Barcelona: Top Things to Do

Barcelona, the capital of Spain’s Catalonia region, is one of Europe’s most popular destinations. The city is famous for its historic neighborhoods, artistic heritage, unique architecture, and rich Catalan culture and cuisine. From modernista architecture to museums paying homage to some of the world’s most famous artists, delicious tapas to beachside walks, these are the best things to do in Barcelona.

Architecture

Architect Antoni Gaudí left a lasting imprint on the city of Barcelona. Passionate about architecture, nature and religion, Gaudí drew on various inspirations, including Oriental art, the Gothic movement, and Moorish and Islamic influences to develop a unique style. He was at the forefront of the Catalan Modernisme movement. A visit to the stunning church of La Sagrada Familia, his most famous work, is one of the most essential things to do in Barcelona.

Other Gaudí masterpieces include the Casa Batlló, a former residence constructed in the shape of a dragon, and the Casa Milà, another Modernist building commonly referred to as La Pedrera, Catalan for “stone quarry,” for its unique shape. The fantastical Park Güell, which includes the Casa Museu Gaudí, the architect’s former residence, is also worth a visit. (Learn more about Gaudí’s extraordinary influence on the city in our Gaudi Architecture Tour, or dive even deeper with our Full Day Gaudí Barcelona Tour.)

In a city full of architectural marvels, the Hospital de Sant Pau still manages to stand out—a must-see while visiting Barcelona. Designed by leading Modernista architect Lluís Domènech i Montaner in 1930, the sprawling complex, covering nine square blocks, served as a hospital until 2009. Today, it houses a number of institutions, including the WHO, UN Habitat, the European Forest Institute, and the Lluís Domènech i Montaner Foundation.

Barri Gòtic, the Gothic Quarter, was the original center of Roman and medieval Barcelona. Landmarks to visit include the Museu d’Història de Barcelona (MUHBA), which provides an overview of the city’s history, the remains of the Roman Temple of Augustus, and the thirteenth century Gothic Barcelona Cathedral.

At the heart of the Barri Gòtic is El Call, the medieval Jewish district that was home to Barcelona’s once thriving Jewish community. Walking through the neighborhood’s narrow streets, visitors can check out the Sinagoga Major de Barcelona—the oldest synagogue in Spain, as well as ancient street signs in Hebrew and the remains of the Jewish public baths.

Art

Pablo Picasso spent his teenage years in Barcelona. Founded in 1963, the Museu Picasso is dedicated to his early artwork, with a collection of over 3,800 original works. To learn more about Picasso’s formative years in Barcelona, join our Barcelona Picasso Tour.

The Fundació Joan Miró on Montjuïc hill is worth a visit. Miró set up the museum himself in 1975, recruiting his friend, rationalist architect Josep Lluís Sert, to design the building. The foundation holds the largest collection of the artist’s work, with over 10,000 of his pieces, as well as the works of emerging artists. The terrace offers wonderful views of the city.

The Museu Nacional d'Art de Catalunya (MNAC), one of the largest museums in Spain, exhibits a vast collection of Catalan art, ranging from medieval works to Romanesque frescoes, Catalan Modernism to Gothic art, and more.

The Museu d’Art Contemporani de Barcelona (MACBA) displays contemporary art from the mid-twentieth century onwards. Designed by Richard Meier, the museum exhibits works by contemporary Spanish and Catalan artists, as well as artists from around the world.

Bostik Murals is Barcelona’s first urban art museum. Set in a former warehouse, it features works by famous muralists and graffiti artists.

Food

A visit to La Boqueria, one of the oldest markets in Europe, is one of the best things to do in Barcelona. Vendors sell a variety of fresh, high-quality produce, including seafood, meat, cheese, fruits and juices, vegetables, and more. Stop for a snack at one of the delicious tapas restaurants. Foodies will enjoy our Savoring Barcelona Food Tour.

Head to Poble Sec for an authentic tapas experience. The neighborhood is full of tapas restaurants where you can enjoy the Catalan tradition of “pica-pica,” small bites accompanied by a vermouth aperitif to be enjoyed before a meal. Learn more about the city’s food traditions in our Barcelona Tapas Tour.

But, maybe most notably, Barcelona is the city that introduced chocolate to the rest of Europe. Stop by Cacao Sampaka and indulge in some sweet treats like a churro con chocolate. The chocolate shop and cafe was founded by Albert Adrià, the pastry chef of the famous former El Bulli restaurant. Visit the Museu de la Xocolata for an overview of the history of chocolate in Europe.

For a deeper dive into the city’s culinary legacy, join our Savoring Barcelona, Barcelona Tapas, Barcelona Chocolate tours.

Parks

A stroll through the Labyrinth Park of Horta, one of the oldest parks in the city, is one of the most romantic things to do in Barcelona. The park is known for its hedge maze of cypress trees, inspired by the Greek myth of Ariadne and Theseus. The park is divided into two sections, the eighteenth century neoclassical gardens and the nineteenth century romantic gardens.

Barcelona’s vibrant Parc de la Ciutadella has numerous attractions including the Castell dels Tres Dragons, the Catalan Parliament, the Museu Europeo d'Art Modern, the zoo of Barcelona, architect Josep Fontsereè i Mestre’s waterfall and lake, and architect Josep Amargós’ Umbracle, a tropical greenhouse, and Hivernacle, a glass house.

For Families

For families traveling with kids, L’Aquarium Barcelona is a great option. It contains Europe’s only oceanarium, home to a great variety of marine species including a sand tiger shark and a sandbar shark.

Or, for a more scenic option, the Turó de la Rovira, situated on a hill at almost 900 feet above sea level, offers breathtaking panoramic views of Barcelona. Pack some snacks and refreshments and have a family picnic overlooking the city. If you’d like to go with an expert, Context offers several options for family tours, including many of the sites covered in this post, like La Sagrada Familia, a Gaudi for Kids tour, and a kid-friendly exploration of the Gothic Quarter.

Barcelona is an enthralling city, brimming with sights, sounds, and tastes that are sure to delight. With so many things to do, it can be a bit overwhelming to put together an itinerary. 

Want to learn with a true expert? Get a comprehensive view with one of Context's private or small group tours in Barcelona!