Do you want to travel to Barcelona? It's a great idea! This great city offers great architecture and unique corners where you will live a unique experience. Visit the cathedral, the beach and the wonderful gardens. At ForBarcelonaLovers we have created a list with all the thingsto see and activities to do in Barcelona that will make your visit unique. You will love it!
What to see in Barcelona
Barcelona, the cosmopolitan capital of the Catalonia region, is known for its art and architecture. The fantastic Sagrada Familia church and other modernist landmarks designed by Antoni Gaudi adorn the city. The Picasso Museum and the Joan MirĂł Foundation showcase the modern art of the artists that gave birth to their names. Its Gothic quarter bathes the city in a unique essence.
Below we have created a list of the best things to see in Barcelona and everything you can't miss during your stay in this wonderful city.
Sagrada FamĂlia Basilica
The SagradaFamilia is a Catholic basilica in Barcelona, designed by the architect Antoni Gaudi. Started in 1882, it is still under construction. It is Gaudi's masterpiece, and the greatest exponent of Catalan modernist architecture. The Basilica of the Sagrada Familia has become the symbol of Barcelona and a visit is a must. Since there is always a long queue to visit it, you can buy tickets online to avoid wasting time waiting.
Park GĂĽell
Park GĂĽell is a public park with gardens and architectural elements located in the upper part of the city of Barcelona, in the foothills of the Collserola mountain range. The park is located on the southern slope of Mount Carmel. It is a park by the famous Catalan architect Antoni GaudĂ and is an area where you will feel like you are in a completely different world. It is definitely one of the things to see in Barcelona.
La Pedrera-Casa MilĂ
The Casa MilĂ , popularly called "La Pedrera", is a modernist building designed by the architect Antoni GaudĂ, built between 1906 and 1910 in the Eixample district of Barcelona, at number 92 of Passeig de GrĂ cia. It has a unique architecture and is beautiful, both inside and out. The cost of the general ticket is 22€ (and 12€ if you live in Catalonia). The ticket price for children from 7 to 12 years old is 11 ¤, and 6 ¤ if you live in Catalonia.
BatllĂł House
Casa BatllĂł is a building designed by the architect Antoni GaudĂ, the greatest representative of Catalan modernism. It is a complete remodeling of a previously existing building on the site, the work of Emilio Sala CortĂ©s. Theentrance fee is 24.5 euros for standard adults.
Barcelona Cathedral
The magnificent Gothic Cathedral of Barcelona began to be built on May 1, 1298, over the previous Romanesque temple. La Seo de Barcelona is very beautiful and well-kept. The Lord Canons - the priests in charge of looking after it - ensure that the worship is well cared for and that the faithful and visitors can feel at home. This Cathedral is another of the places to see in Barcelona.
Montjuic
Montjuic or Montjuich isa mountain in Barcelona, with a height of 177 meters above sea level, which houses a neighborhood of the same name, in the district of Sants-Montjuic. You can see the Mnac (National Art Museum of Catalonia), the Greek theatre, the castle of Montjuic and a thousand other things. Get lost in this mountain and discover amazing places.
Gothic Quarter
image source: la Rambla
The Gothic Quarter is a charming district with narrow medieval alleys lined with trendy bars, pubs and Catalan restaurants. The Museu d'Història de Barcelona displays remains of the Roman city. Craftsmen sell leather goods and jewellery around Barcelona Cathedral and flower and food stalls crowd the busy Rambla. An art market is held every weekend in the Plaça del Pi, named after the Gothic church attached to it.
Barceloneta Beach
source image: Hoteles.net
Barceloneta beach is the oldest and most famous of Barcelona's beaches. It was remodeled just before the 1992 Olympic Games. It is located in the district of La Barceloneta and has a very special charm and energy.
Ciutadella Park
This wonderful park is thegreen lung of the center of Barcelona. In addition to strolling through it, it is advisable to take some food and improvise a picnic under one of its trees. You can even go to the impressive Monumental Waterfall, or the Castle of the Three Dragons. You can also rent a boat and go for a ride on the small pond. But beware of the geese that inhabit it!
In addition, we always recommend a visit to the Umbráculo del parque, a beautiful greenhouse that will transport you to the jungle.
Born neighbourhood
source image: Barcelona Secreta
The Born neighborhood is one of themost bohemian neighborhoodsof the city. It is another of the places to see in Barcelona. It's a place to walk around and, if you visit it, you can't miss the Basilica of Santa Maria del Mar which represents one of the best examples of Catalan Gothic.
Keep going up and strolling through its streets until you reach the Palau de la Música, which has a beautiful façade.
La Rambla
Who goes to Barcelona and doesn't visit La Rambla? Nobody! It is one of the main and most central streets of the city. Go for a walk along it, start at Plaza Cataluña and go down to Colón. You'll find lots of shops, mimes, street artists, flower stalls and lots and lots of atmosphere along the way.
Passeig de Gracia
image source: OK Apartment Barcelona
Passeig de Gracia is the most exclusive street in Barcelona, where the most expensive and exclusive shops are concentrated. In addition to shopping with your eyes, you can enjoy the facades of some of Barcelona's most famous modernist buildings such as Casa BatllĂł and La Pedrera .
Pueblo Español de Montjuic
The Pueblo Español was built for the 1929 International Exhibition. It is one of the most unique places to visit in Barcelona, a space of 49,000 square meters located in the area of Montjuic.
