Barcelona is a warm, colorful and multicultural city. It is one of the best European cities to visit every period of the year. Firstly, it’s a mix of culture, nature, beaches and party people. It’s not as expensive as other European city and the food is amazing. Indeed, tapas bars are widespread and local people make you feel like at home. Above all, Barcelona is a multicultural city with friendly people and important masterpiece artwork. Getyourguide is a useful app to book Barcelona’s attractions, especially Gaudì’s works. There are plenty of things to see, here my 10 best things to do in this amazing city!
- Sagrada Familia
- Casa Batlló
- Park Guell
- La Rambla
- Mercat de la Boqueria
- Picasso Museum
- Barceloneta
- Tapas
- La Pedrera
- Parc de la Ciutadella
READ MORE: Barcelona Itinerary – 3 Perfect Days
SAGRADA FAMILIA
Sagrada Familia is a beautiful church and the heart of Barcelona. It represents one, if not the first, of Antonio Gaudì’s masterpieces. This church will be completed in 2026 and is one of the major attractions of the city. Indeed, Gaudì died before completing his work. Thanks to the audio guide you can deeply immerse yourself in the history of the construction and the message that the artist wanted to send. A work certainly aimed at God and the Christian faith. First of all, you admire the architecture outside and after you get inside. The interior will amaze you even more than the outside. Many colors and different architectural forms will catapult you into another dimension.
CASA BATLLO
Casa Batlló is one of Antonio Gaudì’s masterpieces, located between Gracia and Eixample district. This house has to be admired by day and especially by night. I suggest you book in advance for saving time during the trip. I love the view from the outside and all of the feeling that it gives you. Inside you find rooms almost empty, but thanks to a digital telephone that they give you at the entrance, you can see the house as it once was. Above all, the terrace is stunning. It has particular shapes, almost reminiscent of animals.
PARK GUELL
Park Guell is located in the Gracia district and you need to climb a bit to get there. It is one of the masterpieces that Antonio Guadì wanted to donate to this city. You don’t have a limit of time to stay inside the park but if you don’t book in advance or you are late, you risk that they won’t let you in. From the top of the park, you have a beautiful city view: houses, the Sagrada Familia and the sea. Avoid the hottest hours and bring with you a lot of water.
LA RAMBLA
One of my bucket list experiences has always been walking on La Rambla. This long street connects the sea to Placa Catalunia. Full of locals and tourist people, street painters, souvenir and flower stalls, many and many restaurants and more. La Rambla separates Gothic and El Raval district. You can lose hours and hours walking. There are very interesting museums, shops, and streets around. My favorite spot on La Rambla is definitely the Boqueria market. Hold on taking pictures or using your phone because La Rambla is full of pickpockets .
BOQUERIA MARKET
Mercado de La Boqueria, located in the middle of La Rambla, Placa Sant Galdric and Placa Gardunya, is open every day except Sunday. It is certainly the best place to have a quick and cheap lunch. The main dishes are Fruit and Vegetable, fish and seafood, legumes and nuts, ham and cheese. There are many bars inside of the market if you want to sit down, eat some tapas and chat with locals. Shops and groceries are widespread in case you would like to bring some food with you. I think this place makes you feel like a local instead of a tourist: it is one of my favorite spot in the city.
PICASSO MUSEUM
Picasso museum is located in the heart of Ribeira district. Therefore, the visit should be before going to La Barceloneta or El Gotic. You can buy tickets in advance but the queue is not so bad. In this museum, there are the earliest works of Picasso, the works of when he lived in Barcelona, the Blue and Pink period and a collection of his portraits. However, Guernica is located in the Museo Nacional Centro de Arte Reina Sofía, in Madrid. It is a very nice museum which takes you a few hours of your time.
BARCELONETA
I love Barcelona for many things and one of these is the possibility to go to the beach. Barceloneta is the neighborhood where the harbor and the beach are. Many restaurants between the harbor and the beach but not the cheapest for sure. Instead, on the beach a lot of bars which sell tapas and drinks, price not bad. The beach is clean but without umbrellas or sunbeds, so you need to bring from home. Not the best sea in the world but it’s good for relaxing. Don’t go away from your things for any reason, you may never find them again.
TAPAS
Tapas are small plates you can order as many as you want while drinking. In some place, tapas can be even free. For example, if you order a beer they give you a small plate of olives. In other places, you need to order what do you want and pay for it. Usually, tapas are eaten in bars. Each bar has its own specialties, therefore, change bars during the night is a must. Like this, you have more possibilities to know people and to try different tapas.
My favorite tapas are datiles con bacon, Spanish omelet, patatas bravas, patatas alioli, calamari, and croquettes. Lager beer and rioja wine are usually drinking while eating tapas. Many people order also sangria. For example, the Boqueria market and Bar Canete are some of my favorite places where to eat tapas.
As I see, eating tapas is also a way to have fun and meet people. Especially If you are traveling solo, it’s the best way to talk to locals. Many bars have the kitchen in the middle so if you sit down at the bar, you have the opportunity to see how the food is cooking. If it’s not a busy night, you can also ask curiosity to the waiter about the food you are eating.
LA PEDRERA
Casa milà is the original name based on the founder of the house. The house is called la Pedrera from the local people. The building was supposed to be a residential building for wealthy people. As a result, Antonio Gaudì built a masterpiece of nature and a symbol of modernism and the Art Noveau movement. From the rooftop a nice view of Barcelona and Sagrada Familia. The building is located in paseig de Gracia, the street of top brands and wealthy people residence.
PARC DE LA CIUTADELLA
The most famous park in Barcelona with a lot of green spots, sculptures, a lake full of animals and more. It’s ideal for long walks and a relaxing picnic. The most attractions are the zoo, the Catalan Parliament and the Cascada. You can also do a rowing boat on the lake. Arc de Trionf is just outside of the park.
