The 12 best things to see in Barcelona, a sunny and vibrant Spanish city.
Barcelona is one of the most popular cities to visit in Spain.
Ever since the Cheetah Girls sang and danced through the streets of Barcelona in 2006, this Spanish city has jumped to the top of many people’s bucket lists. Or maybe that’s just me.
But Barcelona is such a famous city for good reasons. It’s a truly beautiful place.
The weather is near-perfect, the language is romantic, the people are friendly, the nightlife is crazy, and the food is delicious.
There are so many reasons to visit Barcelona, though I think the landmarks and sights around the city stand out the most.
Read next: 10 Reasons To Visit Spain
Barcelona is a city for sightseeing.
From the architectural masterpieces of Antoni Gaudi to the magnificent public squares and the humble alleyways and markets, Barcelona has many beautiful sights.
So here are 12 of the best things to see in Barcelona, Spain.
12 Best Things To See in Barcelona
On my list of the top things to see in Barcelona, you’ll find lots of famous landmarks such as La Sagrada Familia, Park Guell, and several other famous Gaudi masterpieces.
For these types of attractions, I’ll include skip-the-line entry ticket links where available.
These are among the top things to do in Barcelona, so there is almost always a massive line. It’s definitely worth paying a tiny bit more to skip the line, as it gives you more time for sightseeing!
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1. La Sagrada Familia
La Sagrada Familia may be the most popular Barcelona attraction, but it is well worth the hype.
This gigantic Roman Catholic basilica is one of the weirdest and most eccentric buildings in Spain, or maybe even the world.
Designed by the famous Catalan architect, Antoni Gaudi, the Sagrada Familia is infused with mind-boggling detail.
Antoni Gaudi began building the basilica in 1882, and it is still unfinished today.
Even though it’s unfinished, La Sagrada Familia is definitely one of the best things to see in Barcelona.
It costs 26 Euros to enter La Sagrada Familia.
(I think it’s worth booking a skip-the-line ticket in advance, otherwise you’ll be waiting in line for ages. It is the most popular Barcelona attraction, after all.)
2. Park Güell
Many of the best things to see in Barcelona are the works of Antoni Gaudí.
The guy was a genius, and he left behind a large collection of amazing landmarks all over Barcelona.
Park Güell is another one of his masterpieces.
Up on Carmel Hill on the outskirts of the city is Park Güell, a spacious collection of gardens, walking trails, viewpoints, and unique buildings and benches sporting Gaudí’s colorful designs.
It costs 18 Euros to enter Park Güell. Book your admission online here!
3. Parc del Laberint d’Horta
Parc del Laberint d’Horta is a luscious public park full of good picnic spots and cool historic landmarks.
It is the oldest park in Barcelona, which becomes evident in all the old mythological statues around the area.
The park is most well known for its Labyrinth of hedges that create a maze reminiscent of something from Greek mythology.
It’s a magical and mysterious place to visit in Barcelona.
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4. Casa Batlló
Casa Batlló is just a big house on a street, but it’s still one of the best things to see in Barcelona.
Designed by, you guessed it, Antoni Gaudí, the house looks like something out of a Dr. Seuss book, with its multicolored patterns, weird shapes and shimmering roof.
The inside of Casa Batlló is just as awe-inspiring.
Gaudí went crazy decorating and designing the inside with unique uses of stone, wood, tiles, ceramics, stained glass, and other materials.
It costs 35 Euros to enter Casa Batlló.
For a couple of extra Euros you can book a ticket with a guide so you can learn everything about the house.
5. Parc de la Ciutadella
Another one of the best things to see in Barcelona is Parc de la Ciutadella.
This beautifully landscaped garden is a huge green space perfect for picnics and sunbathing.
It has some wonderful pieces of architecture like the man-made waterfall, Cascada Monumental, and the majestic archway, Arc de Triomf.
Parc de la Ciutadella also has fountains, flowers, statues, walkways, and more. It’s also free!
Explore more of Spain with these free things to do in Alicante.
6. Casa Milà
Alright, this is the last building by Gaudí on this list.
Casa Milà, also known as La Pedrera, is another one of the best things to see in Barcelona.
Built in the early 1900s, this is one of Gaudí’s last designs in the city.
It is known for its wavy textured walls built from stone, and most of the elements of this house are inspired by nature.
It costs 29 Euros to enter Casa Milà, if you book online in advance. If you book tickets at the door it costs a few Euros more.
