23 Best Things To Do in Barcelona

Barcelona is a colourful city, full of life and unique for its architecture, cuisine and nightlife. Gothic and modernist styles come together to form the iconic aesthetic of this city, which is almost permanently bathed in sunshine, making it a top tourist destination. Here is a list of the 21 best things to see and do in Barcelona:

The jewel in the crown of Spanish architecture and, of course, one of the 10 best monuments in Barcelona and an essential visit. Its impressive façades will leave you speechless, and they are just a taste of what you will see inside, which will give you the feeling of having been transported to a place out of this world. Here are some options for visiting it:

• Tickets for the Sagrada Familia, from €38
• Tickets for the Sagrada Familia with access to a tower, from €52
• Savings pack: Tour of Park Güell and La Sagrada Familia, from €103
• Guided tour of the Sagrada Familia, from €79
• Guided tour of the Sagrada Familia with access to the tower, from €72
• Skip-the-line guided tour of the Sagrada Familia, from €55

I also recommend reading my article on how to buy your tickets online for the Sagrada Familia, which is essential if you don't want to waste the day waiting in line. I also recommend going first thing in the morning or last thing in the afternoon, and whatever you do, avoid 10 a.m., as this is the peak time for most guided tours in Barcelona. Here's another post with more information on the Sagrada Familia's opening hours.

This iconic space designed by Gaudí is the perfect place to lose yourself in the views of Barcelona, while discovering a whole series of artistic forms such as sculptures, benches and towers covered with the artist's characteristic mosaic tiles. 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, you can then go and watch the sunset at the Bunkers del Carmel, a viewpoint near the park that is very popular with locals. It will be very helpful to read the posts about Park Güell prices and opening hours before your visit.

Would you like to visit? Here are some options:

• Tickets for the Palau Güell in Barcelona, from €14
• Tour of Park Güell, from €31
• Skip-the-line guided tour of Park Güell, from €32
• Offer: Guided tour of Park Güell and La Sagrada Familia, from €108

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

Taking a guided tour of La Pedrera is one of the best things to do in Barcelona, a perfect complement to the architect's other works in the city and a good starting point for exploring the Eixample district.

You can visit and explore the interior of La Pedrera at night, which is a highly recommended experience as there are fewer crowds and the rooftop is beautifully lit. But you also have other options available:

• Tickets for La Pedrera (Casa Milà) in Barcelona, from €32
• Night-time experience at La Pedrera, from €43

Due to its location almost adjacent to La Pedrera, it is a visit that is included in many tourist itineraries. Although it is not an essential attraction, it may be for you if you are passionate about Gaudí's architecture and want to discover all his main buildings in the city of Barcelona. Are you aware of the options available?

• Tickets for Casa Batlló, from €31
• Premium tickets for Casa Batlló, from €41

Plan to visit Casa Batlló after La Pedrera, as they are very close to each other and you'll get more out of your visit. In fact, you can buy combined tickets for both monuments or take one of the guided tours of Gaudí's Barcelona so you don't miss a thing.

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

It's very important to check the stadium's opening hours and whether it will be open to the public on the day you want to visit, as you may not be able to enjoy the experience on match days. Of course, if you prefer to enjoy Spotify Camp Nou in all its glory, book your ticket to Spotify Camp Nou.

Taking a trip to Figueras and visiting the Dalí Museum is one of the most popular activities among visitors to Barcelona. The main attraction of the trip is, of course, the Dalí Museum, designed by the artist himself in a former theatre and exhibition space that houses Dalí's finest works alongside interesting installations and a collection of jewellery created by the surrealist master.

And what's more, Figueras has more to offer than just the Dalí Museum. Make the most of your trip to the city with other visits to places of interest such as the Toy Museum and the Fortress of San Ferrán. Without a doubt, one of the most recommended excursions from Barcelona.

If you're a fan of Game of Thrones, you'll love visiting Girona from Barcelona. You can see real locations 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 in the city of Braavos, and you can also take the opportunity to explore a beautiful city where medieval architecture still remains.

As night falls, the San Martín stairs (in Pujada de Sant Domènech) are illuminated in a special way, becoming a beautiful spot to linger for a while or take a photo. It's very easy to get to Girona from Barcelona. Here's how.

