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Things to do in Barcelona: The essential guide to the city’s best experiences
From the Sagrada Família to exploring the Barri Gòtic and eating like a local, learn everything about the best things to do in Barcelona.
The best things to do in Barcelona include visiting the Sagrada Família, relaxing on the Barceloneta Beach, walking around El Born and Gràcia, or simply spotting all of Gaudí’s work.
This city with world-class architecture has something for everyone, from foodies to outdoor enthusiasts, and with its ease of getting around, you won’t have a hard time finding what to do in Barcelona, especially with some recommendations from the local Holaflyer, Isaac Carpio.
So, come along and read what to explore in Barcelona, from Gaudí to an amusement park on top of a hill, while staying connected with the Holafly eSIM on your trip.
Peace of mind before you fly
Set up your eSIM before travel and get unlimited data on arrival.
Top 10 things to do in Barcelona
Deciding what to do in Barcelona can be a bit complicated because there are so many places to explore.
Let’s talk about the priorities, why these matter, and some tips to help you avoid any surprises when visiting these places.
Basílica de la Sagrada Família
The Basílica de la Sagrada Família is Gaudí’s unfinished masterpiece, and Isaac mentions that even locals go there daily.
He worked on the Basílica for over 40 years (1883 to 1926), and 100 years later, some parts are still under construction, while others are listed as UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
When visiting, tourists need to pay attention to the little details, such as those seen in the Nativity façade and the nave, where Gaudí’s biomimicry is purely breathtaking.
There’s also a museum where tourists can explore the Sagrada Família’s history and future plans at no extra cost.
The Sagrada Família is by far the most visited tourist site in Barcelona, so it’s better to get tickets well in advance. Plus, getting to the Passion or Nativity staples requires a different ticket.
Travel tip: Download the Sagrada Familia app on your phone and listen to your preferred-language audio guide to explore it at your own pace.
Park Güell
Located in the La Salut neighborhood, this park is home to one of Gaudí’s biggest works, covering over 17 hectares full of parks and gardens.
People can simply visit the outside of the park and see some of Gaudí’s works, like houses and sculptures, but the real magic happens when you get to the park and walk around it.
At Park Güell, you can get beautiful views of Barcelona and see the majestic Sagrada Família, which is worthy of a photo.
Plus, there are colorful mosaic sculptures, such as El Drac, and the entrance fountain, which creates a must-see destination for all Barcelona travelers.
As with the Sagrada Família, some areas require a separate ticket, which is usually sold on-site.
Casa Batlló and Casa Milà
Located in the Illa de la Discòrdia, Block of Discord, these buildings are the most iconic residential buildings Gaudí worked on.
Both are located on Passeig de Gràcia, really close to each other, so it’s easy to view them on the same walk.
Casa Batlló and Casa Milà offer tours that let travelers explore more of Gaudí’s work and learn about his architectural style, which is considered sui generis.
During tours, tourists can ask for an audio guide, which is available in several languages.
Barri Gòtic (Gothic Quarter)
If you’ve got a free agenda, comfy shoes, and want to explore ancient streets, head over to the Barri Gòtic.
The Gothic Quarter is full of narrow, medieval-style streets with hidden places you least expect, which Isaac considers beautifully minimalist throughout the area.
Plus, you can find must-see landmarks in the Barri Gòtic, such as the Barcelona Cathedral, Pont del Bisbe, and museums.
After walking, you can walk around and find a restaurant to try gambes a la planxa or eat some vermouth while enjoying the medieval scenery.
El Born
Located in the La Ribera district, El Born is a medieval-era neighborhood that has become one of Barcelona’s most popular areas for tourists.
During the day, El Born is the perfect go-to to get a coffee at fashionable pavement cafés, find Barcelona souvenirs, and shop at high-end boutiques.
At night, El Born transforms into a great place to enjoy dinner or prepare for a night out, with great cocktail bars available all along the neighborhood.
Visiting the El Born market and the Santa María del Mar Church is also a must-do for anyone visiting this medieval-style neighborhood.
