18 top attractions in Barcelona

November 28, 2017

Top attractions and things to do in Barcelona. The second biggest city in Spain, Barcelona, has a lot to offer, just the architecture is enough to make Barcelona one of Europe’s most interesting places. In Barcelona there is a unique nightlife, a wealth of world-class museums and gastronomy, and sights, attractions and experiences in a row. Barcelona also have great artists like Gaudí, Dalí, Barceló and Miró.

18 top attractions and things to do in Barcelona

There is much to experience in the big city of Barcelona in Spain. The most mandatory is to get along with Antoni Gaudi’s amazing construction such as the La Sagrada Familia, and not least the unique Parc Guëll park. The art enthusiasts should definitely visit the Picasso Museum, and for many it will be great to experience Camp Nou to see FC Barcelona play with 100,000 football supporters. Here we show you the most important attractions and things to do in Barcelona.

# 1 The famous shopping street La Rambla in Barcelona

La Rambla is the very heart of Barcelona and is known worldwide. Nobody visits Barcelona without having been to La Rambla, the avenue of life among newsstands, florists, artists, painters and performance artists. La Rambla is the setting for street theater and various one-man show, and Spaniards as tourists bivane the event in the flock. Regardless of skill, the artists are rewarded with applause and coins.

Contact Information La Rambla
Address: La Rambla, Barcelona
Internet: La Rambla

# 2 Experience great markets in Barcelona

Fresh food, antique furniture and scented flowers. The Catalan metropolis has over 40 markets in (almost) all kinds. You have not really experienced Barcelona before you walk along the sales pitches in one of the city’s markets, allowing you to experience all the smells, the colorful fruit selection and the excitement of bargaining at the right price in one of the city’s flea markets. See overview of the top markets in Barcelona

# 3 Picasso and the old town of Barcelona

The old part of Barcelona in Spain consists of three districts: “Barrio Gotico” (Gothic part), Raval and Rivera, both of which constitute the Bohemian part. Here both artists and musicians make for a good mood. In “Barrio Gotico” you will find The Picasso Museum, which is one of the three museums in the Picasso Triangle. The other two are found in Paris and Málaga.

The Picasso Museum in Barcelona offers guided tours in four different languages: Catalan, Spanish, French and English. The Picasso Museum (“Museu Picasso”) is a very popular tourist attraction in Barcelona, and contains a large collection of Picasso’s most important paintings. Pablo Picasso (1881 – 1973) is one of the most famous artists in history, living in Barcelona from the age of 14 years. The museum opened to the public in 1963, and here you can see paintings, sketches, family portraits, etc.

Contact information Picasso Museum
Hours: Tuesday – Sunday at. 10.00 – 20.00. Mondays closed.
Address: Carrer de Montcada 15 – 23, Barcelona
Internet: www.museupicasso.bcn.cat

# 4 Nightlife in Barcelona

As one of Spain’s largest cities, Barcelona offers a fantastic nightlife. Nightlife is mostly concentrated in the area of ”Puerto Olímpico” (the Olympic harbor) where you will find discotheques, nightclubs, bars, restaurants and more. If you go all the way down to the end of La Rambla, “Puerto Olímipico” is on the left. The port area located right below La Rambla is called “Port Vell” (the old harbor). There is a good selection of Spanish restaurants in all price ranges with typical Spanish food, seafood, paella etc. And do not forget the dessert “Crema Catalana”, a caramel pudding typical of the region. Rear more about the nightlife in Barcelona

# 5 La Sagrada Familia

La Sagrada Familia is definitely Barcelona’s main attraction. The basilica was designed by architect Antoni Gaudí, who was appointed project manager when the construction started in 1882. La Sagrada Familia became his life’s work until he was hit and killed by the tram on his way to work one day in 1926. The work continued after his death and has not yet been completed. The construction of the basilica is still ongoing after Gaudí’s sketches. Eight of the future twelve bell towers of about 100 meters are raised, each dedicated to the twelve disciples. In the center of the basilica, a 170 meter high center judgment is planned in honor of Jesus Christ, a 125 meter tall tower in honor of Virgin Mary, and a tower in honor of the four evangelists.

La Sagrada Familia is scheduled to be completed in 2050. The basilica’s lower floor contains the “Museo del Temple Expiatori de La Sagrada Familia”. Here you can see Gaudí’s personal objects, the history of the project, his workroom and his last resting place. The coffin can be seen through a showcase at the heart of the museum. The beautiful and impressive Basilica of La Sagrada Familia is Barcelona’s most famous landmark and a landmark for the city. The Basilica is located in the Eixample district, and was designed by the world-renowned architect Antoni Gaudi. La Sagrada Familia was started in 1882 and is still unfinished. It is expected to be completed by 2030. The Basilica is especially rich in geometric figures and details, receiving about 1 million visitors annually.

