Top 10 things to do and see in Barcelona
The Mediterranean metropolis was the very first foreign destination I visited by plane. And it blew me away! There are so many things to do in Barcelona!
I have returned several times since, and I still haven’t covered all the attractions. Yet, as a first-time visitor, you only have so much time at your disposal.
So, let me help you make the best of your visit with my top 10 things to do in this magical city.
This post contains affiliate links to products and services that I may be compensated for, at no extra cost to you. Read more about this on our disclosure page here.
Table of Contents
- 10 things to do in Barcelona
- How much time to spend in Barcelona
- Where to stay in Barcelona
- Discover Gaudi’s genius
- Take a stroll through Park Guell
- Barceloneta Beach
- Barri Gotic
- The Magic Fountain of Montjuïc, National Museum of Art of Catalunya, and Las Arenas de Barcelona
- Poble Espanyol
- Take the gondola (Montjuic cable car) to Montjuïc Castle
- Taste Catalan food
- La Rambla
- Go to Tibidabo Amusement Park
- Other City Break Options
10 things to do in Barcelona
First things first! You have to decide how long to stay and where to stay in Barcelona. Luckily, I tried and tested the answers to these questions, so I’ll give you some clues.
How much time to spend in Barcelona
Whether you have a week or only a couple of days, you won’t get bored. Based on my experience, the optimum trip should be four days long.
Where to stay in Barcelona
The city has many nice neighborhoods, but as a short-time visitor, you should aim for minimum travel time between your base and the different attractions. You don’t have to travel to Barcelona to waste your time commuting, after all.
Considering this, choose the central areas, such as Placa de Catalunya, Las Ramblas, or the Old Town (Gothic Quarter).
Booking.comDiscover Gaudi’s genius
Personally, I never really liked Sagrada Familia. Also, you should expect to stand in line for hours to enter it.
Still, it is one of Barcelona’s symbols, and you can hardly leave the city without seeing it. It is like visiting New York without glimpsing the Statue of Liberty.
So, I suggest you drop by, and if the crowds are too large, just take a few selfies from outside with Sagrada Familia in the background.
Moreover, the immense cathedral is not Gaudi’s only creation in Barcelona; the others are more interesting, in my opinion. Casa Calvet, Palau Guell, Casa Batllo, and Casa Mila (La Pedrera) are examples of unique architectural creations signed by Gaudi.
While Casa Calvet is a restaurant nowadays, Casa Batllo and Casa Mila (La Pedrera) are among my favorites.
Casa Battlo is incredibly romantic. One really needs to take a walk inside and admire the wide windows with magnificent, colorful mosaics.
Casa Mila (La Pedrera) is another of Gaudi’s creations, inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1984.
I liked it very much, especially the rooftop with its towers, from which you can admire Barcelona from above. Inside the house, be prepared to find all sorts of exhibitions.
Take a stroll through Park Guell
Breathtaking! This is how Park Guell felt at the first visit. And at the second one.
The gingerbread houses at the entrance, with their multicolor mosaic.
The white Dragon stairway and the fountain, lead to a covered terrace. With its unique shape and colors, it offers the perfect place for a photo session.
Barceloneta Beach
The best sandy beach is not far from the city center.
There are numerous cafes and restaurants nearby where you can enjoy sangria caressed by the soothing sea breeze. Just make sure to use sunscreen protection, as I got sunburned in April.
Alternatively, you can rent a bicycle and ride it along the shore or engage in a beach volleyball match with the locals.
Barri Gotic
I once stayed in a small hostel in the middle of Barri Gotic, close to the harbor. It was one of my best trips to Barcelona.
Admiring the narrow street from my window, I imagined myself in Hans Christian Andersen’s story in which the pair of children living across the street from one another had built a suspended walkway to cross the divide.
The metamorphosis the Old Town had gone through as evening replaced the day was dizzying.
During the day, everything was dull. But as soon as the sun approached the horizon, the streets came to life. Music, laughter, and excited chatter inundated Barcelon’s Old Town.
The Magic Fountain of Montjuïc, National Museum of Art of Catalunya, and Las Arenas de Barcelona
If you get off at the Plaça d’Espanya metro station, you will get the chance to do this 3-in-1 combo. Just make sure you visit in the second part of the day.
Start your afternoon by visiting the National Museum of Art of Catalunya. The opening hours and prices can be found here.
Depending on the hour, you should watch the show at the musical fountains or head to Las Arenas and then return to the fountains.
Las Arenas de Barcelona is an old bullfighting arena turned into a shopping center. The elevator takes you to the top, from where you can admire the 360-degree view. Also, you can have dinner or a drink at one of the many restaurants there.
Just across the street, you’ll find the Magic Fountains of Montjuic. Dating back to 1929, they entertain tourists in the Summer (May to September) at 9:30 PM, 10:00 PM, 10:30 PM, and 11:00 PM, and in the Winter (October to April) at 7:00 PM, 7:30 PM, 8:00 PM, and 8:30 PM.
Poble Espanyol
Strolling through streets with houses from all over Spain is a unique experience. Poble Espanyol offers a glimpse into the country’s different regions and historical periods.
The museum hosts 117 full-scale buildings erected after the creators visited 1600 towns and villages in Spain.
Take the gondola (Montjuic cable car) to Montjuïc Castle
Standing above the port, Montjuïc Castle dates from 1640, and it is now owned by the citizens of Barcelona. Today, it hosts a museum brimming with historical weapons.
Taking the gondola to go up the castle allows you to admire the city from above.
The gondola has three stops: Castell Montjuic, Mirador, and Parc de Montjuic.
Taste Catalan food
Centered around seafood, Catalan cuisine is fresh and filling.
Whether you choose a fancy restaurant, a low-key cucina, or acquire it from La Boqueria (Barcelona’s gastronomic hotspot), you won’t be disappointed.
Good food goes with good wine, so during your trip, include a visit to one of the best wineries near Barcelona.
La Rambla
No visit to Barcelona would be complete without a stroll through the crowded and colorful pedestrian avenue of La Rambla.
It connects Placa de Catalunya with Port Vell, leading directly to the sea and to the Christopher Columbus Monument and Museum.
Make sure you have enough time to enjoy the vivid atmosphere. But, be careful with your belongings. Pickpocketing is a common occurrence in the area.
Go to Tibidabo Amusement Park
Take the bus from Placa de Catalunya and enjoy a thrilling day at the amusement park located on the hills towering above Barcelona.
Other City Break Options
- Spend 4 days and discover Hong Kong
- The Ultimate 4 days in London
- 2 days in Vienna
- 3 days in Budapest
- Ho Chi Minh Itinerary: Discover Vietnam’s largest city.
- 2 days in Berlin
- One day in Nuremberg
- One day in Frankfurt
- 3 days in Seoul: A Complete Itinerary
- One day in Bruge
- 2 days in Lisbon
- Unusual things to do in Amsterdam
- Love at first sight: 3 days in Stockholm
- One Day in Bologna
- 3 days in Thessaloniki
- Your perfect 2 days in Rome
- 2 days in Athens
PIN FOR LATER!