Barcelona is one of my favourite cities in the world and place I can’t stop returning to. It’s like a second home to me: the place where I mended a broken heart, re-found my independence and fell for a city like no other before. Later, it’s where Steve and I got together, and in the years since, we’ve returned again and again, even living there for short stints.
I love the winding streets lined with balconies, and independent bars, restaurants and shops. I love the sea, the beach and the gorgeous parks filled with laidback folk and the sounds of guitars and pan drums. It’s a city that reveals more secrets every time I visit.
Here’s a little guide to the best of what to do in Barcelona to get you started in the city. I’ve also written a guide to visiting Barcelona with a baby/toddler and a guide to the best things to do in Barcelona with kids.
A quick introduction to Barcelona’s different barrios
Before you go, familiarise yourself with the different areas that make up Barcelona. This might help you choose where to stay, depending on your interests.
This is where I lived. It’s the older part of town and is made up of atmospheric winding streets, pretty squares and tons of little bars, cafes, restaurants and shops. It can be touristy in places (especially closer to the Rambla) and you may see the odd stag do parading about, but that doesn’t dominate the area, and you can almost always find a quiet or local spot. You wouldn’t want to miss this part of the city.
Born / Ribera
This area is similar to Barri Gotico but a little more up-market. Its centre piece is the wonderfully imposing Santa Maria del Mar church, which gives way to a maze of little streets. Metro stops Urquinaona or Jaume I are good jumping off points for the barrio.
Raval
Raval is on the other side of the Rambla to Barrio Gotico and is often referred to as “the wrong side of the tracks” due to its past reputation as a no-go area for tourists. Since the 90s, it’s started to clean up its act and is now a trendy area that rivals Gotico and Born for excellent restaurants, bars and cafes. The further north you go (which is home to the university), the smarter it gets, with the southern end still being pretty rough around the edges.
Gracia
Gracia is one of my favourite barrios. It has a bohemian village vibe and a thriving Catalan community. Situated in the north of the city, it’s a little more out of the way than my other favourite barrios, but definitely worth a visit to lounge and people-watch in one of the plazas.
Barceloneta
This working-class enclave has some great tapas bars and is a great place to wander around in the day en-route to the seafront, which it borders. I particularly like walking along the promenade next to Port Vell and then following it along the coast. Barceloneta has a different flavour at night. It’s next to the Port Olympic, which is home to some of the city’s most touristy clubs and is magnet for the city’s stag dos. For my taste, Port Olympic is best avoided, but if you want mega clubs then it’s where to go.
Things to do in Barcelona
Like with nearly every city we visit, the thing I like to do best is walk around exploring different neighbourhoods and punctuating our days with delicious food. Barcelona is perfect for that with its beautiful winding streets and sunny weather. You can also hop on the metro if you find you’ve strayed too far and need to get back somewhere quickly. I recommend wandering and losing yourself in the city’s beauty.
And here’s a list of some of the places you might like to visit along the way.
Do a sunset sail
One activity that’s often overlooked in Barcelona is getting out on the water and seeing the city from the sea. Book a sunset boat tour in Barcelona with Barcelona Sailboats and enjoy the amazing views of the Barcelona skyline from the sea in the golden hour. It includes snacks and unlimited drinks (local cava, beer, etc.) and it costs just 39€/person. They also do private boat trips if you’d prefer to enjoy it alone with family or friends. It’s one of the most special things to do in Barcelona.
Parc de la Ciutadella
This park is one of my favourite places in Barcelona, if not the world, especially at weekends. It’s the perfect place for people watching, full of slack-lining hippies, guitar players, tap dancers and families picnicking. Take a blanket and a coffee and soak up the laid back vibes. It’s pretty big, so take a walk around and choose your favourite spot. The park is accessible from the Born area or you can walk down from Arc de Triomf.
Parc Guell
This sculpture park high above the city was designed by Gaudi and is brilliantly absurd with great views. Even if you’re not a fan of Gaudi, it’s still worth seeing.
Sagrada Familia
Some people love it, others hate it. I’m most definitely in the love-it camp, but either way, there’s nothing quite like the Sagrada Familia and I’d definitely recommend taking a look, even if just from the outside. I recommend doing the audioguide, which gives a brilliant (and not too long) overview of the building and all its history. The Sagrada Familia is incredibly popular and tickets are limited each day, so arrive early to avoid disappointment.
Picasso Museum
I didn’t go to the Picasso Museum until I moved to Barcelona, and I’m not sure what held me back as it’s brilliant, offering a fascinating insight into the artist’s life and the trajectory of his work.
Montjuic
From Plaza Espana, you can walk up to Montjuic (one of the hills surrounding Barcelona). I have only ever walked down, but I’m told the ascent is quite a climb. If you’re not feeling up for the hike, you can get the funicular from Parallel metro stop.
From there, it’s easy to visit the Miro museum, which holds regular exhibitions alongside the permanent collection. From Montjuic, you can get the iconic teleferico cable car across to the beach.
In the summer, they hold open-air cinema nights in the moat surrounding Montjuic’s Castle. If you’re there at the right time, don’t miss the opportunity to enjoy a spectacular evening.
I also recommend visiting the Mossen Costa i Llobera garden, which is a stunning display of cacti with gorgeous views out to sea.
MACBA
If you’re looking for modern art, the MACBA is the place to go. It’s in the northern part of Raval, near the university. I’d also recommend the Caixa Forum Museum, which often holds interesting contemporary art exhibitions.
