Sightseeing
Barcelona is full of breathtaking sights and attractions to explore. From the unique architecture to vibrant parks, there is something for everyone to enjoy. It is also easy to get around the city as public transportation is reliable and efficient.
Let’s take a look at the top sightseeing experiences to have in Barcelona:
Visit La Sagrada Familia
La Sagrada Familia is an iconic symbol of Barcelona and one of the city’s most visited attractions. It was built in 1882 by Antoni Gaudí. It has been under construction since and is expected to be completed around 2026. The neo-Gothic building houses chapels, crypts, a museum, and a crypt inside its basilica.
Visitors can take a guided or self-guided tour to explore the inside and exterior of La Sagrada Familia and its cryptic history. Take a look at Gaudí’s eccentric designs, which combine nature with geometric structures for unique architecture, including crazy spirals on the spires that look like something out of a fairytale. You can also climb the turrets for incredible panoramic views from above. In addition to admiring the stunning architecture, you can make stops at various shops in La Sagrada Familia that sell souvenirs, artwork, and other items related to Antoni Gaudí.
Explore Park Güell
Park Güell is a remarkable example of modernist architecture designed by Antoni Gaudí, located in the dramatic hills of Barcelona. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, Park Güell has become one of the city’s top tourist attractions and is worth exploring for its spectacular beauty and interesting architecture.
As visitors enter Park Güell, it’s easy to sense why it has attracted so many people over the years. This park perfectly balances leisurely outdoor activities and cultural exploration, featuring impressive pathways, winding staircases, and an array of colorful tile mosaics. The main area of interest within the park is known as ‘The Monumental Zone,’ which includes a Dragon staircase decorated with colorful tiled mosaics, interactive fountains, and winding passageways that lead to varied viewpoints across Barcelona.
Uniquely built benches featuring gradient ceramics can be found throughout Park Güell, adding a distinctive magical charm to this hilltop destination. With plenty of green spaces filled with lush vegetation, there are many spots to enjoy a picnic lunch or relax on one of the iconic benches to take in panoramic views across Barcelona. In addition to providing visitors with extraordinary modernist architecture, Park Güell is a great educational site highlighting the history behind Antoni Gaudí’s works.
This idyllic setting offers something for everyone – locals catching some sun on their lunch breaks or tourists exploring every inch of this enchanting public space!
Take a Tour of the Gothic Quarter
The Gothic Quarter of Barcelona – also known as Barri Gòtic or Ciutat Vella in Catalan, is a must-see destination for any traveler descending upon the port city. Nestled within the ancient streets and alleyways of this vibrant medieval quarter are some of the best-preserved historical sites in Europe. Being a top tourist attraction, the Gothic Quarter offers many attractions that can be explored on foot or by taking a guided tour to get an intimate experience with its sights and sounds.
Often starting at Plaça de Sant Jaume, visitors can explore the Palau Reial Major (Royal Palace), Plaça del Rei (King’s Square), and La Seu Cathedral are architectural marvels representing various styles from Renaissance to Gothic once built during Barcelonian rule. One then proceeds through some breathtakingly narrow labyrinthine alleyways, historic squares like Plaça del Pi, street art sculptures, and monuments that witness significant moments in Barcelona’s history, such as the memorial of Ferdinand and Isabella, who laid siege to Barcelona in 1485. The tour also includes classic works by renowned artists like Antoni Gaudí’s Casa de l’Ardiaca and El Milà building, among others.
Most experienced guides offer exclusive insights about every street you stumble upon, making for a truly unique experience for local and international visitors!
Shopping
Barcelona is known for having some great shopping options. Whether you’re looking for local artisan goods or luxury items, you can find it all in Barcelona. From designer stores to vintage markets, this city has something for everyone.
Let’s take a look at some of the top shopping spots in Barcelona:
Browse the Boqueria Market
The Boqueria Market, Mercat de Sant Josep, is one of Barcelona’s most popular tourist attractions. Located near Las Ramblas, the market was founded in 1217 and has continuously operated. It’s a must-see for tourists and locals alike!
