Things to Do in Barcelona

Cardona Castle sits proudly on a hilltop opposite the mines of Salt Mountain. The stone fortress was built in Gothic and Romanesque style in AD 886, and is perhaps the most iconic medieval structure in Catalonia. Inside this symbol of Catalonian identity stands the stone St. Vicenç Church, which dates back to the 11th century.

 

Cardona Castle played a key role in the War of Spanish Succession; it was one of the last points of resistance before the siege of Barcelona in 1714. Day trips to the medieval town of Cardona from Barcelona usually include a tour of the castle and the historic city center. Castle tours can be combined with a visit to the mines of Salt Mountain Cultural Park, or with a stop at the picturesque Montserrat Monastery.

 

 

Cardona is located about 56 miles (90 kilometers) from Barcelona via the C-55 and C-16. If you’re not driving or joining a guided tour, take one of four daily buses from Barcelona to Manresa, then change buses for Cardona.

 

Guided tours of the castle are only available on Saturday and Sunday, or by reservation during the rest of the week. Visitors who come independently should know that tours led by castle staff are only available in Spanish and Catalan. Book a guided tour from Barcelona that offers commentary in English.

 

This castle tower is one of the few structures remaining from the ninth century, and it played host to one of the castle’s great tragedies. During the 11th century, a Moorish jailer fell in love with Adalés, daughter of the viscount of Cardona. When the girl’s family found out about the relationship, they imprisoned her within the tower with a mute servant as her only contact until she died not long after.

The Barcelona Aquarium (L’Aquarium de Barcelona), one of Europe’s largest, sits right on the harbor in the heart of the old city. The exhibits within provide a habitat for some 11,000 sea creatures representing 450 different species, and house one of the world’s most comprehensive collections of sea life from the Mediterranean. 

A highlight of the Barcelona Aquarium is the Oceanarium, a 1-million-gallon (3.8-million-liter) tank housing sunfish, moray eels, rays, two types of sharks, and more. Pass through an underwater glass tunnel to see these creatures from all angles. Planeta Aqua, on the second floor, houses guest-favorite Humboldt penguins.

If you’re pressed for time, opt for a skip-the-line ticket to the aquarium. If you’re more budget-minded, get discounted admission to the aquarium and numerous other attractions with the Barcelona Card.

Situated in Port Vell at the base of La Rambla, the aquarium is easy to reach on foot from just about anywhere in the old city. You can also get there by taking the metro to Barceloneta (Line 4) or Drassanes (Line 3) stations, or by taking the hop-on hop-off bus to Port Vell. 

The aquarium is open throughout the year, with extended hours during peak tourist season (July and August). Should you choose to visit during these busy months, plan on arriving first thing in the morning or later in the evening to avoid crowds.

Lunchtime at the Barcelona Aquarium is a complicated affair, with 150 different types of meals prepared for its inhabitants. To learn more about how the animals are cared for, don’t miss feeding time for the sharks, penguins, rays, and moray eels.

Football fans won’t want to miss Camp Nou Stadium, home turf for Lionel Messi and Football Club Barcelona. It’s also the largest stadium in Europe, with 99,354 seats. Inaugurated in 1957, the famous venue has hosted a number of key international games over the years, including the FIFA World Cup, European Champions Cup, and two UEFA Champions League Finals.

There’s no better time to experience the atmosphere of the grand stadium than on a match day. If you’ve got tickets for a home game, you’ll see Barcelona’s enthusiastic football fans at their most animated. For the ultimate behind-the-scenes experience, opt for the Camp Nou Experience, which tours the 592,015-square-foot (55,000-square-meter) FC Barcelona stadium. Stops on the tour may include the players’ tunnel, the legendary field, the chapel, TV room, press room, and the sports medicine center, plus the team locker rooms and the luxury Presidential Box. Wrap up your visit with a stroll through club history at the Barça Museum. 

