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10 Best Things to do in Barcelona, Spain

Proud, explosive, full of geniuses, all year round outdoor sports, sunny, lovely … all this is about Barcelona – one of the most beautiful cities not only in Europe but in the whole world. Barcelona has sea and mountains, this is the frenzied energy of Dali, the freaky architecture of Gaudí, the stunning outfits of the LGBT community, the active movement of bicycle traffic, awesome parties, and endless sangria/tapas/paella. In short, Barcelona is a city of arts and love. It is possibly the most iconic European city to visit.

THINGS TO DO

BEST TIME TO VISIT

GUIDED TOURS

GOOGLE MAPS

WHAT TO CARRY?

BEST PHOTOS

Top time to visit Barcelona!

The ideal months to visit Barcelona are May and June, when warm temperatures in the low to mid-70s combine with a rush of festivities heralding the arrival of summer. Locals flee their favorite city in droves to catch a breeze somewhere else during the true summer months, which are sticky with humidity.

I’m pretty sure, if it’s your first time visiting Barcelona then you are in the middle of planning chaos of all things you want and need to see, and of course, food to eat.

Bucket list and best things to do in Barcelona, Spain @thetriplog
Bucket list and best things to do in Barcelona, Spain @thetriplog

I remember my first time visiting the city, I was in a hurry to visit EVERYTHING that was humanly possible. However, I’m not sure if it’s the best approach to take.

That’s why I wanted to share a few of the best things to see in a beautiful Barcelona so that you can plan to visit.

Bucket list and best things to do in Barcelona, Spain @thetriplog
Bucket list and best things to do in Barcelona, Spain @thetriplog

Ready to say HOLA! to these top ten places and things to do in Barcelona?

What to do in Barcelona?

Even the number of tourists can’t spoil the good feeling. Without any doubt, everyone should have Barcelona as a must-see place on his/her bucket list.

Find a bonus track guide at the end (the best things to do in only one page) wink

1. Eat Authentic Local Food

Bucket list and best things to do in Barcelona, Spain @thetriplog

The best way to experience a city is through food. And Barcelona is veeery rich in this.

The first thing you have to try is Tapas and it is arguably Spain’s greatest food invention. It is not meant to be a full meal, the idea is to order different small tapas each time you get a drink. And the best part is that everyone shares it and it becomes a social experience.

Here is the list of best places to try tapas:

  1. Bormuth (Plaça Comercial, 1, 08003 Barcelona) – Menu is > here
  2. Firo Tast Restaurant (Avinguda de Gaudí, 83, 08025 Barcelona) –  Menu is here
  3. Güell Tapas (Carrer Nou de la Rambla, 20, 08001 Barcelona) – Menu is here
  4. Bierzo Food Tapas & cocktails (Carrer de les Flors, 16, 08001 Barcelona) – Menu is here

2. Visit Sagrada Familia

Bucket list and best things to do in Barcelona, Spain @thetriplog
Bucket list and best things to do in Barcelona, Spain @thetriplog

The Sagrada Família is Barcelona’s indisputable icon and Antoni Gaudí’s masterpiece. It is the city’s most visited monument. It is recognizable from afar thanks to its sky-scraping towers, while its two exterior facades impact visitors at its site. However, it is inside where Gaudí’s genius is most evident. The basilica is still under construction and is not expected to be completed until 2026.

Local Tip: To bypass crowds, avoid peak times. Make sure to wake up early if you want to buy a ticket onsite or you can buy it online here beforehand which is even better.

3. Enjoy Casa Battlo

Bucket list and best things to do in Barcelona, Spain @thetriplog
Bucket list and best things to do in Barcelona, Spain @thetriplog

This is another outstanding Gaudi building: Casa Batllo is an awesome example of his work that mixes nature with urban living in a pretty crazy way.

Have you ever played Dixit and wondered how much imagination lay in the card’s art? You will literally feel like you’ve dived into the imagination of Gaudi as soon as you enter inside – it’s just another universe.

You can book your ticket here.

4. Relax at Park Güell

Bucket list and best things to do in Barcelona, Spain @thetriplog

This park is another one of Gaudi’s creations. Designed by Gaudi this park shows some outstanding – never seen unique architecture, mosaic work, and breathtaking views of the city. Taking into account that the park gets super busy during the day, I highly recommend coming here early and enjoy the scenery without the crowds. Also, it another plus, because you will have fewer people in your photos. 

Local Tip: To bypass crowds, avoid peak times. Make sure to wake up early if you want to buy a ticket onsite or you can buy it online here beforehand which is even better.

