Lively, festive and highly cultural, the Catalan capital never ceases to seduce travelers. Barcelona is certainly Spain's best-known city, as evidenced by the large number of tourists from all over the world. Deeply influenced by Gaudi, the architect who shaped the city, it has no shortage of cultural attractions. Discover the city that vibrates to the rhythm of festivals and sunny days with these 19 Barcelona must-sees.
1- Visit La Sagrada Família
Barcelona's most famous architectural, artistic and religious complex, the Sagrada Família is Antoni Gaudí's absolute masterpiece. Under construction since 1882... the cathedral is scheduled for completion in 2030! This life's work would occupy him until his death in 1926. The Sagrada Família consists of three monumental facades. Each facade is surmounted by four towers, which together symbolize the twelve apostles. This monument has become the glory of Catalonia, and a real challenge: to complete it one day...
Good to know book your tickets well in advance: the cathedral is very popular! It's often necessary to book several weeks in advance.
2- Walk along the Rambla
You can't come to Barcelona without strolling along the Rambla. The city's main thoroughfare, the Rambla runs for 2 km between Plaça de Catalunya and Port Vell. This emblematic thoroughfare is lined with kiosks, flower stalls, bars and restaurants, as well as impromptu concerts. There's also the Boqueria, the city's emblematic 13th-century market. Here you'll find fruit, fresh juices, vegetables and a multitude of tapas and sweets to delight your palate. In fact, it's here that chefs from top restaurants come to do their shopping.
The article to read to plan your 3-day weekend in Barcelona.
3- What to visit in Barcelona Parc Güell
What would Barcelona be without Antonio Gaudí's astonishing creations? Parc Güell is another world-famous symbol. Originally, Parc Güell was intended to be a garden city of sixty houses. The project was proposed by Eusebi Güell, a wealthy businessman and Gaudí patron, and the architect immediately accepted. Work began in 1900, but after five years the project was a resounding failure, not least because of the reluctance of the local population. This did not stop the architect. Work was finally halted in 1914. Yet today, millions of people flock to admire this urban dream, the product of the architect's boundless imagination.
To reserve your tickets for Parc Güell, click here !
Read this article to discover Catalonia's must-sees.
4- Enjoy Barcelona's coastline
Barcelona's coastline is made up of seven bathing beaches covering more than 4 km. Sant Sebastià, for example, is quite chic and cosmopolitan in summer due to its proximity to the Hotel W, while Barceloneta is very busy because it's at the foot of the metro. Nova Icària is the territory of Erasmus students, while Mar Bella is the city's only nudist beach. Most of all, we go to the very busy Barceloneta, where you can not only enjoy the sun, but also drink a few beers, the typical cervezas in Catalan bars, known here as "chiringuitos".
Read more if you come to Spain for the beaches, don't hesitate to visit the Costa Brava.
5- Stroll through Barcelona's famous neighborhoods
Barcelona isn't just about its monuments, it's also about the relaxed lifestyle of some of its neighborhoods. Among them, the Barri Gòtic is a unique district, preserving the mystery of its streets right in the heart of the Catalan city. Here, locals come together in a relaxed atmosphere around picturesque addresses, small shops and numerous restaurants. The highlight is Barcelona Cathedral, with its Roman ruins and magnificent Catalan Gothic architecture. Then it's time to explore El Born, full of history and art, where you'll find the famous Picasso Museum and the Palau de la Música Catalana.
Activities to book a guided tour of the old town and Gothic quarter!
6- Tibidabo, just outside Barcelona
The Sagrat Cor temple on Mount Tibidabo© Andrii Zabolotnyi - Shutterstock.com
Tibidabo is the perfect place to breathe fresh air in the mountainous area around Barcelona. At 512 m, it overlooks the Serra de la Collserola. To enjoy the scenery even more, you can also visit its theme park. The Tibidabo amusement park has made its home here for over 120 years, making it the oldest park in Spain and the second oldest in Europe. And, after a roller coaster or Ferris wheel ride, don't miss the Automata Museum, with its sumptuous collection of puppets and mechanical toys.
