15 Best Things to Do in Barcelona

This Art Noveau masterpiece is the most iconic landmark in Barcelona. Designed by influential artist Antoni Gaudi, construction of the church began in 1882 and it's still not finished. The level of detail on display inside and outside Sagrada Familia is awe-inspiring - despite the huge crowds which flock to the area every day. Every element of the design has added religious symbolism, which is revealed during guided tours.

Take the metro to Sagrada Familia station and, after a couple of hours of exploring, find a café on Avinguda Gaudi to sit down with the church as a backdrop. Gaudi's influence still pervades the city, but it's most keenly felt beneath the towering spires of Sagrada Familia.

Originally envisioned as a garden city, Park Güell is a public park that showcases the surreal and highly symbolic art of Antoni Gaudi. The park sits on top of a hill and gives you a panoramic view of Barcelona. Signature touches by the artist, like colourful mosaics and wide terraces, are scattered throughout. In summer, the park is full of life, with musicians busking in the shade. It's more subdued in winter, but still offers a nice change of pace from the frantic city streets.

Check out the Gaudi House Museum within the park grounds for more information on the visionary creator's life. It's free to enter the park, but you have to pay to enter some of the attractions within.

Casa Batlló is one of Antoni Gaudi’s colourful masterpieces that you can’t miss on a stroll down Barcelona's famous Paseo de Gracia. The renowned building was restored and redesigned by Gaudi between 1904 and 1906. Every inch of the building is packed with Gaudi’s signature creativity, imagination, and superb artistic techniques.

From the entrance hall and the indoor garden to the loft and the facade, Casa Batlló resembles a house from a children’s fantasy picture book. Highlights include the mushroom-shaped fireplace, stained-glass windows, and the roof resembling a dragon.

The Cathedral of Barcelona is a stunning Gothic church dedicated to the martyr Santa Eulàlia, the patron saint of Barcelona. The church was built between the 13th and 15th centuries and features a neo-Gothic facade, with towering spires and gargoyles inspired by real and mythical creatures. Entrance to the cathedral is free if you visit in the morning or after 3.15 pm.

Once you've walked through the cathedral's 3 naves, be sure to visit the Cloister. The secluded Cloister is a cool and quiet space with geese, small chapels, palm trees, a fountain, and a museum. For a couple of euros, you can take an elevator up to the roof and enjoy spectacular 360-degree views of the city.

The Picasso Museum in Barcelona houses some 4,000 original works of art by the great Spanish artist. It’s a fantastic place to visit if you’re keen on discovering how he developed his famous style known as Cubism. Artworks are displayed in chronological order, starting with his classical paintings to his most iconic works. You’ll also discover how his relationship with Barcelona helped shape his unique artistic techniques.

The permanent collection is housed in 5 Catalan Gothic-styled palaces in Barcelona’s El Born neighbourhood. The museum’s superb setting adds an extra layer of magic to your visit. Entrance is free on Thursdays from 4 pm to 7 pm, the first Sunday of each month as well as on the 12th and 13th of February, 18th of May, and 24th of September.

This 1-km street is the centre of tourism in Barcelona. It cuts through the centre of the city, from Plaça Catalunya in the north to Drassanes station in the south. Use the Liceu Theatre as a landmark, roughly halfway down Las Ramblas. You'll find shopping, dining, and a buzz of activity here, including many street artists and performers on display. There's always something to catch your attention, but watch out for pickpockets, who are known to work this part of town.

Locals complain that the restaurants are overpriced along Las Ramblas, but no one can deny that enjoying a coffee or a glass of cava while watching the festivities unfold before you is an enduringly popular thing to do. Is it touristy? Yes. Should you still go? Certainly.

If you want to spend a few hours enjoying the Mediterranean coastline, Barceloneta Beach is probably the most popular of the handful of beaches next to the city. You can walk here in around 20 minutes from Las Ramblas or take the metro to Barceloneta station.

This wide, sandy beach is bustling throughout the day. Sun loungers are available to rent or you can relax at one of the many chiringuitos (small beachside restaurants) and soak up the afternoon sun. The call of hawkers selling drinks, snacks and beach gear can be a little tiring. If you're looking for a more secluded stretch of sand, head to Nova Icària Beach further up the coast.

This bustling food market on Barcelona's Las Ramblas is the largest and most popular in the city. You can shop for a dizzying variety of fresh fruits and dry goods, but the main reason to come here is to sample the rows of small tapas bars. It's best to come hungry and feast on local dishes like battered baby squid, garlic prawns, cheeses, and cured meats. We always tend to wash this down with a glass of cava sangria.