The Camp Nou is easily accessible via public transportation. Take the metro to Palau Reial or Les Corts stations (Line 3) or to Collblanc or Badal stations (Line 5) and make the short walk to the stadium. The stadium is also a stop on the west route of the double-decker hop-on hop-off bus.

The best time to visit the Camp Nou depends on the experience you want to have. Nothing beats the excitement of game day (the season runs from late August to May), but if you’re interested in touring the stadium and seeing the museum, you’ll have to visit on a day the team isn’t playing at home.

Whether you’re looking for the perfect gift for a Barcelona fan back home or simply want to look the part while attending a match, the FC Barcelona Megastore outside the stadium has just about everything you could want, from official team jerseys and T-shirts to key chains, scarves, pint glasses, and bumper stickers.

Standing tall over a medieval square in the center of the Gothic Quarter, the Barcelona Cathedral (Cathedral of the Holy Cross and Saint Eulalia) is the seat of the Archbishop of Spain and a major landmark of the city. The cathedral is known for its 14th-century cloister full of palm trees and a Gothic portico where 13 geese wander.

 

A major landmark in Barcelona, the cathedral is featured on nearly every sightseeing excursion, from bicycle tours to tapas crawls. Worshipers can enter for free, while there’s a donation requested for cultural visits, as well as for access to the choir and rooftop terraces, which offer one of the best views over medieval Barcelona. Don’t miss a trip down to the crypt to see the tomb of Santa Eulalia and the reliefs depicting her martyrdom.

 

 

The Barcelona Cathedral is centrally located and easy to reach on foot from anywhere in the Old City. From other areas of the city, take the metro to Liceu (Green Line) or Jaume I (Yellow Line), or ride the hop-on hop-off sightseeing bus to Catedral-Gotic station.

 

The cathedral is open daily throughout the week for worship during the morning and evening hours, and for cultural visits during the afternoon. Plan to visit on a weekday during the shoulder season (October to April) to enjoy the cathedral with smaller crowds.

 

The palm-filled cloister of the Cathedral of Barcelona is home to 13 special residents, a flock of geese that have been enjoying the garden and fountains since medieval days. The number of geese is believed to represent the age of Eulalia, the city’s patron saint, at the time she was martyred.

One of Europe’s largest and busiest cruise ports, Barcelona welcomes more than 2.5 million cruise passengers each year. The Catalan capital makes a popular stop and starting point for Mediterranean cruises, including liners operated by Princess, Carnival, Celebrity, Norwegian, Royal Caribbean, MSC, and Costa.

 

For first-time visitors to Barcelona, the must-see attractions include Las Ramblas and the Gothic Quarter, La Boqueria market, and Gaudi’s magnificent La Sagrada Familia church. The city sights are quite spread out, so a hop-on hop-off bus tour is a convenient option, while bike and Segway tours often explore further afield, including attractions such as Montjuic hill, Parc de la Ciutadella, Barceloneta Beach, and the Arc de Triomf.

 

The most popular day trip destinations include the mountaintop Montserrat monastery, around an hour’s drive away; the beaches of the Costa Brava, just north of the city; and the Penedes wine region, famous for its cava.

 

 

Barcelona’s eight cruise terminals are clustered around historic Port Vell at the foot of Las Ramblas, Barcelona’s most famous thoroughfare. Although it is feasible to walk from the closer terminals, most visitors opt to catch a shuttle bus to Las Ramblas, from where many of the city’s sights are reachable on foot. Alternatively, a taxi ride to the Gothic Quarter takes only 10 minutes from the port.

 

Barcelona has two official languages—Spanish and Catalan—but English is also widely spoken, especially around the main tourist areas. The local currency is the euro, available from banks and ATMs throughout the city. Restaurants, cafés, and other amenities are located at each terminal.