7- What to do in Barcelona Visit Casa Batlló
Barcelona could be called Gaudí's city , so much does his shadow loom large. Located on Passeig de Gràcia, Casa Batlló was built between 1904 and 1906. It was not built ex nihilo, but took over a pre-existing complex, remodelled at the request of industrialist Josep Batlló i Casanovas. Known as the Casa de Los Huesos (House of Bones), it owes its name to its bone-like structure, reminiscent of an animal skeleton. As usual, the organic theme, dear to the artist, is expressed in every part of the building.
To reserve your ticket with audioguide for Casa Battlo, click here.
8- La Pedrera (Casa Milà)
La Casa Milà, also known as La Pedrera, was designed by Catalan modernist architect Antoni Gaudí between 1906 and 1910, and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It comprises two buildings with 16 apartments, organized around two large courtyards. One of Gaudí's major innovations is that the façade no longer plays a load-bearing role, thanks to a metal structure linking the 6,000 stone blocks used. This technique created large bay windows and bathed the interior of the building in natural light.
To book your your ticket for Casa Milà, click here !
9- Passeig de Gràcia
Passeig de Gracia© Maica - iStockphoto.com
Barcelona is also known for its wide avenues , and the Passeig de Gràcia is no exception. From 1890 to 1925, this elegant passageway was the residential center of Barcelona's upper middle class. Now the center of the city's commerce and finance, home to the most luxurious stores and restaurants, this artery has remained the city's favorite place for a Sunday stroll. In fact, Passeig de Gràcia is not just about high-end commerce, it's also a showcase for Catalan modernist architecture. During your visit, don't miss the two symbols of this thoroughfare: the wrought-iron and ceramic lamppost benches, installed in 1900, and the hexagonal paving of the sidewalks, designed by Gaudí.
10- Getting to Montjuïc
Montjuïc and its fountain at the foot of the mountain is a unique spectacle of color, sound and sculpture. The hill is packed with other treasures, including the Palau Nacional, built for the 1929 Universal Exhibition. You'll also come across the superb Museu Nacional d'Art de Catalunya (MNAC ), offering an exhaustive itinerary through Catalan art, from the Romanesque to the mid-20th century. And if you want to climb all the way to the top, nothing beats the Montjuïc cable car. An unusual means of transport to discover this spot and its beautiful views over Barcelona.
To book a return ticket for the Montjuïc cable car, click here.
11- The National Art Museum of Catalonia (MNAC) in Barcelona
The National Art Museum of Catalonia occupies the Palau National, built for the1929 International Exhibition. Its permanent collection is divided into several sections: Romanesque art, Gothic art, Renaissance and Baroque art, modern art, photography... Its Romanesque art collection is considered one of the finest in the world. It includes murals dating from the 11th to 14th centuries, from small Romanesque churches in the Catalan Pyrenees. And don't miss the superb collection of modern Catalan art.
To reserve your your museum ticket, click here.
12- The Boqueria market
This is undoubtedly one of the most famous markets in the world! A market that attracts more people than the Sagrada Familia itself... The history of the Sant Josep market, known as Mercat de la Boqueria, dates back to the 12thcentury . In 1914, the market was covered. Its architecture is mainly characterized by a metal structure and glass panels. During your visit, take your time to stroll around and discover all the delights you can slip into your suitcase before the plane home. It really is an experience not to be missed!
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13- What to see in Barcelona The Camp Nou
Camp Nou stadium © FC Barcelona/Author - Santiago Garces
The world-renowned museum of FC Barcelona's legendary stadium is one of the city's most visited. Photographs, trophies, records and audiovisual montages retrace the club's century-long history. The exhibition also includes paintings and sculptures by Catalan artists inspired by the sport. After the museum, it's on to the Camp Nou itself: with a capacity of 99,354 spectators, it is the largest stadium in Europe. Changing rooms, press room, trophy room - you'll see it all!
Click here to book your tickets and take advantage of our partner's special rates.
14- Palau de la Música Catalana
The Palau de la Música Catalana was built by architect Domènech i Muntaner between 1905 and 1908. Steeped in strong nationalist sentiment, its facade of red brick and mosaics leaves you speechless, and the sculpted group paying homage to popular song is astonishingly beautiful. This concert hall, with its inverted stained-glass dome, offers unique natural lighting that almost shades the sun, so much so that elaborate chandeliers lean over it. A modernist nugget listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
To book your guided tour in just a few clicks, it's right here!
