Top 10 Things to Do in Barcelona, Spain
While a day trip to Montserrat is definitely worth a top spot on your Barcelona itinerary, the city itself offers a plethora of attractions and experiences that will keep you engaged for days.
From Gaudi’s architectural marvels to great rooftop bars and the stroll-worthy Gothic Quarter, here are the best things to do in Barcelona!
Best Things to Do in Barcelona at a Glance
Tip: Barcelona attractions are not all walkable, so save yourself some time by getting a travel card that allows you access to all public transportation!
Best Things to Do in Barcelona: Details
1. La Sagrada Familia
Visiting La Sagrada Familia, Antoni Gaudi’s unfinished masterpiece and part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is definitely among the best things to do in Barcelona.
A striking combination of Gothic and Art Nouveau, La Sagrada Familia has been a work-in-progress basilica since 1882! Construction is currently estimated to be largely complete in 2026.
Despite not being complete, there’s plenty to see and do at La Sagrada Familia, from the signature spires and facades outside to the “forest of trees” inside. Gaudi is buried in the crypt here.
The stained glass windows inside are fabulous. Multi-colored, they change appearance based on time of day and the weather.
La Sagrada Familia is open daily, from 9 a.m. (10.30 a.m. on Sundays). While viewing the exterior is free, there is an entrance fee to go inside.
A guided tour is highly recommended for your first visit. The insights you will get from a knowledgable guide will enhance your visit considerably.
Tour Sagrada Familia on its own, or with Park Guell, or as part of a one day whirlwind tour of Barcelona.
You can also choose a tour of La Sagrada Familia with tower access. Take the elevator to the top of one of the towers for panoramas over Barcelona!
Prefer to wander around La Sagrada Familia on your own? Get your timed entry tickets online!
🏰 Sagrada Familia Guided Tour with Skip-the-Line Ticket! Bypass the queues and delve into Antoni Gaudí’s masterpiece with an expert guide. Experience the intricate details and profound symbolism of this iconic basilica. Check price and availability now!
2. Park Guell
Also part of the Gaudi UNESCO World Heritage Site in Barcelona, Park Guell makes for great wandering. It is a beautiful gardens-and-park complex with stunning architectural elements.
Dating back to the early part of the 20th century, Park Guell is the vision of Eusebi Güell, a local industrialist and patron of the arts.
The Monumental Zone of Park Guell, which features the most attractive sculptural elements, has an entrance fee.
The main terrace is a must-visit, with a long bench shaped like a sea serpent. Snap photos of the iconic mosaic lizard (or dragon), admire other colorful mosaics, and look for wildlife.
Walk up to the high point of the hill where you will find a platform with three massive crosses and enjoy the sensational panoramas over the city!
>>> Get your skip-the-line Park Guell ticket now!
>>> Or visit on a guided tour in conjunction with La Sagrada Familia, or as part of a Best of Barcelona tour.
🌳 Park Güell & Sagrada Familia Tour with Skip-the-Line Tickets! Explore two of Gaudí’s most celebrated works in one comprehensive tour. Enjoy priority access and insightful commentary on these architectural wonders. Check price and availability now!
3. Gothic Quarter
The Gothic Quarter in Barcelona, called the Barri Gòtic, is a charming neighborhood to stroll. In fact, it’s a great place for a base in Barcelona as well!
The streets are narrow and winding, and if you have the time, plan on getting lost here! There is a lot of great architecture to admire, and peaceful plazas if you want to sit and relax for a bit.
In the heart of the Gothic Quarter is the Barcelona Cathedral. Buildings old and new are juxtaposed, making for a pleasant sight.
With tons of trendy bars, cafes, and great restaurants, the Gothic Quarter is a wonderful place to enjoy a drink or a meal. You will also find lots of shops: look for the boutiques on Calle Avinyo!
The Gothic Quarter is a great place to walk with a local on a food tour! Not only will your guide introduce you to tasty local bites, you will also get recommendations for restaurants to try on your own.
>>> Check price and availability for a Gothic Quarter food and walking tour now!
🚶♂️ Barcelona Old Town and Gothic Quarter Walking Tour! Stroll through the historic streets of Barcelona’s Gothic Quarter. Uncover hidden gems and learn about the city’s medieval past. Check price and availability now!
4. Las Ramblas
Crowded? Yes. Iconic? Yes!
