Barcelona Travel Guide: 15 Best Things to Do, from Gaudí to Hidden Gems

Barcelona has everything: Gaudí's extraordinary buildings, a medieval old town, city beaches, superb food and a buzzing street life that goes on late into the night. Here are the essential sights – plus the quieter corners most visitors miss.

Gaudí and Modernisme

1. The Sagrada Família

Gaudí's unfinished basilica is Barcelona's most famous landmark, with forest-like columns and stained glass that fills the interior with colour. Book a timed ticket on the official website.

2. Park Güell

Gaudí's hilltop park has mosaic terraces, a famous lizard and views over the city. The monumental zone needs a timed ticket.

3. Casa Batlló and Casa Milà

On the elegant Passeig de Gràcia, Casa Batlló's façade looks like a dragon's back, and Casa Milà (La Pedrera) has a rooftop of surreal chimneys.

4. Palau de la Música Catalana

This concert hall is a riot of mosaics and stained glass. Take a guided tour or, better, attend a concert.

The old city

5. Wander the Gothic Quarter

The Barri Gòtic is a maze of medieval lanes around the cathedral. Find the peaceful Plaça Sant Felip Neri and the Roman temple columns hidden in a courtyard.

6. Explore El Born

Trendy El Born has boutiques, tapas bars and the beautiful Gothic church of Santa Maria del Mar. The Picasso Museum is here too.

7. Eat at La Boqueria – then find a local market

La Boqueria off Las Ramblas is famous but crowded. For a more local experience, try the Mercat de Santa Caterina or Mercat de Sant Antoni.

Views and hidden gems

8. Bunkers del Carmel

Old anti-aircraft bunkers on a hilltop offer a 360-degree panorama of the city – one of the best sunset spots.

9. Hospital de Sant Pau

A spectacular modernista hospital complex with domed pavilions and gardens – far quieter than Gaudí's buildings.

10. Montjuïc

The hill above the port has the Joan Miró Foundation, the National Art Museum of Catalonia, the Olympic stadium and gardens. Ride the cable car up.

11. Gràcia

This village-like neighbourhood has leafy squares, independent shops and a relaxed bar scene.

12. The Laberint d'Horta

Barcelona's oldest garden hides a hedge maze and neoclassical pavilions on the city's edge.

Sea and food

13. Hit the beaches

Barceloneta is the busiest beach; walk further north to Bogatell or Nova Icària for more space.

14. Go on a tapas crawl

Try pa amb tomàquet, patatas bravas, croquetes and vermouth at a traditional bodega. A food tour is a great introduction.

15. Day trip to Montserrat

The serrated mountain and monastery of Montserrat are about an hour away by train and rack railway.

Getting around

The metro is fast and efficient; buy a multi-trip card. Most sights in the old city are best explored on foot. Heading south? Catch the train to Granada or the Costa del Sol.