Looking for cool things to do in Barcelona? Check out this list of the very best sights and things to do in Barcelona, Spain.
Barcelona is the second-largest city in Spain and is one of the most popular cities in Europe. In Barcelona, you’ll find it all, whether you’re planning to enjoy the sun on long sandy beaches, watch world-class football, go shopping in all sorts of fashion boutiques, or experience world-famous sights in Barcelona, Spain.
So, if you’re planning a trip to Barcelona, I would like to recommend the best things to do in Barcelona.
Table of Contents
The best things to do in Barcelona:
1. Sagrada Familia
Sagrada Family is by far the most popular attraction in Barcelona. This large unfinished church was designed by architect Antoni Gaudi who has left his mark on several popular sights in Barcelona.
Although the church has been built on for more than 100 years, it’s still not finished today. The slow and almost endless construction is because it’s only financed through donations and ticket sales. One day when the church is finally finished, it’s supposed to have 18 towers, several of which will be more than 100 meters high. According to the plan, there must also be a spire of 170 meters representing Jesus.
The Sagrada Familia is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is an extremely popular attraction in Barcelona. The great popularity is spreading to the number of visitors, and the queue for the church is notorious for being reasonably long. Therefore, it may be a good idea to book your tickets for the Sagrada Familia in advance. This way you can also skip the queue.
2. Casa Batllo
Casa Batllo is another famous masterpiece designed by Antoni Gaudi. He chose to renovate the original and boring design of the building in 1904-1906. When completed, it became the first highlight of his career and has since been inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List.
When standing in front of Casa Batllo, there’s no doubt that Antoni Gaudi had a crazy imagination. The skeleton-like facade with the arched roof filled with mosaics makes the building look like a kite. Casa Batllo is also extremely beautiful and impressive inside. However, the entrance fee is a bit pricey. Either way, it’s a must-see attraction in Barcelona from the outside at least.
3. Barri Gotic
Another of the best things to do in Barcelona is a visit to Barri Gotic. This is the Gothic Quarter of Barcelona and is truly a charming area not to be missed. In fact, it’s the oldest district in Barcelona and is filled with well-preserved medieval buildings.
Here you’ll find a maze of narrow streets, small shops, great restaurants, and lovely squares. The Gothic Quarter is also home to several fun things to do in Barcelona. For example, this is where you’ll find the Cathedral of Barcelona as well as a myriad of beautiful monasteries and museums.
4. Park Guell
Park Guell is another masterpiece designed by Antoni Gaudi and is also inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List. It’s without a doubt a very special and colorful park that is anything but boring.
The park is characterized by unique stone constructions, mosaic sculptures, winding paths, and undulating stairs. There are also two houses, a café, the world’s longest bench, and a huge terrace with an amazing view of Barcelona! You’ve probably seen Park Guell before as it’s probably the most photographed sight in all of Barcelona.
5. Camp Nou
A visit to Camp Nou is the perfect thing to do in Barcelona for any football fan. Okay, you might as well be a fan of FC Barcelona, because this is their home ground. The Camp Nou has an impressive size. It’s Europe’s largest and the world’s fifth-largest stadium with room for around 100,000 spectators.
The best way to experience Camp Nou is during an atmospheric top match among other FC Barcelona fans. However, you should expect the ticket price to be extremely expensive.
Another option is to take part in a guided tour of the giant stadium. Here you’ll get past the stands, the player benches, the changing rooms, the press room, and much more. There’s also a museum that’s primarily centered around the history of FC Barcelona.
6. La Rambla
La Rambla is a 1.2-kilometer-long popular pedestrian street in Barcelona that’s perfect for shopping. The Rambla is usually filled with life, tourists, vendors, and street performers performing for small change.
There are countless great restaurants, bars, shops, and small stalls selling all kinds of goods along the pedestrian street. When visiting La Rambla, pay special attention to pickpockets and remember to leave your valuables at the hotel. It is said that Barcelona has some of the best pickpockets and tricksters in Europe.
7. Casa Mila
Okay, so you might already be a little tired of hearing about Antoni Gaudi’s works. But seriously, I must mention Casa Mila as well. This large apartment complex is also called La Pedrera and is another masterpiece inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List.
One of the most impressive things about Casa Mila is that there isn’t a single straight line. In fact, even the roof of the building is an imaginative and interesting masterpiece. The lack of straight lines resulted in a lot of criticism against Antoni Gaudi. He was accused by some of being drunk during construction. However, there’s no clear evidence of this rumor.
8. Font Magica
Font Magica is definitely one of the best free things to do in Barcelona in the evening. This magical fountain is something very special and is known for its festive fountain show.
When the show starts, the fountain begins to dance in different movements to the sound of music while being illuminated in different colors. It really is a beautiful sight which is one of the reasons why it’s such a popular attraction in Barcelona.
Although there are several different shows, be aware that there aren’t necessarily shows every night. If interested, you can check out the showtimes on the Font Magicas website.
9. Arc de Triomf
The Arc de Triomf is Barcelona’s very own triumphal arch. It was built because of the World’s Fair in 1888 where it served as the main entrance to the event. Arc de Triomf is built in an incredibly beautiful architecture with various sculptures and creative decorations. Today it has become one of the most iconic landmarks in Barcelona.
10. Parc de la Ciutadella
On the other side of the Arc de Triomf is the Parc de la Ciutadella, the largest park in Barcelona. It was also inaugurated due to the World’s Fair in 1888. Back then, the whole area was transformed from an old fortress area into a beautiful park.
Parc de la Ciutadella is a beautiful green oasis in the middle of the bustle and chaos of the big city. Here you’ll be able to relax on the green lawns, go for a walk on the landscaped paths or rent a boat on the artificial lakes.
You can also find some of Barcelona’s popular attractions, such as a zoo, museums, and several major events. Parc de la Ciutadella is definitely one of the best and coolest things to do in Barcelona.
That’s all on this list of the very best things to do in Barcelona. What are your things to do in Barcelona? What are you looking forward to on your trip to Barcelona? Feel free to leave a comment further down the page.
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