A rundown of the 32 obvious and not-so-obvious things to do in Barcelona, Spain.
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If I’m being honest, the first couple of times I went to Barcelona, I didn’t like it. The grid system of Barcelona’s streets feels industrial, many of the beaches aren’t great, and the city is so big you feel like it could swallow you whole. It was only the third time I went that I started to see the appeal. I stayed in a friend’s apartment in a residential area, and started to imagine what life is like living in Barcelona. Then I started to see the appeal.
I’d also only ever stayed there for two or three days at a time, but this summer I went back to Barcelona for a week whilst travelling in Europe and, finally, I started to see what all the fuss was about.
I’ve split this list into three sections:
The best things to do in Barcelona itself (i.e. things to do within the city)
The best day trips from Barcelona (things to do in Barcelona that will require some travel and either a day or an afternoon)
The best seasonal events in Barcelona (things you can do in Barcelona at certain times of year)
📍Don’t miss out: book your Barcelona tours in advance
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The Best Things to Do in Barcelona Itself
La Sagrada Família
No trip to Barcelona is complete without seeing the Sagrada Família, Gaudí’s most popular work and the city’s most famous landmark, and this one comes first on the list because I gather most readers will skip straight past it! The basilica has been ‘under construction’ for over a century, and it’s known not only for its incredible architecture, but also its towering cranes. If you want to go inside, it’s best to book tickets in advance.
📍 Skip the queue: book fast-track Sagrada Familia tickets
Casa Batlló
Casa Batlló is an iconic building by Gaudí. It has a dragon-inspired roof and a very colourful exterior, making it look like something straight out of Alice in Wonderland. Gaudí’s unique style is unmissable, whether you’re lucky enough to go inside or just head over to look at its exterior. Casa Batlló is right there in the heart of the city, so don’t miss it!
Casa Milà / La Pedrera
Another classic Gaudí building, and on the same street as Casa Batlló, Casa Milà (also known as La Pedrera) has an undulating stone facade and twisting rooftop chimneys that you can walk amongst if you decide to go inside. There’s also an amazing view of Barcelona from this rooftop!
Passeig de Gràcia
Stroll down Passeig de Gràcia, an elegant boulevard lined with high-end shops, modernist architecture, and outdoor cafes. This is the street that’s home to Casa Batlló and Casa Milà.
Picasso Museum (Museu Picasso)
The Pablo Picasso Museum was the first attraction I saw in Barcelona. I was just sixteen (which is quite some time ago, now), but I still remember being completely inspired by the huge collection of Picasso works inside. The museum offers an impressive and captivating insight into Pablo Picasso’s early years, as well as his connection to the city of Barcelona.
La Rambla
La Rambla is, of course, full of energy but also full of tourists. La Rambla is the famous pedestrian boulevard that stretches from Plaça de Catalunya (the centre of the shopping district) right down to the waterfront. It’s lined with street performers, cafes, caricaturists, and stalls. If you go here during peak hours in peak season you’re likely to be overwhelmed by tourists, but during the week in the less busy months, it can be a great way to soak up some of the city’s atmosphere.
Poble Espanyol
Poble Espanyol is a huge open-air museum where you can see replicas of buildings from various regions of Spain throughout history. You’ll also find artisan workshops, traditional restaurants and even a theatre.
Gothic Quarter
One of my favourite things to do in Barcelona was to simply wander around the Gothic Quarter. You’ll find winding streets, small bookstores, parks and plazas as you get lost in this part of the city. If you want to know more about the history of Barcelona, you can also do some really reasonably priced walking tours!
📍 Book: a guided tour of the Gothic Quarter
Plaça del Rei (Plaza del Rey)
Plaça del Rei is a picturesque square in the middle of the Gothic Quarter. It’s surrounded by impressive mediaeval buildings, including the Royal Palace, and is a great place to sit back with a beer or some tapas.
Plaça de Catalunya (Plaza de Cataluña)
Plaça Catalunya is the central square connecting the old and new areas of Barcelona. I don’t know what the locals think, but to me it feels like the “centre” of the city, and this is where you’ll find popular fashion brands and larger department stores.
La Boqueria Market (Mercat de la Boqueria)
La Boqueria Market (also just called “La Boqueria”) is a vibrant public market where you can buy a huge range of fresh produce, local specialties, and freshly cooked food. Sample traditional Catalan cuisine or pick up ingredients for a picnic in one of the city’s beautiful parks.
Gran Teatre del Liceu (Opera House)
The Gran Teatre del Liceu is an opulent 19th-century opera house. Even if you don’t go to a show, you can take a guided tour to look around its stunning interior design.
Barcelona Cathedral (Catedral de Barcelona)
Located in the heart of the old city is Barcelona Cathedral which, whilst smaller and not quite as decadent as the Sagrada Familia, is still an impressive piece of Gothic architecture. If you go inside, you can climb to the roof for a panoramic view of the city.
