15 Epic Things To Do In Barcelona
Barcelona is one of my all time favorite cities. Seriously, after my 1st visit I was ready to pack up all of my belongings and move. This Catalonian capital along the Mediterranean is famous for its rich culture, lively nightlife, and historic architecture. Let me assure you there is no shortage of things to do and see. Though you are sure to find hundreds of things to keep you entertained in Barcelona, these are my top 15!
1. Marvel at the incredible Sagrada Familia
You don’t have to love architecture to be completely wowed by Sagrada Familia. This incredible Basilica, designed by Catalan artist Antoni Gaudí over a 40 year period, is still under construction today 134 years later. You won’t want to miss this colorful modernist masterpiece. Just be sure to grab a ticket in advance so you can avoid waiting in a long line to enter!
2. Enjoy a treat for your eyes (and your stomach!) at La Boqueria
Its not every day that you get the opportunity to shop in a market that can trace its roots to the 1200s! Mercat de Sant Josep de la Boqueria, referred to as La Boqueria, is the perfect place to grab breakfast or some snacks for lunch, and is incredibly popular amongst visitors to Barcelona. Wander around stalls piled high with fresh fruits and vegetables, enjoy fresh juices every color of the rainbow, a lively fish market, or try some Iberian ham on a stick or in a cup. Whenever I’m in Barcelona, I wind up in La Boqueria at least once a day. If you’d like to learn more about this amazing market, consider heading on Devour Barcelona’s Insider Boqueria Tour. I haven’t been on this tour yet, but after my Tapas, Taverns & History tour with Devour Seville (read all about it here), I’m dying to go!
Special thanks to Devour Seville for inviting me to a tour! This post contains affiliate links. As always, my opinions are 100% my own!
3. Experience the wonder of The Magic Fountain
The Magic Fountain of Montjuic is an absolute must when you are visiting Barcelona. Even locals gather around the fountain to take in the spectacular choreographed water, music, and light show. The show generally runs on weekends during specific hours, so be sure to take a peek at this schedule so you can plan a visit. The crowds get large, so arrive early to claim a spot!
4. Enjoy art & nature at Parc Güell
Though a bit further from the city center, Gaudi’s Parc Güell is easy to reach by Metro and is great for enjoying an afternoon. The park first opened in 1926 and the unique architecture and unparalleled views of the city have delighted visitors ever since. While the park itself is free, you will need a ticket to enter the Monumental Zone. There are only 400 tickets available every 30 minutes, so purchase your tickets in advance if possible.
5. Get historic in The Gothic Quarter
Image source: zannascole.blogspot.com
Head to the historic center of Barcelona and take some time to explore the Barri Gòtic, or Gothic Quarter. The labyrinth of narrow, winding streets is fun to get lost in, and you will stumble upon a number of historic buildings and beautiful main squares, plaças, which are perfect places to stop and grab tapas.
6. Check out the geese in the Barcelona Cathedral
Located in the Gothic Quarter, Barcelona’s 14th century Gothic Cathedral (complete with gargoyles) is certainly worth a visit. Visitors can enjoy the massive interior of the church, a cloister filled with-believe it or not-13 geese, as well as spectacular city views from the roof.
7. Get in touch with nature at Citadel Park
The 70 acre Parc de la Ciutadella is the perfect place to enjoy nature in the heart of the busy city. The park is home to Barcelona’s zoo, beautiful gardens, and is particularly famous for it’s Font de la Cascada, a gorgeous 19th century fountain designed by Josep Fontsére.
8. Hit the beach in Barceloneta
There really is something for everyone in Barcelona, including a beach! The Barceloneta neighborhood of Barcelona has sandy Mediterranean coastline perfect for sunbathing in the summer, or simply enjoying the sea air in the winter. Browse hip surf shops, walk along the boardwalk, or enjoy some fresh seafood at one of the many restaurants along the coast. At night, many of Barcelona’s most popular nightclubs can be found here.
9. Wander the famous La Rambla
La Rambla is one of Barcelona’s most famous streets. This tree-lined avenue separates the city’s Gothic Quarter from the El Raval neighborhood. The busy boulevard is a main thoroughfare for tourists and locals alike, and is the street La Boqueria market is located on.
10. Go back in time in one of Barcelona’s many museums
Image source: Leading Property Group Spain
The Fundació Joan Miró, Museu Picasso, Museu d’Art Contemporani, Museu Nacional d’Art de Catalunya, Museu Marítim de Barcelona…art, history, and museum lovers will have no shortage of world-class museums to choose from when visiting Barcelona. Good luck squeezing them all in! I know I couldn’t see them all, even after two visits!
11. Get sporty at FC Barcelona’s Camp Nou
Image source: memim.com
Barcelona’s Camp Nou is the largest stadium in all of Europe, and is home to the famous FC Barcelona. If you have the opportunity, try getting tickets to see the legendary team play! If not, you can purchase tickets for the “Camp Nou experience”. Though I didn’t have time to go during my visit, I’ve heard great things, and the experience had a 5 star rating on Tripadvisor!
12. Hit the town
Barcelona is famous for its incredible nightlife scene, and for good reason! At midnight, the evening is just beginning, with parties going well into the morning. If you are looking to experience the Barcelona club scene for yourself, Opium and Razzmatazz are two of the most popular.
For those looking for a more low key evening, consider hopping on a Devour Barcelona tapas tour and learn more about Barcelona and the city’s incredible tapas scene!
13. Go gaga for Gaudí
If you absolutely loved visiting Sagrada Familia and Parc Güell and can’t seem to get enough of Gaudí, then be sure to visit Casa Milà and Casa Batlló. If you are on a budget, then simply walk down the Passeig de Gràcia to enjoy the incredible exteriors of these two homes. For those who want to see the inside, tickets to each are available. I highly recommend purchasing them in advance to avoid lines.
14. Head up to Montjuic
If you have more than just a few days in Barcelona, be sure to head to Montjuic. This large hill overlooking the city can be reached by funicular or cable car. Visitors can check out Montjuic Castle (which has some pretty awesome views), Barcelona’s Olympic Stadium, the Miró Foundation, and enjoy the beautiful park.
15. Enjoy the city!
With so much to see and do in Barcelona, it can be easy to over schedule yourself and create a totally packed itinerary. Don’t forget to schedule some downtime to simply explore your favorite areas of the city. You never know what yummy tapas, beautiful building, or an unexpected adventure you’ll discover.
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Enjoy! I hope that you will love Barcelona as much as I do-there really is something for everyone in this enchanting and lively city. What are your favorite things to do in Barcelona? Let me know in the comments!
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