Barcelona is a beautiful city rich in history that is located by the Mediterranean Sea. It’s a popular departure point for cruises and a wonderful city to visit during your land vacation. No matter how long you have to spend in Barcelona, you will fill your time seeing stunning architecture, lounging on beautiful beaches, enjoying historical sites, and soaking up the local culture. Here are our top 8 must-do activities in Barcelona.
Note: We may earn a small commission from the affiliate links below.
See Antoni Gaudi’s Architecture
Antoni Gaudi is a Catalan architect known for his imaginative and intricate designs – you have never seen anything quite like it. And lucky you – there’s plenty to enjoy during your visit to Barcelona!
La Sagrada Familia
Even if you are in Barcelona for only a few hours, make sure to prioritize seeing La Sagrada Familia, at least from the outside. It’s even better if you have a few hours and can take a guided tour.
La Sagrada Familia is largest unfinished Catholic church in the world. It’s been under construction since 1882. Gaudi dedicated his career to designing and constructing the church until he died in 1926. Since then, other architects have interpreted his original designs but it’s impossible to know what it would have looked like had Gaudi lived longer. It’s being built using only donated funds. Today it’s predicted that it will be finished in 2026.
Park Guell
Another delightful Gaudi-designed place to visit is Park Guell. It was originally supposed to be a residential neighborhood for the wealthy, but the plots weren’t selling and only two houses were built. The rest of the area became the park that exists today. You can take a guided tour or just wander on your own. It’s large, so take a tour or get a map and allow plenty of time to see all the sites.
Gaudi’s Houses
If you are as fascinated by Gaudi’s work as I am, you will want to make time to visit a few of the houses he designed. Casa Mila was completed in 1912. There are no straight lines in the home, and the rooms are charming. The best part is the rooftop – it’s amazing!
Casa Batllo is another Gaudi designed home, this one completed in 1904. The tilework in this house is amazing. It also has beautiful woodwork and stained glass throughout. The rooftop is was a lot smaller but no less remarkable than Casa Mila!
Take a Fun Tour
There’s no better way to experience the Gothic Quarter in Barcelona than by taking a tour. One option is to take a a free walking tour (remember to bring along some cash to tip your guide). Afterwards, go inside the Barcelona Cathedral and wander around the Gothic Quarter on your own to see a bit more of the historical sites. Better yet, take a ghost tour!
Immerse in History
Simply wandering the streets of Barcelona will immerse you in history, but dig a little deeper by visiting a museum or historical site. One popular option is the Picasso Museum. This museum takes you through the early life and artistic development of Pablo Picasso, one of the most influential artists of the 20th century. Even better, the museum is housed in five medieval palaces in the El Born district.
Another delightful and delicious option is the Museu de la Xocolata or museum of chocolate. Snack on a candy bar that serves as your entry ticket as you learn all about the history of chocolate. It’s well worth an hour of your time.
Want a better understanding of the architecture, traditions and cultures of Spain? Look no further than Poble Espanyol. This open-air museum showcases replicas of buildings, streets, and squares from various regions of Spain. It also features artisans creating traditional Spanish crafts. Cultural events are held throughout the year.
Another great way to immerse in history is to take the Teleférico de Montjuïc funicular to Montjuïc Castle. This cable car system provides panoramic views of the city as it ascends Montjuïc Hill. At the top of the hill, the 17th century Montjuïc Castle has exhibits on how it served as a military fortress and prison.
Experience Fútbol
Even if you aren’t a fútbol (soccer) fan, it’s fun to visit Barca Camp Nou Stadium & Museum. This is the home stadium of FC Barcelona. The stadium tour takes you through the entire complex, including the player’s tunnel, pitch, press room, locker rooms, and much more. The museum includes information on the soccer club’s history and famous players and includes memorabilia and trophies. And the attached store’s selection of merchandise cannot be equaled! If you time it right, you can also see the team in action.
Enjoy a Light Show
Built for the Universal Exhibition of 1929, the Magic Fountain of Montjuïc has a light show that is offered year ’round on weekends. Located in front of the National Palace, the show is every half hour between 9:30-11:30 p.m. Thursday-Sunday in the summer and between 7-10:30 p.m. Friday-Saturday in the winter.
Be a Beach Bum
Take advantage of the warm climate and crystal clear waters of the Mediterranean Sea with a visit to Barceloneta Beach. This iconic beach in Barcelona features golden sands stretching more than 7 miles along the coast. The shoreline is calm and shallow, making it ideal for swimming and water sports. There’s no shortage of bars and restaurants along the boardwalk running parallel to the beach. It’s a great place to relax after a few days of busy touring.
Explore Markets & Neighborhoods
Make sure to set aside some time during your trip to Barcelona to explore iconic markets and neighborhoods. Stroll along La Rambla from Plaça de Catalunya to the waterfront to experience the hustle and bustle of locals and tourists. Street performers abound, as do opportunities for food and drink. Best advice is to walk a few blocks away for meals, however, as this is a touristy area with overpriced menus. And watch for pickpockets!
While you are in La Rambla, take some time to explore La Boqueria Market. This food market is known for its colorful displays of fruits, veggies, seafood, cheese, and other gourmet ingredients. It’s a great place to grab a snack or the fixings for a full meal. One great way to experience the market is taking a cooking class where you buy your ingredients at the market and learn to make paella.
Go on a Day Trip
One of the best ways to experience a big city is to leave it behind for a few hours as you discover the surrounding countryside and smaller villages. Refer to my post on the best day trips from Barcelona for more detail, but here are several places you can visit on a day trip:
- Montserrat – this multi-peaked mountain range about 40 minutes outside of Barcelona is the home to the Benedictine Abbey of Sana Maria de Montserrat. It is a main pilgrimage site and symbol of Catalan identity and spirituality.
- Girona – this charming city is about 60 miles away from Barcelona. It is home to an old town with narrow medieval streets, a Gothic cathedral, colorful houses, and old city walls.
- Costa Brava – this coastal region about 90 miles away from Barcelona features picturesque beaches, fishing villages, dramatic cliffs, and pine-covered hillsides. Visitors can enjoy outdoor pursuits such as hiking, cycling, and sailing as well as explore Roman ruins, medieval castles, and historic towns.
- Figueres – this is the birthplace and final resting place of surrealist artist Salvador Dali, located about 90 miles away from Barcelona. You can visit the Dali Theater-Museum, the house where Dali was born, and the quaint medieval city center.
- Tarragona – about 60 miles from Barcelona, this ancient city has well-preserved Roman ruins including city walls, an amphitheater, and a Roman circus in additional to a Gothic cathedral and beautiful beaches.
- Sitges – only about 25 miles from Barcelona, this coastal town features several beautiful beaches, a blend of architectural styles, numerous art galleries and museums, and is home to the International Fantastic Film Festival of Catalonia.
What’s on your Barcelona trip itinerary?
Tell us below in the comments. You can also contact us and follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Pinterest so you never miss a post!
