Barcelona's Best - Top 14 Things to See and Do

Barcelona is located on the northeast coast of Spain. It is the second largest city in the country and the capital of the region of Catalonia. Catalan and Spanish are the two primary languages spoken in this region. Being such a popular destination for travel, many of Barcelona’s inhabitants (and expats) speak English as well.

The people of Catalonia have a deep-rooted sense of pride in their cultural identity. They seek to preserve that culture as the world becomes more connected than ever before. When traveling to Barcelona, take some time to learn more about the city’s history and culture. You can find some great tours on Get Your Guide, Viator, and Tripadvisor.

Use this guide to visit some of the city’s top destinations.

1. La Sagrada Familia

About La Sagrada Familia:

Construction on La Sagrada Familia began about 141 years ago. Since then, it has become one of the most famous churches in the world and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Known as the masterpiece of Antoni Gaudí’s lifetime, the basilica welcomes almost 5 million visitors each year.
Gaudí’s work is known for its nature-like qualities. The inside of the basilica has columns meant to resemble trees. The stained-glass windows all over the walls project breathtaking ranges of colors and tones.
Being the deeply religious person that he was, Gaudí believed that human creations should not outshine works of God. For this reason, he intentionally built La Sagrada Familia to be one meter shorter than Montjuic, a small mountain in Barcelona.

Visit La Sagrada Familia:

To visit La Sagrada Familia, you can purchase tickets online.
What are the La Sagrada Familia opening hours and how do you get there? You can find all of that information here.
I also recommend checking out the links below if you wish to explore the many options for tours, fast-track access, and tower access.

How to get to La Sagrada Familia:

The easiest way to get to La Sagrada from Plaça de Catalunya (the main, central plaza in the city) is to hop on the metro line L2 towards Badalona Pompeu Fabra. Ride 3 stops and get off at the “Sagrada Familia” stop.
If you don’t mind walking, the basilica is about a 30 minute walk from the main plaza.
Taxis are also an easy option for getting around the city. Additionally, I recommend downloading Cabify and FREE NOW, the Uber-style services in Spain.

2. Parc Güell

About Parc Güell:

Park Güell is another one of Gaudí’s famous creations. The original plan was to create a residential estate for wealthy families in Barcelona, but it failed because of its inconvenient location, among a few other reasons.
Gaudí spent the last 20 years of his life in one of the houses that was built on the estate. It is now a museum that you can visit during your trip to Park Güell.
Other features of the park include a viaduct made of warm-colored stones forming arches and winding paths, sounds of Spanish guitar played by local musicians, flourishing gardens with lavender bushes and other flora, the monumental staircase lined with colorful mosaic tiles, and two more pavilions, in true Gaudí fashion, known for their whimsical designs.
The Greek Theater, or Nature Square, is the world-famous concrete bench that wraps around the square, adorned with more colorful mosaic tiles. It’s a classic photo spot in Barcelona because of the sweeping views of the city in the background. If you want to get your iconic Cheetah Girls picture, you’ll likely have to battle other tourists for a spot on the bench.
Despite its failure as a residential area, Park Güell was named a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1984, and continues to be one of the most popular attractions in the city, with more than 9 million visitors each year.

Visit Parc Güell:

You can enter Park Güell for free. However, if you wish to enter the Monumental Zone, which has the famous Nature Square, Casa Gaudí Museum, and other important attractions in the park, you must buy the 10€ tickets.
Purchase entrance tickets to the Monumental Zone of Park Güell here.
You must purchase separate 5€ tickets on site to enter the Casa Gaudí Museum.
If you would prefer a guided tour of the park and all of its attractions, take a look at some of my favorite websites for organized trips:

How to get to Park Güell:

The best way to get to Park Güell from Plaça de Catalunya is to take the 24 bus towards El Carmel. “Ctra del Carmel – Albert Llanas” is the closest stop to the park. You can also take the L3 metro towards Trinitat Nova, ride 5 stops, and get off at Vallcarca. If you take the metro, you’ll have about a 10 minute walk from the metro stop to the park entrance.
For ease and convenience, you can always try to flag a nearby taxi, or order a car on the Cabify or FREE NOW apps.
Walking to Park Güell is not recommended because it’s not in the most convenient or easily accessible location, but it’s about a 30 minute walk from La Sagrada Familia for those brave trekkers who want to explore the city by foot.

