Places to Visit in Barcelona
Barcelona, the vibrant capital of Catalonia, is an impressive Mediterranean city with a wide range of leisure activities that invite you to explore it again and again. It is full of contrasts that make it a complete melting pot of cultures while maintaining its characteristic features.
The Catalan capital is a bustling city that lives up to its reputation as a thriving cultural center with beautiful buildings and monuments, green spaces, clean urban beaches, and world-class nightlife.
Overlooking the Mediterranean Sea and famous for Gaudí’s buildings and the unmistakable Art Nouveau architecture, Barcelona is one of the most modern and visited cities in Europe. Are you ready to discover its charms for yourself? Let us tell you what to do in Barcelona.
What to See in Barcelona
In addition to incredible excursions you can take in Barcelona for a day or half a day, such as a visit to the Montserrat mountain and its history surrounding the Virgin of the Moreneta, or the beautiful places to see in Girona, here are the attractions that you must visit on your next trip to this beautiful city.
Gothic Quarter and Barcelona Cathedral
The Gothic Quarter is where it all started for Barcelona. Overflowing with old-world charm, it is a delight to stroll through, with its maze-like streets, hidden squares, lovely cafés, romantic antique shops, and hundreds of excellent restaurants and bars.
Additionally, at the highest point of the neighborhood stands the Cathedral of Barcelona, a splendid Gothic cathedral built between the 13th and 15th centuries, notable for its façade, a spacious and bright sanctuary, the crypt with its ancient tombs, beautiful cloisters, and the Cathedral Museum.
Interested in learning much more about the Gothic Quarter? Do it in a fun way on the Free Tour of the Historic Center of Barcelona.
La Sagrada Familia, one of the places to visit in Barcelona
If you don’t have time to enter La Sagrada Familia, you have the option to learn about its intricate exterior facade and history on the Free Tour of La Sagrada Familia and Modernism in Barcelona, (as well as other Gaudí monuments).
La Sagrada Familia is an impressive expiatory temple designed by Antoni Gaudí, which began construction in 1882. Heavily marked by the Catalan’s unique style, it combines elements of Art Nouveau, Catalan modernism, and late Spanish Gothic.
Its interior is inspired by nature, with columns shaped like tree trunks, and on the outside, the three facades dedicated to the Nativity, Passion, and Glory of Jesus stand out, along with the towers that will rise to 172 meters upon completion in 2026.
It is one of the most iconic sites to visit in Barcelona, so we recommend scheduling a guided tour of La Sagrada Familia to see it in its full glory. You can even take the tour that includes access to the towers if you prefer.
El Born and the Cathedral of the Sea
Headquarters of the Born Cultural Centre, in the old Born market
El Born is an ancient historic neighborhood in the center of Barcelona, famous for its bohemian atmosphere and artistic touch, as well as its excellent tapas bars. If you want to get to know it in depth with an expert, sign up for the Free Tour of El Born in Barcelona and discover its most secret corners.
In its streets, we can find the Cathedral of the Sea, built in the 10th century and named because the sea once lay at its feet. Its elegant and slender architecture makes it a must-see on your visit to the Catalan capital. It is the only true example of Catalan Gothic, and entry is free.
Casa Batlló
Declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 2005, Casa Batlló is a six-story modernist building designed by the renowned Catalan architect Antoni Gaudí, which you can explore on a tour of Gaudí’s buildings in Barcelona.
Completed in 1906, it features a colorful exterior facade decorated with multicolored ceramic tiles and glass. The interior has stained glass, curved walls, and a wooden staircase that will amaze you because it seems to float on the upper floors.
Montjuïc and Plaza España
Montjuïc is a hill located in the heart of Barcelona, with iconic sites like Montjuïc Castle and the Botanical Garden. Did you know that you can visit it with the Spanish tour of the best of Barcelona, which includes the ticket for the Montjuïc cable car?
From here and other points on the mountain, you will have access to some of the best viewpoints in Barcelona.
At the foot of Montjuïc, by the way, is Plaza d’Espanya, the second largest in the country. It is where many of the city’s main roads converge and where you can see the incredible Magic Fountain of Montjuïc, one of its biggest attractions.
The Olympic Port, one of the most beautiful places in Barcelona
The Olympic Port of Barcelona is a marina that was built in 1991 as the venue for the sailing events of the Summer Olympics the following year. Today, it is one of the most important tourist sites in Barcelona, with many leisure activities, water sports, beaches, restaurants, and nightclubs.
Many people gather here for breakfast in the morning, have drinks on one of its sunny terraces in the afternoon, or dine in a restaurant at night when this seaside area of the Catalan capital becomes a lively and festive space.
Casa Milà - La Pedrera
Casa Milà, better known as “La Pedrera,” is both an apartment building and a work of priceless art. It is one of Antoni Gaudí’s best and most memorable creations, incorporating the complexity and angularity of nature.
Its incredible façade covered with waves of limestone, with no straight lines or corners, makes the house appear as a natural phenomenon. We can tell you in advance that this is one of the most picturesque places to visit in Barcelona, so be prepared to take your best photos.
