THE BEST THINGS TO DO IN BARCELONA
Barcelona is one of the most visited cities in Spain and probably one of the best cities in Europe. I love Barcelona because of its architecture, beaches, the many things to do, nightlife, and more.
Barcelona is famous for La Sagrada Familia, but there are other great spots such as the Gothic Quarter, the Boqueria Market, and some incredible viewpoints.
If you are planning a trip to Europe, make sure to include Barcelona in your itinerary. You will not get bored in this city.
Here are some of the best things to do in Barcelona:
Best Things To Do In Barcelona
Table of Contents
Things to Do in Barcelona
Enjoy La Sagrada Familia
I have to start with the most iconic attraction in Barcelona, La Sagrada Familia. The church’s construction began in 1882 and has not been completed. It has been in construction for over 250 years, and the goal is to complete it by 2026.
When I saw pictures of it, it didn’t seem as beautiful. But once I had it in front of me, I was in awe! The intricate detail of the design is incredible. I loved it both inside and out. On the outside, it has fantasy-like features. On the inside, the stained glass windows blew my mind. It is one of the most beautiful churches I’ve set foot in.
The church is very popular, so avoiding the crowds is hard. However, I went around sunset, and the sun rays were streaming through the stained glass windows. I highly recommend seeing it at this time because it’s so beautiful. Make sure to book in advance because sometimes entrances sell out weeks before.
Eat Your Way Around Boqueria Market
I love visiting local markets to experience local food while traveling. One of my favorite markets I’ve visited is Boqueria Market in Barcelona, also named Mercat de Sant Josep de la Boqueria. It is the perfect place to grab a delicious bite at a cheaper price. I went back to this market several times because I enjoyed it so much. My favorite thing to drink was the exotic fruit smoothies!
Visit The Guell Palace
One of the best-known architects in Barcelona is Antoni Gaudi. His work is creative and almost fantasy-like. All around Barcelona, you can find several buildings designed by him. Guell Palace is one of them. You can tour Guell Palace, and you get amazing views of the city from it.
Stroll Through Park Guell
On that note, if you don’t want to pay the entrance fee to Guell Palace, you can hang out at Park Guell. Although you won’t be able to see the palace, you can at least admire the views of the city from here. Park Guel is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The colorful tiled benches attract people to this park. You can also tour the Gaudi House Museum, where Antoni Gaudi lived from 1906 to 1926. Surprisingly, this house wasn’t built by him.
Admire Casa Mila & Casa Batllo
Two other buildings designed by Antoni Gaudi are Casa Mila and Casa Batllo. Both can be toured and are beautiful inside and out. Gaudi lived in Casa Mila from 1906 to 1912. Then, casa Batllo was built in 1877 but redesigned by Gaudi in 1903. It is also open to the public for touring inside.
Stroll The Gothic Quarter
The Gothic Quarter is a great spot to wander around in the city. You can find the Cathedral de Barcelona, restaurants, the Historic Museum of Barcelona, and more. It’s also one of those great places to people watch as you drink a coffee at the plaza.
Stroll Through Las Ramblas
This touristy area of the city has souvenir shops, street performers, and a few attractions to visit. It is one of the most popular streets in Barcelona and therefore it has many restaurants where you can grab some food, although the prices may be a bit higher. However, you can still experience Las Ramblas by walking around and then heading out to eat at La Boqueria Market for some cheap eats. It is an excellent spot for accommodation too.
Head to The Beach
Besides being a beautiful and fun city, Barcelona is a great place to dip your toes in the sand and go for a swim in the Mediterranean sea. Beachgoers can play volleyball, lay on the sand for a tan, or just hang out and have a picnic.
Ride the Teleferico del Puerto and Visit Montjuic Castle
Teleférico del Puerto is a cable car that sits on the slopes of Castle Montjuic. When riding it, it can take you directly to the beach or vice versa. Although I did ride the cable car, I didn’t visit Montjuic Castle. However, it is one of the popular destinations in Barcelona that seems beautiful to explore.
Eat Tapas
Spain is famous for tapas, which are snacks of small plates of food. Really, it can be any type of food such as sausage, and pieces of chicken, or cheese, sweet potatoes, slow-cooked beef, and more. My best experience with tapas is the tapas bars, which are precisely that, a bar of snacks.
Watch the Sunset at Bunkers El Carmen
One of my favorite spots in the city for incredible views and to witness the sunset is Bunkers del Carmel. These old underground military bunkers used to serve the city. Now, it’s a place where locals hang out for the views and to have a few beers. Unfortunately, this place gets busy, so make sure to arrive early with your drinks and snacks so you can grab a spot. But, despite the crowds, it’s worth visiting.
Experience the Nightlife
One of the best places to experience the nightlife in Europe is Barcelona. Here, the party goes until the first morning hours. After that, you can party at the clubs by the beach and sometimes on the beach itself. There are huge nightclubs that cater to tourists, but some smaller local nightclubs are just as fun and cheaper. One of my favorite nights was salsa dancing at a small local bar.
Where To Stay
I highly recommend staying in the Hostel One chains if you are backpacking through Europe. They have the most lively and social atmosphere. Instead of giving free breakfast, they have free dinner followed by social games. This is how I made friends throughout my backpacking trip in Europe. In Barcelona, they have two. I stayed at Hostel One Ramblas, which was in a great city area.
The most popular city areas to stay in are the Gothic Quarter and Ramblas. The Gothic Quarter is a historical center with medieval streets, and most touristy spots are within 20 minutes walking. La Rambla is another touristy spot that’s more pedestrian-friendly. It’s a hip neighborhood with museums and other tourist spots. If you prefer to be by the beach, you can stay in the Barceloneta area. It’s only a short walk from Ramblas neighborhood.
Best Time to Visit Barcelona
The best time to visit Barcelona is in the early summer, May and June. The temperature is about 21C (70F). It won’t be too humid, and you can enjoy the beaches. The summer is also a great time to visit, but many more tourists will be there from June to August, and the prices will be higher.
March to May and September to October are shoulder seasons, and the weather will be pleasant. The low season is from November to February and is excellent for budget travel. However, the weather will be a bit cold.
What to Pack For Barcelona
Travel Booking Resources
Book Your Flight:
To find cheap flights, check Skyscanner and Google Flights. These search engines check airlines to find you the best deals. The more flexibility you have, the better flight deals available.
Book Your Accommodation:
Booking.com is my favorite booking site for hotels but it also shows great deals on hostels and apartments. Plus, when you reach Genius Level, you get special discounts, included breakfasts, and upgrades on some hotel rooms. Hostelworld is specifically for budget travelers who enjoy hostels. This is the best place for finding great options.
Don’t Forget Travel Insurance and Visa Applications:
Travel insurance will protect you against theft, injury, illness, and cancellations. Sometimes unexpected things happen during a trip and protections will keep you covered. Two great options are: Safety Wing and World Nomads. Also, iVisa can help you get a visa if you need one.
Book Tours:
Sometimes the best way to see a place is through tours. I recommend checking out Get Your Guide for some fun and unique adventures wherever you go.
Check out my other travel resources to help you book your trip!
Disclaimer: Some of the links on this page are affiliate links. This means that if you click on a link and purchase a product, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you. Please note I only recommend products and brands that I personally use or have used and believe in.