3. Bunkers del Carmel

About Los Bunkers del Carmel:

Los Bunkers del Carmel were created during the Spanish Civil War to protect the city. This site used to be fortified by cannons and powerful guns.
In the 1940s and 1950s, many struggling families in Barcelona were forced to move to the Bunkers, which developed into a large settlement for impoverished people. Most had to live in shacks and other makeshift shelters. In preparation for the Olympics in 1992, the city of Barcelona got a major makeover, which included rehousing the residents of the Bunkers.
Today, the Bunkers are a the perfect spot for a bottle of wine, some manchego cheese, and an orange sunset.

Visit Los Bunkers del Carmel:

Visiting the Bunkers is entirely free.
I recommend going to a mercat (read about Mercat de la Boqueria below) and picking up some food and wine (or cava) before heading up to the Bunkers for sunset. Bring a blanket for a picnic and a coat if you’re visiting in the winter. There are plenty of spots to sit and enjoy the view with both friends and strangers.
Los Bunkers is a popular spot for young people. Lots of study abroad kids will make the journey to the top for sunset. If you’re not interested in being surrounded by semi-loud, probably obnoxious 20-somethings, this is not the place for you.
If you do make it up to the Bunkers, please respect that is a historic, public place. Leave it as clean as you found it (or cleaner if you can) and be conscious of the fact that you are sharing the space with others.
Tripadvisor has some exciting tours on Vespas if you want to see the Bunkers and other important parts of the city by scooter. Check out “Barcelona Secrets & Tibidabo Views by Vespa Scooter” or “BARCELONA ICONS & PANORAMIC VIEWS by Vespa scooter” on Tripadvisor.

How to get to Los Bunkers del Carmel:

The Bunkers del Carmel are labeled on maps as MUHBA Turó de la Rovira Battery Viewpoint.
They are about a 20 minute walk from Park Güell.
If you are taking the bus from Plaça de Catalunya, hop on the 24 towards El Carmel, ride two stops further than Park Güell, and get off at “Ctra del Carmel – Mühlberg.”
I don’t recommend walking up to the Bunkers unless you’re up for a hike!

4. Barceloneta Beach

About Barceloneta Beach:

Barceloneta’s ideal location on the Mediterranean made it a popular place for fishermen in the 18th century, despite the rough sea conditions. This quickly evolved into a construction project to develop more housing for the city’s residents.
Some believe that Miguel de Cervantes used Barceloneta Beach as inspiration for the site of the battle between Don Quixote and the Knight of the White Moon.
Although Barceloneta is one large city beach, it is split into 4 smaller sections: Platja de Sant Sebastià, Platja de Sant Miquel, Platja de la Barceloneta, and Platja del Somorrostro.
- For sunbathing, swimming, and beach volleyball, you’ll want to stick the central areas (Platja de Sant Miquel and Platja de la Barceloneta).
- Platja de Sant Sebastià is the southernmost section, near the W Hotel. It has some fun beach bars, as well as umbrellas and sun beds to rent.
- Platja del Somorrostro is the northernmost area, situated near some of Barcelona’s most popular nightclubs.

Visit Barceloneta Beach:

It is completely free to visit Barceloneta Beach.
Be aware of your belongings, Barcelona is known for pickpocketing problems and clueless tourists on the beach are an easy target.
There are many vendors on the beach selling picnic blankets and tapestries, beer, sodas, and more.
Feeling hungry? Surf House Barcelona is a fantastic brunch spot in a prime location between Platja de Sant Miquel and Platja de la Barceloneta.
In the mood for a beach picnic? Stop by Bo de B, a to-go, window-service, cash-only bocadillo (sandwich) shop. It’s about a 15 minute walk from the beach.
Read more about Surf House Barcelona, Bo de B, and other places to eat in this article: 13 of the Best Restaurants in Barcelona by Neighborhood.

How to get to Barceloneta Beach:

From Plaça de Catalunya (Metro Urquinaona bus stop), take the 47 bus towards Pg. Maritím. Ride 7 stops and get off at “Pg Marítim – Pepe Rubiane.”
The bus is not much faster than walking. If you are in the Gothic Quarter, El Raval, El Born, or Poblenou, you are not a far walk from the beach.
Of course, you can always hail a taxi or call a Cabify or FREE NOW.

5. Cathedral of Barcelona

About the Cathedral of Barcelona:

The historic, Gothic-style Cathedral of Barcelona was built over the course of 150 years (13th-15th centuries).
It is the seat of the Archbishop of Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain. This is why it is also known as La Seu, which means“the seat” in Catalan.
The Cathedral of Barcelona is dedicated to Saint Eulalia, a young girl from a noble family who was tortured and persecuted for her devotion to Christianity.

