Choose from 116 Fun Things to Do in Barcelona
Nova Icària Beach
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Palau de la Música Catalana
- The Palau de la Música Catalana is a must-see for architecture buffs and music lovers.
- Choose between a live performance or guided tour of the concert hall; guided tours last about 55 minutes.
- Be sure to book tickets ahead of time to avoid disappointment.
- Photography of any kind is prohibited during concerts.
- The Palau de la Música Catalana is wheelchair accessible.
Tablao Flamenco Cordobes
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Botanical Garden of Barcelona
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Gràcia
- Gràcia is a must-visit for artistic travelers, foodies, and those who want to see a different side of Barcelona.
- Wear comfortable shoes; Gràcia is a big neighborhood and you'll do a lot of walking.
- If you're visiting Park Güell, book your tickets ahead of time; they often sell out, especially during the summer.
- Don't forget to wear sunscreen and a hat; some areas of Gràcia lack shade.
Hard Rock Cafe Barcelona
- The Hard Rock Cafe is a popular option for music lovers and those with a hankering for American comfort food.
- Book your meal ahead of time to save time and get seated more quickly.
- The restaurant and shop accept euros and major credit cards.
Palau Güell
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La Pedrera - Milà House (Casa Milà)
One of Antoni Gaudi's most intriguing creations, the spectacular Casa Mila"”also known as La Pedrera (The Quarry) because of its wave-like stone exterior"”caused some controversy among critics when it was first unveiled back in 1910. Today, however, Casa Mila is considered a masterpiece of Catalan Modernisme, with gaggles of visitors coming to see its surreal sculptural roof terrace, the re-created early 20th-century interiors of the Pedrera apartment, and the attic-level Espai Gaudi exhibit, which is devoted to the great Catalan architect's work.
The Basics
Designed to serve as apartments for some of Barcelona's more moneyed inhabitants, this remarkable residential building is now part of the Works of Antoni Gaudi UNESCO World Heritage Site. By day, visitors can explore part of the building with the aid of an audio guide (included in the ticket price). Alternatively, visit at night as part of the Gaudi's Pedrera: The Origins experience, when a mesmerizing light show takes place on the roof terrace. Casa Mila is visited on many architectural tours of Barcelona, alongside other Gaudi gems such as La Sagrada Familia and Park Guell.
Things to Know Before You Go
- Book skip-the-line tickets in advance to avoid long entry lines at Casa Mila.
- For the ultimate crowd-free experience, opt for an early-access, small-group, guided tour that gets you in before the doors open to the public.
- The roof terrace provides little shade from Spain's summer sun, so bring sunscreen and a hat.
- The onsite Cafe de la Pedrera, serving hot and cold drinks as well as food, is located on the ground floor.
- All areas of Casa Mila are wheelchair accessible with the exception of the roof terrace, because of its uneven surfaces.
How to Get There
Casa Mila is located in the Eixample district on one of Barcelona's most heavily trafficked thoroughfares: Passeig de Gracia. Take metro lines 3 or 5 to Diagonal station and walk two minutes from there.
When to Get There
Casa Mila is open daily year-round from 9am to 8:30pm and from 9 to 11pm. In summer, entry lines often go around the block. The biggest crowds congregate in the middle of the day"”avoid them by arriving soon after opening (9am) or in late afternoon (after 4pm).
Discover Other Gaudi Masterpieces in the Area
A five-minute walk south of Casa Mila sits Casa Batllo. One of Gaudi's boldest designs, this eye-catching structure is adorned with a mosaic of colorful ceramic tiles and stained-glass shards
George Orwell Square
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Museu Blau
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Olympic Stadium
A visit now offers a glimpse into sports history, as well as some great views of the city. It was the venue for both the opening and closing ceremonies of that year's Olympics. Walking through the competitor's tunnel, you can really get a feel for how athletes must have felt as they experienced the vastness of the grounds.
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Temple of Augustus (Temple d'August)
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Gran Teatre del Liceu
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Park Güell
- This site is a must-visit for art and architecture buffs.
- You can bypass the crowds with an early-access ticket.
- Download the free app, Park Güell, Official Guide to the Monumental Zone, before your visit for interactive maps and audio snippets about the park.
- Wear comfortable shoes and bring sun protection, particularly during summer.
- Free WiFi is available throughout the Monumental Zone.
- Due to flights of stairs and uneven paths, Park Güell is not suitable for wheelchairs.
Frederic Mares Museum
If you're looking for a glimpse into the lifestyle of Barcelona's upper-class throughout the 20th-century, the Frederic Mares Museum, or Museu Frederic Marès, offers a unique perspective, including a range of daily objects like ticket stubs, train tickets, period clothing, pipes and handbills. The sculpture gallery, featuring a prominent collection of Hispanic works spanning the pre-Roman period to the late 19th century, is one of the most talked about exhibitions, including a fascinating series of polychrome holy carvings. Down the hall, the Sala Femenina gallery is devoted to the women of the era, with exquisite fans, combs and jewelry on display, alongside a dazzling selection of clothing and fashion accessories.
Other highlights include a number of antique dolls and 20th-century toys; a section dedicated to smoking paraphernalia and an assortment of old coins. That's not all; carved crucifixes, antique clocks, historic cameras and walking sticks can all be spotted, and once you've marveled over the oddities within, the museum's courtyard cafe offers a tranquil space to mull over your visit.