If it’s your first time visiting the Spanish city of Barcelona, the sheer number of attractions can be overwhelming. What to do in Barcelona? Which attractions are really worth it? From Gaudí’s surreal creations to medieval cathedrals and seaside views, the capital of Catalonia never fails to impress. Having been lucky enough to visit various times over the years, in this travel guide I’ll walk you through the best things to do in Barcelona, from the iconic Sagrada Familia or Park Güell, to the famous Mercat de la Boquería. My list truly captures the essence of this Mediterranean destination. At the end of this post, I’ve also included a map so you can easily pinpoint all the locations mentioned here, as well as a suggested 3-day trip itinerary.

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Disclaimers:

• I have been lucky to visit Barcelona countless times over the years since I have family living there. Last September we actually celebrated my cousin´s wedding in the city. This post has been updated to reflect the latest information available to this date.
• Feel free to check out my latest Instagram post recapping my most recent visit to the city of Barcelona.
• Please note that this publication includes some affiliate links. This means that, at no additional cost for you, I earn a commission if you make a purchase. In case you have any question about the companies advertised here or my status as an affiliate, please do not hesitate to contact me.

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Throughout my trips, I´ve used this Barcelona pocket travel guide, as well as this Spain travel guidebook, both by Lonely Planet, to plan my stays and make the most out of them. I hope you’ll find them helpful too!

Browse all my Barcelona resources for more inspiration.

Barcelona Card review: is it really worth it?

Food and best restaurants in Barcelona: my favorite spots (+map)

How to travel to Barcelona on a budget (my ultimate money-saving guide)

The best views of Barcelona: all the scenic viewpoints you can’t miss

What to do in Barcelona: my travel guide to Catalonia´s capital

✨ My top 13 things to do in Barcelona, Spain

In this post, I´ve curated a list of the 13 things you can´t miss in Barcelona. For each of them, I provided a short description, as well as some practical tips such as how to get there or how much it costs to get in. Check out my Barcelona Card review because you can visit some of these attractions for free or with a discount in case you buy that city pass.

At the very end of this post, you will find a Barcelona map showing my top things to do in the city, along with a suggested 3-day itinerary. To make things easier for you, the attractions listed here are sorted in that same order.

🏗 Sagrada Familia, Gaudí´s unfinished masterpiece

Obviously, ranking first as one of the best things to do in Barcelona (Spain) is checking out the Basílica de la Sagrada Familia. Because let´s be clear, no visit to Barcelona is complete without seeing Antoni Gaudí’s most iconic building. The Sagrada Familia church has been under construction since 1882, but unfortunately Gaudí died in 1926 before its completion.

I highly recommend you take a guided tour to admire the pharaonic work that is going into shaping this unique temple, while honoring the talented architect’s original vision. When I visited in November 2023, I booked a tour for 40€ a month in advance. My ticket to the Sagrada Familia included a guided visit to the temple, as well as access to one of the Basilica´s towers (in my case it was Torre de la Pasión).

The experience of visiting the Sagrada Familia in Barcelona was seamless. Tickets can be downloaded through the official app. Also, make sure to be there at least 15 minutes prior to your visit to go through security. What surprised me though was that the guided tour wasn´t in person, but rather through the audio guide you can get via the app and that will take you around the main highlights of the building. Don’t miss the museum underneath the basilica or Gaudí’s tomb in the crypt.

If like me, you also book a ticket that includes going up one of the Sagrada Familia´s towers, you will first take an elevator in small groups, before descending on foot via a narrow, partly spiral staircase. The aerial view from the towers are one of a kind. I can guarantee you that visiting the Sagrada Familia is definitely one of the best things to do in Barcelona!

🎟 Sagrada Familia tickets: ranging from €26 to €40 (make sure to book them way in advance!) 🚇 Metro: Sagrada Familia 🕒 Tip: arrive at least 15 minutes early — entrance via Carrer de la Marina.

Note that most of Gaudí´s work can be found in Barcelona, but he also left his mark in other cities of Spain, namely in Comillas (with a mansion called ´El Capricho´) or in the León province (Casa Botines and Palacio Episcopal de Astorga).

🏥 Recinte Moderniste de Sant Pau, my favorite monument to visit in Barcelona

When I asked a local friend of mine which was the best sight she would recommend in Barcelona, she said without hesitation: the Recinte Modernista de Sant Pau. And boy, she was right.

This large complex now housing cultural facilities was once the Hospital de la Santa Creu i Sant Pau, conceived by the talented architect Domènech i Montaner. When I visited in November 2023, I was blown away by the magical Christmas decorations and the stunning Art Nouveau pavilions. Don’t miss the Administration Pavilion and the underground tunnels connecting the buildings. I loved exploring this modernist gem while also learning about the history of medicine.