Visit the Cathedral of Barcelona:

The cathedral is open for visits from 10:30am – 6:30pm on weekdays and 10:30am – 5pm on Saturdays.
You can purchase tickets for 11€ here.
If you’re struggling to find tickets, you can also try these tickets on Get Your Guide.
If you’re interested in doing a walking tour, here are some of my top picks:

How to get to the Cathedral of Barcelona:

The Cathedral of Barcelona is located in the heart of the Gothic Quarter. You’ll likely walk past it, even if it is not in your plans, as you’re exploring the old town.
The three closest metro stops to the cathedral are Jaume I (L4), Urquinoana (L1, L4), and Liceu (L3). Read this article if you need more help navigating public transportation.
The Cathedral of Barcelona is about a 5-10 minute walk from Plaça de Catalunya.

6. Parc de la Ciutadella

About Parc de la Ciutadella:

Parc de la Ciutadella is a peaceful greenspace just on the edge of Barcelona’s old town.
You’ll see many families, couples, and friends gathering here for picnics.
It also has a zoo, a lake for renting row boats, and an impressive waterfall-style fountain.

Visit Parc de la Ciutadella:

Visiting the park is completely free.
Information on row boat rentals:
- Available March 23rd to September 22nd from 10am to 8pm.
- Available September 23rd to March 22nd from 10am to 6pm.
- Renting a boat costs 6€ for 2 people, 9€ for 3 people, and 10€ for 4/5 people (prices are per 30 minutes).
Information on the Barcelona Zoo:
- Hours: open from 10am to 4:30pm from Monday to Friday, 10:am to 5:30pm on the weekends.
- Location: the zoo is located in the park. You can enter from inside Parc de la Ciutadella, or on Carrer Wellington, near Passeig de Circumval·lació.
- Tickets: Book your 1-Day Tickets to Barcelona Zoo on Get Your Guide for the best price. You can also take a look at the official zoo website here

How to get to Parc de la Ciutadella:

Parc de la Ciutadella is about a 20 minute walk from Plaça de Catalunya.
If you’re somewhere else in the city, you can take the metro. Ride the L1 or C1 to Arc de Triomf or the L4 to Jaume I.

7. Arc de Triomf

About Arc de Triomf:

The Arc de Triomf is a large arch that frames one of the main pedestrian streets in Barcelona, Passeig de Lluís Companys. It leads to the entrance of Parc de la Ciutadella.
The arch was built to be a gateway to the 1888 World Fair that was held in Barcelona. It was intended to be a welcoming entryway into Parc de la Ciutadella, where the World Fair was held.
Unlike other arches of similar style, the Arc de Triomf had nothing to do with commemorating military victories or soldiers lost in battle.

Visit Arc de Triomf:

Visiting the Arc de Triomf is completely free. You cannot enter it, but you can marvel at it from the outside.
You will likely see live music and other street performers along the promenade.
Most people like to visit the Arc de Triomf to get a picture underneath the arch.

How to get to Arc de Triomf:

The Arc de Triomf is about a 20 minute walk from Plaça de Catalunya.
You can get to the Arc de Triomf by metro if you take the L1 to the Arc de Triomf stop.

8. La Boqueria

About La Boqueria:

In Barcelona, there is a fresh food market in nearly every neighborhood. La Boqueria is the most famous mercat in Barcelona
At the market, you can find an abundance of fruits and vegetables, an assortment of cheeses and ham (manchego cheese and Jamón Ibérico are some Spanish staples), olives, fresh fish and meat, bakeries, desserts, spices, souvenirs, wine, and more.
Many vendors also sell prepared tapas like croquetas, bocadillos, patatas bravas, and more.
La Boqueria is usually overflowing with people. It is not only a market, but also a hub of human connection. Even if you’re not interested in buying any products, observing the marketplace from an interpersonal perspective is a whole separate work of art.

Visit La Boqueria:

La Boqueria is open Monday to Saturday from 8am – 8:30pm. It’s closed on Sundays.
Bring some sort of reusable bag if you’re planning to buy some food. I highly recommend doing your picnic shopping at La Boqueria before going to the Bunkers for sunset!
Vendors will usually accept both cash and card.
Whether you’re inside or outside of La Boqueria, be aware of your belongings. The market is located on La Rambla, an infamous tourist street. Over the years, Barcelona has grown in popularity as a travel destination, which means that pickpocketing has become more common, especially in this area. Don’t be scared, just be cautious!
Here are some highly-rated market tours of La Boqueria if you want a more professional culinary experience:

How to get to La Boqueria:

La Boqueria is located on La Rambla, a large pedestrian street with limited road access.
If you are taking the metro, take the L3 to Liceu, the stop located right outside of the market.
La Boqueria is about a 5-10 minute walk down La Rambla starting from Plaça de Catalunya.

9. Montjuïc

About Montjuïc:

Montjuïc means “Jewish Mountain” in Catalan.
Montjuïc served as the main site of the 1992 Summer Olympics, where many of the games were held.
The 1929 International Exposition, the second World Fair hosted by the city Barcelona, was also located on Montjuïc.
Long before it was the site of these important international events, the mountain was home to Castell de Montjuïc (Montjuïc Castle).
The Montjuïc Castle dates back to the 17th century when it was fortress during the Catalan Revolt. Although Catalonia lost the revolt, they managed to protect Montjuïc, which solidified the mountain’s place as a symbol of Catalonian independence.
During the Spanish civil war (1936 – 1939), the castle was a prison and an execution site.

Visit Montjuïc:

Montjuïc Castle is open Monday – Sunday between 10am and 6pm during the fall and winter (November 1 – February 28) and between 10am and 8pm during the spring and summer (March 1 – October 31). General admission tickets cost 9€. Check out this website for more information.
You can also book tours and tickets here:
- Montjuïc Castle (Castell de Montjuïc) Tours and Tickets
- Barcelona: Montjuïc Cable Car Roundtrip Ticket
While on Montjuïc, you can also check out the 1992 Olympics Stadium. It’s free admission, open 10am to 6pm in the winter and 10am to 8pm in the summer.
If you’re interested in learning more about the local art history, the MNAC (Museu Nacional d’Art de Catalunya), is also located on the mountain. You’ll find artwork from Picasso, Dalí, and Gaudí. General admission tickets cost 12€. The museum is free on the first Sunday of the month and every Saturday after 3pm. It’s open Tuesday to Saturday from 10am to 6pm from October to April and 10am to 8pm from May to September. Sunday hours are 10am to 3pm. The MNAC is closed on Mondays. 2

How to get to Montjuïc:

There are several ways to get to the mountain. You can take the metro to Espanya (L1, L3, L8 and other FGC lines), Poble Sec (L3), Paral·lel (L2, L3), Foc (L10 South), Foneria (L10 South), or Magòria-La Campana (L8 and other FGC lines). I recommend Paral·lel if you want to take the cable car to the castle. Read more below.
Once you’re at the mountain, you may want to take the scenic (and easier) ride to the castle, the Montjuïc Cable Car (Telefèric de Montjuïc). You’ll need to catch the Telefèric de Montjuïc from the Paral·lel metro station (L2 and L3). The first stop is Parc de Montjuïc, where you’ll find the MNAC and the 1992 Olympics Stadium. The second stop is the castle.
- You can book cable car tickets online.
You can also bus, bike, or taxi to the mountain. For more help on navigating any city through Google Maps, take a look at this article.

10. Camp Nou

About Camp Nou:

If you’re a fútbol fan, visiting Camp Nou will be high on your list of must-do’s in Barcelona. It is home to the legendary FC Barcelona.
FC Barcelona was founded in 1899. Their slogan Més que un club, meaning “More than a club,” is displayed in bold yellow letters across the stands.
The team has always been a symbol of Catalan culture and a source of deep pride for the region of Catalonia.
FC Barcelona is where fútbol star Lionel Messi got his break. At 13 years old, he was recruited to play for the team’s youth academy. He made his debut at age 17. He left the club in 2021.
Barça is the team’s nickname. Barcelona natives will never refer to the city of Barcelona as “Barça,” only silly tourists make this mistake.

Visit Camp Nou:

You can plan a visit to Camp Nou and the Barça Museum inside the stadium. There are many options for tickets on the FC Barcelona website.
You can also book a guided tour such as this one: F.C. Barcelona Museum Immersive Tour & Ticket
The stadium is currently under construction, so access to the field may be limited.

How to get to Camp Nou:

You can get to Camp Nou by metro from the Diagonal, Passeig de Gràcia, Plaça Catalunya, or Liceu metro stop. Take L3 towards Zona Universitària and get off at Palau Reial. From there, it’s a 5-10 minute walk to Camp Nou.
The bus line 7 also runs from the city center, Pg de Gràcia – Mallorca to Palau Reial if you prefer being above ground.
I don’t recommend walking to Camp Nou from the city center. It will take over an hour.
You can always take a taxi, Cabify, or FREE NOW from anywhere in the city.

11. Tibidabo

About Tibidabo:

Tibidabo is another large hill (or small mountain) in Barcelona.
At the top of the hill, you’ll find Sagrat Cor church and Tibidabo Amusement Park.
Both attractions were built in the early 1900s, although the church took over 60 years to complete.
At the top of Tibidabo, you can see spectacular panoramic views of the city.

Visit Tibidabo:

The panoramic area surrounding the church is freely accessible to the public. It is open on January 2nd – 5th, as well as on weekends in February, and every day from March to December (except for the 25th and 26th).
Visiting the church is free.
The amusement park has a more specific schedule. Check the Tibidabo website for more information on when to visit.
Tickets for the amusement park are 35€ general admission and 14€ for kids less than 120 cm tall. This ticket gives you access to all of the rides as well as the funicular (Cuca de Llum, aka The Firefly) that will take you up and down the mountain.
Click this link for more information on ticket prices. You can purchase tickets here.

How to get to Tibidabo:

Getting to Tibidabo is not the simplest journey. If you have tickets for the amusement park, the funicular ride is included in the price of your ticket.
Start at Funicular del Tibidabo – Plaça Doctor Andreu (get there by bus or metro) and hop off at Tibidabo Amusement Park. Here is the schedule of the funicular.
You can also hike the mountain.

12. Casa Batlló

About Casa Batlló:

This is one of Gaudí’s most famous works and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
It’s also known as Casa dels ossos (House of Bones in Catalan) because of it’s skeleton-like design.
The roof is said to resemble the scales of a dragon or the back of a dinosaur.

Visit Casa Batlló:

I recommend going to Casa Batlló to admire the architecture from the outside. I have never been inside the museum, but if you wish to do so, you can find all of the information you need to know about Casa Batlló here.
Casa Batlló is open from 9am to 8pm every day.
General admission tickets start at 29€ for adults. Children under 12 enter for free.

How to get to Casa Batlló:

Casa Batlló is located right by the Passeig de Gràcia metro stop. Line 2, 3, and 4 will take you there.
The casa is about a 10 minute walk up the street from Plaça de Catalunya. It’s also a 7 minute walk from Casa Mila, another famous Gaudí work.
Casa Batlló is located near the center of the city. You shouldn’t have a hard time walking to it from many of the important tourist attractions.

13. Casa Mila

About Casa Milà:

Casa Milà is another UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of Gaudí’s final works.
It’s also known as La Pedrera (The stone quarry in Catalan).
Unlike some of Gaudí’s other works, Casa Milà received a lot of criticism for it’s unconventional appearance. Many citizens didn’t like the design.

Visit Casa Milà:

Like Casa Batlló, I recommend admiring Casa Milà from the outside.
If you’d like to see more, you can purchase tickets to tour the inside as well. Tickets give access to the rooftop, attic, the old tenants’ apartments, and both courtyards. General admission tickets cost 25€. You can find all of the information you need here.
You can also purchase Casa Milà skip-the-line tickets in advance.
Casa Milà is open Monday to Sunday, and holidays: 9:00 am – 8:30 pm (except for December 25th).

How to get to Casa Milà:

Casa Milà is located on Passeig de Gràcia just 3 blocks up the street from Casa Batlló.
It’s also right by the Diagonal metro station. You can take Line 3 or 5 there, or take Line 2 or 4 to Passeig de Gràcia.
This casa is also a 20 minute walk from La Sagrada Familia is you go straight down Carrer de Provença.

14. Moco Museum Barcelona

About the Moco Museum Barcelona:

The Moco Museum is Barcelona’s modern art museum.
The museum hosts exhibitions from contemporary legends like Jean-Michel Basquiat, Banksy, Keith Haring, Tracey Emin, Yayoi Kusama, Andy Warhol, and more.

Visit the Moco Museum Barcelona:

Tickets cost anywhere from 14.95€ – 17.95€ for adults, with reduced prices for youth and students. You can purchase tickets to the museum here.
The Moco Museum is open from 10am – 8pm Monday to Thursday, and 10am – 9pm Friday to Sunday.
For more information, visit this website.

How to get to the Moco Museum Barcelona:

The Moco Museum is located in El Born, a trendy neighborhood near Barcelona’s Gothic Quarter. It’s about a 10 minute walk from the Cathedral and a 5 minute walk to Parc de la Ciutadella.
If you’re too far to walk, you can take the metro L4 to Jaume I.
If you’re going to take a taxi, Cabify, or FREE NOW, have them drop you off somewhere near Parc de la Ciutadella because it’s a little bit tricky to drive to the museum (all of the streets in this area are really narrow and complicated).