Tibidabo Amusement Park: Barcelona’s Retro Theme Park Visit

Update (08/01/22): Tibidabo Amusement Park is currently closed for the season. Opening is expected in mid March, and hours will be updated as information comes in.

That high rising mountain with its little glowing basilica hat keeps watch over the city and can be seen from just about anywhere in Barcelona.

That’s Tibidabo Mountain – meaning ‘I will give you’ in Latin.

And just how much does it give, my prospective Barcelona tourist? Well, for starters it gives us the Tibidabo Amusement Park – but that’s only the half of it.

Visiting Tibidabo Mountain

While it’s not one of the essential things to do in Barcelona I still recommend people, especially families with kids, to get your Tibidabo Amusement Park tickets and head up this 512 meter (1700 feet) mountain backdrop.

This unique Barcelona mountain escape offers you the chance to:

• Spend the afternoon with family away from the chaos of the city.
• Enjoy the most breathtaking panoramic views of Barcelona.
• See the postcard-esque basilica Temple of the Sacred Heart of Jesus.
• Get thrilled at a vintage Amusement Park built in 1889.

The emblematic, completely restored 100 year old Ferris Wheel takes you to even greater heights and short of a €500.00 private helicopter tour is the best view of the entire city.

Those going for Tibidabo Amusement Park and its rides will find it divided in two separate theme parks: one that’s perfect for kids where you find all the classics, and another called Sky Walk for those looking for a bit more risk.

To give you a better idea of the park check out my Tibidabo Mountain album.

Tibidabo Amusement Park – Parc d’Atraccions Tibidabo

This Barcelona theme park is about games, entertainment, and adrenaline.

Let your kids run wild on Mount Tibidabo with maze of mysterious castles, trampolines, bumper cars, giant swings, and rollercoasters. With your Tibidabo theme park ticket you’ll get ‘double entrance’ to all the rides of the Sky Walk as well.

Of the more than 25 rides some highlights are:

Talaia

This can only be explained as a swinging piece of uncooked spaghetti with a steel cage on either end. A Youtube video claimed this to be the scariest amusement park ride in the entire world but I say that’s a bit of an exaggeration.

That view from this 1921-built ‘vantage point ride’ are spectacular.

Height restrictions:

• 120 cm+ (3’9″) can ride solo.
• 80 cm to 120 cm (2’6″-3’9″) with guardian.
• Under 80 cm (3’11”) cannot go on the ride.

Giradabo

The aforementioned Ferris Wheel was inaugurated in 2014 and has taken city views to new heights – literally!

Being situated at the highest point of the mountain you’ll get amazing views of the city and the sea, so get the cameras ready because one round on this beast will yield you enough Instagram vacation-envy to last a lifetime.

Height restrictions:

• 130 cm+ (4’2″) can ride solo.
• 95 cm to 130 cm (3’11”-4’2″) with guardian.
• Under 95 cm (3’11”) cannot go on the ride.

L’Avio

It’s known as the worlds first flight simulator but it’s actually a scaled replica of the plane that flew Iberian Airlines’ first commercial flight between Barcelona and Madrid in 1927.

The guest of honour on the flight was none other than King Alfonso XIII.

Height restrictions:

• 120 cm+ (3’9″) can ride solo.
• 0 cm to 120 cm (2’6″-3’9″) with guardian.

Tibidabo Amusement Park Prices

The strange thing about Tibidabo Amusement Park prices is that they don’t differentiate between ages – here the name of the game is centimeters! 

• Over 120 cm (3’9″): €28.50 €27.08.
• Under 120 cm: €10.30 €9.78.
• Under 90 cm: free (with paid accompanying visitor).
• Over 60: €9.00.
• Disabled visitors: €5.60.

As always I recommend buying your attraction tickets online to save money and avoid lines.

Tibidabo Amusement Park Tickets Online

By clicking the blue button below you’ll be transported to the official Barcelona Tourism Office and receive a 5% discount on tickets.

