Barcelona is a city of immense charm, with vibrant streets and beaches, and unique places to visit. From the quirky architecture of Antoni Gaudí, to the busy La Rambla avenue and the allure of the Gothic Quarter, Barcelona has something for everyone. There is so much to discover in and around the city, and any visit is bound to be unforgettable. If you’re curious about this amazing city, check out this article for the 12 best places to visit in Barcelona.
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La Sagrada Família
Let’s start with Barcelona’s most famous and recognisable landmark. The Basílica de la Sagrada Família (“Basilica of the Sacred Family”) is a stunning and imaginative church with a unique allure.
It was the most ambitious project of Antoni Gaudí, the architect that gave Barcelona so much uniqueness. Unfortunately Gaudí wasn’t able to see its construction through, due to his unexpected passing. Construction, which had been started in the late 19th century, slowly went on but faced several difficulties. However, it has picked up pace in the last few years and La Sagrada Família is now near completion.
I’ve had the pleasure of visiting it recently, as well as many years ago, and seeing the huge progress made. The church has always looked spectacular and unique, and I look forward to seeing it again when completed.
La Sagrada Família is undoubtedly one of the best places to visit in Barcelona. Its uniqueness and charm are sure to delight all visitors at the first glance.
I’d highly recommend purchasing your tickets to see the church online. The queues to buy tickets on site can be long, and on busy days they may sell out quickly.
Parc Güell
Parc Güell is another unique masterpiece of Antoni Gaudí’s architectural work. This beautiful hillside park hosts several sculptures covered in colourful mosaics, unique monuments and stunning views of the city.
One of the fairytale-like houses at the main gates of the park, La Casa del Guarda, now hosts an exhibition on Gaudí’s designs. The queues to get in can get long, but this exhibition is a must-see for visitors interested in design and architecture.
Moreover, you’ll also find Gaudí’s former residence in Parc Güell. Now a museum, you can visit it and see its beautiful interiors, as well as documents and other belongings of the renowned architect.
Overall, Parc Güell must rank among the best places to visit in Barcelona. Its unique sculptures and city views will certainly make for an unforgettable experience.
Visit the park’s website to buy your tickets!
Casa Milà
Gaudí didn’t just design monuments and churches, but a few private townhouses as well. They are no ordinary townhouses though. They are spectacular masterpieces of architecture, and proof that even private houses can be works of art.
Casa Milà is one of the most famous townhouses that Gaudí designed. It dates back to the more mature stages of Gaudí’s career, when his unique style was perfected.
Aside from admiring the beautiful façade from the street, you can visit the house and get access to the courtyard and the rooftop. If you want to see more of the house, you can also join more expensive tours and experiences.
You can buy tickets on the website, and I’d recommend booking in advance due to Casa Milà’s popularity.
Casa Batlló
Casa Batlló is the most famous, and arguably the most beautiful, townhouse that Gaudí designed. It’s a truly stunning work of art, that really elevates your idea of what a house could look like!
Its amazing façade is Casa Batlló’s most recognisable feature, with its vibrant blue colours and balconies that resemble masks. A visit inside the house is also an amazing experience. Meticulously designed to be curvy and vibrant, with water as the main theme, the interiors of the house will surely delight all visitors.
With the main entry ticket you can see the main common areas, the beautiful internal staircase and the rooftop. If you’re willing to spend extra, you can also purchase an enhanced experience to see more of the house, including a private apartment.
You can purchase all tickets and tours online. Because of Casa Batlló’s immense popularity among Barcelona’s visitors, I’d highly recommend booking in advance and guarantee your entry.
Casa Batlló is not only one of the best places to see in Barcelona, it’s also one of the most unforgettable and unique attractions of the city!
Picasso Museum
Picasso’s artwork may not be to everyone’s taste, but he was undoubtedly one of the most influential artists of the 20th century. He lived in Barcelona for many years, and held a strong affection for the city.
You can now admire a large collection of his work at the Picasso Museum, right in the Gothic Quarter of Barcelona. Discover the variety of Picasso’s work across painting and sculpture, and through the various ‘periods’ of his artistic career. Moreover, find out about his huge influence on the world of art, in creating and shaping several styles.
The Picasso Museum is a must-see in Barcelona for all visitors who are interested in art.
You can book your tickets on the museum’s official website. You can also book audio guides or fully guided visits to delve deeper into Picasso’s work and influence.
Parc de la Ciutadella
A beautiful formal park, originally built in the 19th century, Parc de la Ciutadella is a great green space to relax. Situated just outside the historic Gothic Quarter, the park can offer a welcome break from the hustle and bustle of the city.
Take a stroll around the park to admire the stunning fountain, the various monuments and the beautiful Catalan parliament. You can also rent a boat and enjoy some relaxing time in the lake. It’s a great way to cool down, especially on a hot summer day.
Catedral de Barcelona
Barcelona’s spectacular gothic cathedral is truly a sight to behold. It’s large and imposing, both on the outside and inside, and offers amazing views from the rooftop.
