Find out what to do in Barcelona, what to visit, what tours to take and what places you can’t leave out on your trip to the Catalan capital. Famous for beaches, clubs and an eclectic lifestyle, Barcelona is one of the best-known cities in Europe and the most popular to visit in Spain. That’s why we’ve prepared a really cool list of things to do in Barcelona, so you can enjoy the best tourist spots in the city.
1) Gaudí’s Attractions in Barcelona
The first tip for sights in Barcelona is to take the Gaudí itinerary. There are several works by the architect Antoni Gaudí around the city, and of course, you should not miss any of them, as they are the main tourist attractions in the city. So, we’ll list below details of the biggest attractions that are part of this itinerary:
Sagrada Familia of Barcelona
The main building and the most famous and incredible tourist spot in the city is the Expiatory Temple of the Sagrada Familia of Barcelona, a church of incomparable grandeur and which is still unfinished due to the architect’s death, but also due to the enormous amount of details and by the size it was designed. To give you an idea, the forecast for the completion of the Sagrada Família is in 2026. It is possible to visit the tops of the towers of this construction, but it is necessary to buy a ticket in advance, for around € 62. Visits take place on a scheduled day and time.
Casa Batlló
After the Sagrada Familia, the most famous buildings designed by Gaudí are La Pedrera or Casa Milà and Casa Batlló, which are located on Passeig de Gràcia, right in the centre of Barcelona and can be visited together. The Casa Batllo is a project requested by Josep Batlló i Casanovas, a name that was very recognized in the textile sector. The initial idea was to demolish the building, but Gaudí convinced the owner to renovate it. It is possible to take a tour of the interior of Casa Batlló, which costs around € 25 and must be purchased in advance.
La Pedrera or Casa Milà
The stories of Casa Batlló and Casa Milà intersect far beyond the proximity between these two attractions, as when Casa Batlló was practically finished, Josep Batlló I Casanovas was visited by his partner, Milà, for a visit. The then partner, Milà, intended to build a very different building, and it was there that he met Gaudí. The artist also carried out the project for Casa Milà, in a work that lasted from 1906 to 1912. It is possible to take a guided tour there, which costs € 24 and must also be purchased in advance.
Parc Guell
The last point on the Gaudí itinerary is Parc Güell, the city’s main park and a very beautiful place. The construction of this park began in 1900, with a construction time of 14 years. To give you an idea, Gaudí even lived with his family there from 1906 until 1926. Currently, the house where Gaudí lived keeps original works by him and was transformed, in 1963, into the Casa Museu Gaudí. Our tip is to take a guided tour by him, which costs around € 24, which you can book in advance and already includes the entrance ticket to the park and a specialized guide.
2) Picasso Museum in Barcelona
The Picasso Museum in Barcelona is the city’s main museum, dedicated to the work of the Spanish painter Pablo Picasso. It was founded in 1963 and has more than 4200 words that make up the permanent collection. The museum was created in the former Berenguer d’Aguilar palace, a beautiful Gothic architecture building, by the will of Pablo Picasso. Initially. the museum owned works by Picasso’s friend Jaume Sabartés.
Five years after the opening of the museum, Sabartés died and Picasso began to donate his works to the organization. The works on display at the Picasso Museum in Barcelona refer mainly to the artist’s early stages. Admission to the Picasso Museum costs around € 12 and visits take place from Tuesday to Sunday, from 11 am to 9 pm. Set aside a few days to discover the museums in Barcelona, as they are really worth it.
3) Gothic Quarter in Barcelona
Make sure you plan to visit the oldest neighbourhood in Barcelona, the Gothic Quarter. The neighbourhood is one of the best-known regions of the city and the medieval buildings are incredibly well preserved and beautiful. The main attractions in the neighbourhood are: the Cathedral of Barcelona, Plaça Sant Jaume, Plaça Del Rei, Plaça Del Pi and the Moll d’Espanya. See below for more information on the best to see in the Gothic Quarter:
Barcelona Cathedral
The Cathedral of Barcelona is a Gothic church, officially called Catedral de la Santa Creu i Santa Eulàlia, in a building that took place between the 13th and 15th centuries. The cathedral is located at Pla de la Seu, 3. Visiting hours are Monday through Friday, from 8:30 am to 12:30 pm and from 5:45 pm to 7:30 pm. On Saturdays, Sundays and holidays, visitation takes place from 8:30 am to 12:30 pm and from 5:15 pm to 8:00 pm. The visit to the temple and cloister is free, but if you want to know the place in its entirety, there are specific tickets, such as the choir (3€), terraces(3€) and temple, cloister, choir, terraces, chapel, Museum of the Capitular Room for 7€.
Miró Mosaic
Without a doubt, Barcelona is a city that breathes art. A tip that few tourists know and notice is a beautiful mosaic, made on one of the sidewalks of the Gothic Quarter by artist Juan Miró, one of the greatest exponents of surrealist art in the world. Being Spanish, he left his mark and art stamped on one of the streets of Barcelona, art that remains intact to this day. The mosaic was made in a strategic place, as a way for Miró to welcome tourists arriving in Barcelona by sea.