All tickets include 25 amusement park rides, shows, street theater, and Sky Walk entrance.

Tibidabo Skywalk Only Tickets

Ticket includes all the Sky Walk rides (Talaia, Carrousel, Giradabo, Avió, Automata Museum, Cel Building and three children’s rides: Les Llaunes, Pony Rodeo and Río Grande).

• Adults: €12.70.
• Under 120 cm: €7.80.
• Under 90 cm: free (with paid accompanying visitor).
• Over 60: €6.70.
• Disabled: €3.30.

Passes

Saving 10% on attractions is just the beginning!

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How to Get to Tibidabo from Barcelona

By Shuttle Bus

The TIBIBUS is a direct shuttle bus service that costs €3.00 for a single ticket (€6.00 return).

If you’re buying Tibidabo Amusement Park tickets at the top you can get a refund on this money at the ticket office.

The Tibibus runs from the following locations:

• Estació del Nord (T2A): weekends year round + days the amusement park is open from 10:00 am
• l’Aparcament B:SM Sant Genís (T2B): weekends year round + days the amusement park is open from 10:30 am
• Plaça Kennedy (T2C): only amusement park days from 10:15 am (€4.20 for the car park on site)

Visiting Barcelona? Chances are the T2A is your best bet as it is the most central shuttle bus – it runs from 10:00-2:00 every 45 minutes, from 2:00- 5:45 every 90 minutes, and from 5:54 pm until close every 45 minutes.

By Train + Tram + Funicular

Update (08/01/22): the Tramvia Blau is currently out of service for maintenance.

Update (08/01/22): The Tibidabo Funicular has finally gotten its face lift – the new Cuca de Llum (Firefly) service is larger (252 passengers), faster (3 minutes from top to bottom) , and offers a panoramic view with its floor to ceiling windows. There is also new audio educational info. This is free with Tibidabo theme park entrance tickets or €12.00 for visitors without tickets.

Take the FGC (the Catalonian Regional Rail services) brown line L7 from Plaça Catalunya to Av.Tibidabo or jump on the Bus Turistic to get dropped off right there.

Once you’re there you’ll see the historic San Francisco-esque blue tram line called the Tramvia Blau – it’ll take you up to the Tibidabo Funicular station (Cuca de Llum) which will take you right to the Tibidabo amusement park entrance.

Hours are limited so if the Tramvia Blau isn’t running that particular day the 196 bus will do the same.

Tickets cost €2.40 (L7) + €5.50 or €2.40 (Tramvia Blau or bus 196) + €12.00 (Tibidabo Funicular, return).

Those taking the Bus Turistic get a 50% discount on the Tibidabo Funicular at €6.00

Return price: €12.20 – €19.90 depending on method.

Time: about an hour.

By Train + Funicular + Bus

Getting a Barcelona discount travel card like the Hola Bcn or Barcelona Card will get you to Tibidabo on the cheap – for more information check out my post on the differences between the two transport passes.

With your travel card grab FGC train S1 or S2 from Plaça Catalunya and get off at Peu de Funicolar.

From here you can get the Vallvidrera Funicular to Vallvidrera Superior where you’ll get bus 111 (every 30 minutes) to leave you right at the Tibidabo Amusement Park entrance.

Return price: free

Time: about an hour.

Tibidabo Amusement Park Hours

Mount Tibidabo Amusement Park is currently closed until March 2022.

Tibidabo hours are constantly in change so it’s best to look at the official site.

In general the Sky Walk is open every day while the Tibidabo Amusement Park is only open weekends during low season and daily during summer. 

The Temple of the Sacred Heart of Jesus

For those not looking to visit the Tibidabo Amusement Park there’s certainly the option to come up, go for a little walk, and take a few photos over a quiet afternoon.

Exploring the area around the amusement park will give you a few options – there’s even a bar and a xurreria where you’ll find some delicious churros con chocolate.

