12 Best Things to Do in Barcelona (Includes Map)
Barcelona has truly it all – sun, sea, sangria, and a whole lot of quirky architecture thanks to old mate Gaudí.
This energetic city on the Mediterranean is the kind of place that makes you want to drop everything, learn Catalan, and move into a flat with a balcony covered in bougainvillaea. Painstakingly visas aside, can I interest you in an unforgettable weekend visit to Catalonia’s capital instead?
From mind-blowing architecture and beachside brunches to sunset rooftop drinks and secret tapas bars, Barcelona ticks all the boxes for a perfect European city break.
I’ve visited multiple times now, and still find something new (and usually delicious) to discover each trip. So whether it’s your first visit or your fifth, here’s your ultimate guide to the best things to do in Barcelona.
If you're looking for more practical information (such as the best time to visit Barcelona, hotel recommendations & more), check out my Ultimate Barcelona Travel Guide.
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Barcelona Key Info
When to visit
April – June (Spring)
16°C (61°F) to 27°C (79°F)
September – November (Autumn)
15°C (59°F) to 26°C (79°F)
How to get there
Fly to El Prat Airport (BCN), with direct flights from major cities worldwide.
How to get around
Mostly walkable + affordable Metro.
Uber/Bolt/Cabify is available.
IDEAL TRIP LENGTH
3-4 days
PLACES TO VISIT
Sagrada Família
Park Güell
Casa Batlló
Ciutadella Park
Montjuïc
Gothic Quarter
MUST-DO ACTIVITIES
Tapas Walking Tour
Sunset Catamaran Cruise
Flamenco Show
rooftop bars
Terrace of Sercotel Rosellón
L’Àtic at Lamara Hotel
Terrassa de Vivi
The Roof at Edition
Tope at The Hoxton
tapas bars
Cañete
El Xampanyet
Cerveseria Catalana
Can Paixano
Bar Pimentel
MY TOP HOTEL PICKS
Casa Bonay
The Hoxton Poblenou
Hotel Pulitzer
Nobu Hotel
Miiro Borneta
12 Best things to do in Barcelona
1. Sagrada Família
The Sagrada Família is an architectural masterpiece, and an absolute must-visit when travelling to Barcelona. I gotta admit, having travelled around Europe extensively, most buildings of worship get somewhat repetitive and boring after a while, however, the Sagrada is truly an exception! It’s one of the most uniquely designed basilica both inside and out.
The basilica’s construction began over a century ago and is still being built in line with architect Antoni Gaudi’s vision (with an estimate to be completed in 2026… not long now!). Known for its towering spires, intricate facades and colourful stained glass windows that make you feel like you’re walking inside a kaleidoscope.
tips for visiting the Sagrada Família:
2. Tapas Walking Tour
Barcelona is one of the best foodie destinations in Europe and you’re probably going to spend the majority of your trip eating & drinking your way around the city. However, avoiding tourist traps and finding authentic restaurants can be difficult, which is why I recommend booking this Tapas Walking Tour.
During this tour, a local guide will take you around to several tapas bars near La Rambla, while also giving you the down low of Barcelona’s history along your journey. Make sure to arrive hungry because you’ll eat SO much food on this tour, more than your stomach can physically handle. Everything from croquettes, pintxos, paella and plenty of wine, sangria & vermouth to wash it all down.
Our guide was both insightful and hilarious and by the end of the day, I felt like I’d spent the afternoon hanging out with mates rather than doing a guided tour with strangers. It’s relaxed, fun, and exactly the kind of thing you should book early in your trip so you know where to eat for the rest of your stay as your guide will leave you with many solid recommendations.
If you are looking for my personal recommendations on the best tapas bars and foodie spots, check out my guide on the best restaurants in Barcelona.
3. Park Güell
Park Güell is another Gaudí masterpiece that’s worth visiting. It’s colourful, eccentric, and probably the most photogenic park you’ll ever visit. Designed by Gaudí back in the early 1900s, it was originally meant to be a posh residential estate, but luckily for us, that didn’t pan out and the park was donated to the city for all to enjoy.
The whole place feels like stepping into a real-life gingerbread house, complete with mosaic benches, twisty pathways, and palm trees everywhere. The iconic tiled bench is ideal for that classic Barcelona pic, but honestly, the best thing to do is just wander around and explore the areas of the park that are less frequented by tourists.
Quick tip: buy your tickets online beforehand. This park gets busy, and time slots sell out quickly, especially in the summer. Tickets cost £18.
