16 incredible things to do in Barcelona, Spain

Wondering what to do in Barcelona? Barcelona is one of those cities that truly has it all: breathtaking architecture, fascinating museums, beautiful parks, stunning beaches, and of course, delicious food. While most people know the city for iconic sights like the Sagrada Familia and Park Güell, there’s so much more waiting to be discovered. We spent 5 days exploring both the must-sees and the hidden gems. Here are 16 incredible things to do in Barcelona that will make your visit unforgettable.

Highlights Barcelona

Admire La Sagrada Família, Casa Batlló, Casa Milà, and Casa Vicens.

Visit Park Güell, the MOCO Museum, Sant Pau Recinte Modernista, and Palau de la Música Catalana.

Explore the Gothic Quarter.

Relax at La Barceloneta beach.

Try local specialties at Mercat de la Boqueria.

Drink sangria with a view of La Sagrada Família at Terrace of Sercotel Rosellón.

Enjoy tapas at Elsa y Fred or Bar del Pla.

Stay at Radisson Blu 1882 Hotel, Barcelona Sagrada Familia. Factory Hostels Barcelona is a great choice for backpackers and solo travelers.

How to get to Barcelona

Generally, you’ll find the cheapest flights to Barcelona when departing from major European hubs like London, Lisbon, Paris, and Rome. For London, Rome, or Paris departures, Ryanair and Vueling often have the best deals, while TAP Air Portugal is worth a look if you’re coming from Lisbon. We recommend using Skyscanner to search for flights to Barcelona.

How to get around Barcelona

Barcelona is a very walkable city, with many of its main attractions within easy reach of each other. Walking allows you to discover hidden spots you might otherwise miss and lets you experience the vibrant atmosphere of Barcelona firsthand.

If you’re looking for affordable transportation, we recommend downloading the Cabify app. We didn’t want to be dependent on public transport and also had some rain during our city trip, Cabify was our lifesaver. The principle of the app is exactly the same as, let’s say, Uber, but Cabify really goes above and beyond what most ridesharing apps offer.

For example, Cabify drivers (who work independently) need to pass a rigorous selection and filtration process (all drivers must pass psychometric tests, tests for alcohol and drugs, and a city orientation test). No matter which route your driver chooses, the app automatically calculates the shortest distance (they are partnered with Waze to do so), so you’ll always pay the lowest fee possible! It seems like we’re writing an advertisement for this app, but we really couldn’t praise Cabify enough. It should also come as no surprise that most rides cost us less than EUR 7, even when we drove all the way from Park Guell to Plaça de Catalunya. Definitely worth a try visiting Barcelona!

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Things to do in Barcelona

1. Park Güell

Let’s start with a classic that’s on everyone’s list: Park Güell. If you’ve heard of Barcelona, you’ve likely heard of this iconic park – it’s one of the city’s top attractions. Designed by the famous Catalan architect Antoni Gaudí, Park Güell is an expansive, vibrantly tiled park filled with gardens and unique architectural elements. Gaudí’s name will come up a lot when you visit or even just read about Barcelona, so get ready! The park was commissioned by entrepreneur Eusebi Güell, who was a huge admirer of Gaudí’s work, which is where the name comes from.

Our absolute favorite spot in the park was the big square above the colonnade. It is surrounded by a long remarkable serpentine bench, covered in colorful mosaics. The only drawback is that it is very crowded here, even when we visited in late April/early May. For us, the best way to discover Park Güell was to get lost and marvel at all the wonderful architecture. If you take it far enough off the beaten track, you’ll find yourself all alone without another person in sight!

Park Güell is immense, so we recommend setting aside plenty of time (at least half a day). It’s also a good idea to order your tickets for Park Guëll in advance for an early time slot to ensure the best experience possible.

