Hola, wanderers! We are back for round two for those visiting Barcelona – and trust me, it’s going to be a blast! We’re diving into more cool sights, things to do, to see, and all-around good vibes. After checking out the cozy nooks of the Gothic Quarter and the artsy wonders of Park Güell, there’s still so much more to uncover. Come along, let’s roam around Barcelona together!
1 | VISITING BARCELONA'S ICONIC BARCELONETA
From the Columbus Monument, you can take a pleasant walk along Port Vell until you reach the neighborhood of La Barceloneta, one of our best neighborhoods in Barcelona.
As a former fishing district, La Barceloneta still maintains its maritime and family charm. In its narrow streets hide taverns where you can enjoy the best fresh fish and seafood in the city. Additionally, if the weather is nice, you can enjoy its bustling beaches such as Barceloneta, Somorrostro, Sant Sebastià, and Sant Miquel.
2 | MONTJUIC
Another fantastic thing to do when visiting Barcelona is to take a cable car up to Montjuic Mountain.
Once you descend from the cable car, you can visit the Jardins del Mirador del Alcalde, which offers a good panoramic view of Barcelona. After that, you can head up to the Montjuic Castle, an ancient military fortress that impresses with its location, bastions, artillery pieces, and fantastic views of the Mediterranean Sea and the port.
Additionally, you can take a stroll through the sports facilities built for the 1992 Olympic Games. Namely, the Olympic Stadium Lluís Companys, the Palau Sant Jordi, the Bernat Picornell Pools, and the Calatrava Tower. With this, you will end up in front of the National Art Museum of Catalonia (MNAC), one of the best museums in Barcelona, which offers two free terraces with amazing views. To finish, you can descend from the mountain using the escalators and reach the Magic Fountain of Montjuic, where a nightly show of music, water, and lights takes place.
Note that the Castle visiting hours are 10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. everyday. While MNAC opens Tuesday to Sunday from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
3 | POBLE ESPANYOL
Located at the foot of Montjuic Mountain, you’ll find the charming Poble Espanyol, another remarkable place in the visiting Barcelona checklist. Open every day from 9:00 a.m. to midnight, this open-air architectural museum features up to 100 life-size recreations of famous Spanish landmarks. Take a leisurely stroll through its bustling streets, visit art galleries, craft workshops, restaurants, and enjoy activities for children.
You also need to book your tickets in advance. However, if you’re short on time, we recommend booking a tourist bus that stops at the points farthest from the city center, such as Poble Espanyol.
4 | ANOTHER MUST WHEN VISITING BARCELONA: CASA MILÀ
Continuing up Passeig de Gràcia from the iconic Plaza de Cataluña, you’ll reach Casa Milà, another famous work by Gaudí to not miss when visiting Barcelona.
This modernist building was popularly called La Pedrera (The Quarry) due to its austere stone façade with undulating arches. During this period, Gaudí was at the height of his creativity, introducing new architectural solutions that would lead him to the pinnacle of his naturalistic style reflected in this building.
In addition to its façade, it’s worth taking a tour of its interior. Starting from the former residence of the Milà family on the first floor and gradually ascending to the rooftop, which is marvellous with its large ventilation towers and chimneys transformed into works of art.
As with all Gaudí’s works, there are usually long queues at the entrance. So it’s recommended to book your ticket in advance. If you want a unique way to visit La Pedrera, you could book a nighttime visit, which sometimes includes an audiovisual show on the rooftop.
5 | THE BUNKERS DEL CARMEL
Sunsets in Barcelona also have a special place on this list. To witness a fantastic sunset with the best views of Barcelona, we recommend taking the metro to Mundet and then catching the v17 bus to the Gran Vista stop, near the Bunkers del Carmel.
Considered one of the best viewpoints to catch when visiting Barcelona, the bunkers are located on the highest point of the Turó de la Rovira hill in the Carmel neighborhood. They are well-known and attract tourists every evening who want to enjoy the beautiful sunset amidst the remains of bunkers and anti-aircraft batteries from the Spanish Civil War.
6| VISITING BARCELONA THROUGH GRACIA NEIGHBORHOOD
If you want to experience a local neighborhood with authentic shops and taverns, we suggest spending some time in Gracia, another stop to check when visiting Barcelona.
Gracia is known for being a chosen place to live by numerous artists and bohemians. It was an independent town until the late 19th century and still retains its charm. In fact, many locals don’t say “I’m from Barcelona,” but rather “I’m from Gracia.”
Take a stroll through its pedestrian streets or stop for a drink on the terraces of its famous squares such as Plaza de la Virreina, Plaza del Sol, Plaza de la Revolución, and Plaza del Diamante.
7 | CASA VICENS
During your visit to the Gracia neighborhood, you cannot miss Casa Vicens, the first masterpiece by Gaudí. In 1878, Antoni Gaudí received his first major commission from Manuel Vicens to build a summer house for him and his wife on the grounds of the former Vila de Gracia.
Using nature as his inspiration, Gaudí designed one of the first modernist buildings in Europe. You’ll be captivated by its ceramic and tile façade, garden, and distinctive chimneys. Inside, the dome of the living room and the smoking room stand out.
To learn more about the history of Casa Vicens and Antoni Gaudí, we recommend booking a guided tour or, if you prefer to explore on your own, purchasing tickets in advance is always appreciated.
8 | VISITING BARCELONA'S STADIUM: THE CAMP NOU
A must-visit for football fans is Camp Nou, the stadium where the legendary FC Barcelona plays. To explore the massive Camp Nou, we recommend booking entrance tickets that , grant access to the locker rooms, press room, tunnel, trophy room, and the field itself.
If your visit coincides with a home game for Barça, you can purchase tickets from their official website.
9 | POBLENOU
Another neighborhood which has become very trendy in recent times, is the former industrial district of Poblenou. Since opening up to the sea during the Olympic Games, this charming neighborhood offers beautiful beaches like Bogatell, Nova Icària, and Mar Bella. You can take a stroll along Rambla del Poblenou, which has a good selection of restaurants and art galleries.
Moreover, very recently, the highest viewpoint in the city (120 meters) has opened at the photogenic Torre Glòries building, known for its vibrant colors and nighttime illumination.
10 | VISITING BARCELONA CHECKLIST: TIBIDABO
To conclude this list of must-see places when visiting Barcelona, we suggest going up to the Sierra de Collserola, over 500 meters above sea level, to spend a fun day at Tibidabo Amusement Park. Opened in 1899, this park is the oldest in Spain and offers a perfect combination of vintage attractions like the Avión, Talaia, and the Museum of Automata, along with more modern ones like the Roller Coaster.
After an adrenaline rush and taking in the panoramic views of Barcelona from its highest point, you can visit the beautiful Temple of the Sacred Heart in neo-Gothic style and go up to the tenth floor of the Torre de Collserola for excellent panoramic views of the city. To reach Tibidabo, you can take metro lines 3 and 5 to the Vall d’Hebron stop and then take the funicular. You can check the park’s schedule and ticket prices on their website.
Barcelona is like a lively painting of narratives. From stunning buildings to the rhythmic beats of street performances, each moment is special. Whether you explored Gaudí’s creations or wandered through the charming alleys, Barcelona isn’t just a city—it’s a part of your story. If you liked these recommendations, another set of places and things to do awaits for you in this detailed article.
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