Barceloneta Beach
Soak up the sun at Barceloneta Beach, Barcelona’s most popular city beach with a lively promenade, restaurants, and water sports. It’s the perfect place to relax after a day of sightseeing or enjoy the Mediterranean lifestyle from a chiringuito.
MNAC Museum (Museu Nacional d’Art de Catalunya)
The National Museum of Catalan Art is in a stunning location on Montjuïc hill, which is a little far out of the city but easy to get to with Cabify or by metro then a short walk. The museum’s collection spans a thousand years of art history, from Romanesque frescoes to modernist masterpieces.
Palau de la Generalitat (Palacio de la Generalidad)
The Gothic and Renaissance architecture of the Palau de la Generalitat houses the seat of the Catalan government. The interior is not commonly open to the public, but the exterior is worth a visit and is often a stop on bike or walking tours of Barcelona.
Best Day Trips to Make from Barcelona
Park Güell
Park Güell is a whimsical hillside park featuring more of Gaudí’s artistic creations and panoramic views of Barcelona. The colourful mosaics, unique structures, and lush gardens make it a must-visit attraction. However, try to go outside of peak times, because both the area and the public transport links have been victim to over-tourism this year.
📍 Take the stress out of travel: book a guided tour with hotel pickup
Camp Nou
If you’re a football fan, don’t miss a visit to Camp Nou, FC Barcelona’s home stadium. Take a tour of the facilities, visit the museum to learn about the club’s history, or catch a match if you’re lucky enough to get tickets.
Montserrat Mountain
Montserrat Mountain is home to stunning nature, a monastery on top of the hill and, of course, breathtaking views of Barcelona. You can either hike the entire mountain (a fairly challenging climb) or take the funicular to the top, with various additional hikes available that don’t start right from the bottom!
Mount Tibidabo
Climb or take the train to the top of Mount Tibidabo for panoramic views of Barcelona and the surrounding coastline. At the top you’ll also find a beautiful church and a small amusement park (although if you want to go into the amusement park, check the opening hours and days here as it doesn’t open every day).
Penedes Wine Region
The Penedes Wine Region is best known for its Cava (sparkling wine). You can tour vineyards, taste local wines, and enjoy the picturesque countryside as a welcome break from the bustling city of Barcelona.
Tarragona
The Roman ruins of Tarragona are a UNESCO World Heritage site just an hour south of Barcelona. The well-preserved amphitheatre, forum, and circus offer a glimpse into the ancient past of Tarragona.
Figueres
Figueres was the birthplace of Salvador Dali, and is now home to the Dali Theatre-Museum. The Dalí Theatre-Museum houses the largest collection of Dalí’s works in the world.
Girona
The mediaeval city of Girona is full of colourful houses along the Onyar River, an impressive cathedral, and a prominent Jewish Quarter. It’s most well-known these days because some of Game of Thrones was filmed there, but there’s much more to see in Girona!
Seasonal Events and Things to Do in Barcelona
Castanyada (January)
The Catalan tradition of Castanyada, celebrated around All Saints’ Day, is to honour loved ones who have passed away. It is tradition to eat roasted chestnuts, sweet potatoes, and panellets (small almond cookies).
Feria de Abril de Catalunya (April/May)
The Feria de Abril is traditionally an Andalusian festival (the southernmost region in Spain). However, you can get a taste of Andalusian culture even all the way up here in Barcelona at the end of April (sometimes overlapping into May, too) featuring flamenco dancing, traditional costumes, and delicious food and drink from southern Spain.
Primavera Sound (May)
Primavera Sound is one of Europe’s premier music festivals which combines genres for an eclectic mix of up-and-coming and established artists. It comes to Barcelona every May.
Brunch Electronik (Summer)
Brunch Electronik is a series of outdoor electronic music events held on Sundays throughout the summer, now in various cities in Europe, however it began here in Barcelona. You’ll find a range of electronic music artists, food trucks, drinks and a chilled party atmosphere in Montjuïc park.
La Mercè Festival (September)
La Mercè, an annual city-wide celebration honouring the city’s patron saint, is one of Barcelona’s biggest street parties. You’ll find parades, concerts, traditional dances, and the famous correfoc (fire run), where groups of people dress up as devils and parade through the streets with fireworks (yep, it’s about as wild as it sounds).
Oktoberfest Barcelona (October)
Whilst not quite the same experience you might have in Munich, the smaller Oktoberfest replica in Barcelona is a fun way to experience a little Bavarian culture in Catalonia. The festival mimics the original, featuring German beer, food and music.
Sant Pau Art Nouveau at Christmas (December)
During December, the Sant Pau Art Nouveau, sometimes called the Sant Pau Recinte Modernista, turns into an incredible winter wonderland during the winter months.
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Like I mentioned at the beginning of this article, it took me a hot minute to fall in love with Barcelona, but I think we all get there in the end. There’s so much to see and do across the city, it’s the kind of place you will never get bored. Hopefully this guide helps you to fill your trip with amazing things to do in Barcelona!