Things to do and see in Barcelona

One of Spain’s most modern cities and one of Europe’s most desirable destinations, Barcelona has everything you need to enjoy a weekend away. This stunning city has many interesting sights including attractive architecture, museums, parks, squares and of course the cathedral.

Due to its great variety of places, we can help make your trip unforgettable; design your itinerary with Passporter in a unique way!

What are the best things to see in Barcelona?

1. Sagrada Familia

The Sagrada Familia plays an important role in the culture of Barcelona. This imposing monument, besides being one of the most visited in Spain, perfectly represents the modernist architecture of the famous architect Gaudí.

On the outside you will find details such as the façade of glory, which represents death, the final judgement, glory and hell carved in stone. Next to this is the façade of birth, which is dedicated to Christ, manifesting in these two an unparalleled contrast. Finally, we can notice the façade of the Passion which perfectly symbolises the crucifixion.

If you thought that this was all, it is because you have not yet seen the interior, where the columns with tree shapes carved in stone and marble stand out, giving a surrealist touch to the whole church. In addition, we can access an elevator that will take us to the top and admire all the views of Barcelona.

Organise your travel itinerary with Passporter, completely free to use, easy and practical. Get inspired by the experiences of other travellers and choose the places that interest you most by adding them to your route map.

2. Batlló House

In the elegant Paseo de Gracia, we can find a world heritage site and one of Gaudi’s best works in Barcelona. This building will impress you every time you see it, because the magic of this work lies in the way it was built. Its architecture is worthy of representing Catalan modernism with pride.

If you are interested in exploring the architectural wonders that this work of art has to offer, you can enter for around 25 euros for adults and between 20 and 22 euros for students. If you are under 12 years old, you can enter for free. What are you waiting for?

3. Palau de la Musica Catalana

Discover this majestic theatre, with an attractive design that mixes the ancient and the modern. You’ll get a good view of the stage from any point in the auditorium, which is ideal for coming to see a musical in Barcelona.

If that wasn’t enough, it has a fantastic setting, with different music halls, the foyer and the Palau’s terrace, all with a unique design. The glass in the concert halls provides a warm light, its decoration is colourful and has certain details from nature. Perfect for capturing some beautiful photos. The tour takes about 45 minutes following the audio guide. Visit this temple of music and jewel of modernism for only 11€.

4. Casa Milà

You’ve surely heard about Antoni Gaudi’s architectural wonders, with Casa Milà being one of them. It is a house with three façades: the one on Passeig de Gràcia, the chamfered façade and the façade on Carrer Provença, all of which are very attractive.

Here, you can observe the different modernist style rooms, in which the structure of the internal courtyards is similar to those of a forest, with its textures, colours and different geometric shapes of the flags that resemble the shape of trees, branches and animals. This Casa Mila has much more to offer you, its rooftop is a marvel, it is accompanied by chimneys that are a visual delight. Up here you have a 360° view of Barcelona. A total must-do!

5. Catalonia Square

Squares tend to be one of Barcelona’s strongest attractions; that’s why, on your trip to this city, you shouldn’t miss Plaza de Cataluña. You may wonder what makes it so popular? Just visiting it will make you understand. It is the most central square in Barcelona, close to the Rambla, surrounded by trees, banks, hotels, cafes and other shops.

Inside you’ll find large fountains with good lighting and cleanliness, seats where you can stop to rest and enjoy the pigeons. Because of its ample space, this square is home to monuments such as Francesc Maciá, the Goddess and the Equestrian statue, perfect for taking some good photos!

6. Agbar Tower

There are so many architectural wonders to see in Barcelona that none of them disappoints. Such is the case with this famous skyscraper, which is located near the Plaza de las Glorias, at the entrance to Barcelona’s technological district.

It is 145 metres high, making it the third tallest building in Barcelona, and stands out for its lighting and architectural form. Its design at night is totally eye-catching because of its great lighting, which lends itself to taking countless photos!

7. Montjuic

Just a few steps away from the wide and beautiful Plaza de España, we can find with relative ease the Montjuic mountain. The reason for its construction was mainly for the World Fair of 1929. A few years later, it was demolished and rebuilt in 2010, remaining as we know it today. Admission is free for children under 4 years and if you are an adult or a child over 4 years you can enter for 6 euros.

8. Barcelona Cathedral

With impressive dimensions and a neo-Gothic style characteristic of the works of art of the aforementioned Gaudí, this temple opens the doors to see in detail a style taken from another world, almost from another era totally different from ours, where the details predominate in each facade and where even the smallest stone means something in the overall structure that makes up the Cathedral of Barcelona.

