Barcelona Attractions & Sights - Top 20 Things to do in Barcelona

[Genoveva Mcnicholas]

The author Carlos Ruiz Zafón as soon as described Barcelona as being a city that's 'extremely vain'. From the indescribable appeal of the Sagrada Família and other Gaudí wonders to the city's selection of well-known beaches and parks where you can soak up the sun, Barcelona has it all.

1. Sagrada Família

Skyrocketing above Barcelona's cityscape, the Sagrada Família will be the world's tallest church upon completion (approximated for 2026). This 130-year labour of love, dreamt up by Antoni Gaudí, is one of the world's most questionable basilicas, however likewise one of the most visited. Three million gos to a year for something that hasn't even been finished, not bad is it.

2. Barceloneta

Barcelona has more than 4.5 miles of beaches, from Sant Sebastià to Llevant. Numerous can be discovered in Barceloneta, the historic maritime and workers' Check out this site neighbourhood that emerged on the island of Maians from the 17th century. It's well worth roaming through the streets of Barceloneta to admire its modest yet captivating two-storey houses. Another draw is the area's excellent and differed food, ranging from tapas and vermouth to paella and seafood. You can also invest a few great hours having a look at the flashy yachts lining the marinas such as Port Olympic complex.

3. Barcelona Cathedral

It's always worth taking a look at the cathedral of the city you're going to, and Barcelona is no exception. Its cathedral is an impressive example of Gothic architecture that's now a Cultural Heritage Website and, given that 1929, a National Historic Monolith. It's devoted to the Holy Cross and to Saint Eulalia, tutelary saint of Barcelona, who was martyred by the Romans and whose remains depend on the crypt. Aside from the artistic and architectural riches of the interior, you ought to likewise check out the cloister with its 13 white geese (one for each year of Saint Eulalia's life) and the well-worn inscriptions on the flooring that detail which guild paid for each part of the chapel. If you go to on Saturday or Sunday early morning, you may even witness another Catalan tradition, the Sardana dance, carried out in the square in front of the cathedral. The big holy gaff was constructed across the thirteenth to fifteenth centuries, so if you consider yourself a bit of a head of the old gothic structures, this is a good one.

4. Camp Nou

FC Barcelona's house ground, or rather Lionel Messi's previous stomping ground, as it's now (un) formally understood. It's one of the most visited places in the city, and high up the bucket list of any big football fan (or fan of stadiums)-- sure catching a video game here and hearing the 99,354 capability crowd roaring with enthusiasm-- but it's still extraordinary outstanding. Tickets begin at EUR26 and go up to around EUR119, so there's something for the majority of footballing budget plans, there's likewise a virtual trip.

5. La Boqueria Market

Its stallholders have actually had to discover languages and enjoy public relations, because along with being the primary food market in Barcelona, La Boqueria is now a major tourist location. Simply off La Rambla, it's the most significant market in Catalonia with more than 300 stalls and a surface area of 2,583 square metres. That's a great deal of individuals selling bits, lots of canvas roofing systems. Think of some obscure delicacy and you're practically ensured to discover it here. And artisanal produce is in abundance. After strolling around, you can always grab a bite to consume at Quim de la Boqueria, that's if you have not armed yourself with snacks from the marketplace itself.

6. Illa de la Discòrdia

It was called the 'Block of Discord' since of the rivalries in between the 5 architects. Great juicy architecture drama right here then.

7. Casa Milà

Casa Milà (commonly understood as La Pedrera, 'the stone quarry') is a bold example of Gaudí's usage of stone. When La Pedrera, his last civic task, was first commissioned in 1906, the structure ended up being a laughing stock for its undulating façade, wrought-iron terraces and vast windows. Today, of course, it's seen quite differently, and Gaudí's ingenious, self-supporting stone exterior has actually won it a spot on Unesco's World Heritage Website list.

8. Park Güell

Up in Barcelona's Horta-Guinardó area, this labyrinth of walls and pathways consisting of a bunch of gardens, little architectural screens and more, all boasting awesome hillside views of the whole city. Emphasizes when visiting include the Hall of One Hundred Columns (though it really has 86); the mosaic snake bench; and the salamander on the primary actions.

9. Picasso Museum

If the quality of a museum is determined by the number of individuals queuing to get in, the Picasso Museum takes first place. The museum was created by the artist himself and his buddy and secretary, Jaime Sabartès, who contributed his collection to the cause. More than 3,800 works make up the long-term collection, and it also hosts a range of short-term exhibits. It's located in the located in the Hôtel Salé in rue de Thorigny, so it's a grand location outside and in.

10. La Rambla

This is undoubtedly the most famous street in Barcelona. It's a straight one and a bit kilometers of good things.

11. Sant Pau Art Nouveau Site

Not far from the Sagrada Família is another modernista gem, the spectacular health center by Domènech i Montaner. The designer was influenced by health suitables and modern medical facilities in Europe at the time, so designed a centre with seclusion wards (each for a specific speciality), surrounded by gardens and linked by underground passages. Domènech i Montaner thought that visual consistency and an inviting atmosphere benefited health. After more than 80 years of service, the health center relocated to another, more contemporary, building and restoration on the old building started. You can now check out with or without a tour guide to discover the history of one of the earliest hospitals in Europe. It is, and was, a city within a city. The world's largest Art Nouveau complex, which sounds specific niche, but it doesn't matter. It's the largest, something, worldwide. You might as well pop over and get them worldly-travels boasting rights. You know. There's a tonne of underground galleries too.

12. Montjuïc Magic Water Fountain

A lot of residents will just see this light, music and water show when they're youngsters or when they need to serve as tour guides for visitors. But whether you've got your own offspring in tow or not, the show highlights childlike wonder in all of us. After all, it is MAGIC. Developed by Carles Buïgas, it is among the last staying destinations made for the 1929 International Exposition. It was brought back in 1992, and now carries out a show every half an hour. You'll be able to capture it whenever you're relatively nearby. It's at Avinguda Maria Cristina, which is in the area of Montjuïc.