Plus, for those wanting a real local experience, Isaac recommends visiting El Born before 9 AM to avoid the crowds.
La Rambla and La Boqueria
La Rambla is a 1.2-kilometer-long boulevard in central Barcelona, running from Plaça de Catalunya to the Christopher Columbus Monument at Port Vell.
All along La Rambla, tourists will find outdoor cafés, street performers, flower stalls, and museums worth a visit if you have some spare time, such as the Barcelona History Museum and the Barcelona Erotic Museum.
La Boqueria market is worth visiting if you’re looking for local food, but it’s usually packed, so try to visit early in the morning. What’s even more important is that Isaac tells us that La Rambla lost its local soul, so it’s better to focus on side streets instead.
Barceloneta Beach
The Barceloneta Beach is by far the most famous urban beach in Barcelona, so it means it easily fills up before you even notice it.
You can visit it early in the morning and walk along the golden-sand beaches before refreshing yourself in the Mediterranean waters.
Once you’re done, you can walk around the beach and find a place to eat, even though it’s advisable to move a bit further as prices here are higher than expected.
Also, if you want to stay the whole day in the Barceloneta, there’s a lot to do, such as playing volleyball, practicing water sports, or exploring sculptures and street art.
Montjuïc Castle and cable car
Located at the top of Montjuïc Hill, the Montjuïc Castle is worth visiting for panoramic views of the city and port.
There are also tickets to enter the castle, so travelers can learn all about its history at the Montjuïc Castle Interpretation Center.
Even though it’s located on a hill, the castle isn’t hard to access. Travelers can get here from the Paral·lel metro station, where the funicular is available, or get the aerial tramway from Port Vell, with both offering breathtaking views of the city.
Isaac recommends visiting the Mossèn Costa i Llobera Gardens, one of Europe’s finest exotic cactus gardens with magnificent sea views.
MNAC (Museu Nacional d’Art de Catalunya)
The Museu Nacional d’Art de Catalunya, located at the foot of Montjuïc, has a vast collection of Catalan art, including pieces more than 1,000 years old, and it’s one of the favorite museums Isaac recommends travelers to visit.
The outdoor area itself is already worth a visit, as the Palau Nacional is a majestic Spanish Renaissance-inspired building that offers a great view from the Avinguda de la Reina Maria Cristina.
Views aside, it offers a beautiful collection of Romanesque paintings and Catalan art, mostly from the late 19th and early 20th centuries, when modernisme and noucentisme were at their peak.
Travel tip: If you’re in Barcelona on the first Sunday of the month, you have free entrance to the museum.
Gràcia neighborhood
The Gràcia neighborhood is home to some of the most impressive Gaudí works, but that’s not the only reason why it’s a local favorite to visit.
With the charming plazas, lively public squares, and narrow streets, it’s a great option to escape from the tourist traps in other parts of the city.
While in Gràcia, you can stop at Plaça del Sol to get a coffee or go to Carrer de Verdi if you’re up for some shopping in independent shops.
Plus, it has special events from time to time, such as the Festa Major de Gràcia, so mark it on your schedule if you’re visiting Barcelona.
Honorable mentions
If you feel like you can still add things to do in Barcelona to your schedule, here are some additional options to consider:
- For football fans, it’s a must to visit the Barcelona Camp Nou Stadium. If you have time, you can add the stadium tour to learn more about the club and its history.
- The El Poblenou neighborhood is worth exploring, with the Rambla de Poblenou being a great spot to eat and drink before heading over to Bogatell or Mar Bella beaches.
- The Palau de la Música Catalana is a great place to explore Lluís Domènech i Montaner’s works, and why not, enjoy a concert if you have some time.
- The Fundació Joan Miró, with over 10,000 artworks, is a must-visit for art buffs in Barcelona.
Free things to do in Barcelona
Visiting Barcelona means you’ll need to spend some money to get into the best places in the city, but you can kinda cut the expenses with some free activities.