2. La Sagrada Família

Gaudí is also the architect of many other famous works in Barcelona, including La Sagrada Família. La Sagrada Família is also known as the world’s largest unfinished church. It’s practically illegal to visit Barcelona and not admire La Sagrada Família. It is one of the most wonderful and complex buildings we’ve ever seen. We did not visit the inside, as we were only in Barcelona for a few days and tickets were also quite expensive. The place is crowded at all times, so booking your tickets for La Sagrada Família in advance is not even a recommendation, but a must!

3. Casa Batlló, Casa Milà, and Casa Vicens

The Gaudí tour continues with three more of his architectural wonders. The first two, Casa Batlló and Casa Milà, are located on Passeig de Gràcia in the city center, where you can admire their vibrant colors, wavy designs, and impressive balconies. Check availability to visit Casa Batlló and Casa Milà on your travel dates.

Gaudí’s first masterpiece, Casa Vicens, is another colorful gem situated in the Gràcia neighborhood. Although it’s less popular than Casa Batlló and Casa Milà, Casa Vicens is definitely worth a visit and usually less crowded! See availability for Casa Vicens on your dates.

4. La Rambla

Barcelona’s most famous street is definitely La Rambla, and it’s one of the top things to do in Barcelona. La Rambla starts at Plaça de Catalunya and ends all the way at the port and takes about 20 mins to walk from beginning to end. Here you’ll find food stalls, restaurants, souvenir shops, and, of course, street performers. It’s a very lively place, you don’t know where to look first and there’s always something going on!

In the middle of La Rambla you can find the entrance to Mercat de la Boqueria, a lovely food market. We hoped this would’ve been a “hidden gem”, but looking at the people that bring a visit to this place, we have to say it is a well known attraction. Nevertheless, it is definitely worth a visit! You can both buy and eat food here, it really is a must when strolling through La Rambla. During our short time in Barcelona, we managed to visit this amazing, lively market multiple times! Make sure to check out our Barcelona food guide if to learn more about Mercat de la Boqueria.

5. Plaça Reial

Although there are lots of restaurants on La Rambla, we chose to have a drink at Plaça Reial. This charming square is just a 5-minute walk from La Mercat de la Boqueria and only a 2-minute detour from La Rambla. We fell in love with the atmosphere and architecture here. The terraces of the restaurants all face the center of the place. The palm trees and buildings were beautiful to look at with a sangria in our hands! A lesser-known, but definitely interesting place you have to visit.

6. Port Vell

At the end of La Rambla you’ll find the beautiful port of Barcelona. It is really nice to walk around here, you find beautiful buildings and big palm trees everywhere, and even some amazing art can be admired like El Cap de Barcelona! It is a sculpture made by the legendary Lichtenstein for the 1992 Olympics in Barcelona. If you want to enjoy some stunning views over the city you can use the cable car that connects the port with the Montjuïc Hill.

If you’re looking for the perfect 1-day itinerary in Barcelona, check out this blog post from Plan For Me Dani.

7. MOCO Museum

If you’re into modern and contemporary art, be sure to visit the MOCO Museum! It features two floors filled with inspiring art from great names like Banksy, Haring, Warhol, Dalí, and more. While Haring, Warhol, and Dalí each had only one work on display (a bit disappointing since those were the names we came for), the museum is still worth a visit, especially if you appreciate Banksy’s art. The MOCO Museum has two rooms dedicated to his work, including the iconic Girl with Balloon. Although we were hoping for more from some of the other artists, seeing so much original Banksy art made up for it. Overall, we had an enjoyable experience, which is why we included it in this list! We recommend buying your tickets for MOCO Museum Barcelona in advance to secure your spot.

8. Barri Gòtic

Barri Gòtic (also known as the Gothic Quarter), was one of our favorite neighborhoods in the whole city. This bustling neighborhood is full of charm and history, with also its fair share of beautiful architecture. When strolling around, you will always stumble upon yet another enchanting square or amazing restaurant.

