Few cities can boast telecommunications towers that are popular with tourists. Barcelona certainly can. The Torre de Comunicaciones is one of the masterpieces of the renowned Spanish architect Santiago Calatrava and ranks amongst Barcelona’s most famous attractions.

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It was built in 1992 to mark the Olympic Games; indeed, it lies just a short distance from the Olympic Stadium at the foot of Montjuïc hill. The tower is also nicknamed the Torre Telefónica after its owner, for whom it was built to provide broadcast coverage of the Olympic Games.

The tower is 136 metres high and, according to Calatrava, is intended to resemble a kneeling athlete raising a torch bearing the Olympic flame. It also functions as a sundial, with the tip of the antenna casting a shadow onto a circular platform featuring a dial.

Torre Telefonica

How to get there

The tower is located about 300 metres’ walk from the Olympic Stadium, which you can reach by the following bus routes:

• Route 150 – the quickest route from the metro station at Plaça d’Espanya; the bus continues on to Montjuïc Castle
• Route 13 – also runs from the metro station at Plaça d’Espanya, but takes a considerably longer route
• Route 125 – runs from the La Marina district

What to see around

Discover all the places to see in Barcelona.

Olympic Stadium

+ 430 m

Palau Nacional

+ 560 m

Poble Espanyol

+ 590 m

Magic Fountain

+ 780 m

Montjuïc

+ 920 m

Plaça d'Espanya

+ 1 km