The Boqueria Market offers visitors a glimpse into local life and is teeming with stalls piled high with colorful fresh fruit and vegetables, freshly-caught seafood and meat, and cheeses from all over Spain, along with other local delicacies. The variety of food available makes it a great place to shop – pick up ingredients to make a traditional Spanish meal at home or find unique gifts like freshly-ground spices or local olive oil products. In addition, plenty of restaurants are on site with delicious tapas for those who don’t like cooking after shopping.
Alongside all the fresh and tasty options, you can find countless souvenirs, such as handmade jewelry or decorative pieces that make perfect gifts for friends back home. In addition to browsing the merchandise, many people come to the market to soak up its atmosphere – it’s an exciting place where you can watch locals bartering their way through daily grocery trips or haggling over produce prices, children running around snacking on candied fruits and vendors yelling about the freshness of their wares all at once.
Shop in El Born
The lively neighborhood of El Born in Barcelona offers unique shopping opportunities for the curious traveler. You will find various clothes, gifts, souvenirs, and accessories from independent boutiques here. Whether looking for classic Spanish design or handcrafted items from local artists, El Born is the place to go.
The labyrinthine streets lead to hundreds of small shops, and charming stalls tucked away in alleyways – all offering something special. From vintage stores to traditional tapas bars, there is something to suit every taste and budget. Visit local artisan markets for limited edition pieces from Barcelona-based designers or browse through antique stores for retro gifts. You’ll even find Spanish guitar shops where you can purchase handcrafted instruments or buy other traditional objects such as hams and ceramic bowls.
Nearby, Mirador de Colom offers far-reaching views of the harbor. As you wander through El Born’s cobbled pathways, take a break and enjoy the view with some delicious tapas at one of its many classic eateries – it’s a great spot to relax after a day exploring local treasures!
Visit the Outlet Stores in La Roca Village
The famous La Roca Village outlet stores in Barcelona, Spain, offer an abundant array of shopping opportunities with up to 60% off on significant fashion designer brands. This charming shopping mecca is conveniently located just outside the city center and is easy to reach by car or public transportation.
The mall is home to over 130 boutiques of major international designer brands, including names like Dolce & Gabbana, Armani, and Versace. Open-air shopping centers include outdoor cafes, restaurants, and large children’s playgrounds, making them an excellent choice for families. You’ll also find many souvenir shops with local crafts and products at discounted prices. These are ideal places to repurchase gifts for friends and family home.
If you’re looking for something unique or want some retail therapy, La Roca Village offers plenty of options for shoppers of all ages and budgets. So enjoy window shopping or treat yourself to an afternoon at the luxury shopping center — either way, you won’t be disappointed!
Eating and Drinking
Barcelona has a vibrant food and drinks culture, and you won’t have any trouble finding something delicious to try. From tapas bars to Michelin-starred restaurants, Barcelona has something for everyone.
In this heading, we’ll look at some of the city’s tastiest places to eat and drink so you can get the most out of your visit.
Try Tapas in La Boqueria
La Boqueria is Barcelona’s renowned public market that offers some of the city’s best produce and Mercado-style gastronomy. The labyrinthine network of stalls in La Boqueria is filled with an abundance of mouthwatering offerings to tantalize your taste buds.
Sample traditional tapas such as tortilla espanola (potato omelet), pavías (fried fish cakes), and wild mushrooms with garlic and parsley. Also, try crayfish and salt cod on thick slabs of toasted sourdough. For a quick bite, enjoy empanadas de atún (tuna empanadas) or huevos rotos (scrambled eggs with potatoes). You can also seek out local specialties like Catalan sausage, butifarra amb mongetes (pork sausage with white beans), or bull’s tail stew.
After your meal, reward yourself with sweet treats like marzipan pastries or churros con chocolate.
Enjoy a Beer in El Born
Barcelona is well-known for its lively atmosphere and a wide variety of bars and restaurants, so it’s no surprise that there are plenty of places to have a beer in El Born. El Born is a hip area of Barcelona known for its art galleries, boutique shops, and cafes.