It's best to visit Mercat de la Boqueria in the morning, when the crowds are smaller and the vibe is more authentic. Remember this is still a market for locals as much as a tourist attraction.

Barcelona's most picturesque neighbourhood is the Gothic Quarter. The narrow, cobbled streets and medieval buildings make exploring fun, and the mix of shops and restaurants in the public squares means you can spend all day here and not get bored.

Take the metro to Jaume I station and head for the Cathedral of Barcelona before moving southeast towards Plaça Reial, with its fantastic cafés and bars at the fringe of a public square. For shopping, Calle Avinyo cuts straight through the Gothic Quarter and has a range of women's and men's fashion boutiques.

Casa Mila is Antoni Gaudi's most iconic work and unmissable when visiting Barcelona. The 5-floor building was built between 1906 and 1912 using large stone slabs from a nearby quarry, which led to its nickname La Pedrera – "the quarry house". Gazing up at the curved building, which doesn't have a single straight line, it's easy to understand why it's a UNESCO World Heritage site.

Although people still live here, Casa Mila is open to visitors. You can see an exhibition about Gaudi's life in the attic, see the inner courtyards, and artworks on display in the exhibition room. The highlight of Casa Mila is the roof – and it's not the remarkable views that draw the crowds. Instead, it's the uniquely sculptured chimneys, air vents, and staircases.

The region of Catalonia has a long history and is a distinctive part of Spain. The Barcelona City History Museum takes you back thousands of years to when the Romans built a town here called Barcino. A centrepiece of the museum is the excavated remains of the largest Roman settlement ever discovered in Europe. You can discover ancient chambers and ceramics from Ancient Roman times.

The museum is in Plaça del Rei, probably the city's most authentic medieval square. If you plan on visiting other museums, you should consider getting a multi-day Barcelona Pass, which allows you free entry to over 20 museums.

Bodegas are a part of everyday life in Barcelona. These neighbourhood stores sell wine from the barrel and tapas bites. The whole concept of a bodega went out of fashion for several years, but now they're growing in popularity once again.

Find a cramped seat - most bodegas are small - order wine and whichever tapas they have written on the chalkboard that day. It might be veal capipota or sardines on bread - regardless, it's likely to taste great! You can find bodegas all over Barcelona, but we like the genuine feel around residential neighbourhoods like Gràcia. Bar Bodega Quimet is such a place, and it has an especially good selection of wines.

Ciutadella Park (Parc de la Ciutadella) is an idyllic spot in the heart of Barcelona that dates back to the late 19th-century. It has a small lake, a fountain, and plenty of green spaces where you can relax and soak up the warm Spanish sunshine. On any day, you can watch locals walking their dogs, children playing, and lively street musicians wowing passersby with their traditional drum-playing skills.

You can also enjoy a picnic, rent a rowing boat, or explore the historic buildings of the Parliament of Catalonia. To reach the park on the subway, take line L1 to Arc de Triomf station. Pass under the Arc de Triomf – a stone gateway – and walk along the car-free Passeig de Lluis Companys until you reach the park’s main entrance.

FC Barcelona is a legendary football team, but they also represent the soul of the city. Known locally as the Blaugrana, their slogan is "more than a club". This is at least partially thanks to the role Camp Nou played during the harsh rule of fascist dictator General Franco in the mid-20th century. The football stadium was one of the only places where locals could speak the outlawed Catalan language.

These days, Barcelona has grown into one of the world's few 'super clubs', with a stadium to match. Around 100,000 eager fans attend games at Camp Nou, and the atmosphere is electric. Tickets cost from €50 for seats up in the higher tiers, but for important games - particularly against fierce rivals Real Madrid - prices rise sharply. If you're not in town when there's a match taking place, you can take a tour of Camp Nou stadium for around €25, including a peek into the trophy room.

Barcelona is a city that knows how to party. If you want the biggest concentration of cool bars and dance clubs, head to Plaça Reial in the Gothic Quarter. This public square comes alive around midnight.

Popular spots to check out include Rei de Copes for a few drinks while soaking up the view, before bar hopping along the square. For live music, head to Jamboree. It's a jazz bar that turns into a hip-hop club after 2am. If you want so see a flamenco performance, head to Los Tarantos. To find Plaça Reial, take the Metro to Liceu station and walk south, down Las Ramblas.