21 Best Things To Do in Barcelona

Whether it's Gaudí's impressive architecture, a visit to Camp Nou or a trip to the Costa Brava, Barcelona will never cease to amaze you. Don't miss out on the city's must-see sights.

Alex Grande

Alex Grande

13 min read

21 Best Things To Do in Barcelona

Holy Family | ©Jonas Denil

Barcelona is a colourful city, full of life and unique for its architecture, gastronomy and nightlife. Gothic and modernism go hand in hand to form the iconic aesthetic of this almost permanently sunlit city, making it a top tourist destination. Here's a list of the 21 best things to see and do in Barcelona:

1. Marvel at La Sagrada Familia

Detail of the Sagrada Familia| ©Girl with red hat
Detail of the Sagrada Familia| ©Girl with red hat

The jewel in the crown of Spanish architecture and of course a must-see in Barcelona. Its impressive facades will leave you open-mouthed, and are just a taste of what you' ll see inside, which will give you the sensation of having been transported to a place out of this world.

Read my article on how to buy your tickets online for the Sagrada Familia, a must if you don't want to waste the day waiting in line. I also recommend going early or late, and whatever you do, avoid 10:00 in the morning as this is the time of most guided tours in Barcelona. I also leave you this post with more information about the Sagrada Familia opening hours.

Book tickets for the Sagrada Familia

2. Enjoy the genius of Park Güell

Park Güell| ©Denise Jones
Park Güell| ©Denise Jones

The iconic space designed by Gaudí is the place to lose yourself with the views of Barcelona in the background, as you discover a whole host of plastic forms such as sculptures, benches and towers covered in the artist's signature tile mosaics. A guided tour of Park Güell will ensure you don't miss any of Gaudí's architectural and sculptural wonders.

If you visit Park Güell in the afternoon, afterwards you can go and watch the sunset at the Bunkers del Carmel, a viewpoint near the park that is very popular with the locals. It's helpful to read the posts about Park Güell prices and opening times before your visit.

Book tickets for Park Güell

3. Discover Gaudí's architectural genius at La Pedrera

La Pedrera| ©Teresa Grau Ros
La Pedrera| ©Teresa Grau Ros

The most important building in Gaudí's oeuvre after the Sagrada Familia, as it is a torrent of creativity from the foundations to its impressive rooftop.

Taking a guided tour of La Pedrera is a perfect complement to the rest of the architect's works in Barcelona and is a good starting point from which to begin exploring the Eixample neighbourhood. You can visit and see the inside of La Pedrera at night, which is a highly recommended experience as it's less crowded and the rooftop is stunningly lit.

Book tickets for La Pedrera

4. Go inside Casa Batlló

Casa Batlló| ©Keith Roper
Casa Batlló| ©Keith Roper

Because of its location almost adjacent to La Pedrera, it is a visit that is included in many tourist itineraries. Although it's not a must-see attraction, it can be for you if you're passionate about Gaudí's architecture and want to discover all his main buildings in the city of Barcelona.

Organise your visit to Casa Batlló after La Pedrera, as they are very close and you will get the most out of your visit. In fact, you can buy combined tickets for both monuments or take one of Gaudí's guided tours in Barcelona so you don't miss anything.

Book tickets for Casa Batlló

5. Camp Nou Experience, a must if you're a football fan

Camp Nou at grass level| ©David Jones
Camp Nou at grass level| ©David Jones

If you live for football and even more so if you are an FC Barcelona fan, don't miss the Camp Nou Experience where you can tour the stadium, access the pitch, the changing rooms and the press room, and also visit the club's museum, where you can remember the great moments of its history and enjoy a space dedicated to Leo Messi.

It is very important to check the stadium opening hours and whether it will be open to the public on the day you want to visit, as during match days you may not be able to enjoy the experience.