El Pont del Bisbe

The streets of the Gothic Quarter are full of secrets and surprises. Make sure to look up to discover one of the most photographed sights in this quarter! Located on Carrer del Bisbe, you can find El Pont del Bisbe, a lovely Gothic-style bridge. If you’re not quite sure if you’re there, just look around and if you see people taking pictures with their phones pointed to the sky, you have made it to the bridge!

Barcelona Cathedral

In the heart of the Gothic Quarter you can also find the Barcelona Cathedral. It is one of the most beautiful Gothic-style buildings in the city and definitely a must-visit when you’re in Barcelona. If you need to take a small break, there is a pretty big square located in front of it where you can enjoy a lovely sangria and do some people-watching at the same time!

Carrer del Doctor Joaquim Pou

If you’re looking for the perfect photo spot, make sure to stroll through Carrer del Doctor Joaquim Pou. Here you can take some great pictures with the Barcelona Cathedral in the background. In our opinion, it is one of the most amazing Instagrammable locations in Barcelona that almost no-one knows of!

City walking tour

Another fun way to explore Barri Gòtic is by joining a Barcelona city walking tour with a local guide. We love meeting new people and learning more about the history and background of the places we visit!

Kiss of Freedom mural

Near the Barcelona Cathedral you can find a truly hidden gem: the Kiss of Freedom mural. It is a mosaic made up of thousands of photographs, created by Joan Fontcuberta. The work is titled The World Begins With Every Kiss, since the overall image is two pairs of lips kissing. It is really impressive to see how several thousands of individual photos become a whole. When we say this is a hidden gem, we really mean it. When we visited (and took several pictures in front of it) only 2 people made a stop here as well.

9. Parc de la Ciutadella

Parc de la Ciutadella is an idyllic park where you can relax and walk around. The park really has a lot to offer, it even has a zoo inside of it! You can also enjoy a picnic here or use a rowing boat on the lake. We really wanted to do this, but unfortunately there was already a big line waiting and we didn’t want to wait more than an hour in the glaring sun. We’ll definitely do this on our next trip to Barcelona!

You really should stroll around the park because you can find dozens of hidden sculptures and statues scattered all over the place! The most eye-catching monument is the Cascada Monumental. This is a beautiful fountain designed by José Fontseré, with the help of Gaudí. It is the most picturesque spot of the park, and also our personal favorite.

10. Arc de Triomf

One of our favorite things to do in Barcelona is the Arc de Triomf of Barcelona. It is located near Parc de la Ciutadella, at Passeig de Lluís Companys, so you can really combine the two when you are in the neighborhood. It is an impressive triumphal arch made of red bricks that you can spot from a mile away. To get there you have to walk down a long avenue full of palm trees that’s full of entertainment. People are blowing bubbles, street performers are dancing and there are musicians singing everywhere, really fun!

11. Teatre Grec

Teatre Grec is a hidden gem in the heart of Parc de Montjuïc. This open-air stage is a symbol of Barcelona’s cultural scene. It was built in 1929 and is now the main site of the Grec Festival. When we visited, we compared it to a (very, very small) Colosseum. Teatre Grec is surrounded by gardens, even without the performances it is definitely worth a visit if you’re into ancient architecture. We think it’s one of the best-kept secrets of Barcelona!

12. La Barceloneta

After a long day of sightseeing you can relax at La Barceloneta. It is famous for its sandy beaches and vibrant boardwalk. We absolutely loved strolling along the boardwalk and enjoying the palmtrees, sea and atmosphere. There is so much to see here, you can find street vendors, entertainers, surfers, skaters, people playing beach volley and so much more. Drink a sangria on one of the terraces and feast your eyes! Of course, you can also bring a swimsuit and a towel and spend the whole day sunbathing. 😉

13. Sant Pau Recinte Modernista

What surprised us the most when visiting Barcelona, was the Sant Pau Recinte Modernista. This former hospital is really impressive, with some exceptional architecture all over the site. It is another amazing example of Catalan modernism that we really wanted to include in this list. We only admired it from the outside, but definitely plan to return to Barcelona to admire it from the inside as well! Check availability for Sant Pau Recinte Modernista on your travel dates.

