Top 10: Things to Do in Barcelona

Barça, Barna, Barcelona… There’s a massive amount to do and see in Spain’s top tourist destination. The Catalonian city has a historical legacy rivaling that of Madrid, along with gorgeous, often eccentric architecture, kilometers worth of golden beaches, and an awful lot more. In this blog, we’ll run through a combination of the classic must-sees in the city, as well as a couple of ‘hidden gems’, which you won’t find in other tour guides! Read on to enjoy a concrete list of the very best things to do in Barcelona! Som-hi!

Before we start, let’s run through a couple of things you should know about this city before you visit:

• Barcelona has two official languages: both Catalan and Spanish are considered to be official languages across the region of Catalonia, which includes Barcelona.
• Book your tickets well in advance of your trip: Barcelona is a major tourist destination, and many of its key landmarks have very limited tickets. As such, definitely book tickets as far in advance as you can, especially for something like the Sagrada Família.
• What about pickpockets?: Crime is very low in Barcelona. However, in particularly touristy areas, such as La Rambla, Gothic Quarter, and around major attractions, pickpocketing is a problem. As such, we recommend keeping your valuables secured in a money belt, fanny pack or an inside pocket.

1. Visit the Sagrada Familia Catalan Modernista

The most famous landmark in Barcelona is probably the archeological masterpiece of the Sagrada Família. Designed by Antoni Gaudí, this UNESCO World Heritage Site is, remarkably, unfinished. This truly unique structure has been under construction since 1882 and has been overseen by nine architects. Can you believe five generations of visitors have witnessed the Sagrada Familia being built?

Visiting the Sagrada Família is truly an experience like no other. Its design is clearly massively inspired by nature. Its interior columns are built to resemble trees and together, along with the light peeking in through stained glass windows create the appearance of a forest. The atmosphere is, for lack of a better word, magical. To avoid the crowds at the ticket office and entrance, consider a skip-the-line ticket to the Sagrada Familia or opt for a free tour around the Sagrada Familia’s exterior to learn more about its history and architecture.

2. Take a Stroll along La Rambla

One of the first things you should do in Barcelona is take a stroll through La Rambla—one of Barcelona’s main thoroughfares. The iconic street is bustling both day and night, with street artists, and vendors stationed all along the street. On your walk, you’ll also come across the Palau Güell, another of Gaudí’s masterpieces, as well as La Boqueria, one of Barcelona’s oldest and most famous markets, dating back to 1217.

La Boqueria is a food lover’s dream, offering all sorts of food stalls, from local butchers to greengrocers. You’ll also find places to grab items to bring home, be it olive oil, or saffron. If you’re hungry, head to the right-hand side of the market, where you’ll find croquettes, tacos, and empanadas to go, as well as some lovely, high-quality tapas bars. Discover these tapas restaurants for yourself on this La Boqueria tapas tour, which also includes a visit to the Santa Caterina Market, another famous spot in Barcelona.

For a slightly ‘different’ experience just off La Rambla, consider grabbing yourself a ticket for the Museu de l’Art Prohibit, a museum that features a collection of banned and censored art from around the world. The exhibition, which is housed within a gorgeous Modernista-style building, features works from Pablo Picasso, Andy Warhol, Ai Wei Wei, and more!

3. Wander the Quirky Parc Güell

The mark left by Antoni Gaudí on the city of Barcelona can be felt throughout the city! Next on our list is the iconic Parc Güell. This complex is named after Eusebi Güell, the man who commissioned Guadí to build a luxury residential complex. However, due to a lack of interest from buyers, only two houses were ever built, and the plot of land became a sizeable private garden, and eventually a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Parc Güell consists of various gardens, including whimsical sculptures, candy-colored mosaics, and fantastical sloped columns. Like no other work of his, this visual symphony gives an insight into Gaudí’s fascinating, and certainly brilliant mind. What’s more, the park offers some of the best views of the city, including the Sagrada Família. The best views are from Calvary, the highest point in the park, which provides panoramic views of Barcelona. Also, be sure to check out the famous Parc Güell lizard, known as ‘El Drac’—the colorful guardian of the park.

A guided tour of Parc Güell will take you to each corner of the park, and give you an insight into the background behind various aspects of the park. Alternatively, book a combined ticket with the Sagrada Família for a complete experience of Gaudí’s Barcelona.

Pro tip: For another great (and free) viewpoint just 5 minutes from Parc Güell, check out the Mirador de Joan Sales.

4. Soak in the City in the Gothic Quarter

The Gothic Quarter (Barri Gòtic in Catalan) is the historic center of Barcelona, featuring a maze of medieval streets, picturesque squares, and historic buildings. Remnants of the past, from Roman walls to the neo-Gothic Barcelona Cathedral to the Plaça del Rei, the former royal palace, all serve as a reflection of the city’s eclectic past.

Throughout the quarter, you’ll find lovely cafés and shopping options, along with some of the city’s primary attractions. The Plaça Sant Jaume for one is the historical and political epicenter of the city, home to the City Gall and the Generalitat de Catalunya.

Check out all of the ways to discover the Gothic Quarter with Civitatis.

5. Walk in Barça’s Footsteps at Camp Nou

If you’re a soccer fan (casual or otherwise) you can’t leave Barcelona without seeing Camp Nou, the home of FC Barcelona. This stadium dates back to the 1950s and since then, it has been host to some of football’s most historic moments. European Cup finals, World Cup games, the Olympics… Camp Nou has seen it all. By booking a Spotify Camp Nou ticket you’ll get the full experience: you’ll go behind the scenes of the stadium, relive some of Barça’s most memorable moments, and see the new construction work, which will bring the stadium’s capacity up to around 105,000. Alternatively, go on this Spotify Camp Nou guided tour, during which a football expert will bring you through the ins and outs of the exhibition. From the pitch to the changing rooms, every corner of the stadium tells a story, making Camp Nou a place of pilgrimage for football fans the world over… ‘Més que un club!

Please note: as of the time of writing this article, ongoing construction means that visitors cannot enter the inside of the stadium.

6. Enjoy Water Activities on Barcelona’s Coastline

Barcelona has absolutely everything you’d want from a city break… and more! The Catalonian capital also has the benefit of a coastline, giving you the best of an urban and a sun holiday! Barceloneta is one of the city’s oldest and most beloved beaches, home to super tapas restaurants, and is a pretty enjoyable place to go for a swim.

If chilling out in the sun isn’t your thing, adrenaline junkies have plenty of water sports options to check out with Civitatis. Rent a jetski at the Port Forum in Barcelona, and explore the city’s coastline in style. Or, try your hand at diving on this Beginners’ scuba diving course. These waters are also home to some pretty decent waves, so why not check out this Barcelona surf class, and learn how to hang ten?

That said, for the best beaches, we’d recommend going a little bit further out of Barcelona. One of our favorite places to go, about an hour outside of the city, is the town of Tarragona. Enjoy fine, golden sand which stretches along 15 kilometers (9 miles) of coastline. What’s more, this Catalan city is home to some fascinating Roman ruins, including the Archeological Ensemble of Tárraco, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

7. Get the Best Views of Barcelona from Montjuïc Castle

There are several pretty fantastic viewpoints from which to enjoy aerial views of the city. However, for us, the best views of the city (and some great views of the Mediterranean Sea) can be seen from Montjüic Castle, which is perched atop Montjuïc Hill. This old military fortress is an interesting landmark in itself. As well as being a defensive fortress, the castle was used as a prison in the 19th century, for anarchists, trade unionists, and revolutionaries. Today, visitors can enjoy the castle’s visitor center, which explores the castle’s history. It also features a variety of cool temporary exhibitions and gardens to wander!

Enjoy the view for yourself as part of this Montjüic cable car ride. Or, learn more about the structure itself on this Barcelona & Montjüic Castle guided tour!

8. Visit the Picasso Museum

For those interested in art, grabbing a guided tour of the Pablo Picasso Museum is a great option. The museum offers an insight into Picasso’s artistic evolution, featuring 4,000 of Picasso’s pieces, with special emphasis on his younger years. The artist, who hails from Malaga, spent his formative years in Barcelona, before leaving to live in Paris. By booking a guided tour of the museum, your guide will walk you through the history of this building in downtown Barcelona, Picasso’s time in the city, and of course the art itself.

9. Step into Spain’s Past at the Poble Espanyol

Poble Espanyol is a brilliant, if strange part of the city of Barcelona. Conceived as an open-air architectural museum for the 1929 Barcelona International Exhibition, Poble Espanyol (Spanish Village) aimed to create an ‘Iberian village atmosphere’, using the various elements of traditional architecture seen across the country. The exhibition was very well received by the public and has stayed open since, becoming one of the city’s main attractions.

Inside the complex are 117 buildings built to scale, representing the unique styles found across Spain, from Galicia to Andalusia. Within the buildings are a range of restaurants, craft shops and museums. Wander these cobbled streets for yourself with a ticket to the Poble Espanyol!

10. Attend a Show at La Pedrera

The last entry on our list is La Pedrera, another mark left on the city by Gaudí! Also known as Casa Milà, this iconic piece of Modernist architecture was completed in 1912, featuring a stone facade and wrought iron balconies, exemplifying Gaudí’s unique style. At the time of its construction, the building was criticized by many for its unusual style, in fact, it was from such critics that the name La Pedrera originated, meaning ‘the stone quarry’.

Today, you can visit La Pedrera, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, which features a museum about the life and work of Gaudí, exhibition halls, colorful patios, and a rooftop that provides fantastic views. Alternatively, check out this La Pedrera night experience, during which you’ll enjoy the sunset, a light show, and a glass of Cava on the iconic rooftop!

Pro tip: La Pedrera is just a ten-minute walk from Casa Battló, another of Gaudí’s iconic masterpieces, which we couldn’t fit onto this list!

How to Save Money in Barcelona

There are lots of ways to save money in Barcelona with Civitatis! If you plan on using the city’s extensive public transportation network, the Hola Barcelona Travel Card offers unlimited travel on Barcelona’s buses, trains and trams for 2, 3, 4 or 5 days. Aside from saving money, this card makes travel stress-free.

Another option is the Barcelona Card, which also offers unlimited use of public transport, alongside skip-the-line admission to 23 of the city’s major landmarks, including the Picasso Museum, the Chocolate Museum and the Barcelona History Museum.

Barcelona in a Day

Only in Barcelona for a day? Fear not, you can do plenty in the city in just a few hours. On this Barcelona free walking tour, make your way around most of the city’s top attractions in just two hours, accompanied by a well-informed guide to walk you through the history behind what you’re seeing. For a more comprehensive look at the city, consider booking this Barcelona Hop-on Hop-off Bus, which will bring you around all of the city’s key landmarks, allowing you to get on and off as you wish!

There you have it! That’s our list of the top 10 things to do in Barcelona… what did we miss? If you’ve any other suggestions for what to do in the city, leave them in the comments below! If you’re planning a trip for yourself, check out more activities in Barcelona with Civitatis!