Never been to Barcelona and overwhelmed by the endless list of attractions? After a few visits, I’m sharing my picks for the best things to do, see and eat.
I think the best way to explore the city is to choose a few experiences that genuinely interest you, then leave enough room to wander, eat something delicious, and enjoy without constantly checking the time. You might spend your morning admiring elaborate architecture, your afternoon sampling tapas, and your evening watching the city light up.
These are the experiences I’d prioritize, along with a few practical tips to help you make the most of your time.
Short on Time? Here Are My Top Planning Tips for Barcelona
Where I Stayed & Recommend
I stayed at Sercotel Caspe, near the Arc de Triomf. It was reasonably priced, fairly close to a Metro station, and conveniently located for getting around. The bakery right across the street was a nice bonus, too. Other hotels to consider include:
Recommended Tours
Fun Day Trips
15 Best Things to Do in Barcelona
1. See The World Begins With Every Kiss Mural
This is one of those little Barcelona surprises that’s easy to walk right past if you don’t know it’s there. From a distance, The World Begins With Every Kiss looks like a photograph of two people kissing. Get closer, though, and you’ll discover it’s made up of about 4,000 tiny ceramic tiles, each featuring a photo submitted by locals.
Created in 2014, the mural is tucked into Plaça d’Isidre Nonell in the Gothic Quarter. It’s a quick stop for a photo, but I found it fascinating to get up close and see how all those little images come together. Best of all, it’s free and easy to work into a wander through the neighborhood.
2. Shop and Eat at La Boqueria
La Boqueria is one of my favorite places in Barcelona to wander around hungry. Located along La Rambla (a street I could honestly skip), his lively market is packed with stalls selling fresh fruit, seafood, jamón, empanadas, and all sorts of tempting bites.
I especially love the dozens of fresh fruit juice flavors, and if you spot a grapefruit spritz, don’t pass it up. My favorite way to eat here is progressive dining: grab a little something from one stall, then move on to the next until you’ve assembled your own market lunch. Yes, it gets crowded, but this is one place where the buzz is part of the fun.
3. Tour the Sagrada Família
Even with a construction crane seemingly always nearby, the exterior of the Sagrada Família is stunning. Designed by Antoni Gaudí, this extraordinary basilica began construction in 1882 and remains unfinished. I’ve been inside multiple times, and the enormous stained-glass windows are what stand out most. Their colorful light transforms the interior and makes the visit feel completely different from simply admiring the building outside.
It’s absolutely worth the admission price and one of Barcelona’s top attractions. But, book a timed ticket in advance, and also visit Plaça de Gaudí or Plaça de la Sagrada Família for different exterior views.
✨ For a guided experience, consider the Golden Hour guided tour or the Barcelona Highlights tour that makes a stop there.
4. Visit Two Other Cathedrals
Two places I would add to a historic walking route are Basílica de Santa Maria del Mar and Barcelona Cathedral, both of which offer different experiences from Gaudí’s Sagrada Familia.
Santa Maria del Mar is one of the finest examples of Catalan Gothic architecture. Construction began in 1329, and the church was completed in the 14th century. Barcelona Cathedral, meanwhile, stands in the heart of the Gothic Quarter. Its Gothic construction began in 1298 on a site with an earlier Christian.
5. Take a Day Trip to Sitges
If you have four or five days in Barcelona, you should consider a day trip to Sitges. We’ve visited twice, drawn back by its seaside setting, pretty architecture, cute shops and especially its pintxos bars (those are those small bites often served on bread or skewered!). On our last visit, we sampled pintxos at Kan Torrat and Izarra, enjoying the contrast between their more modern and traditional presentations. If you want to see samples of what types of these snack you might expect, check out my Spanish Pintxos (Pinchos) Bucket List
✨ Getting there on your own is pretty straightforward and only takes about 40 minutes: take the R2 Sud train from Barcelona-Sants or Passeig de Gràcia.