The cathedral is immaculately kept up and looks relatively new, despite its gothic style. In fact, it had an interesting history, with construction of the current church only being completed in the 1800s with sketches from centuries before.
You can buy entry tickets on their website, which will also give you access to an audio guide and the rooftop.
El Born Centre for Culture and Memory
An interesting place for all types of visitors, the El Born Centre for Culture and Memory is a fully-restored former market. There you can find open-air excavations of the old city that date back to the 18th century.
With the spectacular remains of the city, alongside the informative signs and guided tours, you can catch a glimpse of Barcelona’s past and history. Learn about the city’s and region’s past periods of prosperity and troubles, and about how the city was structured.
Moreover, the El Born Centre for Culture and Memory hosts interesting temporary exhibitions on historical and current issues. Visit their website to find out about the exhibitions that will be hosted during your trip.
You can buy tickets for the exhibitions, as well as for guided tours, on their website. Entry to the centre itself is free of charge.
However, there are periods where entry to the exhibitions is also free, although without a guide. They are on Sunday afternoons, 3pm to 8pm, and on the first Sunday of the month, 10am to 8pm.
Overall, the El Born Centre for Culture and Memory is one of the best places to visit in Barcelona. And it’s one of the cheapest attractions in the city if you visit when entry to the exhibitions is free!
Joan Miró Foundation
Another must-see place in Barcelona for art lovers. You can admire a huge collection of Joan Miró’s surrealist work in this museum, located right in his native city.
While not as well known as other artists of his time, Joan Miró was a prolific and influential figure who left a significant mark on 20th century art.
The museum offers a permanent collection of Miró’s work and other temporary exhibitions. You can also book guided tours if you’re interested in learning more about the artist’s life and artistic influence.
You can find more information and purchase your tickets on the museum’s website.
Moreover, the Joan Miró Foundation lies on a hill in Montjuïc, a beautiful area of Barcelona with plenty to explore. The next two places on this list are also amazing places to see in Montjuïc, which you could visit before or after the Joan Miró Foundation.
Poble Espanyol de Montjuïc
A very interesting place to visit in Barcelona, the Poble Espanyol (“Spanish Town”) is an open-air living museum with recreated architecture of Spanish towns. You can also observe local artisans as they work and you can even participate in crafts workshops.
The Poble Espanyol is a fantastic showcase of Spain’s traditional architecture, as well as its regional diversity and small-town lifestyle.
Overall, the Poble Espanyol de Montjuïc is one of the best and most unique places to visit in Barcelona. To book your tickets, visit their website.
Plaça de les Cascades and Font Màgica de Montjuïc
Situated halfway between the Joan Miró Foundation and the Poble Espanyol, Plaça de les Cascades (“Waterfall Square”) is one of the most spectacular squares in Barcelona. The square hosts three beautiful fountains located one above the other, with the water cascading down to the lower levels like waterfalls.
It’s not just this square though. The area surrounding Plaça de les Cascades is monumental and imposing. The square lies on a long stairway that looks down to another spectacular fountain, the Font Màgica de Montjuïc (“Magic Fountain of Montjuïc”). This fountain offers spectacular water choreographies in the evenings that are absolutely worth a visit. Check when the shows are happening on the local government’s website. Bear in mind though that the fountain might be turned off in emergency situations, for example due to a drought. The local government’s website will have information on possible closures.
On the backdrop of the long stairway up the hill, behind Plaça de les Cascades, you can’t miss the imposing Montjuïc National Palace. The stunning and opulent neo-baroque palace hosts the National Art Museum of Catalonia. The museum offers a large collection of local art, which art lovers may be interested in.
Overall the Montjuïc fountains and the spectacular backdrops are among the best places to visit in Barcelona. The views will certainly delight all visitors!
Montserrat Monastery
While this beautiful mountain monastery isn’t technically in Barcelona, it’s very easy to get to from the city. The distance is only about 60 km (37 miles), and you can get there in about one hour and a half. Due to the proximity and ease of access, many visitors to Barcelona visit Montserrat.
At the monastery you can enjoy sweeping views over the rocky mountain and valley. If you’re into hiking, there are also many trails around the monastery. The shortest is to the small chapel of Santa Cova, with a distance of 1.6 km (1 mile) which should take about 30 minutes. The Santa Cova trail also has several sculptures along the way. A short funicular ride can also take you partway down to the chapel and back up.
You can also take the other funicular from the monastery towards the top of the mountain. From there, you can explore the several hermitages and reach the summit. And if you’re feeling particularly active, why not skip the funicular and hike all the way up.
For the art lovers, there is a museum with beautiful paintings and sculptures. And of course you can visit the large basilica, and admire the stunning artwork in the church.
To get to Montserrat, you first need to take the R5 train from Plaça d’Espanya station. After the train ride you have two options.
First, you can get off at Aeri de Montserrat and take the cable car directly to the monastery.
Alternatively, get off at the following station, Monistrol de Montserrat, and take the funicular to the monastery.
If you’d rather have a guide and avoid public transport, you can also join an organised tour from Barcelona.