Barcelona's sacred mountain is a place of pilgrimage for both believers and atheists alike, thanks to its impressive monastery perched high above the city, offering spectacular views of Barcelona. On a guided tour of Montserrat, you can go hiking, discover an art museum with works by leading Catalan artists and visit La Moreneta, a 12th-century carving of the Virgin Mary.

My advice is to try to visit the Monastery of Montserrat on a weekday after 12:30 pm, as you will be able to see La Moreneta and the Escolania choir live. If you are going on your own, check out our post on how to get to Montserrat from Barcelona. And if you want to book an excursion, here are some options:

• Excursion to Montserrat Monastery, from €62
• Excursion to Montserrat Monastery with a visit to a winery, from €51
• Excursion to Montserrat, Girona and the Costa Brava, from €109
• Excursion to Montserrat Monastery with horse riding, from €98

The medieval heritage of the villages of Vic, Rupit, Pals and Calella de Palafrugell, among others, makes 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.

Incidentally, Vic has one of the most beautiful medieval markets in Spain, which is held during the Constitution Day long weekend in December. If you're in Barcelona that weekend, don't think twice about visiting the town.

If you like the idea, take a look at the post on excursions to the Costa Brava from Barcelona, where you'll find more ideas for spending a wonderful day surrounded by nature and escaping the city for a while to unwind.

Touring Barcelona on a tourist bus is the most comfortable way to enjoy the city without getting too tired. What's more, you can combine the bus tour with a tour on your own, making this one of the most interesting experiences if you like to plan your own itineraries and don't like the typical crowded tourist tours.

Here's a tip that few people know about: you can use the tourist bus as a means of transport during your trip to Barcelona, so you can get even more out of your ticket.

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 Barcelona Museum of Contemporary Art (MACBA), the Joan Miró Foundation, the Antoni Tàpies Foundation and the Barcelona Centre for Contemporary Culture. 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 prominent Catalan painters or, if you are passionate about Picasso's art, discover his early paintings, something not often seen in most collections in major museums.

If you are someone who loves museum culture and don't want to miss out on the city's latest trends, you must visit the recently opened Moco Museum. There you will find works by important artists such as Andy Warhol, Banksy and Salvador Dalí.

You will pass through this central square in Barcelona during your tours, as it is the meeting point between the historic centre and the more modern part of the city. Main streets such as Paseo de Gracia and La Rambla start from here.

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 Boquería Market, the Palau de la Música Catalana, and several shopping centres.

If you want to discover all of Gaudí's main buildings and constructions in a single tour, I recommend booking a Gaudí tour of Barcelona to visit the Sagrada Familia, La Pedrera and Casa Batlló in the company of an expert guide. If you are only going to be in Barcelona for a short time or simply want to enjoy the Gaudí experience in a 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 routes. I recommend visiting the Güell Pavilions, Casa Vicens, and Casa Calvet on your own.

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

In addition to the numerous bike tours of Barcelona that you can find in the city, don't miss out on other unique ways to discover all its secret places: from boat trips to Segway tours, helicopter flights and the fabulous Barcelona cable car.

Known locally as the San José Market, its stalls offer fresh produce, places to have a beer and enjoy authentic local cuisine.

The best time to visit La Boquería Market is early in the morning. From aperitif time (12 noon) onwards, it gets very busy and you may not be able to enjoy a peaceful experience sampling the local produce. You may also be interested in one of the gastronomic tours in Barcelona.

Right in the historic centre of the city, the Gothic Quarter is home to the impressive Barcelona Cathedral, Plaza Sant Jaume, the Jewish quarter and some of the main museums. It is one of the most beautiful areas of the city, so I recommend taking a stroll around and losing yourself in its narrow streets or taking one of the guided tours of Barcelona's Gothic Quarter.

The antique market in front of the Cathedral takes place every Thursday from 10 a.m., where you can find souvenirs that are much more authentic than those in any shop. In addition, here is a post with 10 things to see and do in Barcelona's old town so you can continue your tour.

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 famous Magic Fountain in front of the National Art Museum of Catalonia. Without a doubt, a great way to end a day of sightseeing in the city.

If you have time to spare, I recommend taking a day trip to Montjuïc and visiting all its points of interest, including the Olympic Stadium, the CaixaForum, the Montjuïc Botanical Garden, the Joan Miró Foundation and, of course, the Castle. All these points of interest are among the best things to see and do in Montjuïc.

