Things to Do in Barcelona | The Ultimate Barcelona City Guide
Barcelona, the tempting balmy Mediterranean City located in Spain, is a beloved tourist destination. With year-round sunny days, irresistible local cuisine and timeless art- Barcelona is one of the most vibrant places to spend your vacation. Barcelona has in store something for everybody. Beaches, monuments, galleries, and shopping - the Catalan Capital is a hub of all things fun.
Top Things To Do In Barcelona
The Island City is brimful of activities and touristy-things that will make your stay a delight. Try the local food, shop the latest trends, and be amazed by the aesthetic of the city. Know the top attractions in the city, experiences you simply cannot miss! Make your checklist and have fun crossing it off as you try your hands at these incredible things to do in Barcelona. Get information, tips, and more with our in-depth guide about things to do in Barcelona.
Designed by Catalan architect Antoni Gaudí, the Sagrada Familia is an architectural marvel that attracts more than 4.5 million visitors a year and is the most visited monument in Spain.
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Spread over 18 acres of hilly land, Park Guell is a testament to the famed architect Antoni Gaudi's creative and visual prowess in Barcelona. It receives an annual footfall of around 12 million tourists!
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Apart from being known as a Historical and Artistic Monument of National Interest, Casa Mila has been declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. It is also known as ‘La Pedrera’, that translates to ‘Stone Quarry’.
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Also known as Casa dels Ossos, “House of Bones”, Casa Batlló ranks high up in the list for the strangest residential buildings in Europe. It is said to be designed by Catalan architect Antoni Gaudí at his hallucinatory best.
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The flamboyant Casa Vicens was meant to be a summer home for Manel Vicens y Montaner, a stock market dealer. With its bright green and white tiles and its ornate cast-iron gate, it is a sight behold!
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Colònia Güell is an industrial village in 23-km from Barcelona that was commissioned by Count Eusebi de Güell for his textile mill. It was an escape from the chaos, soot, and bustle of the main town.
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Home to FC Barcelona since its completion in 1957, Camp Nou is the largest stadium in Spain and the third-largest football stadium in the world with the capacity to accommodate 99,354 people at a time!
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An open-air museum that resembles an actual village with replicas of 117 buildings from different Spanish region, Pob;e Espanyol houses artworks of prominent artists like Picasso, Dali, and Miro.
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Home to four thousand animals and over four hundred species of mammals, reptiles, and birds spread over 11 distinct sections, the Barcelona Zoo is both educative as well as beguiling. A must visit with kids!
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With thirty-five aquariums and enclosures housing over 11,000 animals across four-fifty species, be mesmerised by the impressive oceanarium that offers close-up views of the marine life.
Know MoreTop-Rated Museums in Barcelona
Are you a museum aficionado? Do you like spending a quiet few hours contemplating and pondering over a piece of art? Barcelona has a number of museums, from contemporary art museums to football museums! Choose your pick from the top 6 museums in Barcelona and enjoy learning a little more about the culture of the Catalonian capital.
Housed in the Italian-styled palatial architectural marvel Palau Nacional, the MNAC is a complete cultural experience for those visiting Barcelona.
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Popularly known as the Camp Nou Experience, the Camp Nou (the largest stadium in Spain) attracts not only the Barça lovers but also non-football fans.
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An ode to the artist who embellished the Catalonian culture with modern, surrealistic art, Joan Miro Museum, in itself, is no less than a masterpiece.
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The Gaudi House Museum pays homage to the brilliance of Antoni Gaudi and happens to be a house he resided in. It contains furniture, objects, and memorabilia designed by Gaudi.
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Located in the Ribera-district of the Old Town, Museu Picasso is an ode to the formative years of Picasso and reveals the artist’s relationship with the city of Barcelona.
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This museum is a reminiscence of Spain’s glory days of being the supreme power on sea. You can see the Royal shipyards, fishing vessels and antique navigation charts here.
Know MoreBest City Tours in Barcelona
Like the company of a local guide narrating interesting stories about the city as your tour Barcelona? These city tours are just what you need. We especially love guided culinary tours in Barcelona - exploring the local guides with an expert is simply terrific!
