Favorite things to do in Barcelona
Barcelona is for sure one of my favorite cities. Some of my family lives there and I try to visit as much as I can.
I want to share with you my list of favorite things to do in Barcelona; (some must see and other hot local spots).
Sagrada Familia is one of the most famous landmarks of this city, a monumental church based on the plans of the architect Francisco de Paula del Villar. He abandoned the project in 1883 and Antoni Gaudi was commissioned to continue with it. It has been under construction for 135 years and is not yet finished; an ongoing piece of art. It is hoped to be completed in 2026, the centennial of Gaudí’s death.
Visiting Sagrada Familia is definitely a must and it is no wonder that thousands of people choose to do so, over 3 million people visit the famous temple every year. It is vying for the title of most popular tourist attraction in the world.
Each of the 18 towers of the finished design will represent a figure from the Bible; with the largest tower dedicated to Jesus Christ. A great place to get a panoramic photo of the city; or to admire the beautiful organic forms, as Gaudí took his inspiration from the nature.
Gràcia is a relaxed district of the city of Barcelona. The area is usually walked by artists and a generally bohemian crowd.
It is well-known for its festival (held for 5 days in August) with creative street decorations and colourful displays. Each street in the neighbourhood choose a theme and compete to win the prize of being the best decorated street; (and believe me, they take the competition very seriously). The best part, IT IS FREE!
You can expect to have a great time, with incredible food, drinks, live music and a variety of different events.
Las Ramblas is one of the most touristic streets in the whole city, an attraction on its own. It is the central boulevard which cuts through the heart of the city centre. It’s filled with live performances, human statue art, artists and my favorite, the Boqueria Market.
Although Barcelona is a safe place, I recommend to keep an eye open if you are going to be walking around The Ramblas at night. Some pickpockets and scam artists like to surround this area to take advantage of the tourists.
La Boqueria Market has everything you could possibly imagine for a delicious mediterranean meal. The Mercat de Sant Josep (better known as La boqueria) is the largest market in Barcelona, (also the largest in Europe). Is also one of the city’s foremost tourist landmarks, with an entrance from La Rambla.
This market is a feast to your senses, with the numerous smells and a rainbow of colors that cover every stand. You can find foods of all varieties and nationalities here. (The fresh oysters are my favorites for sure)
The Boqueria Food Market is a must-see during a trip to Barcelona. Delight yourself with the freshest food the city has to offer!
La Boqueria Market
Rambla, 91
08001 Barcelona, España.
Passeig de Gràcia is one of the most famous boulevards in Barcelona, containing several restaurants, bars and remarkable architecture (Like Casa Batlló, Casa Amatller, Casa Milà in between others). It links the Plaça Catalunya with the district of Gràcia.
The Passeig de Gracià is also known for being the heart of designer shopping in Barcelona. It is a good place to eat and drink on the evening, full of locals having fun.
El Barrio Gotico, a trendy district full of little vibey bars, cool restaurants and drinking caves. Its narrow and medieval streets make up the ideal scenario to enjoy the center of the city without haste, delighting in the remains that are preserved from the city’s glorious past.
The Gothic Quarter of Barcelona has many tourist attractions like the Santa Eulalia Cathedral (a famous example of Catalan Gothic architecture), The Plaza Sant Jaume (the place where the Town Hall and the Palace of the Generalitat of Catalonia are located), and The Museum of the history of the city, in between others.
Created in 1900, Park Guell is one of the major works of Gaudí in Barcelona and one of the most beautiful icons of the city, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
A enormous park system composed of gardens and stunning architectonic elements, is another of Barcelona’s must-seen.
Soccer is, for sure, one of the main attractions of Barcelona, for both locals and tourists. A soccer game at the Camp Nou (The largest soccer stadium in Europe, with a seating capacity of 100,000) is an unforgettable experience, even if you’re not a sports fan.
Today, in addition to catching a game, guests can tour the stadium and visit the Museum on the Camp Nou. Tickets cost 23 Euro and include a walk on the field.
Montjuic is a hill overlooking the Barcelona harbour. Located in the Plaza de España, it will offer all kind of options to enjoy Barcelona.
You can enjoy the incredible views of Barcelona from the cable car, right next to the funicular Station (a € 10.80 ride that is totally worth it). It takes you to the Montjuic Castle, at the top of the mountain, with exhibitions about the Castle’s history and breathtaking views of the Barcelona harbour
The cemetery of Montjuïc: This cemetery was built on the rocky walls of Montjuïc, in the mid-nineteenth century, due to the lack of space in the old cemetery of Poblenou. Walking around you will find the most famous tombstones of Catalonia, such as the Catalan president Lluís Companys, the painter Joan Miró, writer Santiago Rusiñol or the first president of FC Barcelona Joan Gamper.
Olympic Stadium of Montjuïc: The Lluís Companys Olympic Stadium was originally built in 1929 and was the main stadium for the Olympic Games in 1992. It also has the museum.