Here are free things to do in Barcelona to consider:
- Check out Gaudí’s works from the outside. Sure, you won’t get to see the full work, but checking Park Güell, the Sagrada Família, and Casa Batlló from the outside is totally worth it.
- Spend your day at the beach. For Isaac, Bogatell and Mar Bella are great options for free lounging and are cleaner and less chaotic than the Barceloneta.
- The first Sunday of each month means free entrance to many museums. The Museu Nacional d’Art de Catalunya, Museu d’Història de Barcelona, and Palau Güell are some great examples to consider.
- Head over to the Bunkers del Carmel before sunset and relax there. It’s by far the best sunset spot in all of Barcelona, and it’s worth the walk.
Things to do in Barcelona with kids
If you’re traveling with kids, there are a lot of things to do in Barcelona with kids that include more than going to the Barceloneta beach for a family day.
Here are some options to consider:
- Tibidabo: An amusement park located on a hilltop, with roller coasters, haunted houses, crash cars, and a unique view of Barcelona.
- CosmoCaixa Science Museum: One of the most prestigious science museums in Europe, CosmoCaixa is the perfect place for families with kids to spend a day exploring a wide range of exhibitions, the planetarium, and much more, with Isaac recommending this to all visitors.
- L’Aquàrium de Barcelona: Located close to Barcelona’s port, it’s a great place to explore marine wildlife, have fun with real-sized exhibitions, and try once-in-a-lifetime water activities.
How to eat like a local when visiting Barcelona
No trip to Barcelona is complete without eating like a local.
Your essentials should include pa amb tomàquet, patatas bravas, and crema catalana, which are local favorites that all visitors should try.
When relaxing, try the vermouth culture. It takes place before lunch, and it’s a great time to share some vermouth with ice, a slice of lemon or orange, and some tapas.
Whether it is for relaxing or a night out to eat, Gràcia and El Born are your best options to really experience Barcelona’s food culture like a local.
How to travel between Barcelona’s top sites
Barcelona’s public transportation is pretty easy to use and accessible to all types of travelers.
To use the metro, bus, and trams, you’ll need to get a T-mobilitat card, which offers a variety of travel passes and single-use tickets.
For visitors, the best option is the T-Casual pass, which offers 10 trips with up to 3 free transfers within a 75-minute period, making it ideal for those trying to explore Barcelona as much as possible.
However, you should look at all Barcelona public transport options and see which one fits you most.The
Stay connected in Barcelona with Holafly
If you’re visiting Barcelona, there’s one thing for sure: you’ll need an internet connection.
Whether you need to access your online tickets or use Google Maps to find your next place to eat or check Google reviews on a restaurant in Gràcia, the internet will be your best ally.
For all this, your best option is to use the eSIM for Spain, which gives you unlimited data and 5G data speeds, so you don’t have to worry about losing your path in Barcelona.
Plus, you get the Always On perk, meaning you get 1 GB of backup data by keeping your eSIM installed, so you don’t have to worry about going offline, no matter the situation.
Peace of mind before you fly
Set up your eSIM before travel and get unlimited data on arrival.
FAQs
Gaudí’s works are a must-see for everyone visiting Barcelona, especially the Sagrada Família. Walking along La Rambla, exploring Montjuïc, or shopping in the Gràcia neighborhood are also great ideas.
Yes, but you need to know how to prepare your schedule. To avoid any surprises, book tickets in advance so you can visit as many places as possible in a short time.
Keep a day to explore all of Gaudí’s works, ending with the Sagrada Familía. On day two, walk around Gràcia, Plaça Catalunya, and finish your day drinking vermouth close to the beach. On day three, pick a beach and let your feet relax from all the previous hard work.
Plans that may interest you
I first started my content creation journey as a freelancer in 2019, before connecting with Holafly in 2021. At Holafly, my travel and tech interests come together in one place as I craft high-quality articles about the eSIM and related markets. My content aims to help travelers stay connected, wherever they are.
