The Best Things to See & Do in Barcelona Spain
Are you planning a trip to Barcelona and wondering what are the best things to see and do? With so many historic landmarks, architectural masterpieces and pristine beaches, you’ll need some help narrowing down how to spend your time. Here’s a list of the best things to see and do in Barcelona, Spain!
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Welcome to beautiful Barcelona! Steeped in Spanish charm, millions of tourists arrive here every year to admire the iconic architectural masterpieces, relax on the beach and taste the delicious food. There is no shortage of things to see and do!
There is something to be said about spontaneity while travelling, but there is nothing more satisfying than showing up prepared to a new destination. Preparation not only offers peace of mind, but you’ll have a better chance of snagging deals on flights, booking your preferred accommodation, reserving a table at an in-demand restaurant or getting limited-supply tickets to local attractions.
Here’s a list of the best things to see and do in Barcelona, Spain. Take some time to thoughtfully consider what you would like to experience while you are there, what it will cost and how much time you think you’ll need to fit it all in. Take these essential steps to create memories that will last a lifetime.
Best Things to See & Do in Barcelona
Use this guide to create a list of your top highlights for visiting Barcelona. From there you can make a budget and itinerary, turning your dream vacation into a reality. Planning the trip is almost as exciting as the journey itself. All that will be left to do is pack your bags and decide where to go first!
1. La Rambla
La Rambla is Barcelona’s wide, tree-shaded, pedestrianized street lined with shops, restaurants and cafés. This is the social heart of the city, where you can find a lively atmosphere overflowing with both locals and travellers, street performers and unfortunately opportunistic pickpockets.
Mercat de la Boqueria is a large public open-air market accessed off of La Rambla. Several vendors offer a variety of fresh meats, fish, fruit, vegetables, refreshing beverages and desserts.
2. Barceloneta Beach
Barceloneta Beach is a beautiful stretch of sand along the Mediterranean Sea where locals and travellers go to sunbathe, swim and socialize. As Barcelona’s most popular beach, the area is crowded, lively and endlessly entertaining. Stroll the palm-tree lined promenade to find seafood restaurants, tapas venues and luxury yachts floating offshore. Beware that valuables left unattended on the beach are an easy target for thieves.
3. Sagrada Familia
Dominating the Barcelona skyline, this unfinished basilica has become an iconic symbol of the city. Designed by local architect Antoni Gaudi, Sagrada Familia has been under construction for over 100 years. The UNESCO World Heritage Site features 18 soaring towers and a lavish exterior. Book entry tickets online well in advance as reservations often sell out, especially during peak tourist season.
Opening Hours: Monday – Saturday 9:00 am – 8:00 pm. Sunday 10:30 am – 8:00 pm.
Cost: €26.00.
4. Park Güell
Another UNESCO World Heritage Site and Antoni Gaudi creation, Parc Güell is a vibrant and cheerful property featuring landscaped gardens, fountains, columns and staircases decorated with multicoloured ceramic tiles. Hilltop terraces offer panoramic views of Barcelona. Book entry tickets online well in advance and arrive promptly for your allotted time slot.
Opening Hours: Daily from 9:30 am – 7:30 pm.
Cost: €10.00.
5. Casa Mila (La Pedrera)
Local architect Antoni Gaudi’s most famous building in Barcelona, Casa Mila (La Pedrera), features a curved façade, rounded windows, metal balcony railings, decorative chimneys and a rooftop terrace viewing platform. Reserve tickets online in advance to access the interior features and rooftop terrace.
Opening Hours: Daily 9:00 am – 11:00 pm.
Cost: €25.00.
6. Casa Batlló
Casa Batlló is a residential mansion, found in the heart of Barcelona (within the Eixample neighbourhood). This spectacular building is another Antoni Gaudi masterpiece of modernism. The mansion’s façade is decorated with broken glass and tiles creating an eye-catching mosaic. Similar to Casa Mila, be sure to reserve tickets online in advance to admire the interior details and access the rooftop terrace.
Opening Hours: Daily 9:00 am – 8:00 pm.
Cost: €35.00.