Book your visit to Camp Nou

6. Immerse yourself in surrealist art with a trip to the Dalí Museum

Dalí Museum, Figueras| ©manuelfloresv
Dalí Museum, Figueras| ©manuelfloresv

Taking a trip to Figueras and visiting the Dalí Museum is one of the most popular activities for visitors to Barcelona. The main attraction of the excursion is, of course, the Dalí Museum, designed by the artist himself in a former theatre and the site of an exhibition of some of his works along with interesting installations and a collection of jewellery created by the surrealist master.

There is more to Figueras than just the Dalí Museum. Make the most of your trip to the city with other visits to points of interest such as the Toy Museum and the Fortress of Sant Ferran. Undoubtedly, one of the most recommended excursions to do from Barcelona.

Book an excursion with tickets to the Dalí Museum

7. Visit Girona, a must for fans of Game of Thrones

Cloister of Girona Cathedral| ©raul2010
Cloister of Girona Cathedral| ©raul2010

If you're a Game of Thrones fan, you'll love visiting Girona from Barcelona. You'll be able to see real places used as filming locations for the sixth season, such as the Arab Baths and the Pujada de Sant Domènech. You'll feel like you're inside the city of Braavos and you'll also be able to explore a beautiful city where medieval architecture still survives.

As night falls, the stairs of San Martín (on the Pujada de Sant Domènech) take on a special lighting and become a beautiful spot to linger for a while or have your photo taken.

It's very easy to get to Girona from Barcelona, here's how.

Book an excursion to Girona

8. Go up to Montserrat on a guided tour

Montserrat| ©M I S S S U
Montserrat| ©M I S S S U

Barcelona's holy mountain is a place of pilgrimage for believers and atheists alike, for its impressive monastery on the heights from which you can enjoy spectacular views of Barcelona. On a guided excursion to Montserrat you can go hiking, discover an art museum with works by leading Catalan artists and pay a visit to La Moreneta, a 12th century carving of the Virgin Mary.

My advice is to try to visit Montserrat Monastery on weekdays and from 12:30 p.m. onwards, as you can see La Moreneta and the Escolania choir live. If you go on your own, check also our post about how to go to Montserrat from Barcelona.

Book an excursion to Montserrat

9. Explore the medieval villages of the Costa Brava

Rupit| ©Andrew Moore
Rupit| ©Andrew Moore

The medieval heritage of the villages of Vic, Rupit, Pals and Calella de Palafrugell, among others, make a visit to the villages of the Costa Brava from Barcelona a very interesting excursion, where you can also enjoy the waters of the Mediterranean Sea while discovering the remains of walls, towers and other buildings from the Romanesque period.

By the way, Vic has one of the most beautiful medieval markets in Spain, and it is held during the Constitution Bank Holiday weekend in December. If you're in Barcelona that weekend, don't think twice before visiting the town.

If you're keen on the plan, check out the post Excursions to Costa Brava from Barcelona where you'll find more ideas to spend a great day in the countryside and escape from the city for a while to disconnect.

Book an excursion to the Costa Brava

10. Take a tour of Barcelona by tourist bus

View of Barcelona from the tourist bus| ©Andy Mitchell
View of Barcelona from the tourist bus| ©Andy Mitchell

Touring Barcelona on a Hop On Hop Off bus is the most comfortable way to enjoy the city without getting too tired. Moreover, it is possible to combine the bus tour with a self-guided tour, which makes this experience one of the most interesting if you plan your tours and don't like the typical crowded tours for tourists.

A trick that few people know: you can use the tourist bus as a method of transport during your trip to Barcelona, so you can get even more out of your ticket.

Book a seat on the Barcelona Bus Turistic

11. Discover Catalan artists in Barcelona's museums

National Art Museum of Catalonia| ©Edgar Jiménez
National Art Museum of Catalonia| ©Edgar Jiménez

If you want to explore the best museums in Barcelona, you have many options such as the National Art Museum of Catalonia, the Picasso Museum, the Museum of Contemporary Art of Barcelona (MACBA), the Joan Miró Foundation, the Antoni Tàpies Foundation or the Centre of Contemporary Culture of Barcelona. All of these museums are included in the Barcelona Museum Pass. All these museums are included in the Barcelona Museum Pass.