The other of the top attractions up there though is the wordy Temple of the Sacred Heart of Jesus Basilica that pokes up into the sky and gifts you yet another magnificent view of the city.

The Temple of the Sacred Heart of Jesus was constructed in the beginning of the 900’s in conjunction with the park and was naturally situated at the highest point of Tibidabo Mountain. One of the good things here is that temple visits are free.

If you want to take the elevator to the top though it’ll cost you €4.00.

Tibidabo Amusement Park Tips

• Go as early a possible to avoid crowds.
• Don’t line up to buy funicular tickets at windows – the automated machines are in Spanish but are intuitive (it says ‘funicular’ and asks for a quantity) and will save you 20 minutes on a busy day.
• Don’t bank on taking a taxi back down – it’s nearly impossible to flag one.
• Ask about the awe-inspiring closing laser show (seasonal) at 21:30.
• Check the weather forecast/smog index to ensure the best city views.
• Outside of peak summer times the wind gets pretty high – bring a sweater!
• Consider walking back down Tibidabo Mountain nstead of taking the blue tram (cheaper and avoids crowds).
• Once you get to the top of Tibidabo Mountain the ability to buy food and drink is extremely limited – if you don’t wanna pay a fortune for low quality food make sure to pack your own.
• Pack a picnic lunch and take advantage of the views from the many steps and benches provided.
• If you’re looking for some quality tapas after head to nearby Bar Mirablau (near the Tramvia Blau) for a cold beer and some amazing fried calamari.
• Climbing the basilica steps to the top is a workout – not recommended for those with limited mobility.

Mount Tibidabo Theme Park FAQ

• How to reach Mount Tibidabo?

  The fastest way to get to Tibidabo is by taking one of the three shuttle buses called the Tibibus. The T2A service is the most central, departing from the bus stop at Estació del Nord, near Arc de Triomf. Tickets cost €3.00 one way. Shuttle buses run from 10:00 am till 30 minutes after the park closes. Expect the ride to take about 30 minutes depending on traffic.

• Is Tibidabo worth it?

  For lovers of theme parks, especially retro ones which date back over 100 years, visiting Tibidabo Mountain is a unique, thrilling, and ultimately rewarding experience. Beyond the theme park, the Temple of the Sacred Heart of Jesus Basilica is one of the most beautiful buildings in all of Catalunya – it offers visitors the chance of a small religious pilgrimage. In the end, the entire area is beautiful and offers an amazing panoramic view of the city. For these three reasons it’s well worth the visit.

• Can you walk to Tibidabo?

  Tibidabo is reachable on foot, through the famous Barcelona green lung known as Parc de Collserola. This beautiful wooded area of hiking trails, viewpoints, and local vegetation is a great escape from the city.

  It’s easily accessible from Plaça Catalunya via the S1 or S2 train. From just outside the Baixador de Vallvidrera train stop you’ll find the trail called Carretera de les Aigues – El Tibidabo. From here it’s a 3.5 hour hike to make sure you bring durable shoes.

• Is Mount Tibidabo free?

  Provided you can arrange your own way up the mountain, like having your own car or even hiking, access to Tibidabo is completely free. Visits to the basilica are also free. However, once at the top if you’d like to visit the Tibidabo Amusement Park you will have to pay for tickets which start at €12.70

• Is there parking at Mount Tibdabo?

  Yes, at the top of the mountain you’ll find a 5-level, 500 space car park. Tickets cost €0.05 a minute or €13.00 for the whole day. Due to limited spots tickets should be reserved online and must be booked at least 24 hours beforehand.

Questions About Tibidabo Amusement Park?

Going to Tibidabo Amusement Park isn’t any good for anyone without some sharing: so tell me, how was it? Did I miss anything in the article that could be explained better?

Also, remember that any Barcelona city question will be answered ASAP in the comments below.