9. Basilica De Santa Maria Del Mar

Famous for the ancient literary work “The Cathedral of the Sea” this temple with gothic style and an architecture that will leave you speechless; it opens its doors with an impressive austere aspect given by the giant black stones that adorn it.

We can find this imposing basilica in the modern area of El Born, making it a very popular place for tourists. How not to visit such a beautiful cathedral? If you are interested in visiting it, you have to take into account its opening hours, which go from 3 pm to 5 pm from Monday to Saturday, and on Sundays you can visit this work of art from 2 pm to the same time. Bearing in mind that its general cost is 8 euros.

10.Poble Espanyol

If you want to get to know Spain in just one trip, we assure you that it is possible. How? The answer lies in visiting this incredible museum of Spain; you will find around 117 emblematic buildings recreated in real size from the different regions of this charming country, where you will be able to buy objects from each province.

The atmosphere here is dreamy all in one place, with architecture so detailed that it transports you to the different provinces. This makes this museum a place to return to not once but three times.

But it is not only the diversity of the architecture of the buildings that dominates in this museum, but also the contemporary art exhibitions, with rooms containing around 300 works by Picasso, Dalí and Miró. As if that wasn’t enough, it also has a sculpture garden, a highly recommended place!

11. Park Güell

Have an unforgettable experience visiting Park Güell, where its architecture and decoration will leave you in awe. Here, you can come as a family and enjoy a day surrounded by Gaudí-style art. You can even get a spectacular view of the city of Barcelona.

Ideal for relaxing strolling through its gardens and aqueducts accompanied by the various mosaics that decorate many of the monuments that adorn the park. The entrance fee is only 10 €, which is well worth it to appreciate this admirable architectural beauty.

12. Colon Viewpoint

If you want to find a place where you can see the panoramic view of Barcelona, the Mirador de Colon is the place to be; a beautifully detailed monument to Christopher Columbus, standing 57 metres high, and inside, there is a lift that takes you to the top of the statue.

It is located at the end of the Rambla and was inaugurated in 1888 for the 400th anniversary of his first sea voyage. Access this beauty for a cost of 6€ and capture the best panoramic views of Barcelona.

13. Royal Square

After you’ve finished your tour of La Rambla, you can head over to this neoclassical arcaded square. Located in the Gothic Quarter, it is accompanied by a beautiful fountain, palm trees and Gaudí-style lampposts, and is surrounded by a variety of bars, restaurants and shops. It is the perfect place to take a break and enjoy a drink or a dish.

14. National Art Museum of Catalonia

One of the things you must do during your stay in Barcelona is to visit this popular National Museum. It was inaugurated in the 90’s and is characterized by its wide and complete collection of Romanesque art. Also, it exhibits works and sculptures of Gothic and Renaissance art.

It is also characterized by its interesting modernist exterior architecture, surrounded by impressive water fountains, where you can enjoy a wonderful view of Barcelona.

15. El Born

Come and stroll through the narrow, modern streets of one of Barcelona’s most popular neighbourhoods, which is surrounded by shops, boutiques, cafés, restaurants, the Picasso Museum, the Centre de Cultura i Memòria and the Barceloneta beach.

16. La Rambla

You can’t be in Barcelona and not stroll along this famous street, which is approximately 1.2 kilometres long and runs from the Plaza de Cataluña to the port of Barcelona. You will find places of interest such as the Wax Museum, the Erotica Museum, and the Christopher Columbus viewpoint. Don’t miss it!

17. Boqueria Market

La Boqueria market is an iconic place in Barcelona, where you can find different types of shops which paint the environment with an explosion of colours, smells and flavours of all kinds, making this a tourist site not to be missed if you want to know the hectic trade that takes place in this city.

Located on the famous Rambla and covering more than 2,500 square metres, walking around this market without buying anything is a real challenge. What are you waiting for to go shopping?

18.Walking around the Gothic Quarter

Once we get into the heart of the city, we enter one of the oldest and most charming areas to see in Barcelona – the famous Gothic Quarter. It dates back to Roman times, which is why here we can see vestiges of the ancient city of Barcino.

Its narrow and labyrinthine streets with medieval airs will leave you fascinated and, as if that were not enough, we can find jewels such as the Plaza Real, which perfectly represents the pure reflection of this city in its most ancient times to the most modern.

19. Hospital De La Santa Creu I Sant Pau

After visiting the majestic building of the Sagrada Familia, you can come and see the incredible Hospital de la Santa Creu and Sant Pau. They are located so close to each other that it is impossible not to go and see them together.

