Top 10 Things to Do in Barcelona

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Barcelona is the largest city and capital of the autonomous community, Catalonia, and the second largest city in Spain only behind Madrid. Originally, the Romans founded the city. However, the city has had many rulers including the Spanish Moors and Spanish Royal family. As such, the city has a rich economic and cultural heritage. Today, Barcelona is one of the biggest tourist destinations in Europe and the entire world. With that in mind, check out the top 10 things to do in Barcelona below.

#10. Gaudí’s Sagrada Família

Construction of the Sagrada Família began in 1882, under architect Francisco de Paula del Villar. However, Gaudí took over the project in 1883. His style, a mix of Gothic and Art Nouveau, distinguishes this Roman Catholic church. Despite being started over 130 years ago, Sagrada Família is still not finished. In fact, they do not predict it being finished until at least 2026. This is mainly due to it being built with money from private donations.^[1]Sagrada Família – History of the temple

However, don’t let its unfinished look scare you away, this place is one of the best things to do in Barcelona. In fact, the parts designed by Gaudí are UNESCO World Heritage sites. They are a testiment “to Gaudí’s exceptional creative contribution to the development of architecture and building technology”, “having represented el Modernisme of Catalonia” and “anticipated and influenced many of the forms and techniques that were relevant to the development of modern construction in the 20th century”.^[2]UNESCO – Works of Antoni Gaudí While there are many people who love this piece of architecture, there are also many who criticize it. However, due to its unique look, everyone is still talking about it.

#9. Stroll Along Barcelona’s Beaches

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It is impossible to visit Barcelona without visiting its beaches. In fact, it is one of the main things to do in Barcelona. The beaches stretch for miles (around 2.79 miles). If you were to leisurely walk the whole length and take in the sites along the way, it would take you hours. However, it would also give you a great insight into Barcelona. Also consider running along the Barcelona beach as well.

Consider starting at the beaches on the west side, such as Sant Sebastià. While this is definitely a more touristy area, it also has a lot of cool shops and bars with outdoor seating. From there, continue along the beach front towards the Olympic Port. This area is great because it is more wide open and filled with Barcelona locals. Lastly, as you continue along the beach board walk, head into the formerly industrial district of the city which now is accentuated with the Diagonal Mar mall.^[3]The Crazy Tourist – 15 Best Thing to Do in Barcelona (Spain)

#8. Camp Nou – the Church of Football

One of the best things to do in Barcelona is visit Camp Nou, the 99,000 seat stadium that is home to the soccer team FC Barcelona.^[4]Get Your Guide – Camp Nou Experience: F.C. Barcelona Museum and Tour Even if you aren’t a fan of the sport, you should visit the stadium. Its grand size is like a cathedral to European football. If you are a fan of football, or of FC Barcelona, then Camp Nou is one of the must visit Barcelona tourist attractions. In addition to getting a tour of the stadium, you can also see the museum with team memorabilia.

Just make sure to check ahead of time for tour schedules as the stadium tour is not available on days where there is a soccer match.

#7. Barri Gòtic, the Gothic Quarter

The Barri Gòtic is the oldest area of Barcelona. However, don’t let that fool you. It is also the liveliest area in the city and one of the best things to do in Barcelona. There is a lot to do in Barcelona’s Gothic Quarter. The district has many examples of beautiful Roman and Medieval architecture to explore. In addition, that are a lot of restaurants, shops, cares, clubs, and bars that you can find along the narrow streets and sunny plazas.^[5]U.S. News – Barri Gòtic (Gothic Quarter)

A few notable plazas to visit include Plaça de la Catedral, Plaça Reial, Plaça Sant Felip Neri, Plaça Reial and Plaça Sant Jaume. However, consider not taking a map with you. The area is not that big. In fact, due to its labyrinthine street design, small streets, numerous plazas, and lack of motor traffic, it is a great area to explore on foot. You are bound to find most of these places anyways while wandering around.

#6. Walking Along Las Ramblas

One of the things to do in Barcelona is visit Las Ramblas. This road is an approximately 1 mile pedestrian street right in the middle of Barcelona.^[6]U.S. News – Las Ramblas What originally made this street so different was its wide size. Previously, most of the city streets in Barcelona were quite narrow making it difficult to congregate. However, Las Ramblas’ wide size made it very easy for large groups of people to get together. Needless to say, the area quickly became a go to meeting spot.

While today it is one of the main tourist destinations in the city, don’t let that keep you from visiting. During the day, you can do all the tourist things such as checking out souvenirs, watching street performers, and getting some local snacks. At night, when the locals come out, you can join them in the areas bars and clubs for a fun night out.

#5. Checking Out the Museu Picasso (Picasso Museum)

Most people think of Gaudí when they think about Barcelona and the famous arts. However, Pablo Picasso also called this city home. So much so that he chose the city to be the home of his Picasso Museum.^[7]U.S. News – Museu Picasso (Picasso Museum) This museum is one of the best things to do in Barcelona.

While you may be familiar with Picasso’s cubist style of art, the museum displays a timeline of his work. You can see how Picasso’s artistic style changed over time from a more controlled form to the more artistic style that he is so famous for. However, when visiting the museum, make sure to set aside enough time. The museum houses several thousand pieces of his work. Some of the most famous pieces include some of his earilier works, The First Communion (1896), and Science and Charity (1897).

#4. Eating at La Boqueria

One of the things to do in Barcelona is visit La Boqueria, one of the most famous food markets in the whole world. More than 45,000 people visit this food heaven every day. All you have to do is check out the food to understand why. There are countless stalls selling the area’s best charcuterie, cheese, seafood, and produce. While the area has started to adapt to the taste of foreign tourists, there are still plenty of shops, such as Pinotxo, you can visit to still get an authentic taste of Barcelona. When you are there consider trying some true local dishes such as cigrons amb botifarra negre (stewed chickpeas with black pudding) and calamarcets amb mongetes (tender baby squid and white beans).^[8]Fodors – 25 Ultimate Thing to Do in Barcelona

#3. Park Güell – One of the Things to Do in Barcelona

One of the things to do in Barcelona is visit Park Güell. The famous artist Gaudí created this UNESCO listed park. The park stands testament to Gaudí’s artisit vision and inspiration in natural forms. In fact, he was so successful at designing natural forms into his artwork, that sometimes, his artificial art almost looks more alive then the natural environment around it.

This park is extremely popular. In fact, around 4 million people visit it every year.^[9]lonely planet – Park Güell However, there is limited access to people at a time. Therefore, it is smart to plan ahead and book online before visiting. When in the park, make sure to check out Centre d’Interpretaciò, Sala Hipóstila, Banc de Trencadís, and Turó del Calvari.

#2. Museu Nacional d’Art de Catalunya

One of the coolest things to do in Barcelona is visit the Museu Nacional d’Art de Catalunya. The museum is home to a large collection of Catalan art from the Middle Ages to the early 1900s. As such, the museum is one of the main symbols of the region’s Catalan separatist identity. However, ironically, the museum was constructed during the rule of the dictator Miguel Primo de Rivera.^[10]lonely planet – Museu Nacional d’Art de Catalunya

One of the main highlights of the museum is its 21 piece Romanesque art collection. In fact, historians consider this collection to be one of the most important collections of early medieval art in the entire world. The artworks come from old neglected churches in the countryside of northern Catalonia.

#1. The Magic Fountain of Montjuic music and light show

The Font Mágica Fountain is one of the main things to do in Barcelona. You have definitely never seen a light, music, and water show like this one before.

The city originally built the fountain for the 1929 World Fair in Barcelona.^[11]Barcelona yellow – Top 10 Tourist attractions Barcelona Today, it is one of the main Barcelona tourist attractions. In fact, around 2.5 million people visit it each year. The fountain has shows all year long. However, depending on the season they are at different times and frequencies. In the winter, there are only shows in the evenings on Fridays and Saturdays. However, in the summer, the fountain has evening shows from Thursday to Sunday. One of the great things about the show is that it is completely free to see.