5. Have fun at Tibidabo

Bucket list and best things to do in Barcelona, Spain @thetriplog
Bucket list and best things to do in Barcelona, Spain @thetriplog
Tibidabo is a really fun place to explore in Barcelona for kids, couples, or just hang out with friends!

It’s a historic place that’s filled with all kinds of rides: a Ferris wheel, carousels, and even a roller coaster dating back to the last century.

Local Tip: go there around dusk and watch the sunset whilst taking a ride on the Ferris Wheel. Honestly, it can be one of the best experiences. Book your ticket here.

6. Visit La Boqueria Market

Bucket list and best things to do in Barcelona, Spain @thetriplog
Bucket list and best things to do in Barcelona, Spain @thetriplog

La Boqueria is not just the main food market in Barcelona but also a major tourist destination. Just off La Rambla, it’s the biggest market in Catalonia with more than 300 stalls and a surface area of 2,583 square meters. 

You can find so much yummy food here: cheese, Jamon, nuts, fresh juices, fruits and a lot more. One of the best things to do here is to order mussels or oysters with a glass of wine or cava and enjoy it while talking to your friend or a loved one.

7. Explore the Gothic Quarter

Bucket list and best things to do in Barcelona, Spain @thetriplog
Bucket list and best things to do in Barcelona, Spain @thetriplog

So close to La Rambla, there is the Gothic Quarter. This is the most historic and lively area in the city. You’ll find a huge amount of cool little shops, trendy cafes, and foodie hotspots. Visit at least once during the afternoon then come back again during the night – it’s a completely different experience.

It really is one of the best things to see in Barcelona. Also, make sure you visit the Cathedral of Barcelona, it is really special.

8. Enjoy the beach on Barceloneta

Bucket list and best things to do in Barcelona, Spain @thetriplog
Bucket list and best things to do in Barcelona, Spain @thetriplog

Barcelona has more than 8 km of beaches, from Sant Sebastià to Llevant. Many can be found in Barceloneta. This is one of Barcelona’s oldest and best-loved beaches. It has a gymnastics area, beach volleyball, beach tennis, table tennis. Another draw is the area’s excellent and varied cuisine, ranging from tapas and vermouth to paella and seafood.

9. Watch the city from the Bunkers

Bucket list and best things to do in Barcelona, Spain @thetriplog

This spot is not your usual itinerary place, which is a shame, because if you don’t visit it, you’ll miss some of the best views of Barcelona.

It is free to access and located at the top of an abandoned antiaircraft warfare site. Actually, it is easy to get there. You can walk from the Sant Pau area, but get ready to go uphill. So wear your sneakers, pack some drinks, snacks and go up to the viewpoint. Come for sunset and enjoy a 360-degree view of Barcelona you won’t forget.

10. Montjuïc Magic Fountain

Bucket list and best things to do in Barcelona, Spain @thetriplog
Bucket list and best things to do in Barcelona, Spain @thetriplog
It is another free-to-visit sightseeing in Barcelona but a breathtaking one. This is a music and water show that will mesmerize you for sure. Designed by Carles Buïgas, it’s one of the last remaining attractions made for the 1929 International Exposition.

Check the timetable here.

Have a Guided Tour

We absolutely loved exploring this city. There are so many things to do that you can easily spend days and even weeks here. However, if you have only one or two days to spare we really encourage you, to have a guided tour.

Check the best reviewed tours in Barcelona here

 

Our Google Maps Lists!

As you might now, we always travel using the Google Maps mobile application. It means that we always create lists with all the things to do and the places to visit.

 

  • You can find our profile here (better in mobile)
  • Check the list of the most amazing places in Barcelona here!

What to carry for all the activities to do in Venice?

Every city has something different, but in general you will need the same things to carry with you. It will only change depending on the season. You will carry more clothes during winter than summer. We really encorage you to check the things that we found in Amazon. They’re pretty cool and “weird” but useful for your trip. Click here to know them.

Best spots for your photos

We love sharing photos, videos and information of the places we go. That’s why we are using Instagram, Pinterest and TikTok for this! Check these platforms because you will learn a lot.

Barcelona Bucket List

Check out our ultimate bucket list for the top things to do in Barcelona. Save it to your Pinterest for an upcoming trip or post it on your Instagram stories & check of the places you’ve been.

Bucket list and best things to do in Barcelona, Spain

Do you have something else to add to the post? If you have any additional tips or info for our readers or questions please leave them in the comments below. Thanks a lot! smile

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