Think you know everything there is to do in Barcelona? Think again. The city has a lot of well-known stuff going for it: Great food, lots of sunshine, happy locals, and fabulous beaches. That’s why so many people visit the city each year. But there are loads more things to do waiting to be discovered. Put together by our local guides, here are the top things to do in Barcelona.
Pro Tip:
- Planning your trip to Barcelona? Bookmark this post along with our Barcelona Guide for more planning resources.
- See our top Barcelona tours for a memorable trip.
- Check out our guide on how to see Barcelona in a day.
22 Best Things To See and Do While Visiting Barcelona
Barcelona is one of the top most visited cities in Europe, and it’s not hard to see why. This multifaceted city combines the best of a warm seaside destination on the Mediterranean with a metropolitan city bursting with history and contemporary culture.
You may already know to see the city’s iconic mega monument, La Sagrada Familia, but what else is there to do? In this guide, discover the top things to do in Barcelona, from more of Gaudí’s work to ancient Roman architecture, a Gothic cathedral, a mountain-top monastery, a historic food market, and iconic green spaces.
Not ready to book a tour? See the best Barcelona tours to take and why.
1. Tour La Sagrada Familia for the Best Experience
It may sound and feel a bit anti-climatic to finish with La Sagrada Familia but it is undoubtedly the number one attraction in Barcelona. Antonio Gaudi had his work cut out for him with this unique and iconic church. Definitely, this exquisite work of art is something to have on your radar when traveling to Barcelona.
If you’re going to visit Sagrada Familia, consider taking a guided small-group tour. The history behind this structure goes far beyond the surface. Passionate local guides will explain the many layers of meaning to this monument and why it has taken so long to construct. Trust us, you won’t want to miss a single detail in Barcelona’s Sagrada Familia.
Address: Carrer del Mallorca, 401
Not ready to book a tour? Find out how to visit La Sagrada Familia.
2. Plan Your Day Trip to Montserrat
Montserrat is an incredible mountain-top town just under an hour’s drive from Barcelona, which makes it one of the most popular day trips from Barcelona. The area is a popular attraction for many reasons.
First, it’s on the side of a mountain with stunning views. Second, the Benedictine Monastery is almost 1,000 years old, which makes it a significant historical site. There’s quite a bit to see here and even some great trails for hikers. Check out what to see and do at Montserrat.
Location: Montserrat
Not ready to book a tour? Find out how to do a Montserrat day trip from Barcelona.
3. Marvel at The Barcelona Cathedral From Inside And Out
The Cathedral of the Holy Cross and Saint Eulalia, aka Barcelona Cathedral, is the principal Roman Catholic church of Barcelona. The cathedral was completed in 1448 after over 200 years of construction.
That said, the facade you see today was not built until the 19th century. The facade was relatively plain up until then but now is clearly neo-Gothic, which fits in nicely with the Barri Gotic neighborhood.
Like Paris, you’ll find many gargoyles on the roof of the cathedral as well as animals, including a unicorn! The structure is ornate and magnificent both inside and out, so definitely head inside if you have the time.
While you’re in the area, check out the beautiful Pont del Bisbe and other Gothic and ancient Roman architectural sights on Calle del Bisbe.
Address: Pla de la Seu
4. Relax in Gaudi’s Whimsical Park Güell
Park Güell, like much of Barcelona, is a colorful compilation of architecture and green spaces in the La Salut neighborhood of Barcelona. The park, one of Gaudi’s early works, is as colorful as it is architecturally rich. And, the views aren’t bad either.
The area was originally an unsuccessful housing complex brought to the city by Count Eusebi Güell. There were two houses built. The first was for Count Güell and the second was to be a model home of sorts. After no buyers made offers, Güell suggested Gaudi purchase it and he did in 1906.
There’s a lot to see in the area and it’s well worth the visit. Hopefully, you’ll get to meet the local flock of bright green Monk Parakeets. They’re loud, brightly colored, and friendly, not unlike Gaudi’s work.
Looking for insider knowledge about Park Güell? heck out our list of the best tours of Park Güell.