Strolling the vibrant, tree-lined Las Ramblas is a must when you visit Barcelona.
The most well-known street in the heart of the city, Las Ramblas, also sometimes called La Rambla, is home to many attractions, but ultimately, the street is an experience in itself.
Here you will find La Boqueria, the famous market known for its food stalls. Gawk at the beautiful facade of the Gran Teatre del Liceu, admire the Mosaic of Miro, go up the Columbus Monument for views, and enjoy the ambience at the Plaça de Catalunya and the Plaça Reial.
You’ll see numerous buskers along the street, including people posing as statues, artists, and musicians.
While La Rambla is a must-stroll, keep your wits about you: the street is frequented by pickpockets and bag snatchers. It’s safe to visit, especially during the day and the early evening, as long as you keep your things close and don’t flash valuables or advertise that you are a tourist.
🚴♀️ Barcelona City Bike Tour: Highlights and Hidden Gems! Pedal through Barcelona’s vibrant streets, uncovering both famous sights and lesser-known treasures. A fun and active way to explore the city. Check price and availability now!
5. Casa Batllo
The ornate facade of Casa Batllo will stop you in your tracks.
One of Antoni Gaudi’s most recognizable masterpieces, the house stands on the Passeig de Gràcia in the Eixample district, and is well worth adding to your Barcelona itinerary if you enjoy architecture and history.
Casa Batllo is open daily from 9 a.m. until 7 p.m., and it is sometimes open for night visits as well. If night visits are available when you go, they offer a magical experience.
On a general visit, you can tour different parts of the home and admire the architectural and design elements. Don’t miss the floating ladder of polished marble by Japanese architect Kengo Kuma that leads to the basement!
Get the gold or platinum ticket and include the iconic rooftop in your visit to admire the art as well as enjoy the views over Barcelona! The gold/platinum ticket also affords you entry to the private residence of the Batllos.
🚶♀️ Ramblas, Old Town, Gothic and Gaudi Architecture Walking Tour! Explore the heart of Barcelona’s historic districts and Gaudí’s architectural wonders. A comprehensive walking tour for culture and history enthusiasts. Check price and availability now!
6. Casa Mila (La Pedrera)
>>> Buy your skip-the-line entry ticket for Casa Batllo now — it includes a self-guided audio tour.
Barcelona has a wealth of architectural marvels by Gaudi, and Casa Mila, also located on the Passeig de Gràcia, is a must-visit for Gaudi fans.
La Pedrera, as Casa Mila is also known, is made up of two blocks of apartments set around two large courtyards, and showcases Gaudi’s unique style.
The facade, which looks like a curtain, is made up of thousands of stone blocks with windows set into it. Also admire the lovely wrought iron detailing on the balconies and the front door.
Inside, you will see a lot of lovely art, including paintings that drew inspiration from tapestries in the National Heritage Collection.
Casa Mila is open daily starting at 9 a.m. Closing time varies by season. There is a fee to go inside. You can also visit during the night session.
>>> Get your Casa Mila skip-the-line ticket online. You can also book the La Pedrera night experience!
🍽️ The Tapas Crawl Adventure! Embark on a flavorful journey through Barcelona’s best tapas bars. Experience the city’s gastronomic delights guided by local experts. Check price and availability now!
7. Boqueria Market
Crowded and lively, Mercat de la Boqueria is a must-visit for all foodies!
Conveniently located along Las Ramblas, the Boqueria Market features dozens of food stalls bursting with all manner of local dishes and delicacies.
The market is the largest in the city and goes back all the way to the 13th century, so you will be living history as you visit!
La Boqueria features lots of fresh produce, meats, cheeses, fish and the like, and these days you will also find lots of prepared foods and restaurants.
Prices can be higher than you’ll see in smaller markets, but La Boqueria is an experience worth the little more.
Fair warning: it’s a super crowded market, so visit early in the day, at opening time, for the best experience. It’s a great place for a quick breakfast. And if it’s very crowded, stay alert for pickpockets.
For a fun experience, try this interactive Spanish cooking class that begins with a guided tour of Boqueria Market to shop for ingredients. You’ll prepare and enjoy tapas, paella, and sangria.
>>> Check price and availability for this Spanish cooking class now!
🍷 Authentic Tapas Barcelona Food Tour! Dive into Barcelona’s culinary scene with this authentic tapas tour. Savor traditional dishes and local wines while exploring the city’s vibrant neighborhoods. Check price and availability now!
