Top 22 Things To Do in Barcelona in 2024

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.

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Pro Tip: Planning your trip to Barcelona? It’s easier to organize your trip when you have all your resources in one place. Bookmark this post along with our Barcelona Guide for more planning resources, our top Barcelona tours for a memorable trip, and 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.

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 Hemmingway 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. Tantalise 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 Winetasting 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

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.

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