The 17 best things to do in Barcelona

From brilliant museums to dazzling nightlife to Gaudí gems, Barcelona is a city that keeps on giving

13 March 2023

View of the city from Park Guell in Barcelona Spain

There is a dizzying array of things to do in Barcelona – so many that it can be hard to narrow it down. After you’ve ticked the boxes on Antoni Gaudí’s Modernisme masterpieces – Sagrada Familia, Casa Batlló and La Pedrera – escape the crowds and explore some of the city’s lesser-known architectural treasures, including the world’s largest Art Nouveau site, Sant Pau Recinto Modernista. Not in a sightseeing mood? Then take advantage of Barcelona’s sunny Mediterranean climate: spend the day on an urban beach, enjoy long lunches in lovely restaurants, relax with a sundowner on a hotel terrace, and keep the party going at one of the city’s many cocktail bars and nightclubs. From must-see attractions to undiscovered local gems, these are our picks for Barcelona's best things to do.

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1. Discover Gaudí by night
Even with timed ticketing systems, Gaudí’s most famous residential buildings, Casa Batlló and Casa Milà (aka La Pedrera), are plagued by long queues and daytime crowds. So for a more intimate experience, book a night tour – which limits the number of visitors and includes perks like live music and a free glass of Cava. Casa Batlló’s Magic Nights take place from March to November, including an interactive self-guided tour of the house and a rooftop concert; tickets start at around £45. La Pedrera’s Night Experience operates year-round and features small-group guided tours of the courtyard and magnificent arched attic (though not the apartment), culminating in a visit to the roof terrace, where a fantastical light show plays out across its swirling chimneys. Admission is £34 and, in June and July, you can enjoy a live rooftop jazz concert included in the price.
Addresses: Casa Batlló, Pg. de Gràcia 43, 08007 Barcelona; La Pedrera, Pg. de Gràcia 92, 08007 Barcelona
Websites: casabatllo.es; lapedrera.com
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2. Explore less-crowded Modernista gems
While Gaudí is the undisputed king of Catalan Modernisme, he wasn’t the only one working in this fanciful architectural style. A short stroll uphill from the Sagrada Familia is the world’s largest Art Nouveau site, Sant Pau Recinto Modernista, designed by Lluís Domènech i Montaner in 1901. The former hospital complex spans nine city blocks and comprises dozens of red-brick buildings decked with flamboyant spires, colourful mosaic-tiled domed roofs, and ornate stained-glass windows – all surrounding beautifully landscaped courtyards. Close to Plaça d’Espanya is a marvellous example of industrial Modernisme architecture: the 1911 Casaramona factory designed by Josep Puig i Cadafalch, now home to the CaixaForum Barcelona art gallery. Crenellated rooftops, towers, and Moorish elements recall Spain’s medieval castles, and visiting its undulating roof terrace is a must.
Addresses: Sant Pau Recinto Modernista, Carrer de Sant Antoni Maria Claret 167, 08025 Barcelona; CaixaForum Barcelona, Av. Francesc Ferrer i Guàrdia 6-8, 08038 Barcelona
Websites: santpaubarcelona.org; caixaforum.org
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3. Check out modern and contemporary art
A colossal, six-metre-high, wood-sculpted parody of Mickey Mouse by pop-culture phenom KAWS dominates the courtyard entrance of the Moco Museum Barcelona, offering a taste of what’s to come in this dynamic new art space. Spread across two floors of a 16th-century palace in the Born district are works by modern and contemporary masters – Warhol, Murakami, David LaChapelle, Damian Hirst – and legendary street artists like Banksy and KAWS, plus cutting-edge digital installations by emerging talents. Over in the Raval neighbourhood, the striking Richard Meier-designed Barcelona Museum of Contemporary Art (MACBA) offers a great introduction to contemporary Catalan artists like Antoni Tàpies and Francesc Torres. Still, its collection also includes international heavyweights such as Alexander Calder, Donald Judd, and Basquiat. Don’t miss Keith Haring’s monumental 1989 mural Todos juntos podemos parar el sida (Together we can stop AIDS), just outside MACBA’s entrance.
Addresses: Moco Museum Barcelona, Carrer de Montcada 25, 08003 Barcelona; MACBA, Plaça dels Àngels 1, 08001 Barcelona
Websites: mocomuseum.com; macba.cat
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4. Get lost in Horta’s Labyrinth Park (Parc del Laberint d'Horta)
Escape the tourist hordes and get lost – literally – inside a life-size 18th-century labyrinth. Two-metre-high cypress hedges form the maze, which is dotted with sculptures and reliefs of characters from Greco-Roman romantic mythology. There are lots of twists, turns, and dead ends along the way until you reach its centre, where Eros, the god of Love, stands atop a pedestal. While the maze is the highlight, the 55-hectare park also features walking paths through a small forest, ponds, fountains, stone staircases, Roman-style temples, Italianate columns, and even a palace (not open to the public). It’s located at the foothills of the Collserola mountain range and is easily reached by Metro (L3).
Address: Passeig dels Castanyers 1, 08035, Barcelona
Website: barcelona.cat