Address: Park Guell
5. See Barcelona by Land, Sea, and Air
Looking for a one-of-a-kind tour exploring the beauty of Barcelona without the crowds? This intimate, small-group experience offers breathtaking views from every angle without the hassle of waiting in lines. You’ll get to see Barcelona from every perspective. Marvel at Gaudi’s masterpieces, walk the Passeig de Gràcia, capture a unique bird’s-eye-view of the Sagrada Familia in a 6-minute helicopter, and then sail down along the stunning coastline on a Golondrina. This tour is a n unbelievable way to see Barcelona and at an affordable rate to boot.
Not ready to book a tour? Check out our article on where to stay in Barcelona
6. Enjoy Some Culture at Museu Nacional d’Art de Catalunya
Art lovers, this is for you. Museu Nacional d’Art de Catalunya is by far the most comprehensive museum in Barcelona, with art from the Romanesque, Gothic, Renaissance, and Baroque periods, all the way up to the Modern. There’s even photography. Your museum ticket not only gains you entry to the museum but also the rooftop viewpoint.
The museum is located on Montjuïc, which is a large hilltop green space and viewpoint in Barcelona in the historic Palau Nacional. This makes the visit all the better because you can explore the whole area, including the Montjuïc Castle and Botanical Gardens.
Address: Palau Nacional | Admission Cost: €12
Not ready to book a tour? Check out our Where to Stay in Barcelona article
7. See Barcelona from the Mediterranean Sea
It would be a shame to come to Barcelona and not see it from the water. Seafood, sun, and sand are part of the experience, but there’s something special about taking a boat cruise in Barcelona. After all, the city has many ports and the drinks flow!
When traveling to a warm seaside destination I tend to book some sort of boat excursion. Finding the best ones can be tough though, which is why we took the time to find the best captains with the highest-rated boat and sailboat tours. Check out our Barcelona boat cruises.
Not ready to book a tour? Check out our best Barcelona tours to take and why.
8. Eat a Local Delicacy—Calçots
A very popular local dish you’ll find all over Barcelona is pà amb tomàquet. It’s tomato rubbed on bread with olive oil. In my opinion, it’s not very exciting and Italian bruschetta puts it to shame. Calçots, on the other hand, are very good, and that’s what I recommend you try.
Calçots (specially grown long white onions) are a seasonal crop harvested only from the late fall to early springtime. For this reason, you can’t get them year-round. This typical Catalonian dish is one of the most enjoyable culinary experiences—partly because you can get messy when you eat them!
Grilled directly over flames, the outsides of the onions are charred almost completely black, and to eat them, you must pull this crusty layer of the carbonized onion off. Then, you get to the smokey soft, tasty onion beneath and smother it in a lovely special Romesco-like sauce. For other local delicacies, check out the top foods to try in Barcelona.
Not ready to book a tour? See the best Barcelona tours to take and why.
9. Explore More of the City by e-Bike
Barcelona is quite a large city, but it’s generally flat, which makes it perfect for a bike tour. There’s nothing quite like getting up close and personal with this multifaceted city on an electric bike.
You’ll get to enjoy top sights like La Sagrada Familia and architectural gems like Gaudi’s Casa Batlló along with the vibrant street life, historic neighborhoods, and beachfront views.
It’s a cool way to see Barcelona and get some exercise. That said, we’ve partnered with locals who run electric bike tours so you don’t need to be a regular cyclist to enjoy these tours.
Not ready to book a tour? Check out our best Barcelona tours to take and why.
10. Take a Selfie with El Gato de Botero
El Gato de Botero is a very fun and cute statue of a cat by an artist named Fernando Botero. The larger-than-life statue is located in the El Raval neighborhood of Barcelona and is a local icon.
If you had to choose between this cat and Park Güell, I would recommend Park Güell. That said, it’s a cool piece of local art and something you should definitely pass by if you’re in El Raval.