Contact Information La Sagrada Familia
Opening Hours: October – March: 09.00 – 18.00, April – September: 09.00 – 20.00.
Address: Calle Mallorca 401, Barcelona
Internet: www.sagradafamilia.cat

# 6 Barcelona Zoo

The world renowned gorilla Copito de Nieve has a central place in the Barcelona Zoo. Copito de Nieve was the very first albino gorilla the world had seen. He was born in Equatorial Guinea in Central Africa in 1963 and arrived at the Barcelona Zoo in 1966. During his nearly 40 years in the zoo, Copito de Nieve raised 21 descendants, none of them albinos. Several of his children and grandchildren live today at the Barcelona Zoo. Even, Copito de Nieve died of skin cancer in 2003, 40 years old. The park has more than gorillas to offer. Here are animals from all corners of the world like dwarf horn, Rothschild giraffes and much more. The Dolphin show is also worth watching. Otherwise, the park has restaurants, picnic areas and souvenir shops.

Contact information Barcelona Zoo
Address: Parc de la Ciutadella, 08003 Barcelona, Spain
Internet: www.zoobarcelona.cat

# 7 Miró Museum in Barcelona

The Miró Museum (“Fundació Joan Miró”) houses the famous artist Joan Miró, born in Barcelona in 1983. The museum is located on a hill in Montjuïc, and from here you have a great view of the city. The collection consists of paintings, sculptures, textiles, graphics and ceramics made by Miró. In addition, there is a small collection of contemporary art created by other artists.

Contact information Miró Museum
Hours: Tuesday – Saturday at. 10:00 – 19:00, Sunday at. 10 – 13. On Thursdays, the museum has a long opening at noon. 21:30.
Address: Parc de Montjuïc, Barcelona
Internet: www.fundaciomiro-bcn.org

# 8 National Museum of Catalan Art

The National Museum of Catalan Art (“Museu Nacional d’Art de Catalunya”) is a popular destination in Barcelona, and is particularly famous for its collection of Romanesque art (from the 1000th to the 1200s). This collection is considered to be one of the world’s most complete. The museum opened in 1990 and today has more than 250,000 works.
The National Museum is located southwest of Barcelona city center – in the beautiful Palau Nacional building at Placa d’Espanya.

Contact Information Museu Nacional d’Art de Catalunya
Hours: Tuesday – Saturday at. 10.00 am – 18.00, Sunday at. 10.00 – 15.00. Mondays closed.
Address: Palau Nacional, Parc de Montjuïc, Barcelona
Internet: www.mnac.cat

# 9 Barcelona Aquarium

The aquarium in Barcelona is an aquarium at Moll d’Espanya in Port Vell, in the Catalan city of Barcelona. The Barcelona Aquarium (“L’aquarium Barcelona”) was opened in 1995 and is a tourist attraction for the whole family. This is one of Europe’s largest aquariums, with 11,000 animals and 450 different species. The Barcelona Aquarium also has a long subsea tunnel where you can observe fish and sharks close up. The site also has a huge oceanarium and an interactive section about the marine world, which is both entertaining and educational. The aquarium is located at the port in the center of Barcelona.

Contact information Barcelona Akavarium
Hours: Monday – Friday at. 9.30 – 21.00, Sunday at. 9.30 – 21.30. The aquarium has longer opening hours in summer.
Address: Moll d’Espanya dell Port Vell, Barcelona
Internet: www.aquariumbcn.com

# 10 Parc Guell in Barcelona

Güell Parc is one of Barcelona’s most important parks and is located on a hill in the northern part of the city with views of Barcelona. The park is built with footpaths and picnic areas, and what characterizes the park is Gaudi’s fascinating art that has been transformed into many films and series on Spanish and international television. Here we find, among other things, the colorful lizard that slings in the stairs at the entrance to the park. On the park’s upper plateau you will find the famous benches that cross the plateau with colorful ceramic mosaics. The park is impressive. One can simply not visit Barcelona on the Costa Brava without strolling through this park.

Parc Güell is listed on the UNESCO World Heritage Site, integrating modernist architecture into nature. The park was designed by the modernist architect Antoni Gaudi, built in the period 1900-1914. The Güell Park was opened as an official park in 1922, where you can visit a Gaudi museum, stroll along beautiful trails and admire Gaudi’s architectural features. There are also beautiful fountains in the park as well as a playground and ice skating rink. There is a bus and subway to the park, but the latter stops by approx. 20 minutes walking distance and only uphill. It is recommended to take a taxi, it costs a little and goes faster.

Contact information Parc Güell
Hours: All days from kl. 08.00 – 21.00.
Address: Carrer d / Olot 1 – 13 (in the district of Gràcia), Barcelona
Internet: www.parkguell.es

# 11 The Cathedral in Barcelona

The beautiful cathedral in Barcelona, commonly called “La Seu” – is the seat of the city’s archbishop. The cathedral is called Catalan «Catedral de la Santa Creu in Santa Eulàlia de Barcelona». It is devoted to Barcelona’s patron saint – Sankta Eulàlia – which is buried in the crypt. The cathedral was listed in the period 1298-1420. The facade is in neo-Gothic style, dating from the 19th century. Barcelona Cathedral is 93 meters long and 40 meters wide.