If you like to tour its elaborate buildings, you should keep in mind that the average tour lasts about two hours. It is important to have a fixed schedule in order to enjoy the whole afternoon.

If you’re in luck, you can visit it on the first Sunday of every month making your entrance totally free. But on normal days, the entrance fee is between 10 and 12 euros, except for children under 12 years old.

20. Discover Camp Nou

The Camp Nou is a must-see once you set foot on the streets of Barcelona. This stadium will make you feel the excitement of both the players and the fans of this sport. This will be a totally exciting experience, full of adrenaline. Even if you don’t like the sport, or you are not a football fan, this place promises to amaze you with its incredible views and its very accomplished details, which make the environment another level.

21. Picasso Museum

Consisting of a complex system of palaces, this museum houses more than 4000 works of art, 3500 of which are thought to belong to the famous artist, whose name is reflected throughout the length and breadth of the museum.

As well as being able to find the great works of Picasso, among which “Man with a beret”, “Portrait of Aunt Pepa”, “Science and charity”, “The divan” and “Las Meninas” stand out. We can also find paintings and creations by various artists who promoted cubism and brought it to a point where today it is considered an artistic style like any other.

22. La Ciudadela Park

The lungs of Barcelona, also known as the citadel park, is a large area of land full of plants and trees that adorn a great path for walking and cycling. Making it the ideal place to play sports or meet up with a friend for a bite to eat in the surroundings of the park itself.

In addition to the green areas, there are large constructions that adorn the park and make it more interesting. These structures are in the shape of elephants or various animals, giving life to this park beyond the vegetation it has.

For more information read our post: Ciutadella Park in Barcelona

23. Barcelona Aquarium

There are places that stand out for their great content that you simply won’t find anywhere else; clearly not in the same way, as is the case with the Barcelona Aquarium.

Catalogued as the most important aquarium in the world with a Mediterranean theme, due to the variety of species you will find; from tropical aquariums, Mediterranean aquariums to thematic aquariums. There is also a children’s exploration area with over 50 activities to interact with the maritime world.

Tickets for entry vary depending on age; children between 3 and 4 years old pay €8, children 5 to 10 years old pay €16, children over 11 years old pay €21. Don’t hesitate to bring your little ones!

24. Horta Labyrinth Park

With an elaborate and beautiful labyrinth as its main attraction, this large yet clean park welcomes you with open doors. It opens almost all day, making it hard to stop by at least once. Moreover, it offers many shops that are around and within the park itself.

If you have small children, you can’t miss out on visiting this place with them, as they will love the maze as if it were a real-life game. Visit this park with the little ones to make an unforgettable experience.

Travel Tip: To organize your trip we recommend using Passporter totally free. You can be inspired by the experiences of other travelers, choose the places that interest you most, create the travel route with a geolocated map, upload all important documents such as reservations and invite your friends so that everyone can participate in the organization of the trip.

What are the unknown places to visit in Barcelona?

Barcelona being such a popular destination, sometimes you want to see the less frequented places, but without having to leave the city itself.

If you get tired of seeing the same old recommendations of what to see and do in Barcelona (you know you have to see La Sagrada Familia), this list is for you. All the places on this list are unique and of great interest, and you don’t have to venture to the outskirts of Catalonia to discover something new. Barcelona is full of culture, history and novelty, just waiting to be discovered.

1. Bunkers Del Carmel

Located at the top of the Turó de la Rovira, the Bunkers de Carmel give you the best views of Barcelona, which are worth the climb. These cannons were built in 1937 during the Civil War to defend the city from bombardment. After being abandoned for some time, the authorities restored them to create this impressive viewpoint where you can watch spectacular sunsets.

2. Sant Antoni Market

During the week you can find in the stalls outside the market all kinds of clothes, footwear, household goods, and inside a myriad of vegetables, fruit, fish and meat. On Sundays it becomes a book and antique stamp market for collectors. A building designed by Antoni Rovira i Trias in 1882, the metal structure very typical of markets of this era retains all the charm and vitality of when it was built.

3. Street Art to see in Barcelona

Barcelona is an artist’s paradise. The Raval neighbourhood has the best examples of street art in the city. One of the best examples is Calle de la Aurora, where you can find the Ágora, a space created by the neighbours and self-managed by them. Graffiti is a way of communicating with the public, showing the feelings and passion of the community.

4. Greek theatre

A further creation for the 1929 World’s Fair, this open-air theatre is inspired by the ancient Greek theatres. A real hidden gem, admission is free and you can also stroll around its pretty garden. You can check if there are any concerts or shows here during your trip.