8. Palace of Catalan Music
The Palau de la Música Catalana is a stunning building in Barcelona you won’t want to miss. It’s located in the Casc Antic, a section of Old Barcelona not too far from the Gothic Quarter.
Designed by Lluís Domènech i Montaner, the Palace of Catalan Music features lots of curvy flowing shapes and intricate decoration with an emphasis on floral. Everywhere you look is a photo waiting to happen!
The Art Nouveau building is designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Every part of the building is worth admiring, but the actual concert hall is one of the most stunning on the planet. With walls of stained glass and a massive stained glass skylight, it’s simply gorgeous.
The Palace of Catalan Music is open daily from 9.30 a.m. until 3.30 p.m., and there is an entrance fee.
>>> Get your skip-the-line tickets for a self-guided tour now! Your ticket includes a live piano or organ recital!
🛶 Costa Brava Day Adventure: Kayak, Snorkel & Cliff Jump with Lunch! Experience the thrill of kayaking and snorkeling along the stunning Costa Brava coastline. Includes a delicious lunch and optional cliff jumping for the adventurous. Check price and availability now!
9. Montjuic
Montjuic is a hill in Barcelona that offers a plethora of attractions enough to keep you busy for a full day or more.
Take the cable car to the top of the hill and enjoy the views from Montjuic Castle. Then wander around the Olympic Ring, where you can admire the landscaping and water features.
Snap a photo of the striking white Montjuic Communications Tower, designed by Santiago Calatrava.
Art lovers will want to tour the Museu Nacional d’Art de Catalunya, where the permanent collections offer an immersive look into Catalan art, with works by Picasso and Gaudi among others.
The Caixa Forum is another must-visit exhibition space, and the building itself a wonderful example of Catalan Modernista architecture.
In the evening, take in a lights, water, and sound show at the Magic Fountain if performances are being offered when you visit. It makes for a fun finale.
🏰 Montserrat & Cogwheel Train, Gourmet Wine Tasting & Tapas/Lunch! Experience Montserrat’s beauty via cogwheel train, followed by a gourmet wine tasting and tapas or lunch. A blend of natural splendor and gastronomic delight. Check price and availability now!
10. Sample Catalan Cuisine
Catalan cuisine is diverse, with pork dishes inland to fish dishes along the coast, and sampling local cuisine is a must during your visit to Barcelona.
If you have a sweet tooth, you have try any of the assortment of pastries that have the famous crema catalana as a filling.
And if you enjoy wines, you will be delighted to know that there are 11 wine-growing regions in Catalonia. Cava is well known but also try the dessert wine Moscatell!
A food tour is the ideal way to get introduced to a number of local dishes and wines, and you can ask your guide to recommend restaurants to try.
This very popular tapas and wine tour is a 3-hour small group walk, where you will enjoy a number of local delicacies and traditional wines. The food is enough to replace a meal, and you will try dishes you may not have ordered on your own in a restaurant.
You can also pick an optional upgrade to a flamenco performance at the end of the tour.
>>> Check price and availability for this Barcelona food and wine tour now!
Where to Stay in Barcelona
First-time visitors to Barcelona should plan on staying in the Gothic Quarter or the Eixample District, for easy access to major attractions.
The Gothic Quarter offers historic charm and convenient access to public transport, while Eixample offers a more modern vibe with wide tree-lined streets. Eixample is also convenient for public transport.
Lamaro Hotel in the Gothic Quarter has an enviable location right opposite the Barcelona Cathedral. Rooms are air-conditioned and comfortable, and there is a rooftop terrace and onsite restaurant. Wifi is free.
>>> Check price and availability now!
The Petit Palace Boqueria Garden is set in a historic building near La Boqueria Market. The hotel offers air-conditioned rooms and free wifi. The bar is in a charming courtyard with mature trees. Bicycles are complimentary if available.
>>> Check price and availability now!
Catalonia Passeig de Gràcia 4* Sup in Eixample offers an outdoor swimming pool, free wifi and paid parking. Rooms are comfortable and there is onsite dining.
>>> Check price and availability now!
Planning a trip to the historic mountaintop abbey? Bookmark our Montserrat Monastery website for the complete rundown on visiting Montserrat!
And if you’re just starting to plan your visit to Barcelona, check out the some of the top day trips from Barcelona, which you absolutely don’t want to miss!