The Magic Fountain: Near the Plaça d’Espanya and below the Palau Nacional , you can find one of the most visited attractions of Montjuïc. Built in 1929 by Carles Buïgas, this monumental fountain has crazy water and light games that are accompanied by music. I recommend that you inform yourself about their schedules, since they change their performances.
A historical garden in the Horta-Guinardó district and the oldest of its kind in the city. A perfect harmony of architecture and nature.
Along the route through the enclosure, you will find all kinds of flora. In the so-called garden of love there is also a plantation of agapanthus, known as the flower of love.
Undoubtedly, the Horta labyrinth is an excellent option to escape from the madding crowd of the city.
Although Barcelona’s beaches get pretty crowded when the weather is good, there’s a reason for it, all Barcelona beaches have the European blue flag of excellence awarded for water quality and services.
La Barceloneta is the oldest and most famous of the beaches of Barcelona, it was remodeled just before the 1992 Olympic Games.
In addition to swimming and relaxing under the spanish sun, there are many other things to do. Windsurfing and kite surfing are very popular, or you can enjoy a refreshing drink in one of the cabins on the beach.
Dining and Nightlife
Aside from the touristic places I have mentioned, I would like to give you a short list of my favorites places to dine & party:
El Nacional: Located on a small alley off the Passeig de Gracià, El Nacional contains four restaurants (meat, fish, tapas and rice dishes and a fast-food delicatessen), four bars (beer, wine, oysters and cocktails) and a private lounge. Located in an emblematic building of 1889 (a former garage), the building has been transformed with a stunning interior that will take your breath away.
Cerveceria Catalana: A classic of tapas in Barcelona, a bar for tourists and locals. Although the prices are not cheap, it is always crowded.
Vinitus: Delicious, fresh and typical Mediterranean dishes. The menu is always a surprises as it changes according to the seasonality, adding an extra to the experience.
Sushi Shop: The best sushi I had in my life!. They offer a wide variety of rolls (my favorite is a lettuce roll with mint inside) and a good service.
Nightlife: Barcelona has a well-deserved reputation for having some of the best nightlife in Europe (although is not cheap), with a little bit of something for all tastes. Gracia is great to go bar hopping with its artsy and bohemian vibe. La Rambla has several amazing locations for grabbing a midnight drink and partying hard at a nightclub. El Barrio Gotico exudes a different kind of vibe with a lot of irish pubs and drinking caves.
Favorite things to do in Barcelona
Barcelona is for sure one of my favorite cities. Some of my family lives there and I try to visit as much as I can.
I want to share with you my list of favorite things to do in Barcelona; (some must see and other hot local spots).
Sagrada Familia is one of the most famous landmarks of this city, a monumental church based on the plans of the architect Francisco de Paula del Villar. He abandoned the project in 1883 and Antoni Gaudi was commissioned to continue with it. It has been under construction for 135 years and is not yet finished; an ongoing piece of art. It is hoped to be completed in 2026, the centennial of Gaudí’s death.
Visiting Sagrada Familia is definitely a must and it is no wonder that thousands of people choose to do so, over 3 million people visit the famous temple every year. It is vying for the title of most popular tourist attraction in the world.
Each of the 18 towers of the finished design will represent a figure from the Bible; with the largest tower dedicated to Jesus Christ. A great place to get a panoramic photo of the city or to admire the beautiful organic forms, as Gaudí took his inspiration from the nature.
Gràcia is a relaxed district of the city of Barcelona. The area is usually walked by artists and a generally bohemian crowd.
It is famous for its festival (held for 5 days in August) with creative street decorations and colourful displays. Each street in the neighbourhood choose a theme and compete to win the prize of being the best decorated street; (and believe me, they take the competition very seriously). The best part, IT IS FREE!
You can expect to have a great time, with incredible food, drinks, live music and a variety of different events.
Las Ramblas is one of the most touristic streets in the whole city, an attraction on its own. It is the central boulevard which cuts through the heart of the city centre. It’s filled with live performances, human statue art, artists and my favorite, the Boqueria Market.
Although Barcelona is a safe place, I recommend to keep an eye open if you are going to be walking around The Ramblas at night. Some pickpockets and scam artists like to surround this area to take advantage of the tourists.
La Boqueria Market has everything you could possibly imagine for a delicious mediterranean meal. The Mercat de Sant Josep (better known as La boqueria) is the largest market in Barcelona, (also the largest in Europe), and one of the city’s foremost tourist landmarks, with an entrance from La Rambla.
This market is a feast to your senses, with the numerous smells and a rainbow of colors that cover every stand. You can find foods of all varieties and nationalities here. (The fresh oysters are my favorites for sure)
The Boqueria Food Market is a must-see during a trip to Barcelona. Delight yourself with the freshest food the city has to offer!
