Turo de la Rovira is easily Barcelona’s best kept secret. High above the sprawl and city streets of Catalonia’s capital, the view from here is well worth the exertion to reach it. Read on to find out how.

UNDERSTAND

Turó de la Rovira stands 262m above sea-level. It has been continually occupied, in one form or another, from the Iberian era (4th century B.C) to present. During the Spanish Civil War (1936–1939) the Republican anti-air defence authority (DECA) found that the hill was the most suitable place to build its anti-aircraft battery, the rubble of which still stands on the hill today. Post Spanish Civil-War the then abandoned military structures were used as shelters and the shanty town of Els Canons, which survived into the ‘90s, sprung up around them. However, nowadays, the hill is mainly occupied by locals soaking up the sunlight and viewing the city down below. The views afforded by Turo de La Rovira are truly exceptional – from here, you’re offered a near panoramic view of the entire city, including the gargantuan Sagrada Familia, the many plazas, and the Mediterranean in the distance. What’s better; if you walk, this activity is completely free.

I spent an entire afternoon up on Turo De la Rovira, taking photos, drinking a beer or two and watching the sun set. The views were outstanding; I’ve never had such an excellent view of a city without having to pay for it. The walk up to the Turo is lovely, and the experience of actually having to exert myself slightly to get there made it all the more worthwhile.

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 HOW TO GET THERE

As this is a guide for those planning on walking (which you should definitely do), the first step in reaching Turó de la Rovira is to catch the metro to the station, ‘Alfons X, which is to the north west of the city, quite close by the tourist-mecca, Park Guell. Alfons X is on the yellow L4 line; which you can easily hop on from the main hub at Universitat or Catalunya.

Once you arrive at Alfons X, exit the station and start walking to your left (back facing to the station) along on Ronda del Guinardo. Follow this for 100 m or so, tracing alongside the Parc de les Aigues. Take the first right hand turn you come upon, up Carrer d’Abd el-Kader. The way should be fairly steep – just follow the street, keeping the park to your right for 500m or so. Once you reach the end of the park, turn right onto Carrer de les Camelies – follow this along for another 5pp metres,  with the road still bearing uphill. You should reach a big roundabout with a seires of fountains on it. Here, you’ll need to take a left hand turn onto the steep hill carrer de Tenerife, which will take you right to the bottom of the hill. Follow this road along as it starts to bend sharply uphill. Eventually, you’ll come to a series of basketball/soccer courts. Here, you’ll see a series of stair sets, winding upwards into a lightly forested area. From here, the path is pretty straightforward, but the going is not. Follow these stairs upwards until you reach a viewing platform, Mirador Rovira. While pretty, Mirador Rovira isn’t your final destination. Keep on going up from this platform, taking the stairs and concrete path all the way up until you reach some houses, perched incongruously on the hill. From here, take the left hand turn back onto the street, aptly named Carrer del Panorama and follow this up yet more uphill until you reach the old bunkers, water-tower and rocks at the top of the hill.

NB: If you get lost at all on the way up, you can just plug Turo de la Rovira into Google maps; that’ll work too.

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BEFORE YOU GO

• The climb to Turo de la Rivera, whilst hardly K2, is actually a pretty decent ascent, so you’ll want to be in at least moderate physical condition to attempt it. The paths, whilst all well maintained, are really steep in places, so be prepared to sweat.

• Buy some water before you set off. While there are a few touts who’ll sell water to you up there, their prices are an absolute stab at decency, and are eye wateringly high. Prepare; buy some water before you leave, you’ll need it at the top.

• Turo de la Rivera is the most perfect viewpoint form which to sip on a beer, watch the sunset, and just while away an hour or so. However, the mirador is woefully disconnected from the rest of the city, and the nearest supermarket is about 700 metres away, which you will not feel like travelling to after you reach the top. My advice; buy some beers or a bottle of wine from one of the many supermarkets lining the streets around the Alfons X metro station - you won’t regret it when you crack open that Estrella at the top.

Any questions? Ask away in the comments below!