Barcelona is a city blending history, culture, and modernity. In this guide, we’ll take you through the essential sights that you can’t miss in this vibrant city.
Before reading, note that all prices were last updated in late 2024 and might have changed since then. Read the comments or visit the official pages for the most recent prices. If an activity doesn’t show prices it means that it is free.
1. Sagrada Familia
La Sagrada Familia by Antoni Gaudí is one of the most, if not the most emblematic buildings in Barcelona. It has been in construction for almost a century now. Any time of the day is a good time to visit it: during the day you will be able to see a whole color show due to the colored stained glass windows. During nighttime, Sagrada Familia is lit up on the outside including the star from the Virgin Mary tour, which was finished in December 2021.
We also recommend taking a tour which costs 4 EUR morethan the normal visit, to be able to understand and see all the details that the building hides in its walls. The tour is about 50 minutes long and is available in multiple languages.
It is worth knowing that all the money collected goes towards finishing building the cathedral.
The best way to reach Sagrada Familia is by Metro using L2 (purple line) or L5 (blue line), since it has a stop right next to it, and it is easier to find. These are the schedules for the building:
- November to February: Monday to Saturday 9:00 – 18:00, Sundays 10:30 – 18:00.
- March to October: Monday to Saturday 9:00 – 19:00, Sundays 10:30 – 19:00.
- April to September: Monday to Saturday 9:00 – 20:00, Sundays 10:30 – 20:00.
Full list of Prices:
Guide/ No Guide
2. Passeig de Gràcia
Passeig de Gràcia or Paseo De Gracia is the 5th Avenue, the Rodeo Drive in Barcelona. The most expensive shops are located on that Avenue as well as the modernist houses that belonged to the richest families in Barcelona. If you look up you will be able to see the different modernist buildings within we highlight these ones:
Casa Milà or La Pedrera:
La Pedrera by Antoni Gaudí is a modernist apartment complex that reflects the essence of Gaudí in all of its different parts. With one of the most amazing rooftops in Barcelona, la Casa Milà is one of the best houses to visit on your own.
The opening hours are the following: Monday to Sunday 9:00-20:30, and there is also a night session tour from 21:00-23:00. Here is the link:
Casa Batlló:
Casa Batlló also designed by Antoni Gaudí is also a modernist house located in the “Triangle de la Discòrdia”. In contrast to La Casa Milà, it belonged to the Batlló Family, who lived there. It is currently also available for visit on the inside. We highly recommend buying the tickets when you arrive, since using the QR code at the entrance can get you a discount between 4-12€. The house is open every day from 9:00 until 20:00, with the last entrance at 19:15.
Triangle de la discòrdia
“The block of discord” is located in Passeig de Gràcia between Carrer Aragó and Carrer de Consell de Cent. In this block there are three modernist houses designed by three of the best architects at the time, who had an unofficial competition to be the best in the city. The three houses are :
- Casa Batlló by Antoni Gaudí
- Casa Ametller by Josep Puig i Cadafalch (https://amatller.org/en/)
- Casa Lleó i Morera by Lluís Domènech i Montaner (http://www.casalleomorera.com/)
Wandering around through the street you will be able to notice the difference between the three houses and the grandiosity of the three families at the time.
Since Passeig de Gràcia is pretty expensive we would also like to spotlight Rambla Catalunya (which is not the same as Les Rambles) which is a parallel avenue to Passeig de Gràcia that is full of nice and affordable places to eat.
3. Plaça Catalunya
Plaça Catalunya or Catalonia Square is located in the heart of Barcelona. Around it, you will be able to find the best shopping malls like Portal de l’Àngel, Corte Inglés, el Triangle, and Fnac. Plaça Catalunya also connects with Les Rambles, Passeig de Gràcia, and Rambla Catalunya, among others. There you will also be able to find plenty of bus stops and metro and train lines that will take you anywhere you want in Barcelona. There is also the remarkable Café Zurich and “El Triangle” mall.
4. Les Rambles
Les Rambles is a big avenue, where you can find shops, places to eat, and plenty of street vendors. BE CAREFUL! Because it is also full of pickpockets! Les Rambles is one of the most common places to be stolen in Barcelona, so we recommend you to keep your backpack in the front, and your purse close to you at all times.