5. Chill out on a hotel terrace
A favourite local pastime is chilling with a cocktail and soaking in the views on the rooftop of one Barcelona's best hotels. Check out Terraza de Vivi at the trendy Kimpton Vividora for the daily brunch (March to November) with bottomless mimosas and Bloody Marys, plus fantastic views of the surrounding medieval Gothic Quarter; weekends are particularly buzzy, with live DJs. Nearby, the petite Wittmore Hotel roof flies under the radar, with a wonderful low-key vibe and incredible 360-degree city, sea, and mountain views from the topmost deck. If you’re looking to party, head up to The Hoxton, Poblenou’s Tope (open March to November), a sprawling rooftop taqueria and bar with pumping music and weekend DJ sets, plus knock-out views of the Sagrada Familia, especially at sunset. Or if it’s tranquillity you’re after, the El Palace Hotel roof terrace’s shady pergolas, burbling fountains, and lush greenery provide a welcome oasis from the busy Eixample streets.
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6. Dive into Barcelona’s nightlife
From live music to high-energy DJ sets, Barcelona has some legendary nightlife worth staying up late for. Inside a massive industrial warehouse in Poblenou, Razzmatazz is five clubs in one: along with a main concert hall for A-list indie bands, other spaces see DJs spinning everything from reggaetón to techno to pop every night of the week. Ocaña, on the famed Plaça Reial, hosts live musical acts playing soul, flamenco, jazz, rock, and more — both in the ground-level club and below, in the hip subterranean Apotheke. Fridays and Saturdays, head underground to the sultry, red-velvet-clad Cabaret beneath the Barcelona EDITION, where top-notch international DJs spin until the wee hours.
Addresses: Razzmatazz, Carrer dels Almogàvers 122, 08018 Barcelona; Ocaña, Pl. Reial 13-15, 08002 Barcelona; Cabaret, Avinguda de Francesc Cambó 14, 08003 Barcelona
Websites: salarazzmatazz.com; facebook.com; cabaretbarcelona.com
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7. Relax on a Poblenou beach
Leave the mobbed beaches of Barceloneta to the tourists and venture east to the less-crowded golden strands of the Poblenou district. Its trio of beaches – Bogatell, Mar Bella, and Nova Mar Bella – attract mainly locals, and each has a distinct vibe. As Bogatell is the closest to the Metro, it’s the busiest and liveliest, boasting plenty of chiringuitos (beach bars) and amenities like beach volleyball courts and table tennis. Mar Bella is favoured by a younger crowd and also has a separate section for nude sunbathing and swimming that draws a large gay contingent. Nova Mar Bella is the farthest, widest, and most laid-back of the three, appealing to families and older people living in the nearby residential towers of Diagonal Mar; it’s also a top spot for kite-surfing, with beachside rentals available.
Pol Viladoms
8. Be awed by the views from Mirador torre Glòries
Atop Jean Nouvel’s glassy, bullet-shaped skyscraper, the Mirador Torre Glòries nets you some of Barcelona’s best vistas. A lift whisks you 30 storeys up for 360-degree views of the city – from the mountains to the Mediterranean – letting you gaze through large windows upon Barcelona landmarks like the Sagrada Familia, the sail-shaped W Hotel, and the tri-towered Sant Andreu power plant. From here, daredevils can don a jumpsuit (provided) and climb up into the dome via artist Tomás Saraceno’s ‘Cloud Cities,’ an installation of interlinked pods and steel cables that reaches 130 metres.
Address: Avinguda Diagonal 211, 08018 Barcelona
Website: miradortorreglories.com

