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Barcelona is a city of art. But it’s also got 5km of sandy beaches, which means you can have two holidays in one.
This Spanish city is sheltered by the surrounding mountains, so the weather’s good too. And while it’s pretty laid back during the day, Barcelona certainly comes alive at night.
Here’s our pick of things to do.
1. Visit the Sagrada Família
Basilica Sagrada Familia. Image by Espai d’Imatge via Turisme de Barcelona
The Sagrada Família, draws Bareclona’s biggest crowds.
Gaudi’s unfinished masterpiece is one of the few UNESCO World Heritage buildings in the world still under construction – it’s meant to be fully completed in 2026.
It is however one of the prettiest building sites in the world. You’re advised to book your tickets online to avoid the queues at busy times.
You can get a general admission ticket – but its worth paying a little extra to go up one of the towers – the views are exceptional.
2. Admire the other beautiful buildings
Casa Milà La Pedrera. Image by L. Bertran via Turisme de Barcelona
The biggest concentration of historic buildings are in the old part of the city, made up of the Gothic Quarter and the Ribera and Raval neighbourhoods. You’ll find details about walking tours at the tourist information kiosks.
There are nine UNESCO Heritage listed buildings in Barcelona. Along with the Sagrada Familia, Casa Milà (known as ‘La Pedrera’) is probably Gaudi’s other most famous work in the city.
This colourful and architecturally unique site runs day and night tours, so you can see the designs and creativity in different lights.
You’ll find the Hospital de la Santa Creu i Sant Pau in the world’s largest Art Nouveau site – take a guided tour to unlock all the site’s secrets.
The views across Barcelona from the Park Güell could be worth the admission price alone. Take a wander through the grounds (there’s a few steep bits) and admire all the colourful mosaics along the way.
The Palau Güell (1886-1890) was once one of the finest private homes in the world, and you can see Gaudi’s innovative ideas about space and light here.
Park Güell Dragon. Image by Jordi Trullàs via Turisme de Barcelona
3. People watch at one of Barcelona’s beaches
There are nine different beaches in the city.
The majority of the beaches have lifeguards if you want to take a dip, or go to the Fòrum bathing area, which is an enclosed sea water swimming pool.
You can hire bikes and cycle along the pavements, or sit by the shore in one of the restaurants or cafes that are strung along the beaches.
Barceloneta beach
4. See some of the finest art in the world
The Museu Picasso has 4,251 Pablo Picasso works in their permanent collection.
You can also find out more about another artistic superstar, Miro, at the Fundació Joan Miró. Download their walking tour app to see the public works he bequeathed to the city where he was born.
The Museu Nacional d’Art de Catalunya (MNAC ) has an in-depth collection of Romanesque art and fine examples of Catalan modernism.
5. Visit an iconic music venue
Palau de la Música
More than 500 concerts take place every year at the Palau de la Música. It hosts some of the most prestigious names in classical music.
The colourful Art Nouveau building is also a World Heritage Site – so if nothing else, it’s worth seeing just for its decorative glory.
The Gran Teatre del Liceu, known simply as “the Liceu” has been staging Opera’s on La Rambla since 1847. You can buy tickets for a show or take a tour (one of them actually takes you backstage).
The Teatre Nacional de Catalunya (TNC) was built to promote Catalan culture, and is their equivalent to the National Theatre in London.
6. See some big name artists at a festival
Barcelona’s clubbing scene has developed over the years, and throughout the summer there are several major international festivals.
Primavera Sound and Sónar are two of the biggest dance and electronic festivals – both usually take place in June.
7. Try the tapas
Tapas is a culinary staple in Spain.
Any bar worth its salt will serve tapas with your cervezas or Rioja, which is good if you’re bar hopping around the city and don’t fancy a sit down dinner.
Cal Pep is a bit of an institution, so there’s sometimes a queue, but Pep has more than 70 different dishes to taste if you have the time (He does close on Sundays however).
It’s standing room only at the family-run Quimet y Quimet – so do as the locals do and order a few dishes at the bar.
Pa amb tomàquet
8. Discover why the city’s restaurants have so many Michelin stars
There are plenty of places to try some haute cuisine in Barcelona. As of 2016 the city had 27 Michelin stars awarded to 22 restaurants.
For stellar seafood try the two Michelin star Paco Pérez at Enoteca. He focuses on bringing the best out of local ingredients.
The ultra-modern Restaurante Lasarte also has two stars and a changing seasonal menu.
If a foodie experience is top of your list, have a look at our top five gastronomic hotels in Barcelona. Book well in advance, as tables are highly sought after.
9. See what’s in season at the food markets
La Boqueria
To get up close to the local produce, visit La Boqueria off Las Ramblas. This sprawling market is often heaving with tourists, locals and trade buyers – but negotiating round the maze of stalls is all part of the fun.
You can pick up food to take away or eat at one of the stalls in the market.
10. Anyone say Cava bar?
The British equivalent of a Xampanyerias – a Catalan cava bar – would be an up-market cocktail-style place. But in Barcelona, these bars are very small and affordable, and the bubbly is something to drink with your tapas.
There are plenty of walking tours that will take you to some of the more authentic cava and tapas bars.
11. Marvel at a mountain while hiking
If you fancy a day trip out of the city, the Parc Natural de de la Muntanya de Montserrat is the perfect spot marvel at the rock formations.
The park also holds a special spiritual place in Catalan culture. The Monastery there attracts pilgrims to the Black Madonna at Montserrat statue.
12. Wander round the greenest part of the city
The Parc de la Ciutadella. Barcelona
The Parc de la Ciutadella is only a short walk from the beach. Along with ornamental gardens, you’ll find the Catalan Parliament building and Barcelona Zoo here too.