PS: Another very popular day trip is to Montserrat. The area is home to Santa Maria de Montserrat Abbey, where you can see the famous Black Madonna, as well as hiking trails leading to viewpoints like Sant Jeroni, the mountain’s highest peak. You can get there independently by taking the R5 train from Plaça d’Espanya and connecting to the Aeri de Montserrat cable car, or make things easier with one of these top rated guided tours from Barcelona:
6. See the Montjuïc Magic Fountain Light Show
The Magic Fountain of Montjuïc is one of my favorite Barcelona experiences, and I’ve seen the show twice. Built for the 1929 International Exhibition, the fountain combines illuminated water displays and music in a setting beneath the Museu Nacional d’Art de Catalunya (MNAC). What makes it memorable is not just the spectacle itself, but the atmosphere of watching alongside thousands of other people. My preferred viewing area is near the top of the stairs by MNAC, where you get an incredible perspective.
✨ I recommend arriving early if you want a good viewing position. We arrived about half an hour beforehand and found that all the prime spots were already taken. Also, the fountain operations and schedules can change, so check the official website beforehand.
7. Eat Tapas at Some of Barcelona’s Best Bars
If there’s one thing you need to do in Barcelona, it’s eat tapas. Luckily, there is no shortage of tapas bars to choose from, and each has its own character. At ELDISET, the tuna toast may have been my favorite bite of the entire trip. I’m not usually a fan of patatas bravas, but theirs were so good I kept going back for another taste. Quimet & Quimet is another standout. I loved the smoked salmon with yogurt and honey, followed closely by the tuna and red peppers. Be prepared for a tiny, standing-room-only space, with visits limited to about an hour. Also put El Xampanyet, Gourmet Sensi, and La Alcoba Azul on your list.
✨ If your love trying new foods when traveling, check out my Spanish Foods Bucket List and see how many you can put a checkmark next to while in Barcelona.
8. Visit Gaudí’s Most Iconic Residential Buildings
Gaudí’s creative influence on Barcelona goes far beyond the Sagrada Família. His residential buildings show how he applied his distinctive architectural ideas to everyday living spaces and visiting these homes can give you a much better sense of his range than seeing only the basilica.
Casa Batlló: one of Gaudí’s most imaginative creations, with a colorful façade, dragon-inspired rooftop, and playful details throughout. Inside, you can explore the main floor, attic, courtyard, and roof. If you visit just one Gaudí house, make it this one.
Casa Milà: better known as La Pedrera, stands out for its wavy stone façade and sculptural balconies. The rooftop is especially fun to explore, with its unusual chimneys and towers. It’s a completely different look at Gaudí’s creativity and an easy stop along Passeig de Gràcia.
Casa Vicens: was Gaudí’s first major residential project in Barcelona, and it gives a look at an earlier phase of his architectural development. Located in the Gràcia neighborhood, the house uses bold patterns, colorful decorative elements, and references to nature. I would consider Casa Vicens if you want to explore beyond Barcelona’s most crowded attractions or are particularly interested in how Gaudí developed his style.
Palau Güell: If you are building a Gaudí-focused itinerary, Palau Güell gives you a different architectural experience from Casa Batlló and Casa Milà. Commissioned by his patron Eusebi Güell, the palace differs from the residential buildings on Passeig de Gràcia and demonstrates how Gaudí approached grand interiors and an urban townhouse.
9. Stroll Through the Barri Gòtic (Gothic Quarter)
The Gothic Quarter is the part of Barcelona where I most enjoy putting away the itinerary and seeing where the streets lead. Its narrow lanes, historic façades, tucked-away squares, and independent shops reward unhurried exploration.
You can follow a route past Plaça Sant Jaume, Carrer del Bisbe, and Plaça del Rei, but some of the best moments come from turning down an unfamiliar street or stepping into a shop that catches your eye. The neighborhood is busy, particularly around its major landmarks, but I still think wandering here is essential to understanding the character of the city.
Note: This is also an easy area to combine with the Kiss mural, La Boqueria, and Santa Maria del Mar.
10. Take the Cable Car to Montjuïc Castle
If you want a great view of Barcelona, take the Montjuïc cable car. Yes, it’s a little touristy, but sometimes the touristy thing is popular for a reason. The ride gives you lovely views over the city and harbor, and Montjuïc Castle has even more impressive panoramas of the port, rooftops, and Mediterranean.
Give yourself time to wander the grounds and gardens, too. I walked back down afterward, which took longer than expected, especially in the heat. Next time, I’d save my energy and take the cable car both ways.