La Boqueria Market
Rambla, 91
08001 Barcelona, España.
Passeig de Gràcia is one of the most famous boulevards in Barcelona, containing several restaurants, bars and remarkable architecture (Like Casa Batlló, Casa Amatller, Casa Milà in between others). It links the Plaça Catalunya with the district of Gràcia.
The Passeig de Gracià is also known for being the heart of designer shopping in Barcelona and a good place to eat and drink on the evening, full of locals having fun.
El Barrio Gotico, a trendy district full of little vibey bars, cool restaurants and drinking caves. Its narrow and medieval streets make up the ideal scenario to enjoy the center of the city without haste, delighting in the remains that are preserved from the city’s glorious past.
The Gothic Quarter of Barcelona has many tourist attractions like the Santa Eulalia Cathedral (a famous example of Catalan Gothic architecture), The Plaza Sant Jaume (the place where the Town Hall and the Palace of the Generalitat of Catalonia are located), and The Museum of the history of the city, in between others.
Created in 1900, Park Guell is one of the major works of Gaudí in Barcelona and one of the most beautiful icons of the city, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
A enormous park system composed of gardens and stunning architectonic elements, is another of Barcelona’s must-seen.
Soccer is, for sure, one of the main attractions of Barcelona, for both locals and tourists. A soccer game at the Camp Nou (The largest soccer stadium in Europe, with a seating capacity of 100,000) is an unforgettable experience, even if you’re not a sports fan.
Today, in addition to catching a game, guests can tour the stadium and visit the Museum on the Camp Nou. Tickets cost 23 Euro and include a walk on the field.
Montjuic is a hill overlooking the Barcelona harbour. Located in the Plaza de España, it will offer all kind of options to enjoy Barcelona.
You can enjoy the incredible views of Barcelona from the cable car, right next to the funicular Station (a € 10.80 ride that is totally worth it). It takes you to the Montjuic Castle, at the top of the mountain, with exhibitions about the Castle’s history and breathtaking views of the Barcelona harbour
The cemetery of Montjuïc: This cemetery was built on the rocky walls of Montjuïc, in the mid-nineteenth century, due to the lack of space in the old cemetery of Poblenou. Walking around you will find the most famous tombstones of Catalonia, such as the Catalan president Lluís Companys, the painter Joan Miró, writer Santiago Rusiñol or the first president of FC Barcelona Joan Gamper.
Olympic Stadium of Montjuïc: The Lluís Companys Olympic Stadium was originally built in 1929 and was the main stadium for the Olympic Games in 1992. It also has the museum.
The Magic Fountain: Near the Plaça d’Espanya and below the Palau Nacional , you can find one of the most visited attractions of Montjuïc. Built in 1929 by Carles Buïgas, this monumental fountain has crazy water and light games that are accompanied by music. I recommend that you inform yourself about their schedules, since they change their performances.
A historical garden in the Horta-Guinardó district and the oldest of its kind in the city. A perfect harmony of architecture and nature.
Along the route through the enclosure, you will find all kinds of flora. In the so-called garden of love there is also a plantation of agapanthus, known as the flower of love.
Undoubtedly, the Horta labyrinth is an excellent option to escape from the madding crowd of the city.
Although Barcelona’s beaches get pretty crowded when the weather is good, there’s a reason for it, all Barcelona beaches have the European blue flag of excellence awarded for water quality and services.
La Barceloneta is the oldest and most famous of the beaches of Barcelona, it was remodeled just before the 1992 Olympic Games.
In addition to swimming and relaxing under the spanish sun, there are many other things to do. Windsurfing and kite surfing are very popular, or you can enjoy a refreshing drink in one of the cabins on the beach.
Dining and Nightlife
Aside from the touristic places I have mentioned, I would like to give you a short list of my favorites places to dine & party:
El Nacional: Located on a small alley off the Passeig de Gracià, El Nacional contains four restaurants (meat, fish, tapas and rice dishes and a fast-food delicatessen), four bars (beer, wine, oysters and cocktails) and a private lounge. Located in an emblematic building of 1889 (a former garage), the building has been transformed with a stunning interior that will take your breath away.
Cerveceria Catalana: A classic of tapas in Barcelona, a bar for tourists and locals. Although the prices are not cheap, it is always crowded.
Vinitus: Delicious, fresh and typical Mediterranean dishes. The menu is always a surprises as it changes according to the seasonality, adding an extra to the experience.
Sushi Shop: The best sushi I had in my life!. They offer a wide variety of rolls (my favorite is a lettuce roll with mint inside) and a good service.
Nightlife: Barcelona has a well-deserved reputation for having some of the best nightlife in Europe (although is not cheap), with a little bit of something for all tastes. Gracia is great to go bar hopping with its artsy and bohemian vibe. La Rambla has several amazing locations for grabbing a midnight drink and partying hard at a nightclub. El Barrio Gotico exudes a different kind of vibe with a lot of irish pubs and drinking caves.
Big thanks to Matt from Hostel Geeks for helping me with the pictures!
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