In the Pueblo Español 117 buildings, streets and squares are reproduced representing the most beautiful corners of some villages of the Spanish geography. The entrance fee for adults is 6€.
What to do in Barcelona
So far we have explained what you can see in this wonderful destination and its surroundings in terms of tourism and culture. If you are more adventurous and want to live unique experiences, don't worry, Barcelona is the perfect place.
- Stroll along La Rambla and Plaza Real: Nowadays, strolling along La Rambla depending on the time of day offers a different scenery. Don't miss a stroll through the Plaza Real and the adjacent streets.
- Go up to see the wonderful views of the Bunkers: Today, the views from the bunkers of Carmel have become one of the best free experiences we can do in Barcelona.
- Stroll through the Ciutadella Park: A few steps from the Born and Barceloneta neighborhoods, the Ciutadella has the best vibes of the city with a festive atmosphere with families celebrating birthdays, young people juggling, sports and relaxing walks. It is undoubtedly one of the best things to do in Barcelona.
- Discover the Labyrinth of Horta: The Labyrinth of Horta is one of the most beautiful and original gardens in Barcelona. Located in the northern part of the city you will find several romantic gardens where you can stroll and a fun hedge maze.
- Take a dip at the beach: From Barceloneta to the Forum there are about 6 kilometers of beach with a very decent level for swimming. If you travel in summer, it's one of the things to do in Barcelona.
- Magic Fountain of Montjuic: Free plan at night? See the famous music, water and light show at the Magic Fountain of Montjuic.
- Freemuseums: If you happen to be in Barcelona on the first Sunday of the month you're in luck: there are museums with free admission. Some examples are: the MNAC, the Picasso Museum, the Maritime Museum and the Museum of the History of Catalonia.
- Walk along the promenade: If you're more of a walker than a swimmer, you should go down to the beach and walk along the promenade.
- Sant Antoni Market: A few meters walk from the Rambla and Paralelo, Sant Antoni is full of energy, modernity and the latest trends in hipsterism, which is a return to the origins but cooler and more expensive.
- Second-hand shops in the Raval: If you decide to visit the Raval you can't miss Carrer dels Tallers, where there is a wide variety of second-hand shops with a unique charm and essence.
- Walk through the Boqueria market: La Boqueria will surprise you with its colorful, with the spectacular variety of goods from all continents, with stops to eat and the atmosphere that permeates.
- Find some treasure in Los Encants: Los Encants is a market that is organized in streets where you can find everything from antique shops or bicycles to DIY stalls, and a ground floor, the square, where the auction and sale of unique pieces takes place.
- Visit CosmoCaixa: The Science Museum of Barcelona. CosmoCaixa is the result of the remodelling of the Museu de la Ciència de Barcelona. In the Flooded Forest there is an endearing inhabitant, the capybara, the largest rodent in the world. Find it!
- Have fun like a child in Tibidabo: Tibidabo Park is the highest peak of the Sierra de Collserola. It is an amusement park that also enjoys breathtaking views of the whole city.
Where to sleep in Barcelona
Choosing a good area to stay in Barcelona is essential to make your visit to this city a unique experience. It is highly recommended that you carefully consider the peculiarities of each place, as each area of Barcelona is very different from each other. Below we recommend some areas and hotels in Barcelona.
- Plaza Cataluña: Plaza Cataluña is the center of Barcelona. It is a large square that serves as a meeting point for many people. The most recommended hotels in this area are: (£) Ohla Barcelona, (£) Iberostar Selection Paseo de Gracia 4 Sup, (£) Hotel Ginebra.
- Las Ramblas: Las Ramblas which connects Plaza Cataluña with the old port, is a large pedestrian and very commercial boulevard full of shops, boutiques, bars restaurants, hotels and even some nightclubs. The best hotels to stay in this area are: (€€€) Hotel Bagués, (€€€€) Hotel 1898 and May Ramblas Hotel.
- Gothic Quarter: The Gothic Quarter of Barcelona is one of the largest and best preserved medieval areas in Europe. It is the oldest part of the city, and a labyrinth of medieval courtyards, narrow streets, and hidden squares, and where the Cathedral is located. Recommended hotels: Grand Hotel Central, Catalonia Catedral and Cuatro Naciones.
- El Born: El Born is a very popular area next to the Gothic Quarter. It is one of the most bohemian and fashionable neighbourhoods in Barcelona. With its designer shops, it is a safe bet to go out for dinner or a drink. The most recommended accommodations are: Hotel The Serras and H10 Port Vell 4* Sup.
- La Barceloneta: Today Barceloneta is an up-and-coming neighbourhood where you can stroll around without any problems, and where many new cafés, bars and restaurants have been set up. The most recommended hotels are: W Barcelona and Duquesa Suites Barcelona.
Practical information
Barcelona is a great city with a wonderful tourist attraction. However, it is better that you take into account some information before you travel and that will help you plan your trip to Barcelona.
- How toget there: Barcelona is a big city. It is the economic and political centre of Catalonia, so it is very well communicated. That's why you won't have any problems getting to the city. From the airport you can get there by taxi, metro or bus.
- Price: The prices in Barcelona depend a lot on the area. If you go to eat in La Barceloneta you will notice that the prices are higher. However, it is not an expensive destination.
- Getting around: This city offers numerous ways to get around. You can do it by bus, taxi, cabify, car, motorbike, bike, tram and metro.