And don’t underestimate the steep walk up to this park (unless you love sweating). I took a taxi directly to the entrance gate, but there’s also a handy escalator if you take the metro to Vallcarca station.
4. Sunset Catamaran Cruise
This 90-minute sunset catamaran cruise in Barcelona is genuinely the perfect way to end a busy weekend in Barcelona. You’ll sail along the Mediterranean coast with a drink in hand, enjoy live music throughout the cruise with a saxophonist & guitarist duo banging out the tunes, and golden hour doing its thing over the city skyline.
I booked this on a whim and it ended up being one of the highlights of my trip – a super casual yet unique opportunity to see the city from the water.
There’s no need to dress up for this cruise unless you fancy, just make sure to wear matching socks at least as you will be required to remove your shoes once on board. Don’t forget to bring a jacket (yes, even during summer!) because it gets a bit breezy as you set sail and once the sun goes down.
5. Casa Batlló
It’s impossible to only do one Gaudi-related activity while visiting Barcelona. I’ve already mentioned that the Sagrada Familia is a non-negotiable must-do, which means Casa Batlló is the next best thing to tick off your Gaudi bucket list.
That being said, I only recommend visiting Casa Batlló if you have an appreciation for art & architecture – I say this because the ticket prices ain’t cheap, but as a lover of all things design-related, I was happy to part with my euros for this unique experience.
So what actually is Casa Batlló? Well, it was originally a residential building designed by Gaudi. The whole place is a bit mad in the best way — no straight lines, stained glass everywhere, and a staircase that looks like it belongs in a Tim Burton film. It’s often referred to as the “house of bones” due to its skeletal resemblance and a roof that recalls the spine of a dragon, with an exterior covered in broken ceramic tiles.
You’ll likely pass by Casa Batlló regardless, located on the busy Passeig de Gràcia, where you can admire its exterior beauty. However, it is well worth entering the building for a fully immersive experience.
If you’re wondering what category of tickets to buy, I recommend getting the Gold tickets. These tickets include fast-track entry and a tablet in which you can experience augmented reality and really see Gaudí’s designs come to life. Gold tickets also give you access to the iconic rooftop and various other exclusive rooms which aren’t included in the standard ticket.
Tickets start from £29, and children up to 12 years old can visit for free.
6. Flamenco Show
While the art of Flamenco first originated in Andalusia, you can experience the magic of this iconic Spanish music & dance performance right in the heart of Barcelona, at this Flamenco show at City Hall Theatre.
I went not knowing much about flamenco beyond the emoji 💃, and left totally mesmerised. The energy and passion of the dancers are unmatched – along with the rest of the talented ensemble of singers, guitarists and percussionists. During this 1 hour performance, you’ll witness lively jam sessions, epic guitar solos and face-to-face dancing duels.
It’s also a great option for your first or second night in the city when you’re still adjusting to Spanish dinner times (aka eating at 10 pm). Show, wine, dinner — in that order. Or do what I did, select a VIP front-row ticket that includes a complimentary bottle of cava and start your evening right.
7. Ciutadella Park
Ciutadella Park is basically Barcelona’s biggest backyard – it’s where both tourists and locals go to slow down, enjoy a picnic and forget you’ve spent the last few days running around ticking off every Gaudí building.
The fountain here (officially the Cascada Monumental) is stunning, with massive gold statues and waterfalls that remind me of Versailles. A short walk away is an old-school greenhouse (Hivernacle del Parc de la Ciutadella) which is free to enter from 10 am each morning.
Don’t miss out on hiring a rowboat and paddle around the main lake in this park. I attempted this and admittedly spent most of the time going in circles, but it was great fun and made me feel like I was in a rom-com montage.
It costs €7 for 2 people for 30 minutes, a great deal if you ask me – the row boats are available between late March to late September.
8. Casa Vicens
Casa Vicens is one of those places you might not find on most Barcelona bucket lists, however if you’re doing an extended stay in Barcelona, it should be on yours. This colourful little gem was actually Gaudí’s very first house design, so you know he really went all-in.
The whole house feels like a dreamy mashup between Moorish architecture and a fairytale cottage, there’s literally no corner left undecorated. I loved wandering through the rooms and spotting all the quirky details Gaudí threw in across all four storeys and the rooftop.
Because it’s less famous than places like Casa Batlló or Sagrada Família, it’s also usually quieter. This means you can wander around without battling crowds for the perfect shot (a rare luxury in Barcelona).
