17 Best Things to do in Barcelona
Barcelona is known as the cultural heart of Spain for good reasons. It is diverse and colourful, with its must-visit sights ranging from magnificent architecture to beautiful beaches. Due to the variety of activities that Barcelona offers, it may be overwhelming to decide what to do. This is a list of my 17 favourite things I did when I visited Barcelona recently.
1. Take a Walk along La Rambla
La Rambla is an iconic pedestrian street in the centre of Barcelona, and the perfect place to start your sight-seeing. It is lined with trees and stalls selling a huge variety of things from souvenirs and newspapers to flowers. It can get very crowded during tourist season (especially during summer), so it is unfortunately a hub for pick-pocketers. So, be vigilant while walking on this street.
2. Eat at Mercat de la Boqueria
On La Rambla, you will stumble upon Mercat de la Boqueria. This is a huge food market which is perfect for a light lunch or breakfast. Here you will find such a huge variety of delicious freshly prepared foods that you will find it impossible to try everything you want to. The most popular foods include fresh seafood, fruit juices, and cones of Jamon Iberico and Manchego Cheese.
3. Stroll around the Gothic Quarter
The Gothic Quarter is the most historic part of the Old Town of Barcelona. Two of the highlights of this part of the city are the Cathedral and Plaça Nova. The Cathedral of the Holy Cross and Saint Eulalia is an ideal first stop to admire the architecture of Barcelona. In Plaça Nova, you will find a market with stalls offering a beautiful array of antiques and hand-crafted goods.
4. Walk through L’Arc de Triomf
The Arc de Triomf is an important landmark you should not miss on your trip to Barcelona. It was built in 1888, as a celebration of the first Barcelona World Fair. In contrast to similar structures built in other cities, like the Arc de Triomphe in Paris, it was not constructed as a sign of military strength or victory, but rather to welcome people to the Spain. The arch acts as the entrance to a long promenade – Passeig de Lluís Companys – which leads to Ciutadella Park. As you take a walk down the promenade, you will probably come across street artists blowing gigantic bubbles.
5. See the Fountain at Ciutadella Park
For a perfect afternoon, visit Ciutadella Park next. It is an idyllic and historic garden in the middle of Barcelona. Grab an ice cream to enjoy on the steps of the central Gazebo in the park, while admiring the stunning fountain there. After this, you can rent a rowboat and float around the small lake on the other side of the park.
6. See a Vertical Garden
One of my favourite trends at the moment is Vertical Gardens. These are buildings that have been partially restored and protected by plants directly on walls previously left overexposed after the demolishment of neighbouring buildings. Vertical Gardens are also meant to aid environmental concerns in an urban setting. These buildings can be found all over Barcelona. The Vertical Garden I visited was Edificio Planeta in Les Corts.
7. Go Stand-up Paddling at Sunrise
Stand-up paddling at sunrise was by far my favourite experience I had in Barcelona. I booked the activity through Get Your Guide with a company called Eswell. On the most popular beach in the city, La Barceloneta, you join a group of about 20 people, along with a tour guide. So, even if you have never gone stand-up paddling before, this is absolutely perfect! And bonus – the guide takes photos while you’re out on the water. There is even a professional photographer who you can buy pictures from afterwards. I would, however, highly recommend you bring a waterproof cellphone pouch that you can hang around your neck. All in all, it is well worth getting up at 4:30 in the morning for this experience!
8. Have a Beach Day
If you run out of things to do in Barcelona, a beach day is always the way to go! Barceloneta is definitely the most popular beach, and it gets crowded very early and quickly. It can also be difficult to relax on this beach, because of just how many annoying salesmen approach you. I also personally prefer sand beaches to pebble beaches, so I would rather suggest checking out a beach like Nova Icaria. The waves are bigger here, and it is less crowded than Barceloneta. Though, if you want to secure a good spot, you should still arrive relatively early in the morning. Don’t forget your sunscreen!
9. Visit Park Güell
Park Güell is one of the most notable works of the infamous Catalan architect Antoni Gaudí, who designed multiple unique buildings and parks in Barcelona, the distinctive style of whom the city is known for. This is one of those iconic spots you cannot miss in Barcelona – and, for my fellow 2000s Disney Channel babies, it was a filming location for the song “Strut” from The Cheetah Girls 2. Be prepared to walk up a steep hill to get to the park. After all, this is the best view you will find of Barcelona. Plan for about 2 to 3 hours of exploring the park. Tickets to visit Park Güell must now be bought in advance, as there is limited space available. You can find tickets at: https://parkguell.barcelona/en/buy-tickets.
10. Eat Tapas
If you’ve ever visited Spain, you’ll know that tapas is not just a type of food, it’s an experience that you cannot miss in Barcelona. Tapas are small dishes, perfect as an appetiser or mid-afternoon snack – or, if you’re like me, you’ll order 3 or 4 different ones and call it dinner. They are also great to share, as most of the portions have 3-4 items on each plate (this is usually listed on the menu). As they are traditionally served alongside drinks, it is not uncommon to find multiple tapas bars next to each other on the streets of any Spanish city. Even if a restaurant is not a tapas bar, it almost always has a selection of tapas on its menu.