The magnificent Recinte Modernista de Sant Pau has now become one of my favorite attractions in Barcelona as well!

🎟 Tickets to visit Sant Pau: ranging from €18 to €22 (although you may access for free with the Barcelona Card Modernista) 🚇 Metro: Sant Pau/Dos de Maig 🕒 Time needed: allow for 1.5 hours

🦎 Park Güell, a colorful mosaic overlooking the city of Barcelona

Another Gaudí masterpiece, Park Güell is pure fantasy and one of Barcelona’s most photographed landmarks. It was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1984, as part of the “Works of Antoni Gaudí” collection.

During your visit to Park Güell, be sure to check out the famous steps (Escalinata), Sala Hipóstila (a room with tilted columns), Banc de Trencadís (mosaic benches) and the Casa-Museu Gaudí, where the famous architect lived during his last 20 years. Given its strategic location on a steep hill, this park is also a wonderful spot to admire some of the best views of Barcelona city.

Although I loved revisiting it in October 2023 — I first came as a child — I found there were many tourists.

🎟 Park Güell tickets: ranging from €18 to €35 (early booking is recommended) 🚇 Metro: Alfons X, Lesseps or Vallcarca + around 15 min walk 🕒 Best time to visit Park Güell: in the morning for fewer crowds

📸 Paseo de Gracia, where modernism comes to life: Casa Amatller, Casa Batlló and Casa Milá – La Pedrera

Emerging in the early 20th century, modernism rejected ornament and embraced minimalism. In Barcelona, modernist architecture reached perfection thanks to talented architects such as Antoni Gaudí, Josep Puig i Cadafalch or Lluís Domènech i Montaner.

The elegant Paseo de Gracia (or Passeig de Gràcia) is home to Barcelona’s most iconic modernist buildings. Stroll along this famous avenue to admire the following modernist gems:

• Casa Amatller: fascinating building with a stepped roof created by Puig i Cadafalch in 1900, and located steps away from Casa Batlló.
• Casa Batlló: designed by Gaudí, this residential building features a peculiar facade with colorful tiles, a dragon-like roof and a solitary tower. Evening visits are magical, with fewer crowds and atmospheric lighting.
• Casa Milà (or La Pedrera): last but not least, this property was also conceived by Antoni Gaudí. Its curvy facade and rooftop sculptures are its most distinctive features.

🎟 Tickets: ranging from €19–€120 depending on site 🚇 Metro: Diagonal or Passeig de Gràcia 🕒 Suggested time: early morning or late in the evening

BONUS: even though they´re not located along the exclusive Paseo de Gracia, there are a few more modernist gems in Barcelona worth mentioning here. Those include Casa Les Punxes, Casa Vicens (Gaudí’s first masterpiece, hidden in the Gràcia neighborhood and worth the detour), Palau del Baró de Quadras (now housing the Institut Ramón Llull), or the Recinte Modernista de Sant Pau (to which I´ve already devoted its own section).

🖤 Barri Gótic, the medieval heart of Barcelona

Gothic architecture was prevalent in Europe from the mid-12th to the 16th century. Some of the best examples of this style in the city can be seen by wandering around the Barri Gòtic (Gothic neighborhood), that encompasses the old town of Barcelona, with heritage from Roman and medieval times.

🚇 Metro: Jaume I or Liceu

Barcelona´s Gothic quarter includes the following monuments:

• Basílica de Santa Maria del Mar: located close to the Port Vell (old harbor), it stands as the best illustration of the Catalan Gothic architecture.
• Basílica de Santa Maria del Pi: Gothic temple dating from the mid-15th century.
• Catedral de Barcelona: built between 1298 and 1460. Steps away from the Cathedral you will find the historical archive of the city, housed in the Gothic Casa de l´Ardiaca and offering charming courtyard views.

Other attractions worth visiting in Barcelona´s Barri Gótic are the Palau de la Generalitat, Picasso Museum or Plaça Reial.

💐 La Rambla, Barcelona´s iconic boulevard

If you’ve ever wondered what is ´La Rambla´ — it’s more than just a street. In Barcelona, La Rambla (often called Las Ramblas) is a 1.2-kilometer pedestrian avenue stretching from Plaça de Catalunya all the way down to the Mirador de Colom, the Christopher Columbus monument by the Mediterranean Sea. Along the way, you’ll pass Gran Teatre del Liceu, Mercat de la Boqueria, and the famous Font de Canaletes, where Barça fans traditionally gather to celebrate victories.

