100 Things to Do in Barcelona

This blog post was originally posted on July 20, 2017, and was updated on September 1, 2017.

Barcelona is the perfect city to explore. From its gorgeous architecture to its sandy beaches, there is truly something for everyone!

Although Barcelona is known to many as the land of sangria and paella, both of which can be delicious—there is so much more to discover in the beautiful Catalan capital. With so many things to see and do it can be hard to choose. However, arm yourself with this complete list of some of the top things to do in Barcelona and you’ll be guaranteed to enjoy the best this city has to offer!

Though Barcelona is known to many as the land of sangria and paella (both of which can be delicious!), there is so much more to discover in the beautiful Catalan capital. Arm yourself with this complete list of things to do in Barcelona, making sure to see it all!
  1. Visit the Sagrada Familia—it is undeniably a must-see cathedral!
  2. Urban hike around Montjuic.
  3. Explore the Montjuic Castle and get some great views and photo opportunities too!
  4. Walk along Port Vell which is Barcelona’s old port.
  5. Go to the top of the Columbus Monument.
  6. Stroll up and down la Rambla. We recommend doing it early in the morning, therefore, avoiding the crowds!
  7. Experience La Boqueria, Barcelona’s most famous food market.
  8. Have tapas at the buzzing Bar Pinotxo.
  9. Go on a Spanish Civil War history tour.
  10. Devour a suis, a Catalan-style hot chocolate, at Granja Viader.
  11. See La Rambla from above at Hotel 1898.
  12. Check out some stunning 360 Barcelona views at Hotel Barceló Raval.
  13. Bar hop with the locals on Joaquin Costa street.
  14. Check out the latest food trends on Parlament street in the trendy Sant Antoni neighborhood.
  15. Stand in awe of one of Europe’s largest covered markets, the Sant Antoni Market.

     

There are many incredible museums in Barcelona, including the Joan Miro Foundation!
The gorgeous Joan Miro Foundation, one of the many things to do atop Montjuic!
  • Go for pintxos which are delicious Basque-style tapas, while on Blai street in Poble Sec.
  • Roam around the wide halls of the Picasso Museum.
  • Have a glass of cava at El Xampanyet.
  • Visit the Born Cultural Center, and walk among the ruins of medieval Born.
  • Explore the Village of Gracia, one of Barcelona’s most charming neighborhoods.
  • Experience an authentic neighborhood festival.
  • See the castellers, or human tower makers, in action. (Check them out in the video below—they’re impressive, to say the least!)

    1. Have a vermouth at one of Barcelona’s many bodegas.
    2. Drink wine straight from the barrel on a tapas and wine tasting tour
    3. Make sure to drink wine from a porró!
    4. Try the delicious dessert of Catalonia, crema catalana.
    5. Discover some of the many historical markets of Barcelona.
    6. Go on a food tour!
    7. Visit the wonderful Joan Miró Foundation.
    8. Walk the streets of Poble Espanyol.
    9. Get out of town and hike around the beautiful Montserrat mountain.
    10. Eat a paella or fideuà.
    11. Take part in a traditional calçotada.
    12. Visit one of Europe’s oldest theme parks atop Tibidabo, the highest point in Barcelona.
    13. Dip churros in hot chocolate for a luxurious treat!
    14. Relax in an ancient bathhouse at Aire de Barcelona.
    15. Have a picnic in Parc de la Ciutadela.
    16. Ride a bike down the coastline of Barcelona.
    17. See a correfoc in action.
    18. Visit the Barcelona history museum and walk around the surprisingly beautiful old Roman city of Barcino.
    19. Find the best patatas bravas in town.
    20. Relax over a cafe con leche on a shady terrace.
    21. Explore inside the Gothic Cathedral and its cloisters.
    22. Roam the colorful and eclectic streets of the Raval.
    23. Visit old bunkers from the Spanish Civil War.
    Some of the delicious tastings on offer at one of the most famous historic food markets in Barcelona. We love La Boqueria Market! Definitely one of our top things to do in Barcelona!
    Choose from an endless array of mouth-watering pintxos lining the countertops in La Boqueria! Photo credit: Misty Barker
  • Enjoy the light and music show at the Magic Fountain.
  • Shop inside the old bull fighting ring, Arenas.
  • Splurge in a tasting menu at one of Barcelona’s many modern tapas restaurants.
  • Do a self-guided architectural walking tour of Gaudi’s work.
  • See with your own eyes the incredible rooftop of La Pedrera.
  • Take a cable car up to Montjuic, and get great views while you’re at it.
  • Devour fresh seafood at La Paradeta.
  • See a live flamenco show.
  • Watch a movie under the stars at the many open-air cinemas in Barcelona.
  • People-watch in the emblematic Plaça Reial.
  • Discover Barcelona’s amazing nightlife scene.
  • Stroll down a locally favorite pedestrian street, Enric Granados.
  • Find beautiful and original boutiques in the Born.
  • Devour a delicious stuffed croissant at Pastisseria Hofmann.
  • Pick through antique treasures at Encants, Barcelona’s flea market.
    • Go on a winery escape to the beautiful village of Alella, it's one of our guests top things to do in Barcelona.
    Eat like a local! Our winery tour includes a tasty pre-lunch apertif at a local bodega.
  • Visit Camp Nou and if you’re lucky, see a Barça match!
  • Travel back in time in Barceloneta, the old fishermen’s neighborhood of Barcelona.
  • See traditional gegants, giant Catalan dolls, at the Casa dels Entremesos.
  • Learn a new water sport like paddleboard.
  • Play volleyball on the beach.
  • Visit the Montjuic cemetery.
  • Explore the typical Catalan pastries on offer at Pastisseria Ideal.
  • Try jamón iberico de bellota, or Iberian acorn-fed ham, at a food market or tapas bar.
  • Learn all about Catalan wine on a wine tour.
  • Visit the picturesque beach town of Sitges.
  • Have a cool glass of orxata at Sirvent.
  • Visit one of Europe’s oldest shipyards at the Drassanes Maritime Museum.
  • Experience the world-famous Tickets bar.
  • Take a tapas and history tour to knock out two birds with one stone!
  • Wander through El Call, the old Jewish Quarter, and find its hidden synagogue.
    • Taste some delicious fideuà during your stay! Enjoy it at its best in Barceloneta, the fisherman's village - which is definitely worth strolling around and of course, one of our the top things to do in Barcelona.
    Enjoy some delicious Catalan style fideuà. Our version of Spanish paella.
  • Take in the beauty at the Santa Maria del Mar Basilica.
  • Eat roasted chestnuts on the street during the first months of fall.
  • Go dancing with the locals at Marula Cafe.
  • Welcome summer by jumping over a bonfire on the Nit de Sant Joan.
  • Celebrate Barcelona’s patron saint, La Mercè, in September.
  • Watch the sunrise over the Mediterranean at the beach.
  • Have a sangria de cava cocktail.
  • Enjoy a glass of wine at La Vinya del Senyor with amazing views of the Santa Maria del Mar Basilica.
  • Visit Barcelona’s gorgeous botanical gardens.
  • Have the best set-lunch menu, which is called a menú del día in town at La Pubilla.
  • Discover the work of Gaudi’s right-hand man, Francesc Berenguer, around the streets of Gracia.
  • Have a glass of wine in Barcelona’s smallest wine bar, Zim.
  • Visit Alella, an urban wine region just 30 minutes outside Barcelona.
  • Learn to cook paella at Marta’s famous paella cooking class.
  • See the city from a different angle on a sidecar tour.
    • When it comes to things to do in Barcelona, on the top of our list is drinking cava!
    When in Barcelona, do as the locals do…make cava part of your daily routine!
  • Visit Sant Sadurni and the cava producers there to learn all about how Spanish sparkling wine is made.
  • Go even deeper into the world of Catalan wine by visiting one of Spain’s most prestigious wine regions, Priorat.
  • Eat like a local!
  • Try the most delicious salt cod fritters in Barcelona at Cal Papi.
  • Witness Gracia’s transformation for its annual street festival in August.
  • Visit the Pabellón, Miles Van der Rohe’s stunning work at the foot of Montjuic.
  • Try a tinto de verano, the perfect summer wine and alternative to expensive and touristy sangria.
  • Go sailing and see Barcelona’s beach from another angle.
  • Rent a car and explore around the Costa Brava.
  • Learn to truly live like a local in Barcelona!
    • Comments (24)
    Architecture Barcelona culture Experiences food holiday markets Sagrada Familia things to do