My favourite tapas that I ate in Barcelona was at a little restaurant called SMS Delicies, where, on top of the delectable food, we got the most incredible service! Expert tip – if you can’t decide which tapas to choose, always go for croquetas!
11. See Casa Batlló and Casa Milà
Two of Gaudí’s most famous works, Casa Batlló and Casa Milà are colourful houses that are within a 5 minute walking distance of each other. Like all of Gaudí’s projects, there is an amazing amount of detail and meaning in the architecture of these buildings. Most notably, the roof of Casa Batlló was designed to resemble a dragon’s back. You can buy tickets to enter these houses at https://www.casabatllo.es/en/online-tickets/ and https://casa-mila.barcelona-tickets.com.
12. Visit the Sagrada Familia
If there is one place you cannot miss in Barcelona, it is definitely the Sagrada Familia. It is to Barcelona what the Eiffel Tower is to Paris – if you haven’t visited it, have you really even been to Barcelona? I personally find most churches in Europe to be overrated (mostly because they’re all quite similar) but this is the one church I would urge you not to skip. The inside was designed to resemble a forest, with attention even given to the type of wood that was used to construct the various pillars. The Sagrada Familia is by far Gaudí’s most famous work, and was also his last (and his dearest, considering that he was buried in the crypt below the church). The basilica is still far from finished, even as we are nearing the original target date of 2026, which marks 100 years since the artist’s death.
You can buy tickets at https://sagradafamilia.org/en/tickets, but combination tickets (including both a visit to the Sagrada Familia and Park Güell) are also available at a slightly discounted price on various third-party websites, like Get Your Guide and Viator. Make sure to buy these tickets before you plan to go, because there are only limited tickets available. I highly recommend getting the audioguide for a few extra euros – the tour gave me so much insight to the details that went into the design of the building.
13. Buy Nougat at Tourrones Vicens
Across the street from the Sagrada Familia, you will find a shop selling all kinds of nougats imaginable – marzipan & coconut, papaya, salted caramel, and so many more. The Vicens family started their nougat-making business in 1775, and have passed on their recipe through the generations. The shop also has other gourmet specialities, like cookies, honey, jams, candies, and chocolate. Their most famous nougat is Turrón de Agramunt – hazelnut & almond – which they have been making since their opening.
14. Visit Montjuïc Castle
Montjuïc Castle is an old fortress located on Montjuïc Hill. The castle is currently being used as a municipal building. You will need around 1 to 2 hours to see the entire castle. To get to Montjuïc Castle, you will either need to take the cable car or walk up the hill from Plaça España – the walk only take about 10 minutes. This is the perfect place to watch the sun set over Barcelona, especially if you want to see the fountain light up afterwards. For more information on opening hours and to buy tickets, visit the official website: https://ajuntament.barcelona.cat/castelldemontjuic/en.
15. See the Magic Fountain of Montjuïc
The iconic Fountain of Montjuïc is another one of those must-see things in Barcelona. In the evenings, there is a wonderful display of water acrobatics, lights, and music. Make sure to check the website (https://www.barcelona.cat/en/what-to-do-in-bcn/magic-fountain/magic-fountains-show-times) for exact show times and days during your visit, as it is does not take place every day, and this varies by season. Also be sure to get there early to get a good spot – at least half an hour before the show is set to start. The website should also point out that from January 2023, the light shows have been temporarily suspended in an effort to save water as a result of a drought – so. definitely check the website if you don’t want to be disappointed.
16. Experience the Nightlife
A night out in Barcelona is like no other. The perfect night out starts, of course, at a tapas bar. Enjoy the food with a few drinks before moving on to a club – because you cannot visit Barcelona without going dancing. I attended a salsa party with my friends at a small bar when I visited – and it was great. If you are able to find a more local bar that isn’t overrun with tourists, you are in for a night of great dancing, meeting interesting new people, and cheap drinks. If you want something bigger and more international, however, I would recommend Razzmatazz, which has several rooms with different genres of music. For guaranteed entry, make sure you buy your entrance tickets online before you go out.
17. Try the Beer (and Food!) at Fabrica Moritz
If you’re a beer lover, you will love Fabrica Moritz. It is a brewery in the middle of the city, that offers beer tastings. Even if you don’t love beer, it is a great place to visit simply because the food is delicious and the vibe is fantastic. Check their website for events that the brewery hosts as well as their seasonal menu at https://fabricamoritzbarcelona.com/.
Hopefully, this list of my personal favourite things to do in Barcelona has helped you add a few activities and sights to your own itinerary. This city is so unique and diverse, you’re bound to have a great time no matter what you end up doing.
