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Barcelona is one of the most visited cities in Spain, along with Malaga, Seville and Madrid. And for good reason! I’ve visited Barcelona on several occasions and each time I re-visit, I love it just as much. It has everything you want in a city break. Great architecture, culture, shopping, lively bars, and amazing food!
I’ve had a couple of day trips to Barcelona as well as long weekends here. Once for a romantic break with my husband (at the time finance) and then again for my hen do. Each trip was full of quite different experiences!
Whatever the purpose of your trip to Barcelona, I’ve pulled together my recommendations for the best things to do in Barcelona. And even if you are traveling on a budget, there are so many great free things to do in Barcelona, too!
Unmissable things to do in Barcelona for first time visitors
Awe at the Sagrada Familia
This is the most Iconic monument in Barcelona, and should not be missed! The Sagrada Familia is the unfinished masterpiece of Antonia Gaudi and is one of the city’s most popular attractions.
It is expected that the cathedral will be finished by the year 2026. By this time, it will have been under construction for a mammoth 144 years! From the outside, parts of the cathedral are covered by netting and building work, whilst restoration work is underway. However, you can still look at the impressive detail on the building and get some great photos.
For the best photo spots – head to the front entrance of the Sagrada Familia and walk to the other side of the small pond.
If you want to take a tour inside the cathedral, I would highly recommend purchasing skip the line tickets in advance, as the ques get very long and tickets are sold out quickly.
Take a wander around Parc Guell
Commissioned by Eusebi Güell and designed by Antoni Gaudi, Parc Guell is one of the largest green spaces in Barcelona. The park is full of beautiful buildings, and unique tile and stone structures. To get to the park, it is best to take public transport. If you get the metro, it is a steep 20-minute walk from the station to the park entrance, so if mobility is an issue, take a taxi or bus directly to the entrance. This is a nice spot to take a stroll with your other half and get great views over the city.
Visit Casa Mila (La Pedrera)
La Pedrera was Gaudi’s last civic architectural project and is perhaps the most fascinating. The building showcases his unique imagination and here you can discover his whole body of work. The self-guided tour will take around 2 hours, including the spectacular roof terrace of undulating wave-like paths, where you can get views of the surrounding rooftops.
For a different perspective, book a ticket for the night experience at La Pedrera and be mesmerised by stunning light projections and visual displays beamed onto the incredible architecture on the rooftop and throughout the building.
Stroll down Las Ramblas
Las Ramblas is the most well-known street in Barcelona. The pedestrian boulevard runs through the centre of the ‘downtown’ and most touristic area of the city. On Las Ramblas there are several outdoor restaurants, however, be mindful that the prices of these are incredibly inflated and the street is very busy. Personally, I would dine elsewhere for a better experience at a more reasonable price. Las Ramblas also has a bad reputation for pick-pocketers, so just be vigilant whilst you’re soaking up the atmosphere.
Either side of Las Ramblas are more shops, restaurants and boutiques along the main road, and also down several of the side street.
Just off Las Ramblas is the Mercat de la Boqueria – a popular farmers market selling fresh produce and also some local specialties.
Go Shopping around Placa de Catalunya
This central square, sat at the top end of Las Ramblas, is a great meeting point. It is also a good place to take a quick break from walking! This area is also where the main shopping area is, with well-known designer and high street brands positioned all around Placa de Catalunya and along the Passage de Garcia.
Stroll around the Gothic Quarter
Barcelona’s Gothic Quarter is located between Placa de Catalunya and Las Ramblas. If you enjoy meandering through little alleyways and getting lost in the quieter side streets, then this is the area for you.
Here, there are so many beautiful old buildings which are now residential or businesses, houses shops, galleries and eateries.
Head to Placa de Sant Jaume where there’s often local events and sit at one of the surrounding restaurants. In the evening, this is the perfect place to pick up an ice cream or a waffle and wander around!
Placa Reial is another great place to sit in the square and have dinner outside, watching the world go by. Note that this square is quite close to Las Ramblas so can get quite busy.
Soak up the sun at the beach
The main beach in Barcelona is Platja de la Barceloneta – this is a busy beach, with lots of activity in the form of bikes, scooters, roller blades and segways! There are so many restaurants and bars along this beach, which is the perfect place to sip a sangria in the afternoon sun.
Further along, past the Port Olimpic marina, is Platja de Bogatell and Platja de la Nova Mar Bella. These beaches are slightly less crowded, but still expect to be surrounded by others – these are city beaches after all.