5. Carrer de Blai

After having visited all these original places in Barcelona, going to eat in “la calle de los pinchos” seems the best way to complete the day of discoveries. Carrer de Blai has a large number of bars serving tapas on terraces, at low prices and with a good atmosphere. 

What to see around Barcelona?

1. Barceloneta Beach

There is no better place to relax and disconnect from the city than the beaches, which is why we recommend you to visit “La Barceloneta Beach”. This is a place that will captivate you, enjoying a pleasant and fun atmosphere. You can even go for walks along the entire beach from the W hotel to the port area and casinos.

The sunrises are also indescribable; this beach offers beautiful sunrises and sunsets, so don’t miss out on the essence of Barcelona!

2. Joan Miró Foundation

Founded in the 1900s, this foundation represents one of the most important museums to see in Barcelona. Apart from its collection of historical works and works by various famous authors; we have to rescue its elegant facade. It is full of accomplished details, which, at first glance, that transports you to another era almost without effort.

The opening hours of this original museum are infrequent, as they tend to change according to the season, which is why we recommend that you visit their website to find out the opening and closing times in more detail. What remains constant is the entrance fee, which is usually 13 euros for the general public and 7 euros for students.

3. Pedralbes Monastery

If you are looking for a clear example of Gothic art and style, visit the Monastery of Pedralbes. It is something not to be missed in Barcelona, as its structure and design are reminiscent of the old Gothic castles.

This exceptional monastery has more than 700 years of history behind it. Moreover, it is one of the oldest places to see in Spain, and you can’t miss its incredible scenery. At a cost of just 5 euros, you can explore the history of the monastery from its origins to nowadays.

4. Mount Tibidabo Church

At the top of the Magic Mountain, also known as Mount Tibidabo, we can see the spectacular neo-gothic style temple that Barcelona has for us. This dates back to the 1800s, and without a doubt, will leave you amazed by the stories that we can see on its walls.

Also, apart from its structure and famous history, this imposing monument also offers incredible views. Here we can get to see monuments such as the Collserola Tower, almost 300 meters high.

Itinerary for your trip to Barcelona

What to see in 1 day in Barcelona?

On your first day, visiting all that Barcelona has to offer is something difficult and daring. That’s why we are going to help you to organize your trip so you can visit as many things as possible in the shortest time. Going first to the central areas and then the hidden gems in the surrounding area

• Horta Labyrinth Park
• Barcelona Aquarium
• La Ciudadela Park
• Palau de la Música Catalana
• Catalonia Square
• Agbar Tower
• Montjuic
• Colon Viewpoint
• La Boqueria Market

What to see in 2 days in Barcelona?

For your second day in this modern city, we have prepared a list of places that you can’t miss. You will love the green landscapes and the proximity they have to each other, easy to visit in an afternoon full of sightseeing.

• Sagrada Familia
• Batlló House
• Barcelona Cathedral
• Park Güell
• Milà House
• Poble Espanyol
• Plaza Real
• El Born
• La Rambla
• Gothic Quarter

What to see in 3 days in Barcelona?

For your last day in Barcelona, we have selected places that you will love. If you are a nature lover and you are looking for peace and harmony, have a look at these spots:

• Hospital De La Santa Creu I Sant Pau
• Camp Nou
• Bunkers Del Carmel
• Picasso Museum
• Barcelona Aquarium
• Joan Miró Foundation
• Barceloneta Beach
• Pedralbes Monastery
• Mount Tibidabo Church

Route map

Here is an example of a Barcelona itinerary created by one of our users:

How to plan your itinerary of things to do in Barcelona?

Download the Passporter app, sign up and start designing your itinerary from scratch with the places that caught your attention, taking into account the length of your stay.

With Passporter, you can:

• Get inspiration from the experiences of other travellers.
• Create your own itinerary and add the app’s suggestions to it.
• Add the spots you are most interested in, as well as the restaurants and bars where you want to eat (you can use the points of interest listed in this post as a reference).
• Organise your itinerary by days and according to their location (you can take inspiration from the routes presented in the post).
• Check the travel budget that the app calculates for you based on your travel stops, restaurants, and leisure activities.
• Make the necessary modifications and you are ready for your trip.
• Finally, share your experience. Upload photos of each of the places you have visited to the app so you can inspire other users.

If you have any doubts about how to plan your itinerary, you can read our post: How to create your travel itinerary with Passporter.

Frequently Asked Questions about Barcelona