Depending on what you particularly like, you can explore in detail the artistic work of some of the most outstanding Catalan painters or, if you are passionate about Picasso's art, discover his paintings from his youth, something not very common in most of the major museum collections.

If you are a museum culture lover and don't want to miss out on the city's 'latest craze', you must visit the recently opened Moco museum. Here you will find works by such important artists as Andy Warhol, Banksy and Salvador Dalí.

Book tickets for the Cybernetic Dali

12. Plaza Cataluña, the nerve centre of Barcelona

Plaza Cataluña| ©Nacho
Plaza Cataluña| ©Nacho

You will pass through this central square in Barcelona during your tours, as it is the junction point between the historic centre and the most modern part of the city. From it, main streets such as Paseo de Gracia or La Rambla depart.

Once you visit Plaza Cataluña it will be very easy to find your way around Barcelona, and around the square you can find several points of interest such as the Liceu Theatre, the Boqueria Market, the Palace of Catalan Music, and several shopping centres.

13. Take a Gaudí tour and don't miss any of his works

Vicens House| ©Kent Wang
Vicens House| ©Kent Wang

If you want to discover all of Gaudí's main buildings and constructions in one tour, I recommend you take a Gaudí works tour to visit the Sagrada Familia, La Pedrera and Casa Batlló in the company of an expert guide. If you're only in Barcelona for a short time or just want to enjoy the Gaudí experience in one cohesive tour, this is the tour for you.

Of course, there are many more Gaudí buildings and works in Barcelona that are not part of the typical tourist tours. I recommend visiting the Güell Pavilions, Casa Vicens, and Casa Calvet on your own.

14. Cycle around Barcelona with a guided tour

Tourists in Barcelona by bike| ©Son of Groucho
Tourists in Barcelona by bike| ©Son of Groucho

Cycling through the streets of Barcelona is a real pleasure thanks to its flat streets and orderly urban organisation. Without a doubt, it is one of the best ways to get around Barcelona. On a bike tour you can see almost the whole city in just a few hours, and it's an alternative experience to the typical crowded tours.

Other ways to get around Barcelona

In addition to the many bike tours of Barcelona that you can find in the city, you can't miss other unique ways to get to know all its secret places: from boat rides to Segway tours, helicopter flights or the fabulous Barcelona cable car.

Book a bike tour in Barcelona

15. Enjoy the local gastronomy at the Boqueria Market

Boqueria Market| ©Boca Dorada
Boqueria Market| ©Boca Dorada

Known by the locals as the San José Market, among its stalls you can find fresh produce, places to have a beer and enjoy local gastronomy in its purest form.

To visit the Boquería Market, it's best to go early in the morning. After the aperitif time (12:00), it's crowded and you might not have a relaxing experience tasting the local produce. You may also be interested in one of the gastronomic tours in Barcelona.

16. Explore Barcelona's Gothic Quarter

Barcelona Cathedral| ©Emilio
Barcelona Cathedral| ©Emilio

In the heart of the city's historic centre, the Gothic Quarter is home to the impressive Barcelona Cathedral, Plaça Sant Jaume, the Jewish quarter and some major museums. It is one of the most beautiful areas of the city, so I recommend taking a stroll through its narrow streets or taking one of the guided tours of Barcelona's Gothic Quarter.

The antiques market in front of the Cathedral takes place every Thursday from 10:00 am, where you can find a much more genuine souvenir than in any other shop.

Book a tour of Barcelona's Gothic Quarter

17. Go up to Montjuïc to watch the sunset

Views of Barcelona from Montjuïc Castle| ©Emily Allen
Views of Barcelona from Montjuïc Castle| ©Emily Allen

One of the most popular viewpoints to enjoy the sunset over Barcelona. You can walk or take the cable car up to Montjuïc Castle, and be amazed by the spectacle of the Magic Fountain in front of the National Art Museum of Catalonia. Definitely a great way to end a day of sightseeing in the city.