15- Fundació Joan Miró
The main creations of the famous Catalan painter are brought together in a building designed by Josep Lluís Sert, which showcases them magnificently. Located on Montjuïc hill, the Joan Miró Foundation houses the most complete collection of Joan Miró's work, including paintings, sculptures, engravings and drawings. In addition to this, the Miró Foundation also organizes temporary exhibitions of contemporary art, and a space is reserved for young conceptual artists, known as Espai 13.
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16- Picasso Museum
The Picasso Museum is housed in a complex of five palaces dating from the 13th and 14th centuries, representative of Catalan Gothic architecture. The museum's permanent collection comprises over 4,200 works. The collections are mainly made up of bequests from Jaume Sabartés, Picasso's friend and secretary, as well as donations from the artist himself and his wife Jacqueline Picasso. The result is an immersion in the vibrant world of Picasso's early years, and an insight into the links between the artist and this teeming city.
To book your guided tour of the Musée Picasso go here !
17- Parc de la Ciutadella
Parc de la Ciutedella © Lorenzobovi - iStockphoto
With a surface area of over 17 ha, Parc de la Ciutadella is the green lung of downtown Barcelona. It was here in the 18th century that Felipe V had a huge citadel built to control Barcelona. Hated by the locals, the citadel was finally demolished in the 19th century before being transformed into a park for the 1888 Universal Exhibition. Several Modernist buildings date from this period, including Lluís Domènech i Montaner's Castell dels Tres Dragons (former Zoology Museum), Josep Amargós' Hivernacle and the monumental neo-Mudéjar Arc de Triomf. You can also take a short boat ride on the artificial lake.
18- Museum of the History of Catalonia
Museum of Catalonia © MHC (Pep Parer)
Located at the entrance to Barceloneta, the Museum of the History of Catalonia is housed in a vast brick building known as the Palau del Mar. In the past, this building was used as a storage area for goods unloaded by ships in the port. Spread over five floors, the museum presents the history of Catalonia, from prehistory to the present day, through a collection of objects, documents and historical reconstructions. In addition to its permanent exhibition, the museum regularly features themed exhibitions.
19- Taste Catalan specialties
Catalan cuisine is first and foremost a story that unfolds in Barcelona's tapas bars . This custom is a direct result of the Barcelona way of life. Indeed, Barcelona's inhabitants eat late because of their office hours (10am to 2pm and 4pm to 8pm). This long lunch break makes it possible to treat oneself to a complete menu with starter, main course and dessert: a formula that costs from 12e to 15e in most of the city's restaurants. In the evening, Barcelonans leave work late and usually dine informally around 9 or 10 pm, nibbling a few tapas together . It's a great way to build up strength before a long night in one of Europe's best party cities!
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Where to stay in Barcelona?
Barcelona is a popular destination for travelers from all over the world, offering a wide variety of accommodation options. Here is a selection of some of the best-rated:
- Conveniently located in the city center
Hostal Fernando is a family-run hostel in a prime location (a stone's throw from Plaça Reial), offering single, double and triple rooms and kitchen service for guests. Private bathrooms and breakfast are included with all bookings. Click here for to check availability.
- Near Las Ramblas
Sixties Ramblas is a vintage-style hotel with comfortable rooms with balcony or terrace. You can also rent bicycles to explore the city. Information and booking here.
- For a more economical stay
Onefam Les Corts is an affordable youth hostel offering beds in dormitories of varying sizes. It's a good option for trips with friends or solo travelers, with some dormitories reserved for women. Find out more here.
When is the best time to visit Barcelona?
Barcelona, like Seville and Madrid, is an attractive tourist destination all year round. The ideal times to visit are spring (April-May) and autumn (September-October), due to the pleasant temperatures and lower tourist numbers. In early summer (June-July), the city is alive with music festivals. However, it should be noted that in August, when the heat and humidity are high, many residents leave the city and many businesses are closed. During the low season (November-March), temperatures remain mild, allowing you to discover the city in calmer conditions.
If you want to get to Barcelona by train, you can! Connections are available from several French cities. Book your tickets now and take advantage of the best fares:
