DanckTravel

Author: KDanck

“It’s hill time!”

I was ready, carrying our backpack with water and sunscreen.

“Another one?” my sister asked me, though she already knew the answer. She was traveling with a marathoner.

“But just think of the view when we get to the top!” I exclaimed. “It will be worth it, I promised.”

My sister rolled her eyes as we began to climb to the Bunkers del Carmel for a view of Barcelona at sunset. Of course, we got lost on the way. But if you see a group of people sitting on a bunker, keep heading up.

Hike, hike, hike!

What is the Bunker del Carmel?

Still viewed a little bit of an unknown tourist site, it offers a beautiful view of the city. It was built in 1937 during the Spanish Civil War. The Bunker was a line of defense against the Fascists (1) which transformed into housing and shelter from those suffering from economic distress postwar (1). It has gained popularity with tourists and locals due to the film Tengo Ganas di Ti, which features scenes from the Bunker (2).

What’s the price to visit?

The Bunker is free  to visit. So it’ll be the cheapest start to the night you will have in Barcelona : )

Recommendations

Bring a bottle of wine and pack a picnic dinner. Spain can get pretty hot in the summer months, so later in the day is a great time to enjoy the view (cooler temperatures!). The view is breathtaking, especially around sunset and you’ll get a 360° view of the city!

How to get there:

As I mentioned, my sister and I got lost on the way. We found a hidden path that led us to a walkway where we hiked on some unnamed path behind a boy who seemed to be going in the same direction as us.

However according to Lonley Planet, there is an easier way! Take the metro to El Carmel, take the Llobregas exit and then go down the hill to reach a bus stop. Catch the 86 bus and you can ask the bus driver to tell you when you are close to the Bunkers, which is a 10 minute walk once you reach it.

Sources:
(1) https://theculturetrip.com/europe/spain/articles/a-brief-history-of-barcelonas-bunkers-del-carmel/
(2) http://irbarcelona.org/barcelona-viewpoints/bunkers-carmel-turo-rovira/