7. Gothic Quarter
Barri Gòtic is the historic centre of the old city of Barcelona. The neighbourhood is a labyrinth of narrow cobblestone streets with hidden corners and courtyards. Wander into the shadows of this medieval quarter discovering quaint boutiques and restaurants with sidewalk terraces. Landmarks worth visiting here include the Barcelona Cathedral, Plaça Sant Felip Neri and Pont del Bisbe.
8. Parc Montjuïc
Learn about the history of Barcelona with a visit to Parc Montjuïc. Access the park via Espanya Plaza, cable car or funicular railway. The hilltop offers stunning views over Barcelona and the Mediterranean Sea.
Explore the various greenspaces, museums, cultural and sports facilities that can be found in the park:
- Botanical Gardens
- Joan Miró Museum
- National Museum of Catalan Art
- Barcelona Olympic Stadium
- Montjuïc Castle
- Magic Fountain of Montjuïc
Botanical Gardens
Enjoy a walk through the Botanical Gardens. Mediterranean plants from all over the world are on display. From here, you can also enjoy beautiful views over the city of Barcelona.
Opening Hours: Open/closing times depend on the season. Check out the official site for details.
Cost: €5.00
Joan Miró Foundation
Located in the peaceful setting of Parc Montjuïc, this museum explores the life of the great Spanish artist, Joan Miró.
Opening Hours: Tuesday – Sunday 10:00 am – 8:00 pm. Closed on Mondays.
Cost: €14.00
National Museum of Catalan Art
The National Museum of Catalan Art looks like a royal palace, built upon Montjuïc hill. The museum displays 1000 years of art history in Catalonia. Visit the permanent collection, temporary exhibitions as well as the rooftop viewpoint.
Opening Hours: Tuesday – Saturday 10:00 am – 8:00 pm. Sunday & Public Holidays 10:00 am – 3:00 pm. Closed on Mondays.
Cost: €12.00
Free Access Hours: Free entry on Saturday after 3:00 pm. Free entry on the first Sunday of each month.
Barcelona Olympic Stadium
Barcelona’s Olympic Stadium served as the main stadium for the 1992 Summer Olympic Games, able to seat 54 000 spectators.
Opening Hours: Open/closing times depend on the season. Check out the official site for details.
Cost: Free
Montjuïc Castle
Montjuïc Castle was built on top of Montjuïc hill in Barcelona in 1640. Tour the fortress grounds to admire the old stone architecture and beautiful gardens. Be sure to check out the entrance bridge, moat and watchtower. From the terrace and parade ground, you can look out over Barcelona and the Mediterranean Sea.
Opening Hours: Daily from 10:00 am – 8:00 pm.
Cost: €9.00.
Free Access Hours: Free entry on Sunday after 3:00 pm. Free entry on the first Sunday of each month.
Magic Fountain of Montjuïc
Locals and tourists arrive at Espanya Plaza, at the foot of the National Palace in Parc Montjuïc, to enjoy a water fountain show set to music and brightly coloured lights. Magic Fountain showtimes vary depending on the season, so be sure to check the schedule in advance. After a long day of sightseeing, this is a great way to relax as the sun sets in Barcelona.
Cost: Free
9. Arenas de Barcelona
Once the site of a former bull fighting ring, Arenas de Barcelona has now been converted into a shopping centre. There is a platform on the roof that visitors can access free of charge to enjoy views of Parc Montjuïc & the Magic Fountain.
10. FC Barcelona Stadium
Camp Nou is the largest stadium in Spain with a seating capacity of almost one-hundred thousand. Barcelona Football Club fans can take a guided stadium tour which includes the pitch, player’s bench and locker rooms.
Opening Hours: Check the official website for opening times. On matchdays, the stadium will close 3 hours before the start of a match. On Champions League matchdays, the stadium will be closed to tours on the day before and the day of the match.
Cost: €25.00
11. Church of the Sacred Heart of Jesus
Situated on the summit of Tibidabo Mountain, offering extraordinary views over Barcelona, is the Church of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. The temple is unique due to its elevation and location based outside of the city. The Tibidabo Amusement Park operates directly out front of the church.
Opening Hours: daily 10:30 am – 6:00 pm.
Cost: Visiting the temple and the crypt is free, although there is a fee to access the terrace. Cost: €3.50.
Reach the Tibidabo Mountain by funicular railway or shuttle bus. Plan to arrive in the late afternoon to capture the best views of the Barcelona skyline lit up at night.
How to Save Money in Barcelona
Here are some of the best ways to save money in Barcelona so that you can see and do as much as possible, within budget!
1. Purchase a Barcelona Card
The Barcelona Card is the official tourist pass offering:
- Unlimited free travel by public transport (bus, metro, airport train)
- Free entry to museums
- Priority access (skip the queue)
- Discounts on tours, shopping and dining
It’s cheaper to buy a Barcelona Card than to pay for each activity individually. Avoid paying entrance fees or waiting in long lines.
The Barcelona Card is valid for 3-5 days duration (consecutive days). The validity period starts when the card is first used, not from the date that the pass is purchased. The Barcelona Card can be purchased online (for a discount) or redeem your pass at any one of the Tourist Information pick-up points located in the city centre.
Purchase the Barcelona Card here.
2. Purchase the Gaudi Bundle
The Gaudi Bundle includes priority-access tickets for two of Barcelona’s most popular attractions:
- Sagrada Familia
- Park Güell
Passes are valid for one visit to each attraction. Make sure to purchase online in advance, as priority-access tickets often sell out quickly. The Gaudi Bundle makes entry to each attraction efficient without having to wait in long queues, resulting in a better trip to Barcelona!
Purchase the Gaudi Bundle here.
3. Purchase a Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour
Barcelona is a walkable city, but as temperatures soar during the summer season, it may be more comfortable and convenient to get around by bus.
Choose to purchase a Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour. These bus routes have been created specifically for tourists, stopping at all the major landmarks in Barcelona while providing audio commentary. There are two routes to choose from: Red Line & Blue Line. Purchase a one or two-day pass to suit your itinerary.
Barcelona Hop-on Hop-Off Bus Tour tickets can be purchased here.
4. Stay in Hostels
If you are looking for budget-friendly accommodation, hostels are a great option. Typically, the more people sharing a dormitory the cheaper the cost. It’s also possible to select your room based on gender (male, female or mixed) if you have a preference.
If you are travelling as a couple or with a friend, many hostels also have private room options, which typically cost less than a standard hotel room. You may have to share a bathroom with other guests.
Hostels often include kitchens, where you have the option to cook your own meals to save money. Hostel staff regularly organize events, such as low-cost cooking classes or city tours, for their guests. Get free access to local advice and insider tips about things to see and places to visit that you may never have found on your own.
Many hostels are located in the city centre, within walking distance to main attractions. This may help to save money on transportation costs. Staff are typically onsite at all times for added security. Hostel accommodation typically includes lockers or a secured place to store valuables and belongings.
Hostel common areas are a great location to meet people from all over the world. Share travel stories and create new friendships. This will add value to your experience in a new city!
Book your accommodation in Barcelona here.
5. Purchase Travel Insurance
As much as we don’t like to think about it, things can and do go wrong while travelling. Have some peace of mind knowing that you are covered by insurance if something unexpected happens, such an injury, illness or lost luggage.
SafetyWing is a global travel medical insurance company designed to meet the needs of travellers from all over the world. If you have already left home, it’s not too late to protect yourself. You can still purchase insurance while abroad.
Consider purchasing travel insurance from SafetyWing for your next trip. You can use the booking widget below to get a quote:
Start Booking Your Trip
Use the helpful resources below to start booking your trip to Barcelona, Spain!
- Reserve your accommodation with Hotels.com or Hostelworld.
- Book your rental car with Discover Cars.
- Book your flight with SkyScanner.
- Book tours with Get Your Guide.
- Traveling Solo? Book a Group Tour with G Adventures.
- Buy Travel Insurance with SafetyWing or World Nomads.
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Have any questions about planning your trip to Barcelona, Spain? Please share your questions or comments below!
