If you travel to Barcelona, here are some things I believe you should see.
1. La Sagrada Familia
This interesting cathedral has been under construction for 140 years – yes, since 1882 – and it will be completed in 2026. Antoni Gaudi’s in-progress masterpiece is unique, almost odd, and truly fascinating. You can spend hours looking at it, and discover more and more details.
If you want to visit La Sagrada Familia, tickets start at 26 € and can be bought online here. You can also get a ticket at the entrance, but it is usually crowded and you’ll spend a lot of time in line.
La Sagrada Familia visiting hours:
November through February:
Monday – Saturday: 9:00 am – 6:00 pm.
Sunday: 10:30 am – 6:00 pm.
March and October:
Monday – Saturday: 9:00 am – 7:00 pm.
Sunday: 10:30 am – 7:00 pm.
April through September:
Monday – Saturday 9:00 am – 8:00 pm.
Sunday: 10:30 am – 8:00 pm.
2. Park Güell
Park Güell is not so much a park, but rather a 30 acres work of art. Unique constructions, interesting pieces of art, amazing plants, and numerous spots where you can admire a panoramic view of Barcelona.
The general ticket costs 10 € and there are several discounts for kids, seniors, or people with disabilities. You can buy your ticket online or at the ticket office at the park. However, they only allow a certain number of visitors per hour, and if you choose to get the tickets there, you might not be able to enter the park right away. If you buy the tickets online, they ask you to choose the hour you want to access the park and make a reservation which will be available for 30 minutes. For instance, if you choose 9.30, you have until 10 to validate your ticket.
I always prefer buying tickets online, because I’m not a fan of waiting in line. Besides, the website for Park Guell also allows you to see what hours have higher demand, so you can avoid going there when the park is full. Please note that even if you are entitled to a free entrance (kids under 6, people with disabilities, or “Targeta rosa” card holder), you will still need to get a ticket with 0€.
Tip: Don’t rush your visit to the park. It’s a beautiful place, with amazing flowers, pieces of art created by Antoni Gaudi, and stunning panoramic views. So make sure you save a few hours for this gorgeous attraction.
Park Güell is open daily, and here are the visiting hours:
From 1 July to 31 August: 9 AM – 7:30 PM
From 1 September to 29 October: 9:30 AM – 7:30 PM
30 October 2022 to 31 December: 9:30 AM – 5:30 PM
In the park, you can also visit Gaudí’s House, which is a separate attraction where you’ll need a different ticket. You can buy it by scanning the QR code at the entrance to the premises (House Museum).
The museum is open between the following hours
October through March: 10:00 am – 6:00 pm.
April through September: 9:30 am – 8:00 pm.
25 and 26 December, 1 and 6 January: 10:00 am to 2:00 pm.
Please note that the last tickets are sold fifteen minutes before closing time. Read more about the Gaudi House Museum here.
3. Casa Milà
Casa Milà or La Padrera is another impressive work of art created by Antoni Gaudi. You can and should visit it, and there are several tours to choose from, all very interesting. General admission starts at 25 euros, and there are discounts for kids, students, seniors, and people with disabilities.
Tip: Buy the tickets online, as they cost 3€ less, and you will avoid the queue.
Read more information here.
4. Casa Batlló
The visit to Casa Batlló is an experience, almost like a journey to Gaudi’s mind. You can’t compare it to visiting any other museum in this world, just as you can’t compare Gaudi’s work to… well, anything. General tickets start at 35€ and there are discounts for kids, students, seniors, and people with disabilities. you can read more and buy online tickets for Casa Batlló here.
If you’ve made it to Casa Batlló, make sure you take a look at the nearby buildings, too. The 5 interesting houses are built in the modernist style and they form a unique group:
- Casa Batlló (by Antoni Gaudi)
- Casa Amatller (by the architect Josep Puig i Cadafalch)
- Casa Josefina Bonet (by Marcel-li Coquillat)
- Casa Mulleras (by Enric Sagnier)
- Casa Lleó Morera (by Lluís Domènech i Montaner)
5. La Rambla
La Rambla is the famous promenade in Barcelona that connects Plaça de Catalunya with the Christopher Columbus Monument at Port Vell.
The street is full of kiosks, souvenir and flower shops, restaurants, and terraces. From La Rambla, you can go to the Gothic and El Raval Quarters, enter Mercado de La Boqueria and see several historic buildings. It’s a beautiful street, and it’s worth taking a walk on it.
6. Mercado de La Boqueria
During our trip to Barcelona, we chose to have breakfast one day at La Boqueria. It was an amazing experience. They have countless delicious things you can try, and the market is so colorful and full of life, that it’s really a feast for your eyes. And for your stomach, too, because there are so many goodies and snacks to try out.
Mercado de La Boqueria hours:
Monday to Saturday: 8AM–8:30PM
Sunday: Closed
Tip: Try freshly squeezed orange juice, fresh seafood, oysters, and the local empanadas.