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9. Hike around Montjuïc
Barcelona is famous for its beaches, but it’s the surrounding mountains that offer a true refuge from the city’s hustle and heat. Closest to the centre is Montjuïc, home to several free-to-visit botanical gardens, including a marvellous one devoted to cacti, Jardines de Mossèn Costa i Llobera. Trails wind through forests, past cascading water features, lily-filled ponds, and even a replica of a Greek theatre. It’s worth the steep climb to one of its many miradors (viewpoints), which provide different views — of the city, the surrounding mountains, the harbour, and the sea; a favourite is the Mirador de Miramar, which includes them all. You can also break up your hike with a visit to one of the many major sites dotting the mountain, including Montjuïc Castle, the Joan Miró Foundation, and the Olympic Stadium.
Maureen M. Evans
10. Hit the shops
Among the many sites to see in Barcelona, there are also plenty of shops to get lost in. Start the day off by checking out the legendary grocer’s shop, Casa Gispert. Founded in 1851 and recently renovated, it's famous for the locally-sourced nuts roasted on-site in an ancient wood-fired oven. Then pick up a fresh bouquet from Marea Verde, a picturesque flower shop decked in trencadís by master mosaicist Lluís Bru. There’s no harm in going furniture shopping, especially at Bénédicte Bodard Mesa Bonita for restored covetable tables, consoles and trivets and Cubiñá, which is a destination in itself – almost 5,000 square feet of high-design fabulousness, stretching over two floors of a glorious 19th-century building by Catalan-Modernism architect Domènech i Montaner. Visit the Mediterranean concept store, Bon Vent, on Carrer de l’Argenteria to marvel at the rich selection of Spanish-made pottery, fabrics, glassware and natural cosmetics while Artisan jeweller Joan Rovira works in silver and bamboo from a bijou shop-studio that epitomises the craft ethos gaining ground in the Born district.
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11. Feast at a famed food market
Barcelona counts some 39 food markets scattered across the city – each with its own character – but the largest and best known is La Boquería, an essential foodie pilgrimage since 1836. Located just off La Rambla, the market is home to over 200 vendors hawking everything from local produce and cheeses to freshly caught seafood – plus Spanish staples like olives, olive oil, and of course, its famous jamón. Tucked among the stalls are tapas bars serving market-fresh fare; try for one of the coveted stools at the venerable Pinotxo Bar for classic Catalan dishes like cap i pota, a rich lamb stew.
Address: La Rambla, 91, 08001 Barcelona
Websites: boqueria.barcelona; pinotxobar.com
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12. Wander through Gaudí’s enchanting Park Güell
This hillside park is well worth the steep climb to experience what is one of Gaudí’s most fanciful creations. Originally intended as an upscale housing development of 60 luxury villas surrounded by green space, the project, which broke ground in 1900, was ultimately abandoned, but not before the architect completed many of its fantastical features. Among them are the grand main staircase guarded by a multi-coloured mosaic lizard and Sala Hipòstila, whose 86 towering Doric columns call to mind a temple, though it was meant as an outdoor marketplace. Certainly the biggest draw is the vast central plaza, framed by a 100-metre-long, undulating mosaic-tiled bench, that offers fabulous views of the city and sea below.
Website: parkguell.barcelona