Contact information Cathedral in Barcelona
Hours: Monday – Sunday at. 08.00 – 19.30.
Address: Placa de la Seu, Barcelona
Internet: www.catedralbcn.org

# 12 Torre Agbar in Barcelona

Torre Agbar is an abbreviation of the Catalan name of the company that owns the building, Aguas de Barcelona. The tower is a 144.44 meter high skyscraper at the Plaça de les Glòries Catalanes in Barcelona. It was designed by the French architect Jean Nouvel and was opened in June 2005. It was the King Juan Carlos who consecrated the tower on September 16, 2005. According to the architect, the shape of Torre Agbar is inspired by the Montserrat Mountains that surround Barcelona, on a geyser that rises to heaven. The tower has glass facade with over 4500 window openings. In the evening, it lights up in blue and red. Torre Agbar is Barcelona’s third tallest building, after Hotel Arts and Torre Mapfre, both of which are 154 meters tall.

Contact information Torre Agbar
Address: Av. Diagonal, 211, 08018 Barcelona, Spain
Internet: Torre Agbar

# 13 Columbus Monument in Barcelona

The Columbus Monument is one of the most famous landmarks in Barcelona, and is in the south end of the La Rambla pedestrian street, opposite the harbor. The monument measures a total of 60 meters in height, and was listed in connection with the World Exhibition in 1888 – in honor of Christoffer Columbus. The monument was designed by Gaieta Buigas, and the 7 meter tall statue at the top was made by sculptor Rafael Atché.

Contact information Columbus Monument
Address: Plaza Portal de la Pau 1, Barcelona
Internet: Columbus Monument

# 14 Casa Milà La Pedrera in Barcelona

The Milahuset is actually called La Pedrera and is perhaps the most famous work of Gaudi, with the exception of the Sagrada Familia church. The building is a symbol of Barcelona’s contemporary art and culture. It is the opportunity for visitors to enter the building and look at the interior, which is at least as exciting as the stunning facade. The Milahuset is located in the Eixample area of Barcelona, in the street Carrer de Provenca 261-265.

Contact Information La Pedrera
Address: Carrer de Provenca 261-265, Barcelona
Internet: www.lapedrera.com

# 15 Santa Maria Church in Barcelona

Santa Maria del Mar is a magnificent Gothic church from the 13th century, located in the area of La Ribera, more specifically in the Calle Montcada street. The church plays an important role in the historical novel of the Cathedral of the Sea by Ildefonso Falcones, one of Spain’s best-selling books ever. (And we can recommend this novel to the warmest, whether you’re going to Barcelona or not. It’s historically correct, educational, interesting and exciting.)

Contact information Santa Maria Church
Address: Plaça de Santa Maria, 1, 08003 Barcelona
Internet: www.santamariadelmarbarcelona.org

# 16 Placa Catalunya in Barcelona

The perhaps most important place in Barcelona is Placa de Catalunya, located at the top of La Rambla main street. The square has lots of seating and beautiful fountains. You will always find something to look at here, as well as being close to some of Barcelona’s best shops.

Contact Information Placa de Catalunya
Address: Plaza de Catalunya, 08002 Barcelona
Internet: Placa de Catalunya

# 17 Erotic Museum in Barcelona

West of La Rambla and opposite the Boqueria market you will find the erotic museum, (Museu de L’Erotica). The exhibition includes all sex related issues and things over the centuries.

Contact Information Erotic Museum
Address: La Rambla, 96 bis, 08002 Barcelona
Internet: www.erotica-museum.com

# 18 Camp Nou Stadium in Barcelona

Camp Nou is home to FC Barcelona, one of the world’s best football teams. The stadium takes nearly 100,000 spectators and has guided tours and football museums as well as football matches with great atmosphere. Football Club Barcelona, or Barca, was founded by Joan Gamper in 1899. Since then, the club has evolved into the very symbol of Catalan identity. That is why it is said that FC Barcelona is far more than a football club. The club’s motto is also “My que un club” (more than one club).

Going to the football match at Camp Nou is an experience for life, whether you are interested in football or not. The stadium seats 100,000 people, and these are not passive spectators. Made of passion, dedication and empathy you will not find anywhere else in the world.

If you are not lucky enough to be in Barcelona when they are playing a match, it is advisable to visit Camp Nou. Then you can join a guided tour, put your feet on the famous grass pad, sit on the bench and you will be able to lift the Champions League trophy with your own hands! The stadium also contains a museum.

Contact Information Camp Nou in Barcelona
Address: Avinguda Aristides Maillol, Barcelona
Internet: www.fcbarcelona.com

Map of attractions in Barcelona

Need Car hire on your holiday in Barcelona?

The majority choose to pick up a car at Barcelona Airport. With car rental you and your family have the opportunity to take pleasant day trips, take exciting excursions at your own pace and not be dependent on public transport. By comparing prices of car rental from several companies, you can save a lot of money. Check your prices on car hire in Barcelona now.

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Tags: attractions, Barcelona, costa brava, spain