7. Gothic Quarter
The historic center of Barcelona is a beautiful medieval labyrinth with small tight streets that open out into the most gorgeous squares. Enjoy the beautiful architecture, have a glass of wine in one of the numerous bodegas, and enjoy a delicious meal in one of the many beautiful restaurants in the Gothic Quarter.
8. Arco de Triunfo de Barcelona
Unlike other similar structures in the world, the Arc de Triomf in Barcelona has no military history. Its purpose was to welcome people to the 1888 Barcelona World Fair. It was basically an access gate that now welcomes visitors to Ciutadella Park.
9. Ciutadella Park
Parc de la Ciutadella is the greenest oasis in Barcelona. In this park, you can relax, take a long walk, row a boat on the lake, or go for a picnic. Also, on its grounds, you can see and visit the Barcelona zoo and the Catalan Parliament.
10. Barceloneta Beach
If you go to Barcelona, you have to see the beach. Barcelona has 60 miles of coastline, with several beaches, Barceloneta being the most famous one. All of them are stunning. There are plenty of restaurants and terraces on the beach where you can eat some delicious tapas and paellas, and drink a glass of cold cava.
11. The Magic Fountain of Montjuïc
Thousands of people gather around the magic fountain to see the light and color shows. If you want to see a special choreography, check the schedule here.
The magic fountain also works in ornamental mode, during the following hours:
Tuesdays to Saturdays: 11 am – 1 pm, and 4 pm – 6 pm,
Sundays: 11 am – 3 pm.
12. Montjuïc Castle
To get to the Montjuïc Castle, take the Montjuïc cable car and enjoy the best views of Barcelona. The round-trip ticket costs 12.78€, and you can buy it online here.
The cable car has three stations, the last one being the Castle. It’s a really nice castle, with a nice interior yard where you can sit and enjoy a drink and a snack. There’s also a nice park up there, from where you can see the whole city of Barcelona from above. If you want to visit it, get your ticket online here.
Here is the Montjuïc Castle timetable:
March 1 to October 31: 10 a.m. – 8 p.m. (ticket office closes at 7:30 p.m.)
November 1 to February 28: 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. (ticket office closes at 5:30 p.m.)
The castle is open from Monday to Sunday.
13. Parque de atracciones Tibidabo
The Tibidabo Amusement Park has more than 30 attractions, shows, and activities, all with a panoramic view of Barcelona. There are several types of tickets, and you can buy them online here.
14. Plaça d'Espanya
Plaça d’Espanya is a gorgeous square you can’t miss on your trip to Barcelona. There, you will see the Magic Fountain and the National Museum of Art, the Venetian Towers, and Las Arenas – Bullring which is now an iconic shopping center and viewpoint.
15. Plaça de Catalunya
This beautiful square is at the end of La Rambla. It’s a central spot, with restaurants, shops, and fountains. From Plaça de Catalunya, you can go for a walk on the Passeig de Gràcia, where you will find luxruious stores, great restaurants, Casa Milà, and Casa Batlló.
16. Barcelona Zoo
Especially if you’re traveling with kids, you must go see the Barcelona Zoo. It’s located in Ciutadella Park and they have penguins, lions, rhinos, elephants, and many, many more animals you’ll want to see.
The Barcelona zoo is open every day of the week, all year round:
January 1st to March 18th: 10 am-5.30 pm
March 19 to May 15: 10am-7pm
May 16 to September 15: 10am-8pm
September 16 to October 29: 10am-7pm
October 30 to December 31: 10am – 5:30pm
December 25: 10am-12pm
Check out the schedule and buy tickets online here.
17. Montserrat
The Benedictine Monk retreat at Montserrat is a stunning monastery in a breathtaking mountain area. It is one hour away from Barcelona by train, but the spectacular views and the gorgeous surrounding are worth it.
Access to the Monastery and the Basilica is free, but you will have to pay for a ticket to the Montserrat Art Museum (€8.00) and the Espai Audio Visual Museum (€5.50).
18. Barcelona Cemeteries
This may sound creepy, but the cemeteries in Barcelona are really interesting. There are two you might want to see – the Montjuïc and Poblenou Cemeteries. They are both filled with history, statues, and art.
19. Cathedral of Barcelona
This is a beautiful cathedral you must see when you visit the Gothic quarter in Barcelona. The tickets start at €9.00, and the opening hours are:
Monday to Friday: 10:00 am – 6:30 pm (last entry 6:00 pm)
Saturday: 10:00 am – 5:00 pm (last entry 4:30 pm)
Sundays and public holidays: 2:00 pm – 5:00 pm (last entry 4:30 pm)
More info here.
20. Camp Nou
FC Barcelona has its own quarter around Camp Nou. Even if you’re not their biggest fan, I believe the stadium is a must-see if you’re in Barcelona. You can get several visiting tours, with tickets starting at €37. Read more here.