At the zoo, look out for the Lady with the Umbrella statue at the entrance.
If you want to go inside the Parlament de Catalunya, you’ll have to visit on the first Friday of the month.
13. Admire the stained glass in the city’s Gothic places of worship
The Cathedral Basilica of Barcelona took around 150 years to build. Around three million visitors go there each year – it’s a splendid example of a typical Gothic and Baroque cathedral.
The 14th century temple of Santa Maria del Mar is another exquisite building to visit. You can get guided visits of the Basilica, Crypt and terrace during the day – keep an eye out for the coloured keystones on the walls.
Finally, the tranquil Monestir de Pedralbes gives you an insight into the life of nuns throughout the centuries, and is another Gothic great.
They advise you to visit the monastery during the midday heat of the summer, as inside the church, monastery and gardens it is pleasantly cool.
14. Check out one of the oldest amusement parks in the world
You can see the Big Wheel at the Tibidabo Amusement Park from across the city, as this 100 year old amusement park is perched on the top of a hill with super views across Barcelona and beyond.
15. Monument with a view
As you walk towards the sea down La Rambla, you’ll come to the 60m tall monument to Christopher Columbus.
Take the lift up to the top, and you’ll have 360º views of Barcelona.
At night, the newest addition to the city skyline, the Torre Agbar, comes into its own. The 142m tower’s 4,500 glass panels are illuminated and constantly change their colours.
16. Watch the famous fountain show
Montjuïc Fountains. Image by Espai d’Imatge via Turisme de Barcelona
The Magic Fountain of Montjuïc (Font màgica de Montjuïc) entertains the night-time crowds with carefully-choreographed water shows accompanied by music.
It plays a huge part in national holidays, including New Year’s Eve, but you need to get there early.
Check the website for times and days, as they are seasonal – however Friday and Saturday evenings are usually a good bet all-year-round
DID YOU KNOW?: The fountain’s pipes move 2,610 litres per second while a show is going on, and it uses 4,760 light bulbs to illuminate the water.
While it doesn’t put on a show, the monumental fountain in the Plaça d’Espanya, built in 1929 and designed by Josep Maria Jujol, is a much photographed landmark.
17. Explore more of Montjuïc
There’s various ways of getting to the top of Montjuïc, so you can mix and match how you get up and down.
You can take the Montjuïc funicular part of the way (your metro tickets are valid) and meet up with the cable car to go the rest of the way – it drops you off right outside the castle.
The hill where Montjuïc Castle now stands has been inhabited since pre-historic times, and the fortress was only built in the 17th century.
Its parade ground terrace has a 360º viewing platform overlooking the city. Walk round the walls to see the port, the Mediterranean, the city coastline and the area of Baix Llobregat.
18. Visit the 1992 Olympic site
Olympic Stadium and Calatrava Tower. Image by Espai d’Imatge via Turisme de Barcelona
One of the most iconic Olympic games sites of the 20th century is just a short walk from the castle.
The Lluís Companys Olympic Stadium had originally been built in 1929, but the whole interior had to be overhauled when the city won the games.
19. See how many different cacti you can spot
Olympic Stadium and Calatrava Tower. Image by Espai d’Imatge via Turisme de Barcelona
There’s around 800 different types of cactus in this unusual hillside park in Montjuic which features plants and trees from tropical and desert climates.
20. Watch the cruise ships come in
Around 2m passengers pass through the port of Barcelona every year, so chances are you might see one of the luxury liners arriving.
Port da Barcelona
21. See what Barcelona’s “Shopping Line” has to offer
This is how the city refers to a five kilometre route, which starts down at the harbour and winds itself uptown to the El Corte Inglés, past all the major shopping areas.
If you’ve travelled by bus from the airport – chances are you’ve got off at the Plaça de Catalunya.
It’s surrounded by shops, including some of the major department stores.
22. Try shopping in some unusual venues
Las Arenas at Plaça d’Espanya was once one of the city’s most popular bullrings. The modernist facade has been kept, but the interior has been transformed in a shopping centre. Head to the top and you’ll not just find great views but open air bars and restaurants.
If you’re after something in particular like local crafts, try Poble Espanyol, or Spanish Village (it’s also got museums, art galleries and restaurants – and there’s an entry fee).
23. See a game featuring the mighty FC Barcelona
Camp Nou has a 99,354 capacity and is the largest football ground in Spain. You can pick up tickets for the games from tourist information kiosks – the prices of course depend on how close you want to be to the action.
If you don’t want to see a game but still want to visit the vast Camp Nou stadium, then you can take the tour and visit the museum – they’ve got a vast trophy cabinet as well as a special area devoted to Lionel Messi.
Port Vell. Rambla de Mar. Image by Espai d’Imatge via Turisme de Barcelona
Getting there:
Find some great deals on flights to Barcelona – it only takes two hours to fly there from London.
You can also combine your flight with a hotel – check out our latest Barcelona City Breaks.
Getting around:
Public transport is relatively easy to negotiate and with their underground Metro and bus prices, great value.
The tourist buses are also a great way of getting to all the major landmarks and seeing the sights along the way with a commentary.
They offer different routes, depending on where you want to go, and are hop on, hop off, so you can stay a little longer.
Visit the Barcelona Smart Moving website, which is the official tourist transport site. You’ll find all the different ticket options there.
Staying there:
We’ve got plenty of Barcelona hotels to choose from, whether you want to be in the heart of the action near Las Ramblas or in a quieter part of the city.
Where would you go in Barcelona?
We’d love to know what you think the best things to see in Barcelona are.
Let us know your top tips by leaving a comment below.
Some images courtesy of www.barcelonaturisme.com/
Source: lastminute.com