The best things to do in Barcelona

You could spend a month in Barcelona and still not run out of things to do. This is our list of the essentials — plus the local favourites that most visitors miss. Book the big Gaudí sights ahead; most of the rest you can do on a whim.

Gaudí and modernisme

1. Sagrada Família. Gaudí's unfinished basilica is the city's signature sight. The light through the stained glass inside is the real show — go in the morning for cool blues and greens, or late afternoon for warm reds and oranges. Book ahead.
2. Park Güell. Mosaic benches, gingerbread gatehouses and a view over the city. The monumental zone needs a timed ticket; the wider park and its viewpoints are free.
3. Casa Batlló and La Pedrera. Two Gaudí houses a few blocks apart on Passeig de Gràcia. Casa Batlló is the more theatrical; La Pedrera's rooftop chimneys are unforgettable.
4. Palau de la Música Catalana. A modernista concert hall with a jaw-dropping stained-glass ceiling. Take a tour, or better, catch a concert.
5. Hospital de Sant Pau. A former hospital complex of tiled pavilions and gardens — beautiful, and far quieter than the Gaudí sites.

The old town

6. Get lost in the Gothic Quarter. Roman walls, the cathedral, Plaça Reial and hidden squares like Plaça de Sant Felip Neri. Neighbourhood guide →
7. Santa Maria del Mar. The finest Catalan Gothic church, soaring and austere, in the heart of El Born.
8. Picasso Museum. Five medieval palaces filled with the artist's early work — especially strong on his Barcelona years.
9. La Boqueria market. Go early in the morning, before the crowds, and eat at one of the counter bars. For a more local experience, try Santa Caterina or Sant Antoni markets.
10. La Rambla. Walk it once to say you have, then head into the side streets.

Viewpoints

11. Bunkers del Carmel. An old anti-aircraft battery with a 360° view of the city. Best at sunset; please respect the neighbours and check current access times.
12. Montjuïc. Gardens, the castle, the Olympic ring and the Fundació Joan Miró. Take the cable car up and walk down.
13. Tibidabo. The highest point in the city, with a vintage amusement park and a church on top. The view on a clear day is huge.
14. Rooftop bars. Many hotels open their rooftops to non-guests for a drink at sunset.

Museums and culture

15. MNAC. The National Art Museum of Catalonia, in the palace atop Montjuïc, with a superb Romanesque collection.
16. MACBA and the CCCB. Contemporary art and culture in the Raval, with skateboarders on the square outside.
17. Fundació Joan Miró. Bright, playful and set in a beautiful building with views.
18. A flamenco or jazz night. Flamenco isn't Catalan, but there are good tablaos; Barcelona's jazz clubs are excellent too.

Sea and outdoors

19. The beaches. Barceloneta is the famous one; Bogatell and Mar Bella are calmer. Beach guide →
20. Parc de la Ciutadella. The city's central park, with a boating lake and the grand Cascada fountain.
21. Carretera de les Aigües. A flat path along Collserola hill with views over the city — loved by runners and cyclists.
22. Magic Fountain of Montjuïc. A free light and music show on selected evenings — check the schedule, as it changes with the season and water restrictions.

Do it like a local

23. Vermut on a Sunday. Pre-lunch vermouth with olives and crisps is a Barcelona ritual — Sant Antoni is the place for it.
24. A neighbourhood festa major. Every barri has its own festival; Gràcia's in August is the most spectacular. Festival calendar →
25. Join a meetup. English-language socials, walks and sports run every week, and visitors are welcome. It's the fastest way to see the city through residents' eyes. See what's on →