For 31 Euros you can book a skip-the-line ticket with an audio guide. I think this is worth it since it’s only a couple Euros more than a normal ticket anyway.
Night owls can also tour La Pedrera at night for a totally different perspective!
7. Barceloneta Beach
You can’t miss the beach when you visit Barcelona!
It’s not every day you get to explore a busy, world-famous city and walk down to the ocean for a swim afterward.
Barceloneta Beach is the most accessible and enjoyable beach in Barcelona.
It is walking distance from the city center and it’s 4.5 km long, so there is plenty of space to stroll on the sand or lie out in the sun.
Have a nice, sunny beach day or head down to Barceloneta Beach in the evening for a gorgeous sunset.
Read next: The Best Day Trips From Madrid, Spain
8. Placa de Catalunya
Some consider this public square to be the heart of Barcelona. It’s also a place where the rustic old city meets the new modern city.
Placa de Catalunya is full of magnificent buildings, a landscaped garden, fountains, and plenty of picnic benches for people-watching and resting your feet during a big day of sightseeing.
This is a popular place among local street musicians as well, so hang around Placa de Catalunya for an impromptu concert.
9. La Rambla
La Rambla is the main pedestrian walking street in Barcelona.
It stretches from Plaça de Catalunya all the way down to the seaside and is lined with tourist shops, cafes, and restaurants.
I’ve heard that lots of pickpockets work their magic around La Rambla since it gets pretty crowded and there are lots of naive tourists wandering around.
I didn’t have any problems here, but I also visited during the winter so the crowds weren’t as thick.
To be safe, only bring as much money as you’ll need for the day, don’t wear lots of expensive or flashy jewelry and accessories, and keep your bag locked tight and close by.
For more safety tips, read my detailed guide to solo travel around the world!
10. Mercat de la Boqueria
Mercat de la Boqueria is definitely one of the best things to see in Barcelona.
Located on La Rambla, this central market hall is pretty touristy and crowded, but perfect for a quick snack.
Lots of the food displays are obviously done up for tourists, but it’s still very cool to see.
Walk through the market hall and admire all the gorgeous treats, and maybe grab a snack for some fuel.
11. Brunch and Cake
I’m throwing you for a loop here. Brunch and Cake is not a landmark, park, or monument, it’s a cafe.
I’m adding Brunch and Cake to the list of best things to see in Barcelona mainly because this cafe has some of the most photogenic meals I’ve ever seen.
They serve mainly healthy breakfast and lunch dishes, and the food is always so beautiful as well as delicious.
Picture piles of french toast with ricotta and berries, sprinkled with edible flowers. Or a huge sandwich on a baguette with a syringe full of guacamole.
If you want to get a cool food photo for your Instagram, this is the place to go!
12. Catedral De Barcelona
This Gothic church located near the southern end of La Rambla is an incredible sight to see in Barcelona.
The Catedral de Barcelona dates back to the 14th century, and it is still in great shape.
It is free to enter the cathedral during worship hours, which are weekdays from 8:30 am to 12:30 pm and 5:45 pm to 7:30 pm. It’s also free to enter certain areas of the cathedral.
Outside those times, or if you want to see the rooftop, it costs around 16.50 Euros.
You can also spend a bit more for a guided tour, rooftop access, and an overall more enlightening experience!
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In my opinion, those are the 12 best things to see in Barcelona, Spain.
I was only here for a few days, so this is all we had time for. I’m sure there are many more great attractions in Barcelona!
And as with most European destinations, half the magic of Barcelona lies in the random city streets where you can see more of the local culture. These tourist spots are just the most dramatic landmarks that make the biggest impression.
From all the incredible Antoni Gaudi architecture, to the cathedral, the market, and more, Barcelona Spain is an incredible place to visit.
Here are some other quick tips for visiting Spain.
Before traveling to Spain:
- Visit Bookaway to find and book affordable transport around Spain.
- Consider getting travel insurance. I recommend Squaremouth Insurance! But you can read my Budget Traveler’s Guide To Travel Insurance for more info.
- Check iVisa.com to see visa requirements. Most tourists don’t need a visa for visiting Spain, but it doesn’t hurt to check.
- Browse Hostelworld for the best hostels in Barcelona.
Explore more of Spain and Europe with these travel guides!
20 Non Touristy Places In Europe
7 Reasons To Visit Madrid, Spain
Travel Hacks For Europe: Packing And Planning Tips
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