Address: Rambla del Raval
11. Pour One Out for Hemingway at Bar Marsella
Every historic city has a historic bar and in Barcelona, it’s Bar Marsella. Now, historic bars all have one thing in common—Ernest Hemingway drank there. Bar Marsella does a little better than just Hemingway, Picasso drank there too.
Located in the El Raval district just a few blocks south of la Rambla, it’s a pretty unassuming bar which is likely why Hemingway frequented it. It may not be Barcelona’s top attraction, but it’s a good excuse to stop for a drink. This bar is also known for absinthe if you’re feeling wild.
Address: Carrer de Sant Pau, 65
12. Tantalize Your Tastebuds with Escalivada
Something that’s often taken for granted in many countries is roasted vegetables. They can be incredibly flavorful and ordering them should be mandatory at every meal, which brings me to escalivada.
Escalivada is a typical Catalonian dish that locals often agree on while ordering tapas. Carefully roasted peppers, eggplant, and onions are sliced finely and placed on a large plate. There’s plenty of fresh olive oil and, in some cases, a touch of fresh garlic for kick.
Vegetarians will love this dish because it combines rich flavors and smoky hints from roasting them over coal. All the peels are carefully removed so that you don’t have to eat bits of charred vegetable skins. Check out the best places to get tapas in Barcelona.
13. Go Wine Tasting in Catalonian Vineyards
Spain is known for its wine and Barcelona is not far from Spain’s most beautiful vineyard. I highly recommend setting a day aside to venture off into the countryside to visit a vineyard. Some of the most popular varietals from the area are Alella, Conca de Barberà, Montsant, Penedès, and Priorat.
14. Find the Roman Funeral Way in the Middle of the City
If you don’t stop and look over the glass railings, you could walk right past the ancient Roman funeral way right in the middle of the city. The MUHBA Via Sepulcral Romana is a short stretch of preserved Roman road with a number of funeral monuments and grave markers running on either side of it.
According to the official website, the site was in use from the first to the third centuries A.D. You won’t be here long, but it’s an interesting detour on your way to explore the Gothic Quarter. It’s also a cool reminder of the city’s ancient roots.
Address: Pl. de la Vila de Madrid
Not ready to book a tour? See the best Barcelona tours to take and why.
15. Get Lost in the Maze at Parc del Laberint d’Horta
This park has a real labyrinth, which I personally think is mega-cool. It’s also not easy to complete even though there appear to be no dead-ends. Eventually, you will get out, but you’ll have a good time getting lost for a bit in a beautiful place. Unlike many mazes, the shrub walls are above head height, which makes it a cool experience.
This is perfect for anyone visiting Barcelona for the second time or anyone looking to do something out of the ordinary. It’s a lovely area and easily accessible via Barcelona’s metro system. It’s one of the coolest and most different things to do in Barcelona.
Address: Passeig dels Castanyers, 1
16. Try the Famous Jamón Iberico
Cured Iberian ham is well known around the world and for good reason. In my humble opinion, it is one of the tastiest things you can eat on the entire planet. There are many grades of Spanish cured ham, which can be confusing even for locals.
A general rule is that the more expensive it is the better the quality. I recommend that you head to one of the local markets like the famous Boqueria market to try jamón. Buy it directly from cured ham and cheese stands.
More comfortable enjoying it in a nice restaurant or tapas bar? Check out the best restaurants in the Gothic Quarter. Then don’t forget to order a plate of the famous Catalan bread with tomato along with it!
17. Make the Pilgrimage To the Top of Tibidabo
Religious or not, any massive structure on top of a mountain is pretty cool. If you stand on the beach of Barcelona, get in a car, and drive west you will leave the city and abruptly be met by a beautiful green mountain. That mountain is known as Tibidabo, which is Spanish for a really big green mountain (that isn’t true at all).
What is true is that at the very top of Tibidabo is the Temple of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. This impressive structure is a minor basilica and beautiful regardless of your religious background. The best way to visit is to take the funicular to the top. It’s really scenic and a cool experience you won’t soon forget
Fun Tip: There’s a Ferris wheel at the top—as if you needed to get even higher up. If you’re not afraid of heights, enjoy the view. It’s definitely something to mentally prepare yourself to do. While not by any means the world’s tallest Ferris wheel, I have yet to see another at a higher altitude.