9. Go on a Rooftop Bar Crawl
Barcelona loves a good rooftop and there’s no better way to enjoy the city than with a punchy drink and some postcard-worthy views.
One of the best rooftop bar views can undoubtedly be found from the Terrace of Sercotel Rosellón – it has hands-down the best view of the Sagrada Família. I mean, you’re literally eye-level with Gaudí’s masterpiece.
This terrace is so popular, you’ll need to book ahead if you want a prime table. Bookings are available online at sercotelhoteles.com two weeks in advance and get snapped up quickly. You’ll need to pay a fee of €7 per person just for the booking and sadly this amount does not go towards the cost of drinks. While this may seem a bit of an overkill, you genuinely won’t get better views anywhere else.
Terrace of Sercotel Rosellón- Tope at The Hoxton
Another rooftop terrace worth checking out is L’Àtic at Lamara Hotel (previously known as Hotel Colón) – it’s directly opposite Barcelona Cathedral, with Instagrammable views of the Gothic spires. No entry fee is required and they don’t take bookings either so I recommend queuing for a spot around 15 minutes before they open at 12pm, otherwise for a sunset session you may have to wait a bit longer for a table.
Alternatively, these are some more of my favourite rooftop bars in Barcelona. Terrassa de Vivi is a great little lesser known gem with more chilled vibes yet spectacular views of Barcelona Cathedral.
For something more glam, head to NOXE at the W Hotel – yes, the drinks are pricey, but they’re seriously good, and the beachfront views are worth splashing out on.
Finally, Tope at The Hoxton is another brilliant spot for iconic views of the Sagrada Família, and where you can also enjoy tasty Mexican-inspired bites and spicy margs.
For recommendations on speakeasy cocktail bars and a great selection of wine bars, check out my guide on the best bars in Barcelona.
Terrassa de Vivi
10. Moco Museum
If you’re feeling a bit Gaudí-ed out and craving something a little more contemporary, definitely pop into the Moco Museum. It’s one of Barcelona’s coolest modern art spots with a range of works on display from Banksy, Basquiat, Warhol, and all the big hitters in modern and street art.
The museum is tucked inside an old 16th-century palace which makes wandering through rooms filled with neon signs and giant inflatable sculptures feel even more surreal. I loved the interactive installations and the immersive digital art room.
It’s small enough to explore in an hour or two, and the gift shop is genuinely good if you’re looking for a gift to bring back to your loved ones at home.
Tip: Moco Museum is only a few steps away from the Picasso Museum, you can get this combined ticket that will give you access to both museums as well as a local guided tour.
11. Mercado de la Boqueria
If you’re anything like me and travel mostly for the food, then Mercado de la Boqueria needs to be at the very top of your Barcelona itinerary. It’s the city’s biggest and most iconic food market, dating all the way back to 1217 (so, a few hundred years older than your average avo-on-toast brunch spot).
Yes, it’s touristy, but it’s also packed full of fresh juices, insane tapas stalls, and all the jamón your heart desires.
I recommend grabbing a €2 fresh fruit juice, try some oysters at one of the seafood bars, and don’t miss El Quim de la Boqueria for their ridiculously good fried eggs with squid (a unique but winning combo).
12. Montjuïc Hill
Montjuïc is basically Barcelona’s very own mini mountain. It’s home to lush gardens, museums, spectacular views, and the kind of castle that makes you feel like you’re in an episode of Game of Thrones.
You’ve got two options for getting up there: either a scenic (but steep!) 30–40-minute walk if you’re feeling energetic, or jump on the Montjuïc Cable Car (Telefèric de Montjuïc). It’s a short ride, around 10 minutes, and gives you amazing panoramic views over the city.
The cable car begins from Parc de Montjuïc, you can get here from the Montjuïc Funicular, from the Paral·lel metro station (L2 and L3). A direct cable car trip costs 11€ or 17€ for a return trip.
At the top, you’ll find the 17th-century Montjuïc Castle, which has a fascinating history and even better views.
After exploring the castle, I recommend skipping the cable car and taking your time wandering downhill through the beautiful gardens. There are over twenty different parks & gardens on Montjuïc, but my favourite is Jardins de Mossèn Costa i Llobera which is filled with giant cacti.
If you have extra time, check out the Olympic Stadium and the Magic Fountain (which does an over-the-top yet delightful light show at night).
Google Map of Barcelona
Here’s a Google Map of all the places in Barcelona mentioned in this post as well as plenty of additional restaurant, cafe, bar & hotel recommendations.