The craft beer scene in El Born had grown significantly since 2018, when a few local entrepreneurs opened craft beer bars like The Beer Machine, Halo Brewery, Porterhouse BCN, and much more. You can find anything from Indian pale ales to barrel-aged beers at these fascinating watering holes.
If beer isn’t your thing, though, don’t worry – there are still many fabulous drinks in El Born! La Tibidaboquera is great for mojitos or caipirinhas and La Nevinilla offers some delicious wines. There are also plenty of bars offering more traditional drinks like vermouth (vermouth), horchata (a sweet drink made from tiger nuts), and rebujito (a fruity sangria-like cocktail).
Whether you’re looking for an after-work crowd sipping on craft beers or friends who want to try some traditional Spanish cocktails helped by delicious tapas dishes – there’s something for everyone in El Born!
Sample Catalan Cuisine in El Raval
El Raval is one of Barcelona’s most vibrant and colorful districts in the city. You can also sample Catalonia’s world-renowned cuisine at some of the city’s finest restaurants. From traditional local eateries to Michelin-starred establishments, El Raval has something for every taste preference and budget.
If you want to get a taste of traditional Catalan dishes, be sure to try a selection from tapas and montaditos menus. Both are smaller plates of Mediterranean favorites such as patatas bravas (fried potatoes), calamares (fried squid rings in batter), or croquetas de jamón (ham croquettes). Tapas are fantastic for sharing with friends as a side dish, while montaditos can serve as an entire meal.
At El Raval, you can satisfy all your cravings for traditional Spanish food, from a simple bowl of paella made with locally caught seafood to the classic Spanish omelet, tortilla española. Then, wash it all down with a glass – or bottle – of local wine produced near Barcelona in nearby Catalunya wineries such as Codorníu Raventós Requena or Bodega Campo Valdés.
Visiting El Raval is just scratching the surface regarding the culinary scene in Barcelona. With so many fantastic dining spots to choose from, you’ll never go hungry!
Activities
Barcelona, Spain, is a city with a vibrant culture and plenty of opportunities for exploration. From breathtaking cityscapes to award-winning restaurants to thrilling nightlife activities, there are plenty of things to do in Barcelona.
Here are some of the best activities and attractions to enjoy in the city:
Take a Day Trip to Montserrat
Montserrat is one of the most popular tourist activities visiting Barcelona, Spain. This spectacular mountain range offers views over the city stretching out in all directions and is especially beautiful at sunrise and sunset.
Montserrat is a hiker’s paradise, with miles of trails crisscrossing the hills, offering stunning sights and peace. The more accessible paths lead to viewpoints, while some more challenging routes take adventurers up higher into the mountain range. Timber tours are also available if you’d prefer not to walk.
The winding path that takes visitors up to Sant Jeroni (Montserrat’s highest point at 1,236m) rewards adventurers with an impressive view from its peak – you may even catch sight of the snow-capped Pyrenees if it’s a clear day! Some visitors pilgrimage here yearly for religious reasons – this is Europe’s most famous Marian shrine, so there are often crowds of people around during peak hours and holidays.
Another site on Montserrat worth exploring is The Monastery of Santa Maria de Montserrat – founded by Charlemagne in 718AD – which houses a museum full of ancient artifacts, including medieval manuscripts and paintings dating back to 12th century Catalan times. You can also visit the Basilica Church nearby, where a fantastic array of artwork will amaze visitors with its intricate designs and size alone.
If you’re looking for an exciting day trip when visiting Barcelona, then make sure you add Montserrat to your itinerary!
Go on a Bike Tour of the City
A biking tour of Barcelona, Spain, offers the perfect opportunity to explore one of the world’s most vibrant cities. With its modern architecture and ancient monuments, there’s no better way to appreciate all aspects of Barcelona. Guided tours are available for riders of all ages and skill levels so that you can find a tailor-made tour for your specific needs. Note that biking in Barcelona can be pretty difficult due to the narrow roads, so consider hiring an experienced guide who can ensure a safe and enjoyable ride.
The tours usually include stops at some of the city’s most iconic sights, such as La Sagrada Familia, Camp Nou Stadium, and Park Güell. In addition, bike tours can be an exhilarating way to explore Barcelona in just a day or two!
