Palau Güell
Barcelona, Spain
Columbus Monument, Barcelona
i
Photo: Pere prlpz, CC BY-SA 3.0, Wikimedia CommonsFit in nearby today
The essentials in 10 seconds
- Entry
- Free outside
- Hours
- Outside always; viewpoint by day
- Time on site
i
A typical visit without queueing. In high season add 15–30 minutes. - 25 min
- With kids
- Fine with kids
- Outside
- Free
- Viewpoint
- Lift to the top, ticketed
verifyingi
From reliable travel sources; we are still checking it against an official one. Double-check before you go. - Height
- ≈ 60 m
- Time needed
- 20–30 minutes
- Nearby
- La Rambla, Port Vell, Barceloneta
- Location
- Bottom of La Rambla, Drassanes metro (L3)
Key facts
1888built for the Universal Exposition
Sourcei
English Wikipedia≈ 60 mheight of the column and statue
Sourcei
English WikipediaGaietà Buïgasthe monument's architect
Sourcei
English Wikipedia1493Columbus was received in Barcelona after his first voyage
Sourcei
English WikipediaAbout the Columbus Monument
The monument was raised for the 1888 Universal Exposition to recall that in 1493, returning from his first voyage across the Atlantic, Christopher Columbus was received in Barcelona by the Catholic Monarchs. It was designed by the architect Gaietà Buïgas, with sculpture by leading Catalan artists of the day.
The cast-iron column stands on a tall stone base in the middle of a roundabout right by the port. With its statue it reaches about 60 metres, so it's visible from afar and makes a handy landmark: here La Rambla ends and the Port Vell waterfront begins.
The sculptures and the viewpoint
The base is guarded by eight bronze lions, popular with climbing children and photographers, and its faces carry reliefs of Columbus's voyages and figures linked to his expedition. Above are allegorical statues, and at the very top the navigator himself, arm outstretched.
Inside the column a small lift rises to a narrow circular viewing platform just below the statue. The windows are small, but the view is great: La Rambla running into the city, the port and its yachts below, Montjuïc and the Barceloneta beaches. The platform is cramped, so there can be a queue in high season.
What to see at the monument
- The Columbus statue — the navigator atop the column.
- Bronze lions — at the foot of the monument.
- Reliefs — scenes from Columbus's voyages.
- The viewpoint — La Rambla and the port from above.
- Rambla de Mar — the wooden bridge into Port Vell.
- The waterfront — a walk to Barceloneta.
What's nearby
From the monument, the wooden Rambla de Mar bridge leads into Port Vell, with yachts, a shopping centre and the Barcelona Aquarium. A waterfront promenade runs along the water to Barceloneta beach in 15 to 20 minutes, and harbour cruise boats leave from here too.
In the other direction begins La Rambla, the straight route to the Boqueria and Plaça de Catalunya. Next to the monument stand the old Drassanes shipyards, home to the maritime museum, and to the west rises Montjuïc with its cable car.
How to get to the monument
Tap a route to highlight it on the map.
Where are you starting from?
We’ll draw it on the map on foot and by taxi; metro and buses open in your maps app. Your location isn’t stored.
On foot
- Palau Güell is about 7 min away on foot.
- La Rambla is about 10 min away on foot.
- Gothic Quarter is about 13 min away on foot.
More tips
- Metro: Drassanes station on line L3 (green), a 2-minute walk.
- On foot down La Rambla from Plaça de Catalunya, about 20 minutes.
- From the Gothic Quarter, through the lanes to the sea, 10 minutes.
- The viewpoint entrance is a door in the base.
Tips
The monument stands in a busy roundabout, so only approach it by the pedestrian crossings. If you want to go up, come in the morning, before a queue builds for the tiny lift. It may not suit anyone uneasy with heights or tight spaces.
The best time for photos is the evening, when the monument is lit and the sun sets over the port. It's a natural place to start or end a walk along La Rambla before heading to the sea, and the swing bridge of the Rambla de Mar opens now and then to let yachts through. Waterfront cafés nearby charge tourist prices; eat more cheaply in Barceloneta or the Gothic Quarter.
Checklist
Ready: 0 of 5Tick off what's ready — your ticks are saved in this browser.
You are ready for the visit
Places in Barcelona: compare and choose
Places in Barcelona rated by YesGo. Click a column header to sort.
| Sagrada Família | 69 | 2 h | Paid | 3.1 km |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Barcelona Cathedral | 53 | 50 min | Paid by day | 16 min walk |
| Park Güell | 50 | 1 h 45 min | Paid | 4.7 km |
| Montjuïc | 45 | 3 h | Free | 36 min walk |
| Columbus Monumentyou are here | 43 | 25 min | Free | — |
| Plaça d'Espanya | 42 | 25 min | Free | 41 min walk |
| Torre Glòries | 41 | 1 h | Viewpoint paid | 3.2 km |
| Casa Milà | 37 | 1 h 15 min | Paid | 44 min walk |
| Tibidabo | 37 | 3 h | Free | 7.2 km |
| National Art Museum of Catalonia | 34 | 2 h 30 min | Paid | 38 min walk |
| Montserrat | 33 | 5 h | Free | 39.8 km |
Nearby and on the way
How to do it right
- Free to see from outside.
- Go up in the morning, before queues.
- Columbus isn't pointing at America.
- Port Vell and Barceloneta are close.
Questions
Can you go up the Columbus Monument?
Yes, a lift inside the column climbs to a viewing platform; it's ticketed.
How tall is the Columbus Monument?
About 60 metres including the statue.
Where does the Columbus statue point?
Out to sea, roughly south-east, not towards America.
Where is the Columbus Monument?
At the bottom of La Rambla by Port Vell; Drassanes metro.
How long do you need at the monument?
20 to 30 minutes including the climb.
Have you been? Was it worth your time?
1 — no, 5 — absolutely
Your vote counts towards the YesGo score.
Sources and fact-check
- English Wikipedia: Columbus Monument, Barcelona
- Barcelona City Council tourism portal, barcelona.cat
Top YesGo picks: Barcelona
Sagrada Família
Barcelona, Spain
Camp Nou
Barcelona, Spain
Casa Batlló
Barcelona, Spain
Barcelona Cathedral
Barcelona, Spain
Arc de Triomf
Barcelona, Spain
Park Güell
Barcelona, Spain
Montjuïc
Barcelona, Spain
Plaça de Catalunya
Barcelona, Spain