The sister museum to Madrid’s popular CaixaForum cultural center, CaixaForum Barcelona showcases a permanent collection of more than 800 thematically displayed works. This museum houses one of the biggest modern art collections in Spain, including pieces by Salvador Dalí, William Turner, William Hogarth, Joseph Beuys, and Sol Lewitt.

 

CaixaForum is a hidden gem in Barcelona, often overlooked but worth the visit for modern art lovers. Museum visitors can purchase a single admission ticket or opt for a multi-attraction pass, which includes admission and skip-the-line access to CaixaForum, as well as other attractions like the Picasso Museum, Museu Nacional d’Art de Catalunya, and the Joan Miró Foundation. CaixaForum is a stop on the Red Route of the Barcelona hop-on hop-off bus.

 

 

CaixaForum is well-connected by public transportation. The easiest way to get there is to take the metro to Espanya (Line 1 or 3). If you’re in the Plaça de Espanya or Montjüic neighborhoods, you’re within walking distance of the art gallery.

 

CaixaForum is open daily throughout the year, with extended hours on Wednesday during July and August. The air-conditioned museum is a good place to escape the heat on a hot summer afternoon.

 

The CaixaForum building itself is as impressive as the collection within it. The former clothing factory designed by Puig I Cadafalch in 1910 stands opposite the stylish Mies van der Rohe pavilion. Resembling a modernist castle with its intricate crenellated brickwork, the dramatic building now features a striking metal and glass canopy frontage designed by Japanese architect Arata Isozaki.

Whether you like your animals fluffy or ferocious, there's something that fits the bill at Barcelona Zoo. Sitting on 35 acres (14 hectares) inside Parc de la Ciutadella, there are 7,000 animals and 400 different species that call the zoo home, with everything from dolphins to rhinoceros living in quarters that mimic natural habitats.

 

This century-old zoo, opened in 1892, is one of Barcelona’s most family-friendly attractions and a great place to spend the day outdoors. Visitors can buy a standard admission ticket to the zoo or opt for the Barcelona Pass, which includes free entrance to the zoo, as well as other top attractions, such as the Barcelona Museum of Contemporary Art, Poble Espanyol, Casa Mila and Casa Batllo, and L’Aquarium Barcelona.

 

Many walking, cycling, and Segway tours of Old Town pass the zoo entrance.

 

 

You can reach the zoo on foot from just about anywhere in the old city. To get there by public transportation, take the Metro to Vila Olimpica (line 4) or Arc de Triomf (line 1). The Ciutadella–Vila Olimpica tram also stops at the zoo, as do several public buses.

 

Barcelona Zoo is open daily throughout the year, but the best time to visit is during the shoulder season (spring and autumn) when weather is not too hot and the zoo not too crowded. If you’re visiting in peak season (July and August), plan to arrive first thing in the morning.

 

While Barcelona Zoo is best known for its star residents, such as lions, hippos, and elephants, it’s also a great place to learn about native fauna. The Garden of Biodiversity features numerous native plants, as well as a small lake, where local wildlife like Iberian tree frogs, midwife toads, and Mediterranean tree frogs, can take shelter.

Backing onto the former fishing quarter that shares its name, this sandy 0.6-mile (1.1-kilometer) stretch of Mediterranean-facing beach is a beloved summer hangout with locals who flock here to sunbathe, swim, and play volleyball. The beach is lined with chiringuitos (beach bars), public artworks, souvenir shops, and cafés. 

Sun-kissed Barceloneta is the nearest beach to Barcelona city center. Many visitors explore the waterfront as part of bike, Segway, or self-guided three-wheel GoCar tours. Sailing tours, speedboat excursions, and catamaran cruises from Barcelona also float past Barceloneta Beach and nearby Port Vell. Other water-based tours include activities such as jet-skiing and parasailing, while helicopter tours fly over the sands. 

Architecture tours also make stops in the Barceloneta neighborhood, at landmarks such as the iconic sail-shaped waterfront W Hotel, the sustainable market of La Barceloneta, and the eye-catching Torre Mare Nostrum skyscraper. 

