Would you like to visit Barcelona? Great idea, this city in Catalonia is absolutely gorgeous. These are 19 fun things to do in Barcelona.
About Barcelona
Barcelona is a beautiful city located on the coast of northeastern Spain and is the capital of the region of Catalonia. It is one of the most popular cities in Europe and attracts millions of tourists from all over the world every year.
Barcelona has everything a traveler could want: sun, sea, beach, history, culture, and incredibly good food. The city is famous for its architecture, especially Antoni Gaudi’s buildings, such as the iconic Sagrada Familia and Park Güell.
Barcelona’s climate is Mediterranean, making it pleasant weather almost all year round. In short, a city break in Barcelona is always a good idea.
Fun things to do in Barcelona
There is so much to see and do in Barcelona and you can easily entertain yourself for weeks. What to do in Barcelona during a city break? I’ve visited Barcelona numerous times over the last fifteen years, and in this blog post, I’ll tell you all about the fun things to do in Barcelona and the most beautiful Barcelona sights.
Park Güell
Barcelona is the city of Antoni Gaudí. All over the city, you will come across beautiful buildings and parks designed by this famous architect. Park Güell is one of them and this is one of the most famous landmarks in Barcelona. It’s very popular with tourists, there are people everywhere!
This also has a reason, because this park on a hill in Barcelona is arguably the most beautiful in the world. The houses at the entrance and the winding bench with a colorful mosaic are spectacular to see. It looks like you’ve found yourself walking around in a fairytale. It gets quieter the more you climb uphill. High in the park you also have an amazing view of the city.
Tip: Buy your admission ticket online so you don’t have to stand in the (long) line.
Font Màgica
Almost every evening you can see the colorful fountain show of the Font Màgica several times. Very impressive and well worth it. Check this website in advance to see when the next shows start. Visiting the fountain is free. Also, the entire area around Plaça d’Espanya, where this fountain is located, is really beautiful to see. Here you can easily entertain yourself for a few hours.
Explore La Rambla
La Rambla is a famous street in the center of Barcelona and is a popular destination for tourists and locals alike. Along the street, you will find numerous stalls, cafes, restaurants, and street performers. It’s a nice street to explore, as it is incredibly lively and there is always something to see. Beware of pickpockets, though.
Tip: While walking down La Rambla, visit the Mercado de La Boqueria as well. This is a beautiful covered market and you will find numerous stalls selling fresh fruits, vegetables, fish, and meat.
Casa Batlló
Gaudí has designed two apartment complexes in Barcelona that you can visit; Casa Mila and Casa Batllo. I have visited both and as far as I am concerned, (the slightly less crowded) Casa Batlló is the more beautiful of the two.
Casa Battló has an awful lot of colorful details, and amazingly beautiful chimneys and the facade is a picture to behold. Visiting this extraordinary work of art by Gaudí is one of the most fun things to do in Barcelona.
Get your ticket for Casa Batlló now.
La Barceloneta
Feel like relaxing on the beach for a few hours? Then head to La Barceloneta. This is one of the most popular neighborhoods in the city and is located on the coast. Here you will find numerous restaurants, bars, and a vast sandy beach where you can soak up the sun.
Parc de la Ciutadella
The largest park in Barcelona is Parc de la Ciutadella and this is a wonderful place to relax during your weekend in Barcelona. The most notable structure in the park is the beautiful Cascada del Parc de la Ciutadella on the edge of a pond. In addition, there are also several beautiful works of art to be found in the park.
MNAC – Museu Nacional d’Art de Catalunya
Would you like to visit a museum during your trip to Barcelona? There are some really nice museums to be found in the city, but my personal favorite is the MNAC (Museu Nacional d’Art de Catalunya).
This museum is located near the Font Màgica and is housed in a gorgeous building. In the museum there is something for everyone, the collection is very varied. For example, there is a large collection of Romanesque art, but you can also see modern artworks and artworks from the Baroque and Renaissance.
Buy your ticket to the MNAC here.
Poble Espanyol
Next to the MNAC is Poble Espanyol. This is an open-air museum that offers a glimpse into the traditional architecture and culture of Spain. Here you will find numerous stalls, stores, and restaurants offering a wide range of Spanish food and crafts. It is very nice to wander through this for a while.
Buy your ticket to Poble Espanyol here.
Explore the streets of El Born
Narrow and winding streets, filled with small cafes where you can eat tasty tapas and churros. El Born is an old neighborhood that you want to explore. Getting lost is not a bad thing, this is how you will find the most beautiful places. This neighborhood is also a great place to try traditional food in Barcelona, make sure to try some delicious Catalan dishes while you’re here.
Visit the Picasso Museum
One of the highlights of El Born is the Picasso Museum. Housed in five medieval palaces, it is dedicated to the work of famous artist Pablo Picasso. Even if you are not a big fan of his works, this is a particularly beautiful place to visit.
Tip! Learn more about Picasso and his most extraordinary works on this tour (includes museum admission ticket).
Castell de Montjuïc
The ancient Castell de Montjuïc is a fortress on a hill in the southern part of Barcelona, next to the Mediterranean Sea. If you’re looking for a bit of peace and quiet, this is the place to be. Around the fortress, you will find some beautiful gardens with flowers and cactuses. On top of the fortress, you’ll have an amazing view of the city. And the best thing: there is no entrance fee!
