Tibidabo Amusement Park

Tibidabo Amusement Park occupies the summit of Tibidabo, the highest point of the Collserola ridge behind Barcelona, at a little over 500 metres above sea level. It grew out of a scheme promoted from 1899 by the pharmacist and businessman Salvador Andreu to open up the mountain; a funicular and tram line reached the top in 1901, and rides followed in the early years of the century. The park counts its history from that time, marking its 125th anniversary in 2026, which makes it the longest-running amusement park in Spain and one of the oldest still working anywhere. It is now owned by Barcelona City Council.

The pleasure here lies as much in the antique rides as in the view. The Avió, installed in 1928, is a replica aeroplane that circles on an arm out over the edge of the hill, commemorating an early Madrid–Barcelona flight. The Talaia, opened in 1921, lifts its gondola on a tall mast to give a panorama of the city and the sea, and the Embruixabruixes, a suspended monorail dating from 1915, runs along the slope. The Museu d'Autòmats displays mechanical figures, some of them from the late nineteenth century. Newer rides, including a roller coaster and a pendulum ride, are spread over several terraces descending from the summit, and the church of the Temple Expiatori del Sagrat Cor rises right beside the park.

It is above all a family park, well suited to children and to anyone who enjoys vintage machinery; thrill-seekers will find more elsewhere. The calendar is concentrated on weekends, public holidays and school holidays, with the longest opening in summer, and several weekdays are closed in quieter months, so check the dates before making the climb. A half day to a full day covers the park, and the panoramic area at the top can be visited on its own.

Getting there

The summit is about 2.1 km from the Sarrià district and looks down over Barcelona. Josep Tarradellas Barcelona-El Prat Airport (BCN) is about 14 km away as the crow flies, but the journey by road or rail crosses the whole city. The classic route up is the Tibidabo Funicular, which climbs 1,130 metres from Plaça del Doctor Andreu; that lower station is reached from Avinguda Tibidabo, a stop on the FGC line L7. Alternatives are TMB bus 111 and the Tibibus T2A from the city centre.