Take the yellow metro line to the Barceloneta stop. Alternatively, it’s possible to walk: From the southern end of Las Ramblas, the beach is just 20 minutes away on foot. 

Barceloneta Beach is at its most atmospheric during summer, when sun-worshippers come here in droves to take advantage of the warm weather. Time your visit to coincide with the end of the day and sip a sangria by the waterfront while watching the spectacular sunset.

As well as presenting ample people-watching opportunities, Barceloneta is also a good place to view art, including several notable pieces commissioned during the run-up to the 1992 Olympics. Look for Frank Gehry’s 183-foot-long (56-meter-long) El Peix sculpture, which resembles a giant copper-colored fish, and Rebecca Horn’s crooked L'Estel Ferit (The Wounded Shooting Star, aka Homage to Barceloneta), inspired by the shacks that once lined the Barceloneta seafront. 

One of Barcelona’s most fanciful buildings, the elaborate Casa Batlló was built by celebrated Catalan architect Antoni Gaudí and is nicknamed the “House of Bones” for its contorted window frames and skeletal pillars. Casa Batlló’s interior is equally mind-boggling, featuring rippled walls, exquisite tile work, and sculpted fireplaces.

A masterpiece of modernist design, Casa Batlló has become one of the city’s most memorable tourist attractions. The UNESCO-listed building stands on the famous Passeig de Gràcia, Barcelona’s central avenue, and ranks among Gaudí’s most famous structures. Gaudí-themed tours of Barcelona almost always include a visit to the building, and visitors pressed for time can opt for skip-the-line access. Caso Batlló is often visited in combination with Gaudí’s other famous sites, including nearby Casa Mila (also known as La Pedrera), La Sagrada Familia, and the mosaic-filled Park Güell.

Situated in the heart of Barcelona, Casa Batlló is easily accessible on foot from most areas of the old city. You can get there via the metro (the nearest stop is Passeig de Gracia station), or by bus. Most hop-on hop-off bus tours of Barcelona also stop at Casa Batlló.

Casa Batlló is open year-round. In the busy summer months, expect long lines at the ticket window and opt for an early morning visit to avoid crowds. 

Antoni Gaudí worked the legend of Saint George, the patron saint of Catalonia, into the architecture of Casa Batlló. Keep your eyes open for the back of the dragon pierced with Saint George’s sword, the balcony of the princess, and the skeletal remains of the dragon’s victims.

The Barcelona Pavilion was built for the city’s 1929 International Exposition by German architect Ludwig Mies van der Rohe, and stands today as important building for both the city and the modern architecture movement. It once served as the official opening for the German section of the exhibition, and is now admired for its simple design and intelligent use of special materials. It was constructed in less than one year, following World War I, with materials such as travertine, Greek marble, steel, glass, and golden onyx. Its emphasis on simplistic structure and minimalism makes this a peaceful place to visit, and still a model of expert design.

Perhaps the highlight of a visit to the Barcelona Pavilion is the prestigious and iconic Barcelona Chair, also designed by Mies van der Rohe. The Barcelona Chair was purposefully designed and keeps with the minimalistic style of the building. The Barcelona Pavilion continues to inspire modernist artists all over the world.

One of the trio of striking buildings that make up the ‘Illa de la Discordia’ (Block of Discord) along Barcelona’s famous Passeig de Gràcia, Casa Lleo i Morera stands proudly beside Gaudí’s iconic Casa Batlló and Josep Puig i Cadafalch’s equally eye-catching Casa Amatller. Elaborately restored in 1902 by architect Lluis Domènech i Muntaner, whose other works include the magnificent Palau de la Música Catalana and the Hospital de la Santa Creu i Sant Pau, Casa Lleó i Morera was built in 1864 and takes its name from its original owners, the Morera family.

