Best things to do in Barcelona
Find out more about those top places in Barcelona
Barcelona Travel Guide: Gaudí, Goals, and Gothic Good Times
Welcome to Barcelona, Spain’s “second city” but first in the hearts of millions who fall head over heels for its iconic architecture, beachside buzz, and world-class tapas. As the proud capital of Catalonia, this sun-kissed city on the Mediterranean knows how to show off—and trust us, you’ll want to see everything it's flaunting.
With nearly 5 million people calling it home, Barcelona ranks as Europe’s sixth most populous city—and judging by the summer crowds at La Rambla, they might all be standing in line for gelato at the same time.
Things to Do in Barcelona: A Sightseeing Feast
Let’s start with the obvious: the Sagrada Familia. Gaudí’s legendary, still-under-construction masterpiece is arguably the world’s most ambitious basilica (and possibly the slowest DIY project in history). It's hands-down one of the top attractions in Barcelona, and yes, it's totally worth craning your neck upward for.
Not far from there is Casa Batlló, another one of Gaudí’s whimsical creations that looks like it was designed during a very surreal dream. If melted buildings, rainbow tiles, and mind-bending staircases are your thing, you’ve found your happy place.
Football fans, or those just along for the stadium snacks, will want to head to Camp Nou, the sacred home turf of FC Barcelona. Even if you don’t know your Messi from your Maradona, a tour of this iconic stadium is one of the best things to do in Barcelona—and you might even find yourself yelling “¡Gol!” with the locals.
Cultural Places to Visit: Where Picasso and Paella Collide
Barcelona isn’t just a feast for the eyes—it’s an all-out cultural buffet. Art lovers should carve out time for the Museu Picasso, where you’ll find an impressive collection of Picasso’s early works and realize the man wasn’t just about abstract faces and blue periods. He actually knew how to draw hands. Really well.
If you’re into atmospheric wandering, the Gothic Quarter is a labyrinth of medieval streets, hidden plazas, and quirky shops that’s perfect for getting “accidentally” lost. Keep an eye out for Roman ruins tucked between gelato joints—Barcelona’s full of surprises.
Barcelona’s Top Attractions (Besides the Obvious Ones)
-
Park Güell: A trippy hilltop park designed by—you guessed it—Gaudí. Think giant lizards, mosaic benches, and panoramic views that make the uphill walk totally worth it.
-
La Boqueria Market: A food lover’s paradise where you can grab fresh juice, jamón ibérico, and maybe a few mysterious seafood dishes you can’t pronounce.
-
Barceloneta Beach: For when your feet need a break and your inner sun worshipper demands attention.
-
Montjuïc Hill: Come for the views, stay for the magic fountain show that turns water and light into pure entertainment.
Travel Tip: Watch Your Wallet, But Not Just Because of Pickpockets
Barcelona is known for its beauty, not its bargains—so don’t be surprised when your coffee costs as much as a small Picasso print. But hey, with so many things to do, delicious bites to try, and places to visit at every turn, it's worth every euro.
Final Word: Barcelona Is a Vibe
Whether you're here for the sightseeing, the soccer, the sangria, or just some top-tier people-watching, Barcelona delivers in every category. It’s the kind of place where the buildings are just as expressive as the people, and the nightlife doesn’t even start until you’re usually in bed back home.
So pack your walking shoes, bring your appetite (and maybe a fan), and dive into one of Europe’s most electric cities. This Barcelona travel guide barely scratches the surface—the real adventure begins when you hit the streets. Or the tapas bars. Or both.
-
Sagrada Familia
Regarded as the crown jewel of Barcelona, the Sagrada Familia is a minor Basilica consecrated by Pope Benedict XVI on November 2010. Designed by Antoni Gaudi who made the building his life project, works on the Cathedral started in 1882 and it has a capacity of 9000. With its Spanish gothic style mixed with Art Nouveau, the Sagrada Familia is often regarded “a pure work of art”. Visitors can explore its Nave, Shop, Crypt, and the Passion and Nativity steeples.
-
Casa Batllo
Located at the center of the city on Passeig de Gracia in the Eixample district, the Casa Batllo is another of famous architect Antoni Gaudi masterpieces. The building is sometimes called Casa dels ossos which means House of Bones because of its visceral and skeletal organic quality. Built in 1877, the Casa Batllo is for lovers of 19th century Art Nouveau Buildings.
-
Camp Nou
Home to arguably the world’s best football Club, Barcelona FC. The Camp Nou has a 99,354 capacity, it is the third largest football stadium behind the Rungrado 1st May Stadium and Melbourne Cricket Ground. The stadium is famous for hosting countless exciting football games, most notably the European Cup finals in 1999 and several matches of the 1982 world cup matches. A visit to this stadium is a must for every visitor of Barcelona, the atmosphere during matches is often described as electrifying and emotion packed.
-
Museu Picasso
Established on the 9th of March 1963, the museum is dedicated to the works of famous Spanish artist Pablo Picasso. The Museum was the brainchild of Picasso’s lifelong friend Jaume Sabartes, who was in charge of most of his paintings. The Museu Picasso located on Montcada street in the capital has over 4,251 works of Pablo Picasso including paintings form Picasso’s blue period. A must visit for Picasso fans and art lovers in general.
-
Palau De La Musica
Inaugurated February 9, 1908, the Palau De la Musica is a concert hall in Barcelona. Designed by architect Luis Domenech I Montainer, the building has a modernnista touch to it. The main concert hall is famous for being the Europe’s only auditorium that is lit during the daylight by natural light. The Palau De la Musica is a wonderful place to watch musical performances by local and foreign artists.
-
Montserrat
Not to be confused for the Caribbean island of Montserrat, the Montserrat is a multi-peaked mountain range, known for being the site of the Virgin of Montserrat sanctuary situated between Santa Maria de Montserrat and Benedictine abbey. It's often a primary spot for hikers in the city looking to reach its highest peak Sant Jeroni.
