tibibús bus stops
- Line T2A (going there): Plaça Catalunya – Centre d’Acollida d’animals (Animal shelter) – Tibidabo
- Line T2A (coming back): Tibidabo – Plaça Catalunya
- Line T2B (going there): Sant Genís – Vall d’Hebrón – Tibidabo
- Line T2B (coming back): Tibidabo – Vall d’Hebron – Sant Genís
- Tibidabo Funicular, allows you to reach the top of the mountain quickly and directly. To get the funicular you have to go to the square called Dr. Andreu (either via the Tramvia Blau or bus no. 196). The stop is just a few steps away from the amusement park and the Temple of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. + info Funicular Tibidabo
- By foot. There are an infinite number of available routes around Tibidabo and the rest of the Collserola Natural Park. In terms of walking routes you should go from one point to another, from some of the neighbourhoods on the outskirts of Barcelona (Vallvidrera, Roquetes or Les Planes) or from some neighbouring towns (Sant Cugat or Cerdanyola).
Bars, restaurants and nightlife
You have a wide selection of eateries to pick from depending on your plans. If you plan to spend the day at the theme park, you can either eat at the Masia Restaurant Tibidabo, which is close to the entrance, or you can purchase fast food there (mainly sandwiches).
The simplest way to save money is to bring a sandwich with you or prepare food in advance to eat at one of the picnic tables scattered throughout the park (some of these tables are in public areas, so you can use them even if you don’t have a park admission ticket).
suggested bars and eateries No matter where you are on the Tibidabo mountain or in Collserola, we propose these four bars and restaurants because they are all distinctive and have a wide range of menu options.
Homemade food with the highest quality ingredients. Also makes some great sandwiches.
Plaça (square) de Vallvidrera, 3.
Excellent quality food in this restaurant with excellent views of the city located at the foot of Tibidabo.
Plaça (square) del Dr. Andreu.
High quality menu at the foot of Tibidabo, next to the Funicular stop.
Plaça (square) del Dr. Andreu.
Restaurant specialising in modern and high quality Catalan cuisine.
Av. de Can Cortés, 36 (Serra de Collserola – Sant Cugat del Vallès).
If you are going on a hike we recommend you to take a rest here whilst tasting some Catalan delights in some of the bars and restaurants at Serra de Collserola or you can also take some sandwiches with you and stop along the way for a picnic.
Recommended nightlife venues
In the lower part of Tibidabo there is a club and different nightlife venues offering great options for anyone looking for a fun night out. These venues are usually very busy during the weekend.