The 10 Best Things to Do in Barcelona Spain
Are you planning a dream European vacation? Don’t get on the plan until you’ve read this list of the 10 best things to do in Barcelona Spain.
Barcelona is one of the oldest cities in the world dating back at least 2000 years.
It is Spain’s second largest city, and also one of the most populated cities in Europe. This means there are plenty of options of things to do and see.
It is home to some of the best nightlife in the world with some discos open until 6 in the morning.
You can enjoy some of the most unique and awesome architecture in the world coupled with stunning views of the Mediterranean.
Read on for our curated list of top 10 things to do in Barcelona Spain.
10 Things to Do in Barcelona Spain
There is no shortage of sights to see in Barcelona. You could spend weeks getting lost in the beautiful architecture, learning about the history of the area in museums and visiting the local hot spots.
One of the hardest parts of visiting amazing cities is narrowing down your list of must-see attractions.
Barcelona Exclusive Private tours are one way to remove the stress out of planning what to see. These tours are great options that will ensure your trip is full of highlights.
Now, get ready for my top 10 list of what to see in Barcelona and pack your suitcase!
1. Gothic Quarter
The Barri Gotic, or Gothic Quarter, is the oldest part of Barcelona. It’s right next to the city center and a lively, bustling area of the city.
You’ll find dozens of shops, stalls, restaurants, alfresco cafes, bars and clubs lining the narrow streets and plazas. Feast your eyes on the roman and medieval architecture.
Forget the map and stroll around this entrancing area. It is small enough you will hit the hot spots by aimlessly wandering. Feel free to check out the Gothic Quarter anytime during the day or night. There’s always lots going on.
2. Climb up Montjuic Mountain
Enjoy the breeze through the tree-filled climb to the top of Montjuic mountain and get ready for a stunning view. You can also take a cable car from the National Museum to the top.
At the top, you will find an Olympic stadium from the 1992 Games and the Botanic Gardens. Once you get down to the base, you can visit various cultural centers, a museum, and the beautiful Laribal gardens.
Enjoy a romantic stroll around the technicolor Magic Fountain of Montjuic in the evening before you head back to your hotel.
3. Poble Espanyol
This history museum is within sight of the Magic Fountain of Montjuic. If you just visit one museum during your trip, check out Barcelonarcelona tourist attraction.
At Poble Espanyol, you will discover 117 buildings from the 15 autonomous regions of Spain. It’s a crash course in the area’s history that you won’t want to miss.
4. Barcelona Cathedral
It’s no surprise that Spain is dotted with cathedrals and exploring them is on the best things to do in Barcelona.
In particular, you should check out the Barcelona Cathedral. It dates back to the 1200s and has a deep history.
With 2 bell towers and impressive Catalan Gothic construction, it is absolutely one of the coolest places to visit in Barcelona.
5. Montserrat
It takes a bit of travel to get to Montserrat but it’s worth it. The name means “serrated mountain” and you’ll see why when you arrive.
An information booth will give you a map of six possible hikes. To get to the furthest point, Sant Jeroni will take 2-3 hours depending on how many breaks you take,
You will see the best breathtaking views of the countryside and the Pyrenees mountain range so bring your camera!
If you’re not a fan of heights, the Montserrat Benedictine monastery is on the same premises and is an enjoyable excursion.
6. Gaudi House Museum
The Gaudi House Museum was the home of architect Antoni Gaudi Cornet.
You will see his influence on Modernism all over Barcelona. A trip to his home to learn about his work and his architecture and art is a top Barcelona tourist attraction.
7. Arc de Triomf
There are lots of these Triumphal arches in Europe and Barcelona’s version is one of the most stunning places to visit in Barcelona.
It was built in 1888 as a gateway to the Universal Exhibition fair at Parc de la Ciutadella. You will see incredible sculptural and decorative finishes on the impressive structure.
This is one of Barcelona’s iconic landmarks. You must visit it and take a picture in front of it.
8. Monastery of Pedralbes
This is a gothic monastery turned museum and is one of the most beautiful gothic buildings in Barcelona.
You must check out the three-story cloister and the lush gardens inside the monastery.
9. Boqueria Market
Coined the best market in the world, The Boqueria market is a top choice for what to see in Barcelona.
La Boqueria is an open market that offers products from all over the world. This market is located right in the city centre, on the Rambla. This makes it an easy spot to visit during your stay in Barcelona.
10. Barceloneta
Barceloneta is all about the sea. Here you’ll find tourist-filled seafood restaurants, lovely marinas, and old fishermen’s houses. Plus a beach.
While this is not the prettiest beach in Barcelona, Barceloneta is one of the best places to visit in Barcelona if you want plenty to see.
Enjoy the sand-artists, the seafood, and singing, dancing men selling donuts!
At Barceloneta, you will definitely be entertained.
No matter if you are hitting up one or many beaches in Barcelona, you can have gorgeous hair on your beach vacation.
Final Thoughts
Barcelona’s appeal as a travel destination is easy to understand: a Mediterranean climate, sandy beaches, historic and cultural sites with incredible architecture, restaurants, and nightlife are no doubt appealing to visitors.
It’s very difficult to make a top 10 things to do in Barcelona Spain because there are dozens of amazing attractions in this historic city. We chose a variety of attractions so that you can do a little bit of everything during your trip.
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