Tibidabo
Another great view of the city is from Tibidabo. This is a mountain just outside Barcelona and here the whole city is at your feet.
There are also other attractions here such as the Tibidabo amusement park. This has been around since 1901, making it one of the oldest amusement parks in Europe. In addition, the Temple Expiatori del Sagrat Cor also stands at the top of the mountain, this is an impressive church known for its imposing towers and the large statue of Jesus Christ.
La Sagrada Fámilia
The impressive cathedral Sagrada Família is the most famous building in Barcelona. Don’t even think about skipping it. This church is so huge that you can see it from many places in the city. Gaudí’s most famous building is still not finished, but breathtakingly beautiful.
It is great to look at it from a distance (there are so many extraordinary details!), but it is even more impressive inside. You have to buy a ticket in advance for a time slot because a visit to the Sagrada Fámilia is very popular.
Buy your ticket to La Sagrada Fámilia now.
Fun day trips from Barcelona
You now know all about the most beautiful and famous Barcelona sights. But did you know that there is also a lot of beauty outside the city? These are the best day trips from Barcelona.
Montserrat
Do you want to escape the city for a day? Make a day trip from Barcelona to Montserrat! You can reach the famous Santa Maria de Montserrat Abbey by funicular (the fast way) or with a cable car (long wait, but spectacular views).
The Abbey itself is beautiful, but it can be very crowded. However, if you like hiking, make sure to climb to one of the viewpoints and explore the trails around the abbey. The views are incredible, and the trails are not that crowded.
Tip: Visit Montserrat with a tour from Barcelona. Then you will get a lot of interesting information from a local guide and also take a beautiful mountain hike.
Tarragona
Tarragona is about an hour’s drive from Barcelona. It is a beautiful historic city with numerous Roman ruins. The most notable sights are the amphitheater, the Roman aqueduct, and the forum. Another fun thing to do in Tarragona is get lost in the narrow streets of the old town. You will also find lots of nice restaurants where you can enjoy the local Catalan cuisine.
Sitges
Sitges, located just a 30-minute drive from Barcelona, is a beautiful coastal town with lovely beaches and charming streets. Stroll along the promenade and admire the colorful houses, visit the Cau Ferrat Museum, the former home of the artist Santiago Rusiñol, and enjoy delicious tapas and sangria in one of the many restaurants and bars.
Girona
Girona, just over an hour’s drive from Barcelona, is a charming medieval city rich in history and culture. Explore the magnificent cathedral, walk across the stone bridges over the Onyar River, and visit the Jewish Quarter, one of the best-preserved medieval Jewish quarters in Europe. You may recognize a few spots in the city, as Girona was used as a filming location for the famous series Game of Thrones.
Read more: 10 fun things to do in Girona
Where to stay in Barcelona
Barcelona is a city that attracts a lot of tourists. The great thing about this is that there are many different accommodations in different price categories. These are a few great places to stay:
- Hostal Girona – I stayed in this guesthouse once during a solo trip to Barcelona. The rooms are small but clean and comfortable. The breakfast is great and it is in a great location. A good option if you are looking for an affordable stay.
- El Avenida Palace (4⭐) – Nice downtown hotel with a rooftop pool. It’s very nice to take a refreshing dip in the evening after wandering through the city all day.
- Sercotel Hotel Rosellon (4⭐) – Fine hotel with a fantastic rooftop terrace. From here you have a great view of the Sagrada Fámilia.
Check out Booking.com for more options, availability, and prices.
Will you be visiting Barcelona for the first time? Make sure to spend at least 3 days in the city. Check this post for a fun itinerary: The perfect 3 days in Barcelona itinerary.
Book your trip to Barcelona now!
Would you love to visit Barcelona someday? Don’t wait any longer and book your trip now!
✈️ Plane tickets – Barcelona has a large international airport with great connections all over the world. Check WayAway to find the best deals and get cashback on plane tickets.
🚆 Travel to Spain by train – Spain is very well accessible by train from other European countries. Check Rail Europe for train times and tickets.
🚘 Rental Car – Would you like to see more of the Spanish countryside? Renting a car in Spain is cheap and easy. Check Rental Cars to find the best deals.
💊 Travel insurance – Having good travel insurance will give you peace of mind. Check Insubuy to find the best travel insurance that fits your needs.
🎡 Tours and activities – There are a lot of fun tours and activities to do in Barcelona. Check Get Your Guide to find the best-guided tours and activities.
Read more about Barcelona and Spain
Looking for more Barcelona tips and would you like to see more of Spain? These travel guides are very useful if you’d like to learn more about the city and the country.
Fodor’s Barcelona: with Highlights of Catalonia
I travel to Spain several times a year, as it is one of my favorite destinations in Europe. That is why you can find a lot of information about traveling to Spain on this website. You might like to read these articles as well:
- 11 fun and interesting things to do in Figueres
- Valencia vs Barcelona: which city is better for your next city break?
- Interrailing in Spain: my experience, itinerary & tips
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This article was published in February 2016. Last update with even more tips: February 2024.
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