La Rambla is the city’s beating heart, lined with flower stalls, cafés, and historic theaters. While Las Ramblas in Barcelona are a must for first-timers, they are a very touristy area and a great spot for people-watching. You might want to keep an eye on your belongings while exploring the charming side streets for a more authentic experience.

Interestingly, La Rambla isn’t alone since Barcelona has several ´Ramblas´ — boulevards that were once riverbeds and later turned into lively promenades. Among those you will find Rambla de Cataluña, Rambla del Raval or Rambla de Mar.

🚇 Metro: Drassanes, Liceu or Plaça de Catalunya 🕒 Best time: morning or evening stroll, when it’s less crowded

🍅 Mercat de la Boqueria, the most famous market in Barcelona

Located just off La Rambla, this bustling market is a paradise for food lovers. Out of all the markets in Barcelona, Mercado de la Boquería stands out as the most popular option for locals and visitors alike. From seafood to tropical fruit juices, everything here bursts with color and life.

Considered the best European food market, a popular spot in Mercat de la Boqueria is El Quim de la Boqueria, serving traditional tapas, seafood and wine. The market is typically open all day long, but I suggest you visit it early in the day or late in the afternoon to avoid the crowds.

🎟 Entry: free 🚇 Metro: Liceu 🕒 Best time to visit La Boquería: early morning or late afternoon

Should you wish to go for more local options, the following are some other markets in Barcelona worth visiting:

• Mercat de Galvany (steps away from Parque Turó),
• Mercat del Ninot (near the Hospital Clínic),
• Mercat dels Encants (along Avenida Meridiana),
• Mercat de Santa Caterina (next to Via Laietana),
• Mercat de Sant Antoni (located in the homonym district),
• Mercat de Sants (relatively close to the Sants train station).

🎶 Palau de la Música Catalana, a symphony in stained glass

Designed by Domènech i Montaner, Palau de la Música Catalana is a UNESCO-listed opulent concert hall. The stained-glass skylight alone is worth the visit, a feast for the eyes! Even if you can’t attend a performance, guided tours let you explore the hall’s intricate mosaics and sculptures.

I still haven´t visited this iconic building, but it´s definitely on my bucket list for my next visit to Barcelona.

🎟 Tickets to visit the Palau: ranging from €18 –€22 (you can access for free with the Barcelona Card Modernista or with a discount if you purchase the standard Barcelona Card) 🚇 Metro: Urquinaona

On a similar cultural note, Gran Teatre del Liceu is Barcelona´s opera house. It is located along the popular Rambla, near Mercat de la Boquería.

⛲ Parc de la Ciutadella, a green oasis in the heart of the city

Built for the 1888 Universal Exposition, Parc de la Ciutadella is one of Barcelona´s most popular parks among locals and tourists alike.

Enter through the imposing Arc de Triomf and take a stroll around the pond or relax under the palm trees — locals love it for picnics and Sunday walks. This park is also home to the Catalan Parliament (Parlamento de Cataluña), a zoo, an iron shade house for tropical plants (Umbráculo), and an impressive waterfall fountain (Cascada Monumental).

🎟 Free access 🚇 Metro: Arc de Triomf, Ciutadella | Vila Olímpica

⛱ Barcelona beach, the perfect city break by the Mediterranean

Located by the Mediterranean Sea, Barcelona is a city with a mild climate even in winter, making it the perfect destination to enjoy the beach almost all year long.

The most popular beach and also ideal for families is Playa de la Barceloneta. This area of Barcelona pays tribute to its Mediterranean influence and fishing culture. The major highlights here include l’Aquàrium, Mirador de Colom, Port Olímpic or the cable car connecting Barceloneta and Montjuïc that offers wonderful views from above.

Other beaches to enjoy Barcelona like a local include platja de la Nova Icària (an urban beach after the Port Olímpic) or platja del Somorrostro.

Time permitting, you can head outside the city of Barcelona in order to explore Costa Daurada (in Tarragona) or Costa Brava (in Girona).

🎟 Free visit 🚇 Metro: Barceloneta

✝ Monasterio de Pedralbes, a hidden gem in Barcelona

For a quieter side of the city, step inside the Real Monasterio de Santa María de Pedralbes. Founded in the 14th century, this monastery offers a peaceful escape — its cloister, vegetable garden, refectory and Gothic Sant Miquel chapel are simply beautiful.

Even though it´s located far away from the main Barcelona attractions, the monastery is worth a visit.

🎟 Tickets: €5.2 (free with the Barcelona Card) 🚇 Metro: Palau Reial, Zona Universitària

🎨 Museu Nacional d’Art de Catalunya (MNAC), the soul of Catalan art

Perched on Montjuïc Hill, the imposing Museu Nacional d’Art de Catalunya (MNAC) houses Catalonia’s most important art collection — from Romanesque murals originating from villages in the Pyrenees to Gothic, Renaissance, Baroque and more modern works.