14. Palau de la Música Catalana

One of our favorite buildings in Barcelona is the Palau de la Música Catalana, a concert venue where you can enjoy incredible performances. This architectural gem, which we discovered by chance while heading to Carrer del Doctor Joaquim Pou for some Instagram-worthy photos, is a stunning example of Catalan Modernism. Both the exterior and interior are breathtaking, making it well worth a detour to admire its beauty.

To explore the Palau de la Música Catalana, you can choose between a Palau de la Música self-guided tour or a Palau de la Música guided tour. Since the price difference is small, we highly recommend going for the guided tour to get the most out of your visit!

15. Terrace of Sercotel Rosellón

One of the most iconic rooftop bars in Barcelona is Terrace of Sercotel Rosellón, part of Sercotel Rosellón. If you’re craving drinks with an unbeatable view, this is the spot to visit. Here, you can sip on a refreshing sangria while soaking in a stunning, panoramic view of La Sagrada Família. This is one of the most unique rooftops we have ever visited and one of our favorite things to do in Barcelona. Normally you can also admire the sunset here. We were here on a cloudy day so unfortunately did not see it but that didn’t make this experience any less magical!

There are limited places so booking is a must. You can’t access the rooftop without booking in advance for the Terrace of Sercotel Rosellón. You can book a week in advance and places are running out fast. Yes, we set an alarm clock at midnight to book immediately!

16. Paradiso

Hidden behind a pastrami shop in El Born, a fridge door leads you to Paradiso, a speakeasy serving some outstanding cocktails. The interior is really stunning, we absolutely loved this cocktailbar! It is one of those things in Barcelona you simply can’t miss.

When we arrived we had to wait in line for about 20 minutes, even though the place wasn’t full when we entered. This all adds to the “exclusive” and “private” vibe they want to portray, and honestly we were fine with it! Of course, if you’re visiting every other day and still have to wait in line even though there are plenty of seats available, this can get really boring really fast. For a one time experience though, this really wasn’t a big deal. It made the entrance through the fridge door all the more exciting!

You can sit at the bar, right across the bar or at some tables in the back. When you get the menu, you get a glow in the dark menu with a selection of incredible cocktails. Each cocktail is served in a special way, which is an incredible experience. The waiters explain every little detail (liquors used, garnishes, tastes, etc.).

We ordered the Space Colada and the Pachamama. Although we can try to describe what they taste like, the whole experience (and “show-cooking”) is something that just needs to be experienced rather than read about. But we have to say, the cocktails tasted really good! Paradiso ranked number 10 on The World’s 50 Best Bars list in 2024, and was even number 1 in 2022. A visit to Barcelona is not complete without having had a cocktail at Paradiso.

Where to eat in Barcelona

• Elsa y Fred for tapas with a modern twist
• El petit Firo for amazing paella
• La Taverna del Coure for delicious traditional tapas
• IRATI Taverna Basca for tasty pinchos

Looking for more food tips? Check out our blog post on the best food hotspots in Barcelona.

Best time to visit Barcelona

The best time to visit Barcelona is during Spring (March to May) and Autumn (September to November). These months offer comfortable conditions for sightseeing, with fewer tourists compared to the summer months. July and August are the busiest months, with high temperatures and large crowds, so we suggest avoiding them.

How long to stay in Barcelona

We’d definitely recommend staying at least 4 days to fully experience what the city has to offer. There’s so much to see and do, and Barcelona always has something happening, so you won’t run out of things to explore. We stayed for 5 days, and it felt just perfect. It gave us time to visit both the main sights and some hidden gems, plus plenty of time to enjoy Barcelona’s delicious food scene.