On a guided tour, visitors can explore the spectacular modernist interiors of Casa Lleó i Morera. Along with the distinctive ornamental façade, highlights of the building include exquisite stained-glass windows, a series of sculptures by Eusebi Arnau, colorful mosaics by artists like Mario Maragliano and Lluís Bru i Salelles and exquisite furnishings, handcrafted by cabinetmaker Gaspar Homar.

The Center of Contemporary Culture of Barcelona (CCCB) will give you goodreason to head into the gritty streets of the El Raval neighborhood, just west of the tourist-filled Las Ramblas. Partially located in a 19th-century almshouse, the urban culture center is a hub for discovery, debate and reflection.

The multidisciplinary institution is noted for its impressive offering of everything from debates, concerts, readings, festivals and exhibitions. Indeed, it’s those conversation-worthy rotating exhibitions that will draw the everyday visitor, so be sure to check the center’s schedule in advance to see what might be of interest to you. And, since the CCCB sits in the El Raval neighborhood, you have all the more reason to wander this often-unexplored part of Barcelona.

Entertainment, culture, history, and even a scare — these are all things you can expect to find at the Barcelona Wax Museum. Housed in a fancy 19th-century neoclassical palace of sorts, the museum is home to over 300 characters, both real and fictitious. 

Wandering the museum’s exceptionally staged galleries, you’ll come face to face with a range of noteworthy figures, such as kings and queens, politicians, and painters, singers and actors. From Albert Einstein to Catalan surrealist Salvador Dali, and frightful personalities such as Frankenstein, there’s no shortage of surprising characters that will stand in your path. The quirkiness doesn’t stop at the wax figures, either, as the museum also has two eccentric cafés — one in the theme of a forested fairytale, the other an avant-garde paradise of origami.

Despite its magnificent location, Castellfollit de la Roca has little more than 1,000 inhabitants, making it one of Catalonia’s smallest towns and the smallest in Girona. Visitors, however, are plentiful and the narrow streets, medieval squares and 13th-century church of St. Salvador offer a fascinating glimpse into a time long gone. 

Don’t be fooled — the beach isn’t the only reason to make it to Sitges; in fact, it might not even be the top one. A visit to the city’s Cau Ferrat Museum will quickly prove this is to be the case given its eclectic collection of art, odds and ends that will keep your eyes dazzled for days. 

Relatively small in size, the museum’s venue was originally founded in 1893 (later opened to the public in 1933) by Santiago Rusiñol as a fisherman home-turned-home workshop. What awaits visitors now is a veritable temple of Modernisme times, which includes a seemingly never-ending collection of items ranging from ceramics to medieval doorknobs and keys, colorful tile work, artwork by Rusiñol’s contemporaries (such as Picasso), and what is said to be the world’s largest collection of wrought iron — among a lot more. Between the items on display, the historic home, and the unbeatable views of the sea, you’ll be glad you found your way to this impressive treasure in Sitges.

Though Passeig de Gràcia is most famously known for Gaudi-designed masterpieces La Pedrera and Casa Batlló, there’s another curious building to discover here: Casa Amatller. Constructed in the late 19th century, the former home was constructed for its namesake, chocolatier Antoni Amatller, and is just the place to go to see spectacular Modernisme architecture, and minus all the crowds.

Like its neighboring buildings along Passeig de Gràcia’s famous Block of Discord, or Illa de la Discordia, Casa Amatller also mixes things up architecturally, featuring both Flemish and Catalan styles. A visit to its interior is equally impressive, promising exquisitely tiled walls and floors, colorful stained-glass detailing, and rooms decorated with the original furniture. Appreciate the building from the busy Barcelona street, while inside at the chocolate-filled café, or on a pre-scheduled guided tour, during which you’ll learn about Casa Amatller’s history, and even enjoy a chocolate sample at the end.

This delicious museum tells the story of chocolate across Europe, including its history, trade, manufacturing, and various uses. It traces the origins back to South America, when cacao beans were first brought to Europe by Spanish conquistadores. Since the 15th century chocolate played an important role in Barcelona’s economy, with the import and export through its port. Historically the city soldiers were even given pieces of chocolate with bread for breakfast.