However, not everything is negative about Les Rambles. It is also home to the theater palace “El Liceu”. You will find it on the right-hand side when going down les Rambles, and even though it does not look super appealing on the outside the inside is majestic and exuberant with an amazing acoustic for operas and plays.
In Les Rambles, there is also one of the most famous farm markets in Barcelona, the Mercat de la Boqueria. In there, you’ll be able to shop organic food, but also get a meal if you feel like it.
5. Parc Güel
Home to the most famous dragon in Barcelona, Parc Güell is a privatized park composed of gardens and architectural elements designed by Gaudí. It is located on top of Carmel Hill, where you can get by bus.
The park is open from 9:30 – 19:30 all seasons, with exception of the summer, which goes from 9:00 – 19:30. The tickets are easily sold out, especially over the summer. So make sure to get yours in advance to reserve your spot!
We would like to highlight some of the areas in the park, which are enjoyed by most visitors, which are also the most crowded:
- Nature’s square (Plaça Natura)
- Hypostyle Room (Sala Hipòstila)
- The laundry room Portico (pòrtic de la Bugadera)
- The Dragon Stairway (Escalinata del Drag)
The rest of the park is also worth visiting and wandering around, since each part has its own enchantment.
6. Búnkers el Carmel
After a whole afternoon in Parc Güell, there is nothing better than watching the sunset in Búnkers on top of El Carmel. They are located on top of el Turó de la Rovira, and the walk up to the top through the forest is quite enjoyable. There are multiple ways of arriving at the area, but there are only two ways into the fenced area where the Bunkers are.
The viewpoint is very unique since you get a 360º view from Barcelona.
Going up the hill you will also be able to find some other viewpoints and the Mühlberg bridge.
We recommend accessing there through the street Mühlberg, since you have to walk less, and there are more viewpoints on the way like “Terrace” or “Mirador”.
The bunkers have a tight schedule due to its history with vandalism:
- Summer: 9:00-19:30
- Winter: 9:00-17:30
7. Parc de la Ciutadella & Arc de Triomf
We recommend accessing this stop using public transport as the park it’s next to the “Estació de França”. Inside the station, you’ll be able to contemplate its modernist architecture.
Right by the station you will find El Parc de la Ciutadella (Ciutadella’s Park). Considered an open-air museum, it was designed as the first public park of the city and it contains trees that are more than a century old, a waterfall, a pond where you can rent a tiny canoe, and many sculptures to enjoy sightseeing while wandering around.
Nerby, you will also find the famous Triumph arch from Barcelona.
8. Plaça Espanya & Montjuïc
Plaça Espanya and Montjuïc are two of Barcelona’s most iconic spots, offering a blend of history, culture, and great views that make them must-sees when visiting the city.
Plaça Espanya is a grand square, known for its fountains, vibrant atmosphere, and as the gateway to the Montjuïc area. It’s a perfect starting point for your exploration. The square itself is a bustling hub, surrounded by architecture, including the Venetian Towers. From here, you can easily access the Magic Fountain of Montjuïc, which offers light and music shows in the evenings, mainly on weekends.
As you move up the hill towards Montjuïc, you’ll encounter gardens, cultural institutions like the Museu Nacional d’Art de Catalunya (MNAC), and eventually, the Montjuïc Castle at the summit. The castle, while historically significant, is perhaps the least impressive part of the experience mainly because the €9 entrance fee is a bit steep. (except Sundays after 15:00. ) Check full list of prices and hours here.
For those considering the Montjuïc Cable Car, it’s worth mentioning that while the ride offers panoramic views of the city, the price might not be worth for everyone. The ride is relatively short, and you can get similar, if not better, views by simply walking up or down the hill. But here is the relevant information:
- Hours: March to May: 10:00 – 19:00, June to September: 10:00 – 21:00, October: 10:00 – 19:00, November to February: 10:00 – 18:00.
- Price: €14.20 round trip, €11.20 one way.
Instead, we highly recommend spending time on the grand staircase of the MNAC (Museu Nacional d’Art de Catalunya). It’s a perfect spot to watch the sunset over Barcelona, without spending a dime. The stairs are a popular gathering spot, where you can relax and enjoy the ambiance of the city.
9. Gothic Neighbourhood & Barcelona’s Cathedral
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10. Barceloneta
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If you think we forgot to mention anything, don’t hesitate to write in the comment section if you think we missed any important attraction in Barcelona!
Thank you for reading!