Address: Tibidabo Funicular
18. Enter Foodie Heaven at La Boqueria Market
La Boqueria is Barcelona’s premier covered market. It’s a massive place with tons of options inside and sure to impress any hungry traveler. You can go there to get high-quality jamón to go or go to try some seriously delicious street food.
If you’re looking for a fantastic foodie experience, it doesn’t get better than a Barcelona food tour. Join a local guide for an exploration of the city and the best local food and wine.
Address: La Rambla, 91
Not ready to book a tour? Check out our best Barcelona tours to take and why.
19. Visit the Green Heart of the City
Parc de la Ciutadella aka Citadel Park is Barcelona’s most central large green space and quite impressive as far as parks go. It is located in Ciutat Vella north of the Barri Gotic.
The park, which is now a peaceful green space, has some rather violent origins. When Phillip V of Spain took over Barcelona and Catalonia in 1714, he built a fortress in its center and named it the Citadel.
The fortress was built to maintain control over the city of Barcelona and did so for some time. Today, it is mostly a peaceful green space, but in 2018 and 2019 it had to be closed for certain periods to stop riots.
Riots!? Yes, for the same reason it was built. Catalonia has been fighting for independence since its succession in 1714 and when there are protests they normally happen in this very park. Enjoy a walk in a beautiful place with a strong local history.
Address: Passeig de Picasso, 21
20. Enter the Wacky World of Casa Batllò
From the outside, it looks like a massive iguana is trying to hide on a perfectly normal apartment building. From the rainbow colors to the textures of the roof, it is a work of art…and possibly hallucinogens. That is Casa Batllò in a nutshell.
It’s another architectural wonder by Antonio Gaudí. He renovated this structure that he and his family lived in until 1954, and it’s incredibly innovative in almost every way imaginable.
Inside, the vibrant colors and unique style make Casa Battlò one of Barcelona’s unique attractions for kids and adults to explore the museum inside. It’s an interesting and sometimes wacky world to visit filled with unique details straight from the mind of Gaudí.
If you want to leave the planning to the experts, check out our Private Tour of Gaudí’s Casa Milà and Casa Batlló in Barcelona.
Address: Passeig de Gracia, 43
21. Eat Seafood Paella at Restaurante Barceloneta
As a well-known destination for foodies, Barcelona offers up some of the best paellas you can find in Spain. While Valencia is definitely the capital of Spanish paella, Barcelona is no slouch in the rice department.
The dish is prepared with the special bomba rice in Barcelona, which gives a local flair to a national treasure. It’s a combination of shellfish and seafood cooked together with a tomato sauce base. Those who aren’t fans of seafood need not despair—most restaurants specialize in meat and vegetable paella as well.
I highly recommend heading to Restaurante Barceloneta for the best paella in Barcelona. They offer an upscale dining experience and specialize in this delicious dish.
Address: Moll dels Pescador, Port Vell, Carrer de l’Escar, 22
Not ready to book a tour? See the best Barcelona tours to take and why.
22. Explore the Picasso Museum
If you are looking for an in-depth tour of Picasso’s most impressive works? This guided tour of the Museo Picasso is for you! You’ll explore the artistic depths of one of the top Picasso museums in Europe, examining the beauty and the history of original works by this genre-defining artist.
Your local expert guide will tell the fascinating stories behind the masterpieces, including Ciencia y Caridad, Royan, and Las Meninas. Get a detailed look into the life of Picasso, his stylistic development, and his lasting artistic legacy.
Of course, you can also choose to explore the museum on your own, but as always, we feel a guide adds so much more to the experience.
Not ready to book a tour? Check out our article on where to stay in Barcelona
Where To Stay in Barcelona
Have you ever wished there was an article that explained which neighborhoods of a city are the best choices for different traveler types? Our where-to-stay articles focus on neighborhoods, then suggest hotels.
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