Many people choose to find a vacation rental in Barcelona as the city has so much to offer as a holiday destination. It is the city of Gaudi and full of architectural gems that transform its streets into art galleries and in addition it also boasts lots of great actual museums full of artistic riches and educational treasures, excellent beaches, truly incredible restaurants, some exceedingly trendy bars, a soccer stadium that hosts regular matches for the sports fanatics among you, and much more besides. It is also home to Tibidabo, a hill that overlooks the city, and has been nicknamed the, “magic mountain,” by locals.
At first glance, that last attraction might not seem all that exceptional or interesting but Tibidabo is more than just a hill. It is somewhere to take in the most amazing views in Barcelona, to ride a funicular or to hike, to go to an amusement park, and to see some special architectural gems: all in one place!
At first glance, that last attraction might not seem all that exceptional or interesting but Tibidabo is more than just a hill. It is somewhere to take in the most amazing views in Barcelona, to ride a funicular or to hike, to go to an amusement park, and to see some special architectural gems: all in one place!
Overlooking Barcelona, Tibidabo is the tallest hill in the Serra de Collserola and takes in views across the city and over the coast. At its summit is the Sagrat Cor church and Tibidabo Amusement Park, with the Torre de Collserola telecommunications tower a short distance away and all three make a distinct skyline that is prominently visible from all around the city. To reach the top you can walk, drive, or take the historic Tramvia blau tram and then the Tibidabo Funicular (Note: both are currently not in use as they are under renovation but the TC2 replacement bus service and the 111 minibus service can be used in place of both service while they are undergoing works) for the last section of the trip to the top. The walk up is a bit of a hike in that you have quite a large vertical surface to climb but is also in an urban landscape and is, therefore, not an actual hike. This option is more effort but for many this makes the astounding view at the top all the more rewarding but visitors should pick whichever option best suits themselves, their interests, their needs, and their level of fitness or mobility.
The church of Sagrat Cor, at the summit, is located on the site at which local legend says the devil tempted Jesus and the very name Tibidabo comes from the Latin Vulgate Bible verses, Matthew 4:9 and Luke 4:6, from the phrase, “tibi dabo”, which means, “I will give to you”. This is what legend says the devil told Jesus as they looked down from atop a mountain over all the kingdoms of the world. Built in 1806 and renovated in 1902, this beautiful Neo-Gothic church was designed by Enric Sagnier. It is an impossibly pretty gem, topped by a bronze sculpture of the Sacred Heart by Josep Miret Llopart and you can even take an elevator to the top to soak in those amazing surrounding views with an additional boost of height from this lovely house of worship.
By the church is the Tibidabo Amusement Park, a historic funfair that was first constructed all the way back in 1899 and is one of the oldest of its kind in the area. It is home to thirty different rides, some of which are decades old and a couple of which are original attractions, like the Museu d’Autòmates (Mechanical Museum) and its antique coin-operated figures and automata. While you won’t find massive rollercoasters (although there is a little rollercoaster, the Tibidado Express that goes along at 50km per hour) or high-octane thrills, you will find an exceptionally pretty and historic gem with fun little rides, performances, costumed characters and performers, restaurants and snack stalls, picnic areas, and viewing points to take in those famous vistas over the city; all of which was enough to make Walt Disney himself fall in love with the place enough that he tried to buy it and named any price, though his offer was ultimately turned down.
Magical in many ways, Tibidabo is a must-see for anyone who has found a vacation rental in Barcelona and is spending time in this part of Spain.
The church of Sagrat Cor, at the summit, is located on the site at which local legend says the devil tempted Jesus and the very name Tibidabo comes from the Latin Vulgate Bible verses, Matthew 4:9 and Luke 4:6, from the phrase, “tibi dabo”, which means, “I will give to you”. This is what legend says the devil told Jesus as they looked down from atop a mountain over all the kingdoms of the world. Built in 1806 and renovated in 1902, this beautiful Neo-Gothic church was designed by Enric Sagnier. It is an impossibly pretty gem, topped by a bronze sculpture of the Sacred Heart by Josep Miret Llopart and you can even take an elevator to the top to soak in those amazing surrounding views with an additional boost of height from this lovely house of worship.
By the church is the Tibidabo Amusement Park, a historic funfair that was first constructed all the way back in 1899 and is one of the oldest of its kind in the area. It is home to thirty different rides, some of which are decades old and a couple of which are original attractions, like the Museu d’Autòmates (Mechanical Museum) and its antique coin-operated figures and automata. While you won’t find massive rollercoasters (although there is a little rollercoaster, the Tibidado Express that goes along at 50km per hour) or high-octane thrills, you will find an exceptionally pretty and historic gem with fun little rides, performances, costumed characters and performers, restaurants and snack stalls, picnic areas, and viewing points to take in those famous vistas over the city; all of which was enough to make Walt Disney himself fall in love with the place enough that he tried to buy it and named any price, though his offer was ultimately turned down.
Magical in many ways, Tibidabo is a must-see for anyone who has found a vacation rental in Barcelona and is spending time in this part of Spain.
Photo credit: Jorge Franganillo / CC BY 2.0