A hop-on hop-off tour is the perfect solution for your sightseeing woes - a convenient way to explore Barcelona, without having to worry about figuring out transport options and planning itineraries.
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Learn about the points of interest in Barcelona, from historic landmarks and mouth-watering tapas bars as you walk the length of the city - arguably one of the best ways to explore the city!
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Flavors that come from Northern Africa to European touches, your taste buds are in for a treat in Barcelona. On guided food tour, discover dishes from places unknown as well as some world-renowned restaurants.
Read MoreThings To Do In Barcelona On A Budget
Europe is famous for its shoestring travel destinations and Barcelona tops the list. If you're looking for a bunch of things to do in Barcelona for free or less than 20 euros, here's what you can add to your itinerary.
- Visit the Museu d'Història de Catalunya
- Climb atop the Montjüic Castle
- Stroll about the Plaça de Catalunya
- Catch the Magic Fountain Show
- Unravel history at the Gothic Quarter
- Picnic at the Parc del Laberint d’Horta
- Saunter about Las Ramblas
Top-Rated Day Trips From Barcelona
After you've had your heart's fill of Barcelona's beaches, sunshine and Gaudi's wonders, step out of the city and visit one of the many nearby towns. We strongly recommend taking a day trip if you're staying in Barcelona for more than 3 days. You can either choose the mountain town of Monsterrat which is just a 1.5 hour train journey away or set off on a road trip to Costa Brava, a 2 hour scenic drive from Barcelona.
An hour’s drive (approx. 100 km) or a 40-minute train ride from Barcelona, Girona is a medieval town settled on the banks of River Onyar.
The coastal city of Costa Brava is adorned with cobbled towns, calming mountain tops and beautiful beaches.
Nestled in the mountains and visited by the sea, Montserrat is an island that is perfect for a day trip from Barcelona.
Sitges is a popular coastal town in Catalonia, Spain bordered by the Garraf mountains and boasting a spectacular coastline.
Top Things To Do In Barcelona With Kids
Looking for things to keep your little ones entertained? Whether you wish to participate in a cooking class with the kids or visit a museum to teach kids a bit of history, there's a lot to do in Barcelona on your family vacation. Here are our top picks for the perfect, fun-for-all, trip to Barcelona with kids!
- L’Aquarium Barcelona
- Barcelona Zoo
- CosmoCaixa Barcelona
- Parc Del Laberint d’horta
- Montjuic Cable Car
- Museu de la Xocolata
- Tidibado Amusement Park
- Portaventura World
- Magic Fountains Montjuic
- FC Barcelona Museum
Best Beaches in Barcelona
With 60 miles of golden coastline, Barcelona basks on the shores of the Mediterranean's blue waters. With over 10 different beaches, each with a distinct character - from the youthful Nova Icària to tranquil Caldetes and forever bustling Barceloneta there's a beach in Barcelona for everyone.
Barceloneta Beach: From drummers to sand-artists, this is Barcelona's most crowded and touristy stretch of sand, yet the most entertaining.
Nova Icaria Beach: Located on Barcelona's central coast near the Olympic port, this is one of Barcelona's best beaches for watersports.
Bogatell Beach: Considered one of Barcelona's safest beaches, head here if you're looking for a clean beach with a more tranquil vibe.
Mar Bella Beach: This beach is famous for its nudist stretch, legendary rave-nights and a favorite hangout for Barcelona's LGBT crowd.
Sant Pol de Mar Beach: Located on Barcelona's northern coast, Sant Pol de Mar's clear and charming beach is a gorgeous spot for a day trip.
More fun things to do in Barcelona
There is a whole spectrum of fun to do in Barcelona - all you need is proper planning and an open mind. Barcelona is a city of music and culture with a rich history, remnants of which can be felt as you walk by the brick walls and ancient streets. Check out our top picks for the most fun things to do in Barcelona.
- Take a Flamenco Dancing Lesson
- Learn to cook Paella like a local
- Play beach volleyball at Playa de la Nova Icària
- Rent out a private yacht and cruise the Mediterranean
- Go bungee jumping
- Attend a football match at Camp Nou