Do you want to plan a trip to Spain and wonder what are the best things to do in Barcelona?
Capital city of the province of Catalonia, Barcelona, Spain, is a great destination for discovering the Spanish and Catalan culture through a, architecture, food & wine. If you wonder if you should visit Barcelona and are the things you can do there, we got you covered! We will even give you tips and tricks to make the most of your stay. Hop on with us to a great trip to Barcelona!
Traveling to Barcelona – Things to know before you go
North-east of Spain, Barcelona is located right on the coast in the Catalan province, close to the French border. Whether you are directly going to Barcelona or traveling in the surroundings, you’ll find many options to reach the city and travel ling in Barcelona’s area.
How to get to Barcelona
By plane: you’ll find international direct flights to Josep Tarradellas Barceolna, located 16 km south of the city.
By train: Barcelona is very connected by train with other Spanish and French cities. You can reach Barcelona by high-speed train trips from Paris, Lyon, Perpignan, and of course Madrid and other cities in Spain.
By boat: you can also consider reaching Barcelona by boat, arriving at the Port of Barcelona from Balearic Islands, Genoa, Nador, tangier, Savona and Sardinia.
How to get around Barcelona
Getting around Barcelona is really easy.
Public transportation: the best option is getting around the city by Metro, you’ll find lines that stop near all of the city’s main attractions, and the airport. You also consider riding in Barcelona by bus or taxi, but you might find yourself blocked in traffic jam and lose quite some time, especially during the evening.
By car: driving around Barcelona is not really recommended, but if you wish to travel in Barcelona’s surroundings, this can be an interesting option. Click here to know more on car rentals in Barcelona.
Where to stay in Barcelona
Like all large European cities, Barcelona offers an extensive choice of accommodations – from city-center hotels and apartments, to more quiet lodgings in remote districts.
Best rated hotels are:
Click here for more hotels options!
A couple of tips
- Don’t have lunch in touristy areas. Las Ramblas is probably the most touristy area of Barcelona, and it’s where you will be served mediocre food for unreasonable prices. It’s best to look for more remote restaurants or in quitter districts where you’ll eat excellent Catalan food.
- Don’t expect to speak English. Even if Spain is in Europe and most European countries speak English, it will be difficult to make yourself understand if you don’t speak a word of Spanish.
- Don’t tip at restaurants. This is not something Spanish people do, so they don’t expect to do it either. Actually, it might be considered as rude or confusing for a waiter.
Top 10 best things to do in Barcelona
Barcelona is not the most visited city in Spain for nothing. A true open-air museum, Barcelona also benefits from privileged location, right on the coast to offer beautiful and diverse beaches. There are countless things to do in Barcelona! But for you to save time and energy, here is a selection of the 10 things you must absolutely do during your stay in Barcelona.
1. Sagrada Familia
A massive master-piece, Autoni Gaudi’s ambitious artwork is one of the most famous and peculiar in the world. It is comparable to no other religious structure, and is as splendid from outside than inside.
2. Barcelona Cathedral
Another religious estate worth visiting in Barcelona, more classic this time, the city’s Cathedral. The Cathedral of the Holy Cross and Saint Eulalia dates back to the 13th century and is one of the most impressive building you’ll get to see in Barcelona.
3. Las Ramblas
While locals assure this is an overrated things to do in Barcelona, for tourists it’s still one of these activities you must do before leaving! This long promenade goes from Plaça de Catalunya to the Columbus Monument. Wide and cute, you’ll love strolling along this typical city-walk.
4. Güell Park
This public park will delight photographers! An incredible colorful setting, walking in Güell Park is like exploring a planet in your own dreams. All made out of mosaics, you’ll quickly be hypnotized by the park’s atmosphere.
5. Arc de Triomf
Triumphal arches are typically European! If you have seen Paris Triumph Arch, make sure you tick the one of Barcelona too.
6. Fountain of Montjuïc
This is a good deal: you get to see an amazing fountain in a magical setting, right next to a great museum to visit! Not mentioning how beautiful they are at night, thanks to fantastic lightning.
7. Sagrat Cor
Last but not least of the religions buildings to visit in Barcelona, Sagrat Cor. Perched on the summit of Mount Tibidabo, you’ll be astonished by the beauty of the Church in itself, and the breathtaking view of Barcelona from up there.
8. Casa Batlló
Another heritage of Gaudi’s vision, this apartment block was in fact remodeled to turn it into a compete piece of art. Like all of his creations in Barcelona, Casa Batlló is worth seeing with your own eyes.
9. Covered Boqueira Market
Food markets are entirely part of the Spanish experience, especially in Catalonia. Boqueria markets are a thing in Barcelona since medieval times. Make sure to grab a couple of tasty tapas at a food-stall!
10. Find a great beach
Barcelona’s coast starches over;5 km. In other words, you don’t have to enjoy the sun at a crowded beach, you can find another one that will be all the more beautiful! If you’re up for a long beautiful walk, from Barcelona center head towards the Diagonal Mar beach.
Bonus: do a day trip from Barcelona with Castlexperience
Are you tempted to do a day-trip from Barcelona? We have what you are looking for! Our host Castlexperience has put together 4 different day-wine-tours to the natural park and monastery of Montserrat – the heart and soul of Catalonia. Book your next day-trip from Barcelona!
Visit Barcelona surroundings – Catalonia vineyards
Barcelona is in the hear of one of Spain’s most remarkable wine regions – visiting Barcelona without exploring its surrounding vineyards would be too bad!
Enjoy your trip to Barcelona!
FAQ & Useful resources
Is Barcelona Spain worth visiting?
Barcelona is the most visited city of Spain. Capital of Catalonia region, Barcelona offers countless activities for tourists. If you like dynamic cities with nightlife and wish to be immersed in Catalan culture, Barcelona is you next destination!
Are there beaches in Barcelona?
There are several very nice beaches in Barcelona. The city’s coastline stretches for 4.5km and offers a diversity in kinds of beaches. The most popular ones include: Barceloneta, Mar Bella, Nova Icaria and Bogatell.
Is it expensive in Barcelona?
Barcelona is not the cheapest city to visit in Spain, food and lodging can be considered as rather expensive compared to other famous cities. To save money, there are several tips: avoid having lunch in touristy areas, privilege using the Metro, biking and walking instead of taxi rides.
Is Barcelona better than Madrid?
Madrid can be considered as a better choice of Spanish capital than Barcelona when it comes to spending a week or more there. Madrid is cheaper on different levels, food better and offers more things to do for tourists. However, Barcelona is still a must-see Spanish city, perfect for short stays.
Which is the best area to stay in Barcelona?
The best neighborhoods for tourists to stay in Barcelona are:
Barri Gotiv
El Rava
El Born
Eixample
Montjuic
Gràcia
Barceloneta
Poble Sac.
What is the best month to visit Barcelona Spain?
May and June are excellent months to visit Barcelona, when temperatures are not too high and out of peak season. Still, Barcelona is Spain’s most visited city, so you must expect quite a bit of people all year long. As a result, the city is very lively with shows and events whatever the season.