The terrace offers breathtaking views over Plaça d’Espanya, while the light and music show at the Magic Fountain is worth a stop too.

🎟 MNAC tickets: ranging from €2 to €20 (or €38 for access to six major museums with Articket BCN; free entrance with the Barcelona Card) 🚇 Metro: Plaça Espanya 🕒 Time needed: you could easily devote 3 or 4 hours to this museum

As a major cultural hub in Spain, here’s an attempt to list some other museums in Barcelona that are worth visiting. Feel free to also check the full list of museums in the city.

• Barça stadium tour and museum in case you’re a Barça fan
• Caixa Forum
• Casa Museo Gaudí in Park Güell
• Museu d’Història de Barcelona (MUHBA)
• Museu Marítim
• Museu-Monestir de Pedralbes (such a peaceful and beautiful place to escape the crowds, to which I´ve dedicated a separate section)

Note that the Articket may be an interesting alternative if you’re interested in visiting various museums, since it gives you access to six museums in Barcelona for a reduced price, namely the Centre de Cultura Contemporània de Barcelona (CCCB), Fundació Joan Miró, Museu d’Art Contemporani de Barcelona (MACBA), Museu Nacional (MNAC), Museu Picasso and Museu Tàpies.

🔭 Montjuïc hill: the Olympic legacy and some of the best panoramic views in Barcelona

Last on my list of things to do in Barcelona is Montjuic. This iconic hill overlooking Barcelona offers everything, including sweeping views of the harbor and the city. The sunsets here are simply unforgettable!

The main attractions you will find in Montjuic are the following:

• Lush gardens (Jardí Botánic or Jardins del Mirador),
• The historic Montjuïc Castle,
• Some sites from the 1992 Summer Olympics,
• World renowned museums (Museu Nacional d’Art de Catalunya, Fundació Joan Miró or CaixaForum)

To get up there, you can catch the funicular from Poble Sec or take the Montjuic cable car for the best panoramic vistas.

🎟 Cable car tickets: price varies depending on the chosen operator (Telefèric de Montjuïc or Teleférico del Puerto-Aeri) 🚇 Access: funicular from Paral·lel or cable car (although you can also get there on foot, bus or bicycle)

📍Map & suggested itinerary to cover the best things to do in Barcelona

Here’s a 3-day itinerary in Barcelona to make the most of your stay while checking out the best things to see:

• Day 1️⃣: get started by visiting the iconic Sagrada Família, followed by the nearby Recinte Modernista de Sant Pau. In the afternoon, discover Park Güell before strolling the elegant Passeig de Gràcia.
• Day 2️⃣: in the morning, explore the Gothic Quarter (Barri Gòtic) and La Rambla. You can have lunch at Mercat de la Boquería, take a guided tour to the imposing Palau de la Música Catalana and end your day at Parc de la Ciutadella or Barceloneta beach with tapas and sunset views.
• Day 3️⃣: enjoy a quiet morning at the Pedralbes monastery, then visit the Magic Fountain and Museu Nacional d’Art de Catalunya (MNAC). Wrap your visit to Barcelona on a high note by taking the Montjuïc cable car for scenic views at sunset.

Should you have additional time available, feel free to explore some ideas in the section ´Day trips from Barcelona´ such as visiting the Montserrat abbey, Sitges or other Catalan provinces (Gerona, Lérida or Tarragona).

Feeling adventurous? Check out these outdoor activities with Manawa in Barcelona.

Guided Electric Bike Tour of Montjuic, Barcelona

Helicopter Tours in Barcelona

Hot air balloon flight over Montserrat with optional guided visit of the Monastery, from Barcelona

Jet Ski Rental in the Port Forum of Barcelona

Open Water Diving Course at Fòrum Beach, Barcelona

Private boat cruise from Port Olimpic Barcelona

For your ease of reference, below you will find a Barcelona map with my favorite spots to visit in this Mediterranean destination. Use it to plan your next trip!

🎒 Final thoughts on my favorite things to do in Barcelona, Spain

Every time I return to Barcelona, I find something new to love. Whether it’s a Gaudí curve, a hidden cloister, or the buzz of a local market, this city never stops inspiring me and there are still so many sights on my bucket list. Whether you’re planning your first visit — or your fifth — take your time, wander, and let the city’s art and architecture speak for themselves.

How did you like this post listing -in my humble opinion- the best things to do in Barcelona? Have you visited many of these? Would you add any others? Feel free to leave your questions and comments below, or show your support by loving this article.

✈️ Curious to know where I’ll be traveling next? ✈️

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In the meantime, safe travels around the world!

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