Visit Barcelona Zoo
One of the best things to do in Barcelona, Spain, is to visit Barcelona Zoo. Located in the Parc de la Ciutadella, Barcelona Zoo has nearly three-thousand animals worldwide. From majestic royal Bengal tigers, friendly African wild dogs, and Humboldt penguins dressing up for the party, you can experience a variety of beautiful creatures in a wonderfully natural environment.
The zoo provides plenty of activities for visitors, young and old alike, such as:
- Guided tours of different parts of the park;
- Feeding time with sea lions, hand feeding some spectacular birds;
- Interactive displays that offer information on a wide variety of animals;
- Fun rides such as train rides and elephant rides;
- Getting your face painted like an animal;
- Live music performances are overflowing with enthusiasm.
Taking a break from wildlife viewing, you might want to try out one of their special restaurants like Zorba’s Greek Grill or La Terrassa Café, both offering Spanish cuisine with a Mediterranean influence. Or why not participate in educational activities often throughout the day?
Don’t miss out! Take advantage of what Barcelona Zoo offers, and prepare for hours of fun!
Nightlife
Barcelona is a fantastic city to visit. Barcelona has everything for a romantic getaway or a wild night out. With its many clubs, bars, and pubs, the Spanish city can be a great place to explore its diverse nightlife.
Let’s take a closer look at its exciting nightlife and what Barcelona has to offer:
Enjoy a Show at the Palau de la Música
The Palau de la Música is a world-famous concert hall in Barcelona’s heart. It has been at the center of the city’s cultural life since 1908 and continues to host performances from some of the biggest names in classical music and theatre. Colored with mosaics, stained glass, and ornamental touches, this striking building will take your breath away and make for an unforgettable night out.
As one of Europe’s most prominent concert halls, the Palau de la Música is home to various top-notch performances and has become an important reference point for classical music in Spain. Whether it’s a solo recital or a full orchestra performance, there will be something to keep even the most seasoned patron entertained. Tickets can be purchased online or at the box office; prices vary depending on which show you choose.
For those looking to take their experience further, guided tours are available during off-hours, where visitors can learn more about one of Barcelona’s most iconic sights. This popular attraction should not be missed when visiting Barcelona!
Dance the Night Away in El Born
El Born is a neighborhood in Barcelona, Spain home to countless chic bars, classic clubs, and live music venues. This area is known for its vibrant nightlife and one-of-a-kind experiences. From daytime boat parties in the Mediterranean Sea to all-night raves that start when the sun goes down and last until morning light, there’s no shortage of ways to spend your nights in El Born.
For those looking for more traditional nightlife, El Born’s bars are known for offering excellent drinks, ranging from Spanish beers on tap to Catalan wines by the bottle. Many of these bars also host DJs every night who play a mixture of old-school classics and contemporary pop tracks. Finally, if you’re looking for live music, don’t miss out on La Paloma – a bar near La Plaza de Mar where local rock bands often perform popular covers alongside their original works.
Finally, suppose you’re looking to get down with the locals late into the evening. In that case, several nightclubs are dotted across El Born – two of which are Apolo, a multi-level venue popular with young people, and Macarena – an electronic music haven with famous international DJs spinning up beats until dawn. Whether you like dancing or want to sit back and observe the scene – El Born offers something for everyone!
Catch a Game at Camp Nou
Camp Nou, home of the legendary FC Barcelona, is one of the great sports arenas of Europe and a must-visit destination for any traveler to Barcelona. The Spanish football season runs from August to May, and game tickets can often be bought online in advance.
A visit to Camp Nou isn’t complete without a tour through one of the world’s most iconic stadiums. Tour passes include access to regular and VIP areas, including the dressing room, players’ tunnel, pitch, and specific spots in all four stands. There are also interactive experiences with football-related activities and films about Barça’s history.
Once you’ve had your fill of touring Camp Nou, head next door to the FC Botiga store for official club merchandise before having a bite at one of many nearby restaurants or grabbing a drink at one of Barcelona’s iconic cocktail bars or clubs.