Sun path · Barcelona
Sunrise & sunset direction in Barcelona
See which way the sun rises and sets in Barcelona, with the full arc showing elevation against compass direction. Dashed curves show the June solstice, equinox and December solstice for comparison.
Drag the timeline to see where the sun will be in the sky.
Sun path in Barcelona on Thu, Sep 24
The sun rises at 90°, E and sets at 270°, W in Barcelona, reaching a peak elevation of 48° at solar noon. Day length is 12h 5m, measured from sunrise to sunset.
The chart above plots the full arc of the sun across the sky. The horizontal axis is compass direction, the vertical axis is elevation. Dashed reference curves show the June solstice, equinox and December solstice so you can see how the arc shifts through the year.
Use the scrubber to walk through the day and read the sun's compass bearing and elevation at any moment. For photography, check which direction light will come from at your planned shoot time and whether your subject will be front-lit, side-lit or backlit.
Sunrise and sunset direction in Barcelona
Bearings are measured clockwise from north and calculated from the sun path for this location.
| Date | Sun rises | Sun sets |
|---|---|---|
| Today | 90°, E | 270°, W |
| June solstice | 57°, ENE | 303°, WNW |
| Equinox | 90°, E | 271°, W |
| December solstice | 121°, ESE | 239°, WSW |
Shooting the light in Barcelona
Barcelona faces the Mediterranean to the east and is backed by the Collserola hills to the west. That gives the beaches a clean sunrise while late light travels from the hills across the Eixample toward the sea-facing facades.
The Eixample grid runs on diagonals rather than true cardinal lines, so long streets alternate between direct backlight and raking side light as the seasonal bearing changes. Winter’s lower sun reaches farther beneath balconies; summer favors the open waterfront and elevated viewpoints.
Where photographers go
Bunkers del Carmel
A broad elevated view over the grid to the sea, useful from late light through blue hour.
Barceloneta Beach
An unobstructed Mediterranean sunrise with breakwaters, swimmers and the waterfront skyline as foregrounds.
Montjuïc
Terraces and overlooks face back toward the city, port and distant hills under evening light.
Pont del Bisbe
Soft early light keeps detail in the narrow Gothic Quarter while direct sun is still above the roofs.
Frequently asked
- Which way does the sun rise in Barcelona?
- On Thu, Sep 24, the sun rises in Barcelona at 90°, E (east).
- Which direction does the sun set in Barcelona in December?
- At the December solstice, the sun sets in Barcelona at 239°, WSW (west-southwest).
- How high does the sun get in Barcelona?
- On Thu, Sep 24, the sun reaches about 48° above the horizon at its highest point in Barcelona.