Miquel Coll Molas. Museu Picasso, Barcelona © Successió Pablo Picasso, VEGAP, Madrid 2022
13. See a treasure trove of Picasso
Picasso spent his formative teenage years in Barcelona and many of his early works were donated to the city’s Picasso Museum, which does a particularly good job of tracing the artistic development of this Spanish master. The 4,000-plus-strong permanent collection is housed in five interconnected medieval-era palaces: a spectacular setting that nearly outshines the artwork inside. Highlights include several examples of Picasso’s earliest sketches and paintings, done at the age of 15, numerous works from his Blue Period, and his remarkable 1957 series Las Meninas – 58 paintings inspired by Velázquez’s masterpiece.
Address: Carrer de Montcada, 15-23, 08003 Barcelona
Website: museupicasso.bcn.cat
@arnaundu
14. Sip award-winning cocktails
When it comes to cocktail bars, Barcelona's bests even top drinking capitals like London and New York. But don’t take our word for it: In 2022, The World’s 50 Best Bars ranked three Barcelona watering holes in the top 10 – including the number-one bar, Paradiso. This dimly lit speakeasy in the Born district is cleverly concealed behind a pastrami shop, though the ever-present queue snaking around the block makes it easy to find. Prepare to be wowed by the wildly inventive ingredients (mushrooms! seaweed sorbet!) and theatrical presentations. Other award-winning bars to check out on your cocktail crawl include the elegant, understated Sips (#3) and the lively, divey Two Schmucks (#7).
Address: Paradiso, Carrer de Rera Palau, 4, 08003 Barcelona; Sips, Carrer de Muntaner, 108, 08036 Barcelona; Two Schmucks, Carrer de Joaquín Costa, 52, 08001 Barcelona
Website: paradiso.cat; sips.barcelona; facebook.com
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15. Catch a concert at Palau de la Música Catalana
With its colourful mosaic tilework, flamboyant sculptures, and decorative stained glass, this concert venue, designed in 1905 by Lluis Domènech i Muntaner, is a visual feast. And that’s just the façade – inside, things get even more OTT. The main auditorium is a kaleidoscope of Art Nouveau elements: ornate, mosaic-covered columns and arches, sinuous ironwork, and flowers everywhere — from the carved roses decorating the ceiling to the floral motifs on the towering stained-glass windows. It’s all crowned by a magnificent inverted skylight whose multi-coloured glass glows as the sun goes down. And the hall’s intimate size (around 2,900 seats) and excellent acoustics add to the magic of seeing a concert here; expect mainly classical, opera, and choral, though there’s the occasional jazz performance.
Address: Carrer Palau de la Música, 4-6, 08003 Barcelona
Website: palaumusica.cat
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16. Go plaza-hopping in Gràcia
Dozens of pedestrian plazas (plaças in Catalan) dot this charming, village-like district to the north of the city centre. Some are pocket-sized squares, with a few benches shaded by trees; others are large, lively gathering spots, lined with bustling terraces and filled with neighbourhood kids running and playing. Plaça de Virreina is one of the prettiest, with its tall trees, fountain, and stately stone church; if terraces on the plaza are full, there are a couple more next to the church. A short stroll away is Plaça de la Rovira i Trias, which has several cafes with outdoor tables; look for the seated bronze statue of 19th-century architect Antoni Rovira i Trias, who designed several of the city’s markets. For a rowdier scene, head to the bar-packed Plaça del Sol, where you can while away a hot summer evening drinking beneath the stars.

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17. Hop the train to Sitges
Just a 35-minute train ride from the city, Sitges is a great day trip option once the key things to do in Barcelona have been completed – it's also now one of Europe’s most popular summer resort destinations. Narrow winding streets and whitewashed buildings ooze charm, smart boutiques and art galleries offer plenty of shopping options, and there are dining choices galore, from traditional tavernas to upscale restaurants to funky beachfront chiringuitos. It’s all set against the backdrop of the Mediterranean with miles of wide, sandy beaches and a nearly 2-mile-long paved seafront promenade. Late evening, the nightlife scene hots up – with dozens of dance clubs and bars catering to an LGBTQ+ crowd. If you seek a calmer vibe and fewer crowds, plan to visit on a weekday or in the off-season.
How to get there: Trains to Sitges depart regularly from several stations in Barcelona (including Sants and Passeig de Gracia) on the Renfe Rodalies R2 line
Website: visitsitges.com

TopicsBarcelona Spain Europe 10 Cool Things To Do In...10 Amazing Things To Do In...Inspiration

1. Discover Gaudí by night

2. Explore less-crowded Modernista gems

3. Check out modern and contemporary art

4. Get lost in Horta’s Labyrinth Park (Parc del Laberint d'Horta)

5. Chill out on a hotel terrace

6. Dive into Barcelona’s nightlife

7. Relax on a Poblenou beach

8. Be awed by the views from Mirador torre Glòries

9. Hike around Montjuïc

10. Hit the shops

11. Feast at a famed food market

12. Wander through Gaudí’s enchanting Park Güell

13. See a treasure trove of Picasso

14. Sip award-winning cocktails

15. Catch a concert at Palau de la Música Catalana

16. Go plaza-hopping in Gràcia

17. Hop the train to Sitges