Barcelona is one of those cities that draws you in immediately. The architecture. The food. The sunshine. The views that get better with every street you stroll by and the endless things you can do.
I’ve visited Barcelona several times, and each time has shown me more and more of the gorgeous city.
In a city like Barcelona, there are so many things to do, it can be hard to choose. That’s why I put together a list of all my favorite things to do in Barcelona that you absolutely can’t miss. This is especially true if this is your first visit, or if you haven’t checked these off your Barcelona bucketlist yet!
Best things to do in Barcelona
If this is your first visit to the city, or you haven’t done these things yet, then you need to make sure these are on your list. These are all incredibly cool things that are unique to Barcelona, and will make your trip unforgettable.
If you’re planning a trip, these are the top things to do in Barcelona that absolutely deserve a spot on your itinerary.
TLDR: Book attractions in advance because they do sell out, and consider using a Go City Pass to save money on Barcelona’s most popular sights.
1. Visit La Sagrada Familia (and the Tower Tour)
If you see only one thing in Barcelona, let it be La Sagrada Familia. It’s Gaudí’s most iconic masterpiece, and they’ve been building it for over 100 years, which is wild when you finally see it in person.
The exterior alone looks like it belongs in another world, but the interior is what really blew me away. The stained glass makes the whole space glow and I didn’t expect everything to be so colorful.
If you can, book the tower tour. The views are amazing, and you get a much better look at all the details of Gaudí’s design.
Tickets sell out way in advance, so book ahead. I have visited many times, and only recently was able to secure a ticket since it’s always booked out.
The best way to book it is through the Go City Pass, which includes all of the best famous things to do in Barcelona, like Sagrada Familia along with other top attractions.
2. Explore Casa Batlló
Casa Batlló is another Gaudí masterpiece, and you really can’t miss it. The entire place looks like it’s alive. It’s colorful, curved, and nothing like I’ve ever seen in traditional architecture.
Inside, everything feels very fluid and organic. It’s one of the most unique houses you’ll ever walk through, so you need to make sure it’s on your list.
Plan to spend at least an hour here. It’s especially beautiful in the late afternoon light, if you’re trying to decide how to time it.
If you just want some standalone tickets there, you can get your tickets here. Keep in mind, it’s on the Go City pass, so that’s another reason to get a bundled pass like that one.
3. Wander through Park Güell
Park Güell is a very most magical place in Barcelona, and it deserves way more time than most people expect. You can easily spend several hours exploring the mosaics, the viewpoints, and all the winding pathways that make up the park.
The Monumental Zone is the iconic part you’ve probably seen in photos, but the rest of the park is just as stunning, and well worth exploring.
If you want good photos without heavy crowds, go early. Make sure you wear comfy shoes, it’s a lot of walking if you want to see the whole park!
Plan to spend a lot of time here, there is more than you would expect to explore, and the park is HUGE.
This is another spot available on the Go City pass, or you can book access to the park here.
