21 Things to do in Barcelona

Want to know what the best things to do in Barcelona are <<from someone who actually lives here?>> Then this is the right place. Learn how to make the most out of your trip avoiding the crowds and getting the best tips anyone will tell you.

6 Things to do before you visit Barcelona

1. CHECK TICKETS AVAILABLE FOR SAGRADA FAMILIA

   First of all check if there are tickets available for Sagrada Familia in advance, the icon of Barcelona. Before COVID they were usually sold out for a couples of days.  Secret  from a local: Buy audioguide or guided tour & the nativity towers are beautiful but not the best view you’ll have in the city. Also try booking for a sunny day to enjoy the rays of sunlight through the inside glasses. The church has 2 façades, we love nativity one where instagrammers go! You can book the Instagram photoshoot in Barcelona with us here.

2. CHECK TICKETS AVAILABLE FOR PARK GUELL

   Second tip, check if there are tickets available for Park Güell in advance, another Gaudi gem in Barcelona. Tickets are also sold online with a fixed time and day. Best way to get there is buy bus (24 or V19) or taxi, not by metro! Prepare your cameras, the place is amazing for a photoshoot! (book a photoshoot experience in Park Güell with us, here)

3. LEARN HOW TO GET AROUND IN BARCELONA

   Check my Get around in Barcelona guide Video, so when you get to Barcelona airport you buy the right travel card.

4. CHOOSE THE RIGHT NEIGHBOURHOOD TO STAY

   Take a look at my Where to stay in Barcelona video to make sure you book the best possible accommodation, located in a central neighbourhood right next to a metro station.

5. CHECK THE EVENTS

   Don’t forget to check in advance if there’s any event coming up in the city. We have almost every month amazing and super fun events in Barcelona. Check here all the things to do in Barcelona month by month

6. VISIT BARCELONA ON A BUDGET?

   Check here the free things to do in Barcelona and not to miss them!

15 Things to do while in Barcelona

1. GO TO A ROOFTOP

   The rooftops open up in the summer! If you visit Casa Milá or La Pedrera, two of the most famous Gaudi creations, they also offer live music shows.

2. TRY TAPAS AND PAELLA

   Of course, don’t leave Barcelona without having tried tapas & paella! These small-portioned tasty foods are absolutely worthy. A lot of cold meat & fish but still there are also veggie options. There are even veggie paellas.  If you want the list of the things to eat and drink in Barcelona 2021, click here.

3. TRY THE LOCAL DRINKS

   Drinks! Don’t go from Barcelona without tasting <<vermut>> before lunch or dinner, our local appetiser. Also have a <<caña>> or a <<clara>>, a glass of <<cava>> and try Catalan wines. What about Sangria? My grandfa loves it, but we actually don’t drink it. It’s a touristic thing but still drink it like my grandfa!

4. ARE FLAMENCO SHOWS WORTHY?

   Well Flamenco & paella are actually not from Barcelona 🙁 But because Barcelona is one of the most famous city in Spain, there’s almost anything you can’t find here. There are really good shows and really good paellas as well. But if you are planning to go to Sevilla or to Valencia, maybe you can do that there. (Fun fact: best paella I tried was in Barcelona)

5. Should you visit POBLE ESPANYOL?

   If you’re not going to Sevilla or the south of Spain, you can visit it in Barcelona! Where? At Poble Espanyol. Enjoy this replica and take thousands of pictures.

6. BEST NEIGHBOURHOODS TO VISIT

   Neighbourhoods you must visit & get lost in the alleys: Gothic & Born in the old city. Two very famous cathedrals are located in that area: Cathedral of Barcelona & Santa Maria del Mar.  Also visit Eixample neighbourhood where Sagrada Familia, Casa Batlló & Casa Milá o La Pedrera. They have incredible rooftops & last but not least, Gracia neighbourhood right next to Park Güell & Casa Vicens, the first house in the city by Gaudi. This neighbourhood is amazing in the afternoon to drink a beer or vermut in the surrounding plaças. Join our photoshoot walking tour & discover the city with us!

7. GO TO THE CITY CENTER

   Right next to the old city, don’t miss Plaza Catalunya, La Boquería Market & Las Ramblas, where you should drink water from the Canaletas fountain if you want to come back to Barcelona. Check the best markets in Barcelona here.

8. IF YOU LOVE FOOTBALL/SOCCER

   Visit Camp Nou! Buy your tickets for the museum at the moment, no need to book in advance.

9. GO AND SEE THE MAGIC FOUNTAIN

   Check the timetable in advance to go and see the Magic Fountain light & music show. I recommend you to go by fonicular & bus to the top of the mountain and go down walking towards the fountain. Check here the most complete guide on how to visit Montjuic in Barcelona.

10. VISIT THE PARKS!

    We don’t have so many parks in town, but my favourite one is the Ciutadella Park, right in the city center. It has the zoo and a small lake to rent a boat. The fountain is the most beautiful spot! Also check the time of the year you’re coming because there are a lot of things going on in the parks of Barcelona.

11. GO TO MONTSERRAT

    Go to Montserrat for the day. Take the train, visit the monastery & enjoy worth-taking views. Also you can book a tour and enjoy a wine tasting surrounded by incredible Catalan landscape! Check my video on how to visit Montserrat.

12. TAKE A DAY TRIP

    Go & visit Sitges for the day. Also by train or you can rent a car. They’re just 1 hour away from Barcelona. They have both a lovely old city center. Check my video A day in Sitges! You also have Tarragona, Tossa de Mar, Girona, Peratallada, Pals, Monells, Besalú and many more old cities!

13. BEST VIEWPOINTS IN BARCELONA

    If you love viewpoints, here I have a list of the best ones, paid ones and free of charge as well. Check the list of best views in Barcelona. My favourite one is at Bunkers del Carmel but it gets super crowded at night so I also recommend you Park Güell and (this is a secret: Basilica of Saints Justus and Pastor in the old city)

14. GO TO TIBIDABO

    If you have time and free days left, then go and visit Tibidabo view. It’s far away from the city, you’ll need a car or a scooter but the view is beautiful. If you have kids, check because there’s a retro amusement park! If you want to know “how to get to Tibidabo” watch my video!

15. VISIT THE MUSEUMS

    If it’s too hot in the afternoon or if it’s raining, both are a good reason to visit the museums. My favourite ones are: Picasso Museum, MOCO if you like modern art, MNAC, National Museum of Art of Catalunya with a beautiful view perfect for sunset. Museum of History of Barcelona to see the ruins from medieval times & Museum of history of Catalunya, with another beautiful rooftop to admire the old port of Barcelona. Palau de la Musica, with its famous instagrammable colourful columns, Palau Güell which is not Park Güell, MACBA in Raval for art lovers and the old modernist building “Hospital Sant Pau” right next to Sagrada Familia. If you are a family with kids, visit the Chocolate Museum