It is one of the city’s smaller museums, but is in the top ten in terms of visitors. Fun chocolate experiences, from sculpting or painting with chocolate, are on display. Many of the sculptures are famous Barcelona landmarks made of chocolate. Those who visit do indeed receive a piece of chocolate upon entering, but the smell of chocolate permeates long before then. Tastings are very much part of the experience, so be sure to come hungry.

With its signature red and white brickwork, the Arc de Triomf of Barcelona stands tall in the center of a wide boulevard as a unique piece of architecture in a creative city. Designed by Catalan architect Josep Vilaseca, it was originally meant for an exhibition entrance to the 1888 Universal Exposition, which took place at the nearby Parc de la Ciutadella. It was created with Islamic style influences in the Neo-Mudéjar style, which originated in 12th-century Iberia, and now stands in tribute as a memorial. 

Various friezes in stone and tile along the sides of the arch represent advancements in technology, the arts, and agriculture.  At the top of the arch are the coats of arms for 49 provinces of Spain, overseen by the coat of arms for Barcelona. Another relief is a symbol meaning "Barcelona welcomes the nations." It now marks the passage of a promenade which is pleasant for long walks. Classical in shape, it now stands as a landmark for the city of Barcelona.

Opened to the public for the first time in 2017, Casa Vicens is Antoni Gaudí’s original modernist masterpiece and the first house he ever designed. Built in Barcelona in the 1880s for Manel Vicens i Montaner, this UNESCO World Heritage Site sets the tone for the rest of Gaudi’s architecture, created during Europe’s late 19th century and early 20th century Art Nouveau period.

 

Turned into a museum after restoration work and visitor-friendly updates, Casa Vicens features two floors of the Vicens family’s sitting rooms, dining rooms, and bedrooms; a top floor space with a permanent collection depicting the house’s history and cultural context; a rooftop; a basement housing the La Capell specialty store and bookshop; and a garden. An admission ticket allows you to explore the house at your own pace, while guided tours limited to 10 people are available if you wish to explore with a tour guide for a more in-depth visit. Get the full Gaudí experience with a combo tour of Casa Vicens and other notable Gaudí attractions, such as Basilica of the Sagrada Familia and Park Güell.

 

 

Casa Vicens is located in the Gràcia District of Barcelona, adjacent to the Eixample District, which is home to Gaudí’s Casa Milà (La Pedrera) and Casa Batlló. The closest metro station is Fontana. From there, it’s a 1.2-mile (2-kilometer) walk north to Park Güell, another major Gaudí attraction, making it easy to visit both.

 

The house is open daily, with the exception of certain holidays. Tickets are timed, so you’ll choose your desired entrance time when booking.

 

If you’d like to get to know the Gràcia neighborhood where Casa Vicens is located, book a walking or scooter tour with a guide to show you around this artsy, bohemian barrio (neighborhood). Its narrow streets are home to cafés and a number of foreign restaurants, plazas such as Plaça de Sol, and a mix of both hip young professionals and elderly residents.

Strategically located at the meeting point of La Rambla and Passeig de Gràcia, two of Barcelona’s busiest boulevards, Catalunya Square (Plaça de Catalunya) makes a strategic starting point for walking tours of the city.  More than just a navigational landmark, Catalunya Square is also the symbolic heart of Barcelona and the large, tree-lined plaza is abuzz with activity both day and night.

As well as being surrounded by restaurants, cafes and bars, including the iconic Cafe Zurich and the Hard Rock Café, Catalunya Square is also home to large department stores like El Corte Inglés, FNAC and Habitat, a pair of dramatically illuminated fountains and a number of monumental sculptures, including the white marble La Deessa by Josep Clara and Josep Subirachs’s Monument of Francesc Macià.