If you have time to spare, I recommend a day trip to Montjuïc and visit all its points of interest, including the Olympic Stadium, the CaixaForum, the Montjuïc Botanical Garden, the Joan Miró Foundation and, of course, the Castle.

Book tickets for the Joan Miró Foundation

18. Get away from the hustle and bustle of the city at the Parc de la Ciutadella

Parc de la Ciutadella| ©Ignacio Lopez Martinez
Parc de la Ciutadella| ©Ignacio Lopez Martinez

Before Park Güell was opened for public enjoyment, this was the great park where the people of Barcelona went to hang out. It was designed with the Jardin du Luxembourg in Paris as a reference and was used as the site of the 1888 International Exhibition, which was accessed through the Arc de Triomphe. Today, it is a great place to stroll around and take a break from the hustle and bustle of the city.

19. Have fun like a kid at Tibidabo Amusement Park or Port Aventura

Tibidabo Amusement Park| ©Jorge Franganillo
Tibidabo Amusement Park| ©Jorge Franganillo

To take a break from all the sightseeing, what better than to go to the city's amusement park and let off some adrenaline or simply take a walk and enjoy the best views of Barcelona from Tibidabo.

You can visit the Tibidabo Amusement Park for free, which will give you access to the Panoramic Area to see the views of Barcelona (but you won't be able to go on any of the rides).

But if you're not afraid of vertigo and you're attracted by the thrill of an amusement park, the favourite park for visitors to Catalonia is Port Aventura. Fortunately, you can take a trip to Port Aventura from Barcelona to make this experience unforgettable.

If you are travelling to Barcelona with children Port Aventura is a must, I would say it is one of the top 10 excursions near Barcelona to go with children. There are attractions for all ages, but for sure the 'Dragon Khan' won't be a problem for you.

Here is more information on how to get from Barcelona to Port Aventura and how to get tickets to Port Aventura.

Other plans with children that may interest you are visiting the Aquarium or the Barcelona Zoo. Be sure to read the posts in which I tell you how to get tickets to the Aquarium and its prices. And also about tickets for the zoo.

Book tickets for Port Aventura

20. Enjoy the sun and the sea at the Mar Bella Beach

Mar Bella beach| ©Districte Sant Martí
Mar Bella beach| ©Districte Sant Martí

Finally, I suggest an alternative to Barceloneta, Mar Bella beach. If you want to get away from the tourist and local crowds, the rubbish and street vendors, Mar Bella beach is a little quieter and less touristy, although it is still a city beach.

There is a general area, a nudist area and an LGTBQ area on Mar Bella beach, so depending on your preferences you can choose to wear a swimming costume or not.

21. Experience a flamenco night in Barcelona!

Perhaps not many tourists know this, but Barcelona is one of the great capitals of flamenco in Spain, along with Madrid and Andalusia. Barcelona is home to some of the country's most emblematic tablaos, where legendary flamenco artists such as Camarón de la Isla, Carmen Amaya, Tomatito and Farruco have performed.

Attending a flamenco show in Barcelona is the perfect way to round off a memorable holiday in the city. It is also part of Spanish culture and folklore. That's why Unesco recognised it as Intangible Heritage of Humanity in 2010.

If you want to spend an unforgettable night in Barcelona watching a live music and dance show, between clapping, guitars and good vibes, I recommend you immerse yourself in the magical atmosphere and the magic of the flamenco "tablaos".

To find out more don't miss the post Flamenco Shows in Barcelona where you will find some of the best ones to see at the moment.

Book tickets for a flamenco show

When is it best to visit Barcelona and for how long?

You already know that you are going to travel to Barcelona soon and even more knowing all the plans that this wonderful city has to offer. But if you're wondering what is the best time to go, here are some guides with the best things to do at different times of the year:

Another option is to get to know the city at Christmas, a very special time when Barcelona also offers great plans.

Moreover, our website has a month-by-month guide to help you get the most out of Barcelona:

And if you're wondering how to fit Barcelona's many attractions into your travel plan, be sure to read these posts: