Most places offer something special. Activities, restaurants, or tourist attractions that nearly everybody will love. But besides the “must do” things in Barcelona, you may want to enjoy things adapted to your personality and your travel style. Our team of local experts has put together ideas with the most recommended things to enjoy in Barcelona in 1 day. In case you will stay longer you will also find recommendations for 3 day stays. And besides these, you will also find special suggestions based on your travel style. Do you travel with family in Barcelona? Are you looking for romance, or fun?… No worries. You will find specific lists with things to do in Barcelona for you along with maps for each travel style. You can also have a look at our Barcelona tourist section or at the fully interactive Barcelona tourism map. Enjoy planning your trip to Barcelona!
Sagrada Familia is the most visited monument in Spain and despite this means lots of tourists any single day, it also means you should visit it. Looking at it from the outside is impressive, but we believe you will really be astonished when you visit from the inside. Gaudi is considered to be a genius today. He was however misunderstood at his time and did not enjoy the live of rich and famous… Dali, the famous artist from the beautiful village of Cadaques in Girona gave a well-deserved credit to Gaudi, and only then and with the praises of many other artists, Gaudi acquired the world-wide master status he holds today. He designed La Sagrada Familia in such way that construction would be simple after his death. For decades the construction was built thanks to private funds. There are many interesting stories and anecdotes about the Sagrada Familia. You must visit it! Make sure you plan your visit in advance and book tickets to avoid long queues. We also recommend you to book a nearby restaurant or check for places to eat near La Sagrada familia
La Sagrada Familia, Barcelona´s most important sight, is an unfinished Catholic church which was designed by Antonio Gaudí after its construction had already begun. In this visitor’s guide to La Sagrada Familia you will learn about its history and anecdotes, and also get practical information to visit La Sagrada Familia in the best possible way. Nowadays it is one of the most visited monuments in Spain and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. When you think about things
One of the things that make Barcelona so special is nature. The City cannot grow since it borders the sea on one side and mountains on its back. This makes some parts of Barcelona pretty hilly and this is why it offers some fantastic view-points.
Two of the most famous ones are Park Guell and Montjuic. The upper part of Park Guell, the fascinating park designed by Gaudi and one of Barcelona´s top tourist attractions offers breath-taking views of Barcelona. The Mediterranean sea at the end and the city that spreads towards it. The only problem with park Guell is that it is one of the top attractions and, as such, it is not easy to get your perfect moment, or even take your perfect picture!.
Montjuic castle is located at the Montjuic mountain. It is probably the most strategic point in Barcelona and it offers fantastic views. You can get to Montjuic using the cable car, which will already ensure you profit from fantastic views.
There are many more view-points in Barcelona and some are lesser known. Tibidabo, the theme park, offers amazing views, specially from its Wheel. The bunkers of Carmel (where anti-aircraft bunkers were built due to its strategic location) offers one of our favorite views in Barcelona. Views from the National Museum of art (in Montjuic) are also fantastic, and we should not forget the views that can be enjoyed from the tower at the Sagrada Familia.
Montjuïc is a hill in Barcelona that is located at the foot of the Mediterranean Sea. Although its origin dates back to 17th century to the construction of Montjuïc Castle, the most important development of this hill took place at the beginning of the last century, when Barcelona celebrated the 1929 International Exposition. At this time the Parc de Montjuïc developed with the construction of many buildings. However, at the end of the century, the
Park Güell – Review One of the most important works designed by Antonio Gaudí was Park Güell, which belong to the list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites. This park is located in the upper part of the city, so you will be able to take some picture of Barcelona as the panoramic is absolutely beautiful. Modernist architecture and nature mix in a unique space. Park Güell was built between 1900 and 1914 however was officially
This 4 kilometer, 2-3 hour itinerary, will provide you with a great overview of Barcelona and some of its most iconic streets, squares and attractions.
The itinerary starts in Plaça Catalonia. This is one of Barcelona´s top commercial areas. Many day excursions depart from here. The famous El Corte Ingles department store can be found at the Plaça.
La Rambla is the most famous street in Barcelona. It is colourful and full of flower shops. In La Rambla you will find La Font de Canaletes, a very special place in the history of FC Barcelona since this is the place where they celebrate tittles. Your next stop is La Boqueria, Barcelona´s (and probably Spain´s) most famous market. Enjoy the buildings of the Teatre del Liceu and the Guell Palace and then dive into the Gothic district. Since your stomach may start to rumble at this point, we recommend you have a look at the best places to eat in the Gothic district. The itinerary continues towards la Barceloneta beach with stops at the Picasso museum and the Museu d´historia de Catalunya (there is a restaurant on the top with great views from its terrace). This itinerary offers a perfect way to spend a day visiting Barcelona and you will enjoy next to the sea! Time for a bite near la Barceloneta beach?
Gothic Qurater, Barcelona – Review There are many tourist attractions in the Gothic Quarter in Barcelona. These include the Cathedral of the Holy Cross and Saint Eulalia, the City Hall, the Palace of the Generalitat, and many lovely squares. The Barri Gòtic is the central element of the municipal district of Ciutat Vella, the old town of Barcelona. This area of Barcelona houses the greatest collection of Gothic buildings in all of Europe. A large
Las Ramblas, Barcelona Las Ramblas is one of the icons in Barcelona. A long street which is a favorite amongst both locals and tourists alike. La Rambla is probably the best well-known street in Spain. This street is both known as La Rambla or Las Ramblas. In this guide to Las Ramblas, you will find information on the best attractions in the street, top things to enjoy, the best itineraries to enjoy la Rambla during
Modernisme is a word you will hear a lot during your visit to Barcelona. Connected to Art-nouveau, it was inspired by the modern wave of change that took place in Europe during the XIX century. There was an ideal to improve the quality of live of people and to have architecture support this deal. Lluis Domènech I Montaner and Antoni Gaudi are the two most famous names, but there were many other architects that contributed to the movement. El Palau de la Musica is an amazing example and some building are icons (like Casa Batlo and Mila) There are many other amazing examples in Barcelona which normally graps less attention from tourists. Good examples are: Casa Vicens, Torre Bellesguard, La Casa de los Punxes or the Casa Padua 75
Palau de la Música Catalana Located in the El Born neighborhood of Barcelona, the Palau de la Música Catalana is a famous concert hall renowned for its spectacular interior, in particular for its amazing stained glass windows. The Palau is one of several of Barcelona’s landmarks from the modernist artistic movement. This turn-of-the-century gem, although well known by locals, is perhaps one of the most overlooked masterpieces in the city by visitors. Palau de la
Casa Batlló – Review Both Casa Batlló and Casa Milá are located in Paseo de Gracia, one of the main commercial avenues in the city, just north of Plaza Cataluña and the famous Ramblas. Casa Batlló in Barcelona is the second building designed by Gaudí in Paseo de Gracia. This house has a ceramic roof and is another example of Gaudí’s imaginative work. Casa Batlló is part of the Block of Discord, a very beautiful
If this is your first time to Barcelona, you will have the chance to discover one of the examples of Mediterranean cuisine that can be enjoyed in a large city. Besides the many tapas bars that have developed local adaptations and recipes like the famous Bombas, in Barcelona you will be able to taste the traditional Catalan escalibada (a tasty grilled vegetable dish) enjoy the the all i oli (aioli) souce, get adventours and taste its famous cargols (snails), and eat the today´s internationally known pà amb tomàquet (bread with tomato), with nearly everything, including the superb botifarra sausagge
Everyone in Spain knows that the FC Barcelona is more than just a soccer club. Locals and fans from beyond (the club has more than 350 million followers in social media networks according to Forbes) have the team deep in their souls, and would not miss the opportunity to visit the Camp Nour or, even better, enjoy a game. Camp Nou is one of Barcelona´s top tourist attractions, and the club as such a very important economic engine for the city of Barcelona. You can find more details on the history of FC Barcelona in this post.
Camp Nou: Overview The Camp Nou stadium is located in the center of Barcelona in Les Corts district and is the official stadium of FC Barcelona, commonly known as Barça. The stadium was built between 1955 and 1957, replacing FC Barcelona’s old stadium. The soccer pitch is integrated into a massive sports complex which also features the club’s pro basketball stadium and hockey rink. The Camp Nou stadium is the largest football stadium in Spain
Modernisme is a word you will hear a lot during your visit to Barcelona. Connected to Art-nouveau, it was inspired by the modern wave of change that took place in Europe during the XIX century. There was an ideal to improve the quality of live of people and to have architecture support this deal. Lluis Domènech I Montaner and Antoni Gaudi are the two most famous names, but there were many other architects that contributed to the movement. El Palau de la Musica is an amazing example and some building are icons (like Casa Batlo and Mila) There are many other amazing examples in Barcelona which normally graps less attention from tourists. Good examples are: Casa Vicens, Torre Bellesguard, La Casa de los Punxes or the Casa Padua 75
La Boquería market is the most famous in Barcelona for purchasing fresh products. This emblematic market is located in La Rambla, the most commercial street of the city, so getting there is very easy. It is not surprising that this market is one of the most visited places in Barcelona. Officially known as the Sant Josep Market, La Boquería was built between 1840 and 1914. Nowadays it is a huge market which covers 2.583 m²
Mercat de Santa Caterina in Barcelona was opened to the public in 1845 as the food market and was built on an old convent. The main highlight of this market is the colourful roof which was built at the beginning of 21st century –the rest of the market is a neoclassic construction–. Mercat de Santa Caterina is located near Barcelona´s cathedral and Ciutadella Park. Inside Mercat de Santa Caterina, you will discover a traditional market
Barcelona boasts many important museums and if you enjoy art you will for sure find many interesting things here! The art museums in Barcelona are not as prestigious or well-known as the ones in Madrid, but Barcelona has two museums dedicated to the genius of Picasso and Miro, besides other museums with collections that group many top artists. The Picasso museum is located in a very central area of Barcelona and it holds one of the most important collections of Picasso. Few of the paintings here were purchased, the museum received many donations throughout its history. The Miro Foundation is located in Montjuic, a fantastic place not just to enjoy this museum, but also to profit from fantastic views of Barcelona and discover other museums. Montjuic, though not listed as such, is a top visit in Barcelona and one of our favorite things to do here.
The Picasso museum in Barcelona is an indispensable art museum in Barcelona. The street where the Picasso museum is located is also very famous because of the large medieval palaces which were built here between the 13th and 15th Centuries in Barcelona and remodeled in the 18th Century. The street is in itself a tourist attraction and the museum, located inside 5 gothic palaces, boasts an impressive collection from Pablo Picasso within a fantastic piece
Since 1973, the very modern building situated in the upper part of the Montjuïc Park has housed the Fundació Joan Miró. This museum is one of the most three visited of Barcelona and contains several pieces of Miró’s work, from paintings, sculptures, and drawings to ceramics and textiles. However, you can also contemplate the works of other artists as it is a very special exhibition of over 14.000 pieces. Average customer review Score for Fundació
Barcelona has fantastic weather. One of the things that make it such an amazing tourist destination is the mixture of culture, fun, and relaxation it provides. Few cities of this size in Europe offer the opportunity to take a dip after a long day of visiting!. The beaches in Barcelona are artificial ones, something that should not bother you too much. They totally serve their purpose.
Due to its location, the Barceloneta beach is the liveliest beach in the city. Further on the North, you will also find the Nova Icaria beach and the Bogatell beach. They get lots of visitors too, but not as many as la Barceloneta. If nudist beaches are for you, your place is Nova Mar Bella beach. And if you would like to enjoy a superb beach, then you should probably make it to Sitges, though a 30 minutes trip is needed (you can get to Sitges by train!)
La Barceloneta La Barceloneta is actually a neighborhood of the Ciutat Vella district of Barcelona, although many people associate the term to just the beach. The área was developed during the XVIII century, designed by Próspero de Verboom. The neighborhood was built to shelter the inhabitants that had been living in the Ribera neighborhood, that had been demolished, as ordered by king Felipe V who used the land to build the citadel. Construction didn’t begin in
Sitges is a beautiful beach town just south of Barcelona, known for its artsy and laid back vibes and spectacular beaches. Sitges is also very well known for its film festival and for its vibrant LGTB community and the cities pride week which is celebrated every June.
Montserrat, the “serrated mountain” received its name due to its shape. The mountain is located on the Way of Saint James from Barcelona and it has been an spiritual place for centuries and as such it is referred to as “The holy mountain” by people from Barcelona. A day excursion to Montserrat is perfect to the get out of the bustle of the city.
You can enjoy a trek amid this beautiful landscape and you will get the chance to visit the Basilica. ;Montserrat is home to the sanctuary of La Maré de Déu, known as “La moreneta” or Dark Madonna due to its dark colour. An excursion to Montserrat is probably the best day tour to enjoy from Barcelona.
Montserrat monastery – plan your visit and tours Montserrat is with no doubt the best day tour to enjoy from Barcelona. On a normal year more than two and a half million tourists visit Montserrat. The sanctuary is located at a spectacular location inside a natural park. Part of its interest is due to its location. Montserrat is first of all a mountain. But it is much more than just that: the Mountain and the
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Barcelona has some amazing spots which are perfect for couples. There are also many romantic restaurants in Barcelona that will provide with the perfect atmosphere for that perfect night!
This park is one of the most important of the city because it preserves Barcelona’s oldest garden. Parc del Laberint d’Horta, which is located outside the city centre, was built at the end of 18th century by the Italian engineer Domenico Bagutti. Average customer review Score for Parc del Laberint
This Cervantes park in Barcelona is located in Diagonal Avenue and is a must for people who love roses – the most romantic flower from nature. Parc de Cervantes preserves the biggest rose garden in Barcelona and it is without a doubt the best place in Barcelona to enjoy roses.
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Travelling with children always needs a bit of extra preparation. We have selected some of the top ideas to enjoy with children in Barcelona. We are sure children will love the football stadiums in Barcelona.
Portaventura theme park Port Aventura is one of Spain’s most impressive amusement parks, located within the PortAventura World entertainment resort in Salou and Vila-Seca, Tarragona, on the Costa Daurada in Cataluña, Spain. One of the best things to enjoy in Spain with children! Port Aventura attracts around 3.5 million visitors
Overview The Barcelona Aquarium, or as it is known in Catalonian, L’Aquàrium de Barcelona, is located on the cities old commercial port. It is the Barcelona’s only Aquarium and one of the most impressive in all of Spain and a top family attraction. It is also the top aquarium in
Parc de la Ciutadella – Review A very interesting park in Barcelona is Parc de la Ciutadella, located in the old part of the city. This green space was built at the end of the 19th century and in 1888 the park became the site of the International Exposition. It´s
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There are so many museums and heritage in Barcelona that you will have to ensure you set your priorities right!
MACBA (Museo de Arte Contemporáneo Barcelona) – Review The Barcelona Museum of Contemporary Art is located in El Raval neighborhood. Apart from its incredible exhibition, focused on the second half of 20th Century painting, the white building where the museum is placed is absolutely huge and extraordinary. It was designed
The National Art Museum of Catalonia is located in the Palau Nacional (National Palace) on the Montjuïc hill. This construction was built between 1926 and 1929 for the International Exposition (1929) and boasts a size of 32.000 m². It was designed in neo-renaissance and classic style by Eugenio Cendoya and
Cathedral of Saint Eulalia Barcelona’s Cathedral is dedicated to the patron saint of the city, Saint Eulalia. The beginning of the church dates back to the 5th Century. However, the impressive view of the cathedral was built in the 19th Century when the façade and other parts of the temple