Take a segway tour
This was an activity that I was surprised with on my hen do – it’s not something I would have normally done, but I absolutely LOVED it! It was so much fun and I would really recommend it. After getting to grips with the segway in a small square, we headed off towards the seafront promenade and made our way along the beach and port area. The guide was so much fun and it was a great way to see this part of the city.
Eat lots of Tapas!
If you want a less touristy experience, head to one of the many local tapas bars. I loved sitting at the bars, chatting to the barmen, sipping red wine and working my way through the tapas menu. When I visited Barcelona with my husband, we stayed at the Renaissance Barcelona hotel, between Place de Catalunya and Casa Mila (which was a great location). In the evenings, instead of heading towards the busier and pricier areas around Las Ramblas and the beach, we strolled in the opposite direction and found small, local, and more traditional tapas bars. They were so much more welcoming and friendly (and much cheaper!)
Take a tour at Camp Nou (Home to Barcelona FC)
I’m not really a football fan, but my husband definitely is, so we couldn’t visit Barcelona without taking a trip to Camp Nou. We hopped on the metro and paid for a self-guided tour around the grounds and museum. You can also buy your ticket in advance.
If you like football, then this is a must-see when you’re in Barcelona!
(Note that the grounds are currently closed to visitors until November 2024, due to ongoing construction works. However, you can still visit the museum, which has been relocated into a building next door).
Visit Barcelona's Cathedral
The Catedral de Barcelona is often overlooked for the incredible Sagrada Familia (and rightly so). However, the cathedral is still beautiful and impressive in it’s own right.
Explore Montjuic Hill
Montjuic is perhaps the most well-known hill in Barcelona! This is thanks to the many activities you can do here.
At the base of the hill, close to Place de Espana is the Palau Nacional, which is home to the National Art Museum. Entry to the museum is €12 per adult and tickets can be purchased online.
However, the most popular attraction on Montjuic Hill is the Castel de Montjuic. Entry is €12 for adults and tickets must be purchased through the official website. Walk around the castle grounds, visit the exhibition to learn about the history, and head to the terrace for breathtaking 360-degree views of Barcelona, the port and out to sea.
After you have visited the castle, take some time to explore the Botanic gardens which cover the area of Montjuic Hill park closest to the Castle.
Another popular attraction is the Montjuic cable car. The cable car only goes a very short distance, but it gives great views over the city. The cost for an adult is €10.50 for a single trip and €16 for a return journey. Personally, I think it is quite expensive given how short the ride is! And if you are already visiting the castle, you will have great views form the terrace anyway.
Useful information for visiting Barcelona
Now that you know some of the best things to see and do in Barcelona, here’s some useful information to make planning your Barcelona city break that bit smoother!
How to get from Barcelona airport
By Taxi
Barcelona airport is only 15-20 mins drive away from the centre of the city, so you can easily get a taxi to your accommodation. Taxis are readily available at the airport. You can also call for an Uber, although this tends to be a bit more expensive.
By Bus
A dedicated airport bus which runs between terminals 1 and 2 and the city. The journey takes between 30-35 minutes, depending on the stop you get off / on at. The main city centre bus stops are located in Place de Catalunya and Place d’Espana. You can find the full route information and purchase your tickets on the Barcelona Aerobus website.
Please note that these buses get very busy, especially in the Peak tourist months. If the bus is full by the time it reaches the stop you are waiting at, it may just go straight past you.
By Metro/train
Traveling by metro/ train is the best way to get around Barcelona. The metro system is very easy to navigate and is similar to most other metro systems that you will find in major cities.
At the airport you can buy a 24, 48 or 72 hour metro card. I would really recommend doing this as you can use it on a range of metro lines and downtown bus services. A 48-hour travel card only costs €17.50, which is great value.
Luggage storage
There’s nothing more annoying than having your luggage with you whilst waiting to check-in, or enjoying the final day of exploring before an evening flight.
Most hotels and hostels will store your luggage for you, however, if your accommodation is a little further outside of the city, it is not always convenient to store your luggage there.
Unfortunately there is no luggage storage facility at Barcelona airport, however there are several in the city centre. I personally used a Bounce luggage storage near Placa d’Espana. It was located in a hotel, so I felt reassured that my belongings were safe. There was also a toilet which you can use, which is always handy to change clothes before you travel if you want to. There are lots of Bounce facilities across the city and the prices are really reasonable, too.