Booking tickets for the Palau de la Música in Barcelona and visiting this emblem of Art Nouveau architecture is an absolute must, especially if you are a music lover, because it is a place of worship for Catalan and choral music; and, above all, if you are passionate about architecture, because it is one of the most illustrious works of Lluís Domènech i Montaner, the leading representative of Catalan modernism.

This music auditorium is located in La Ribera in Barcelona and was built between 1905 and 1908. In 1997, it was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. Below is a post with all the information you need to visit the Palau de la Música in Barcelona.

What's more, if you book your tickets, you'll have an audio guide at your disposal that will show you all the interesting facts about the different rooms in the palace, its history and numerous anecdotes.

To take a break from all the sightseeing, what better than to visit the city's amusement park and get your adrenaline pumping or simply take a stroll and enjoy the best views of Barcelona from Tibidabo. You can visit 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).

If you're looking for thrills, you can take a trip to Port Aventura from Barcelona for an unforgettable experience. If you're travelling to Barcelona with children, it's one of the 10 best day trips near Barcelona to go with kids. There are attractions for all ages, but you're sure to love the 'Dragon Khan'. Here's 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 include visiting the Aquarium or the Barcelona Zoo. Be sure to read the posts where I tell you how to get tickets to the Aquarium and their prices. And also about tickets to the zoo.

Perhaps not many tourists know this, but Barcelona is one of the great capitals of flamenco in Spain, along with Madrid and Andalusia. The city is home to some of the most iconic tablaos in the country, which have been graced by legendary flamenco figures such as Camarón de la Isla, Carmen Amaya, Tomatito and Farruco.

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 is why UNESCO recognised it as Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in 2010.

If you want to spend an unforgettable night in Barcelona watching a live music and dance show, surrounded by clapping, guitars and good vibes, I recommend immersing yourself in the magical atmosphere and spirit of the flamenco tablaos. To find out more, don't miss the post on flamenco shows in Barcelona, where you'll find some of the best ones to see at the moment, such as:

• Flamenco show at Los Tarantos in Barcelona.
• Gran Gala Flamenco show in Barcelona.
• Flamenco show at the Palau Dalmases in Barcelona.
• Flamenco show at the City Hall Theatre in Barcelona.
• Flamenco show at Tablao Cordobés in Barcelona.
• Flamenco show at Tablao de Carmen in Barcelona.

Before Park Güell opened to the public, this was the large park where Barcelona residents went to spend their free time. It was designed with the Luxembourg Gardens in Paris as a reference and was used as the venue for the 1888 International Exhibition, which was accessed through the Arc de Triomphe. Today, it is a great place to take a stroll and relax from the hustle and bustle of the city.

Finally, I suggest an alternative to Barceloneta: Mar Bella beach. If you want to escape the crowds of tourists and locals, the rubbish and the street vendors, Mar Bella beach is a little quieter and less touristy, even though it is still a city beach.

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

You've already decided that you're going to travel to Barcelona soon, especially knowing all the things this wonderful city has to offer. First, find out all the details about transfers between the airport and Barcelona and check out the best tourist passes in Barcelona. Next, consider the best time to go. Here are some guides with the best things to do at different times of the year:

• 10 things to do in Barcelona in winter.
• 10 things to do in Barcelona in summer.
• 10 things to do in Barcelona in spring.
• 10 things to do in Barcelona in autumn.

Another option is to visit the city at Christmas, a very special time when Barcelona also offers great things to do.

In addition, our website offers a month-by-month guide to help you get the most out of the city:

• 10 things to see and do in Barcelona in January.
• 10 things to see and do in Barcelona in February.
• 10 things to see and do in Barcelona in March.
• 10 things to see and do in Barcelona in June.
• 10 things to see and do in Barcelona in July.
• 10 things to see and do in Barcelona in August.
• 10 things to see and do in Barcelona in September.
• 10 things to see and do in Barcelona in October.
• 10 things to see and do in Barcelona in November.
• 10 things to see and do in Barcelona in December.

You can also check out plans for key dates or festivities such as:

• 10 things to see and do during Holy Week in Barcelona.

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

• What to see and do in Barcelona in 1 day.
• What to see and do in Barcelona in 2 days.
• What to see and do in Barcelona in 3 days.
• What to see and do in Barcelona in 4 days.