When temperatures rise (and even when they’re falling), an outdoor terraza where you can enjoy a drink alone or with friends is one of Barcelona’s greatest pleasures. Most outside areas spill over into the street, but there’s a few that are hidden away out at the back or behind closed doors. Here, we give you a quick guide to some of Barcelona’s secret terraces, where you can order a clandestine coffee away from the masses.

Secret terraces in Barcelona

Ethical shop Olukuti sells a fun selection of fair-trade clothing, books and accessories. But something not many people realise is that they have an attractive terrace out back. It’s self-service, and bear in mind that alcoholic options are limited, but there’s a tasty selection of soft drinks and fruit tea on offer. Full of leafy trees and Moroccan-style tables, this is an incredibly relaxed place to while away a few hours with a friend or a book. Good vibes guaranteed. C/Asturies 36-38, Gràcia.

Bar Jardí is an oasis hidden in the unlikeliest of places: inside a punk/alternative clothing shop. Walk past the giant camel and neon sign reading “El Mercadillo” and up the stairs and you’ll find it. It’s quite a surreal experience, but well worth it to discover what it definitely one of Barcelona’s best-kept secrets. The terrace is filled with trees, filtered rays of sunlight and people enjoying a coffee. Located on one of the busiest, most central streets in the city makes the contrast between the tranquillity inside even more marked. Prices are reasonable, all the usual café/bar fare (coffee, tea, beer, wine, etc.) is on offer and for some reason there’s surfboards mounted on the walls as decoration. C/Portaferrissa 12, El Gòtic (city centre).

Mas Guinardó is not exactly secret, but unless you’re from the local neighbourhood you’ll have a job finding it. This is partly because of the uphill walk needed to get to this striking 18^thcentury building, which in its day served as a watchtower and is now a community centre with bar attached. It’s well worth it though, as the views afforded over the city are spectacular. As well as drinks, you can also eat here – expect reasonably-priced tapas as well as set menus for €16-25. We’ve found service a little slow on previous occasions, but this is still a great stop, particularly on the way to climbing up to the Bunkers del Carmel. Plaza Salvador Riera 2, Guinardó.

L’Antic Teatre can’t exactly be called secret given the amount of people who discover it every year, but it is hidden from street view and thus from the majority of the uninitiated masses. This charming, tree-filled terrace is part of a cultural centre constructed in the 17^th century, hence the name (which means “The Old Theatre”).  Productions are still held in the building. The terrace at L’Antic Teatre is large, but on a balmy summer’s evening it can fill up quite quickly with cultured types, so make sure you get there quickly. You can enjoy coffee, beer, soft drinks and wine here, as well as basic bar snacks like olives. C/Verdaguer i Callis 12, El Born.

Federal Café is a popular establishment on the fashionable c/Parlament, but relatively few people realise that, once you’ve climbed up two stories of busy wooden-floored bar and café space, there’s an attractive rooptop terrace at the top. As well as being a few storeys up, it’s sheltered from the street by plants and shrubs, making it a blissfully quiet place. Even the music played up here has the volume turned down, compared to the rest of the bar. El Federal serves smoothies, coffee and juices as well as alcoholic drinks, making it the perfect place to come either day or night to enjoy chewing the hay with friends in a place where you can really talk, or a romantic setting for a date. You can also come here for brunch, as we mention in our article. C/Parlament 39, Poble Sec.

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About Penelope

Penelope likes discovering new places, doing new things and drinking Bloody Maries.

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