Top 20 best places to visit in Barcelona

The symbol of Barcelona and Antoni Gaudí’s masterpiece is, of course, the Sagrada Família. You can choose to see the outside for free. That is certainly already impressive, but it is also absolutely worth going inside. The special stained glass windows give a very special effect and the innovative architecture will definitely stay with you. Make sure to buy your online tickets on time, because depending on the date, popular time slots may be sold out.

Park Güell, also designed by Antoni Gaudí, is a veritable fairytale garden with fantastic views over the city. In no other work is Gaudí’s connection with nature so evident. A favorite among photographers and Instagrammers, due to the mosaic bench and stunning views you have over the city there! Tip: also at Park Guell, tickets are often sold out, so don’t buy at the box office but online.

With a seating capacity of 115,000, Camp Nou, home of FC Barcelona, is Europe’s largest football venue. You can visit the club museum during the Camp Nou Experience. Barça fans – and there are a lot of them – encounter their great heroes here and of course the many prizes, as well as Cruijff’s shoes and Messi’s shirt. Every year, the museum attracts more than 1.5 million visitors. And of course, anyone who wants to can attend a match here.

Everyone who has been to Barcelona knows La Rambla, this is Barcelona’s most popular and busiest street. Despite being very touristy, La Rambla is still a must-see during your city break. I recommend taking a stroll across the most famous fresh food market La Boquería. A visit to La Rambla can easily be combined with a walk through the narrow streets in the historic Gothic Quarter.

About 50 kilometers inland from Barcelona lies the beautiful surreal mountain range: Montserrat. By far one of the favorite sights in the Barcelona area. A perfect place for a lovely hike where you can also enjoy stunning views. You can also take a look inside the monastery and attend a performance by the famous boys’ choir.

Casa Batlló is one of Gaudí’s imaginative houses on Passeig de Gràcia. In front of the façade of the building, which is inspired by the story of St George and the dragon, crowds of tourists are always looking up. Inside you can not only admire the interior, but also visit a 10D Gaudí exhibition.

Another jewel of Catalan Modernism is Casa Milà, also called La Pedrera (The Quarry). Formerly owned by the wealthy Milà family, it is now possible for everyone to see the inside of the building. Also be sure to go up the roof to admire the extraordinary sculptures you find there. You can spot the Sagrada Família from here.

Barcelona has it all, even a lovely beach! Perfect for cooling off or going for a nice walk. Combined with the various restaurants along the beach, it’s perfect for relaxing with a bite to eat and a drink. Platja de La Barceloneta definitely belongs on the list of must-sees. An also don’t skip a visit to the old fishing quarter of the same name, La Barceloneta.

Barcelona’s green city hill, the Montjuïc, is the perfect place to escape for some hours! From its various points, you can enjoy beautiful views of Barcelona, visit the castle, prestigious art museums, see the Olympic Ring and enjoy walking or cycling around.

The Aquarium in Barcelona is one of the largest in all of Europe. A good option if it’s raining, a bit chilly (or just too warm!) outside. Walk through the extraordinary tunnel and check out the hundreds of fish species. You can even swim with sharks here and the stingrays literally smile at you. A favorite with the city’s youngest visitors!

The Picasso Museum in Barcelona is a major museum dedicated to the artworks of world-famous Spanish artist Pablo Picasso, who lived in Barcelona for years. Located in five adjoining medieval palaces in the heart of Barcelona’s Gothic Quarter, the museum houses more than 4,000 artworks by Picasso, including paintings, drawings, sculptures and ceramics.

The Mercat de la Boqueria is one of Barcelona’s most famous markets. First opened in 1840, the market is located on La Rambla.

The market offers an abundance of fresh produce, including fruit, vegetables, meat, fish and cheese. It is also a great place to sample traditional Spanish delicacies, such as jamón ibérico, chorizo, empanadas and churros.

The Gothic Quarter in Barcelona is one of the city’s oldest and most beautiful neighborhoods. Located in the heart of the old city centre, it is known for its narrow streets, medieval architecture and historical monuments.

The Barcelona Cathedral and Plaça de Sant Jaume, the city’s political centre, are among the sites here.

The Palau de la Música Catalana is one of Barcelona’s most important concert halls and a masterpiece of Catalan modernist architecture. The building was designed by the famous architect Lluís Domènech i Montaner and opened its doors in 1908.

The Palau de la Música Catalana offers a wide range of musical events. Besides concerts, you can also take guided tours of the building.

Barcelona’s most popular city park Parc de la Ciutadella was created for the 1888 Universal Exposition.

It is the ideal place for a sunny picnic, to play with the kids or to go for a walk. There is plenty to see and do. There is also a zoo in the park, the Barcelona Zoo.

At 512 metres, the Tibidabo is Barcelona’s highest hill and a great place to get some fresh air when you get tired of the hustle and bustle of the city.

It’s nice to walk here, but you can also visit Spain’s oldest amusement park or climb the communication tower to get the highest view of Barcelona.

The old hospital de la Santa Creu i Sant Pau (now Sant Pau Recinte Modernista) is the largest complex from Catalan modernism in the world.

For more than a century, the complex served as a hospital for Barcelona’s poorer residents in particular, but in 2014 the site was opened to visitors after major restoration work.

The Arc de Triomf is a magnificent triumphal arch located in the centre of Barcelona, near the Parc de la Ciutadella. It was built in 1888 for the Barcelona World’s Fair and served as the main entrance to the event.

It is a great place to take photos and enjoy the view of the surrounding area.

The Museu Nacional d’Art de Catalunya, also known as MNAC, is an impressive museum located on Montjuïc hill in Barcelona. The museum is dedicated to Catalan art and culture and has an extensive collection of artworks.

The museum’s collection contains many highlights, including works by famous Catalan artists such as Antoni Gaudí and Joan Miró.

I also love the view over the city from here, especially during sunset.

Palau Güell is Antoni Gaudí’s only structure in Barcelona’s historic centre (Ciutat Vella). It was commissioned by wealthy entrepreneur Eusebi Güell (like the famous Park Güell) and was one of his first commissions. Don’t be fooled by the subdued look on the outside: the interior and roof of this little palace are spectacular!