La Rambla
La Rambla is the most famous boulevard in Barcelona, known for perfectly expressing the Spanish atmosphere and character of the city. It extends for 1.2 kilometers from Plaça de Catalunya to the statue of Christopher Columbus by the port.
Our recommendation is to eat some tapas at the Mercado de La Boquería, climb to the viewpoint of the Columbus Monument, enjoy churros with chocolate on the terrace of the famous Cafè de l’Opera, and attend an opera night at the Gran Teatre del Liceu.
Next to La Rambla is the Raval neighborhood, which, despite its reputation as a “dangerous place,” hides very interesting corners. If you want to discover them with an expert guide, be sure to take the Free Tour of El Raval; you won’t regret it!
Camp Nou, the stadium of Barcelona
The legendary Camp Nou is the largest stadium in Europe and home to FC Barcelona. Inaugurated in 1957, it has been home to some of the world’s best football players, such as Ronaldo, Ronaldinho, Maradona, and the incomparable Lionel Messi.
Tourism in Barcelona would not be the same without a guided visit to Camp Nou. Discover the history of this iconic team, step onto the pitch as if you were a player, explore the Barça Museum, and finally, take home a shirt or souvenir from the official store.
Palau de la Música Catalana, a place to know in Barcelona
The Palau de la Música Catalana is one of the most stunning concert halls in the world and one of the most representative modernist buildings in Barcelona. Its design was the work of architect Lluís Domènech i Montaner and was built between 1905 and 1908.
Naturally illuminated during the day, this architectural gem stands out for its stained glass panels and its decoration with sculptures, busts, and reliefs that fill the room with magic and create an ideal atmosphere for the various artists who perform daily.
Its exterior facade is equally impressive, which you can decipher with a guide on the Free Tour of El Born.
Recinto Modernista Sant Pau
A city within the city. This is how Sant Pau is often defined, the largest Art Nouveau complex in the world and the most important work of Lluís Domènech i Montaner, conceived as a hospital for the sick in the poorest areas of the Catalan capital, and one of the beautiful places in Barcelona that you cannot miss.
Its uniqueness and artistic beauty are present in each of its 12 pavilions set in green spaces, interconnected by a kilometer of underground galleries.
La Barceloneta and Beaches of Barcelona
La Barceloneta is one of the most authentic and popular neighborhoods in Barcelona, known for its beaches, narrow streets, and public art. Located in Port Vell, it is an old fishing area full of magic and history.
It is triangular in shape and connects with the Olympic Port, Ronda Litoral, and the promenade, including La Barceloneta Beach, Somorrostro Beach, and Sant Sebastià Beach, considered the best beaches to visit in Barcelona.
By the way, if you like gastronomic tips, take note: the restaurants in the area offer the freshest fish and seafood you can imagine. Enjoy!
Park Güell, an Iconic Place in Barcelona
Park Güell is one of the must-visit sites in Barcelona, showcasing the essence of Modernism. Once again, it was designed by the famous Catalan architect Antoni Gaudí at the request of entrepreneur Eusebi Güell, who named the park.
This green space spans 17 hectares, featuring rounded shapes, columns resembling tree trunks, animal figures, and geometric forms, all highlighted by decorations of mosaics made from colorful ceramic pieces.
Explore this iconic place by taking a guided tour of Park Güell.
Picasso Museum
Las Meninas by Picasso, an Artwork on Display in Barcelona
The Picasso Museum in Barcelona houses over 4,000 works by the Spanish artist Pablo Picasso, including paintings, sculptures, drawings, engravings, ceramics, and jewelry pieces—most from his early years—making it the largest collection of the artist in the world.
It is located on Carrer Montcada, a narrow street in the Gothic Quarter, within an architectural ensemble that includes three floors, five palaces in Catalan Gothic style from the 13th to 15th centuries, and more than 35 rooms showcasing his works dating from 1890 to 1957.
Carmel Bunkers, a Place to Discover in Barcelona Off the Beaten Path
Stepping off the beaten path is one of the best ways to explore Europe, and the Carmel Bunkers are a true hidden gem in Barcelona, away from the crowds.
The remnants of an anti-aircraft base used during the Civil War offer breathtaking views of the city that will leave you speechless. Be sure to arrive early to catch the sunset and secure a spot, then you’ll have time to thank us for experiencing the best views in Barcelona.
Pedralbes Monastery, a Surprising Place in Barcelona
We conclude this list with the Monastery of Pedralbes, in Catalan Gothic style, founded in 1326 by King James II of Aragon and his fourth wife, Elisenda. It stands as a unique historical and cultural testament to the nuns of the Clarissan brotherhood.
Entering this impressive monastic temple through either of its two gates set in medieval walls feels like stepping back several centuries in time. Although it’s a bit far from the city center, it’s an experience that is absolutely worth it.
Now that you are aware of the best places to visit in Barcelona, how about taking a closer look at the best excursions near Barcelona that you can do? Don’t waste any more time and start planning your next trip to Barcelona right away.