11. Explore Park Güell
Park Güell is one of those places where Gaudí’s imagination really gets to run wild. Its best-known features include the salamander sculpture called El Drac and the serpentine mosaic bench that curves around the monumental area’s main terrace. The mosaic seating area is one of my favorite features, and I would give yourself time to appreciate the details rather than rushing from one photo spot to another. The combination of architecture, color, and views makes the park very different from a conventional city garden.
Tip: book your timed entry in advance. If you want to learn more about the history, get a guided tour ticket or else I recommend at least purchasing a skip-the-line ticket in advance.
12. See a Flamenco Show
Seeing a flamenco performance in the city is a popular way to spend an evening, even though the art form originated in southern Spain and not Barcelona. I went to Tablao de Carmen, where the dancers were powerful, expressive, and completely captivating. It’s much more than fancy footwork; you can feel the emotion in the music and movement.
✨ There are many other places to see flamenco, check out this list of performances, but my advice is to skip the dinner package and book the show with just drinks instead. That way, you can enjoy one more tapas bar!
13. Study Picasso’s Artwork at the Picasso Museum
Pablo Picasso is one of the greatest painters of the 20th-century, and in the Picasso Museum, you will get the chance to see and study over 4,000 of his works. Even if you are not an art lover, don’t let that stop you from visiting this place!
The museum offers a guided tour that shows and explains the different phases of Picasso’s career and art style in chronological fashion. You can also go on a self-guided tour if you want to take a look around at your own pace.
We also loved the Moco Museum, right next to the Picasso Museum. It’s a modern art museum that is set inside the 16th-century Palau Cervelló.
✨ If you don’t like waiting in queue, then book your tickets in advance. The Skip-the-line Guided Tour will not only get you inside quicker, but you’ll also learn from a specialized art expert.
14. Walk Through the Arc de Triomf
Designed by Josep Vilaseca, this Arc de Triomf differs from many better-known triumphal arches because of its red-brick construction and decorative sculptural details. The monument stands at the top of Passeig de Lluís Companys, a broad promenade leading toward Parc de la Ciutadella.
I passed through on my way to the park and spotted colorful parrots in the trees, which was a fun little surprise. The arch itself doesn’t require a long stop, but continue down the promenade and spend some time in the park. Be sure to see the epic Cascada Monumental fountain (Gaudi design the hydraulics for it!).
15. Take a Cooking Class or Food Tour
If food is a big part of why you travel, a Barcelona cooking class is a fun way to get beyond eating at restaurants. I took a class with Cook&Taste and loved how hands-on it was. We made paella, calçots with romesco sauce, pan con tomate, and Catalan cream, learning about the dishes along the way. Recipes were included, so I could try making everything again at home!
✨ If cooking is not your thing, then just take a food tour. The Barcelona Food Tour includes 8+ tastings with tapas, paella and sangria!
Traveling Soon? Use my Favorite Resources for Booking Your Trip!
Book Your Flight
Expedia is my favorite flight search engine, because it checks dozens of airlines so you can easily find the best fare deals. You can also select ‘Watch Prices’ to get an email alert when the prices change.
Book Your Accommodations
I use both Booking.com and Expedia for hotels, because each offers a couple different hotel choices and I like to compare the reviews on each one. If you have a group or are looking for more of a home atmosphere, head over to VRBO or AirBNB that has houses, apartments and even just a room for rent in every price range.
Book Your Rental Car
If love the freedom to explore like I do, driving from place to place is the best option! I always book with RentalCars.com (it’s part of booking.com) for the best prices and top brand options.
Book Some Fun Tours!
Viator and Get Your Guide are my go-to search engines for cool bucket list experiences! Each one can have different tours, so check both—why limit yourself, right?
Don’t Forget Travel Insurance
Travel can be unpredictable. Whether it’s a last-minute cancellation, an injury, or (ugh) theft, things happen. That’s why I recommend never leaving the country without travel insurance. Here are my faves: Safety Wing and World Nomads.
Get Packing & Travel Essentials Ready
Check out the Bucket List Journey Amazon Store to find all my favorite travel essentials. Everything from Packing cubes, to travel adapters and toiletry containers to walking shoes.
Flying International?
Get Cell Data Before You Arrive: I recommend using airalo for international travel. Also, book an airport transfer in advance (I use Kiwi Taxi). Lastly, check travel.state.gov for visa requirements and safety information.
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