    24 Comment

    1. apartment in Born Barcelona says
      August 22, 2016 at 10:54 am

      This post is amazing, has everything: gastronomy, culture and history of Barcleona. Thank you.

    2. apartment in Born Barcelona says
      August 22, 2016 at 10:54 am

      This post is amazing, has everything: gastronomy, culture and history of Barcleona. Thank you.

    3. Edward Wesley says
      August 11, 2018 at 10:11 am

      Barcelona is really awesome place. I like to roam Barcelona. Thanks for sharing the great information. Good Luck!

    4. Edward Wesley says
      August 11, 2018 at 10:11 am

      Barcelona is really awesome place. I like to roam Barcelona. Thanks for sharing the great information. Good Luck!

    5. jagjit singh says
      January 20, 2020 at 7:26 am

      Going to Visit Barcelona next week as I don’t know much about it so I was looking for a blog to know the best things to there thanks for this information. As Know I know What to do there.

      1. Devour Tours says
        January 20, 2020 at 8:43 am

        Glad we could help! Have a lovely time in Barcelona, Jagjit!

    6. jagjit singh says
      January 20, 2020 at 7:26 am

      Going to Visit Barcelona next week as I don’t know much about it so I was looking for a blog to know the best things to there thanks for this information. As Know I know What to do there.

      1. Devour Tours says
        January 20, 2020 at 8:43 am

        Glad we could help! Have a lovely time in Barcelona, Jagjit!

    7. Jenny says
      February 8, 2020 at 7:31 pm

      Amazing post!! just one thing to add: to do a private boat trip along the coast of Barcelona. We did it with barcelonaboatrips.com and I really recommend it. Amazing views of the city from the sea enjoying snacks, drinks with our music.
      Thanks for this post, it is very usefull!!!

      1. Devour Tours says
        February 10, 2020 at 10:06 am

        That sounds absolutely incredible! Thanks for reading, Jenny!

    8. Jenny says
      February 8, 2020 at 7:31 pm

      Amazing post!! just one thing to add: to do a private boat trip along the coast of Barcelona. We did it with barcelonaboatrips.com and I really recommend it. Amazing views of the city from the sea enjoying snacks, drinks with our music.
      Thanks for this post, it is very usefull!!!

      1. Devour Tours says
        February 10, 2020 at 10:06 am

        That sounds absolutely incredible! Thanks for reading, Jenny!

    9. navya sharma says
      August 20, 2020 at 2:45 pm

      Thanks for posting as now I know what to do in Barcelona.

      1. Devour Tours says
        August 24, 2020 at 8:32 am

        Happy to help, thanks for reading!

    10. navya sharma says
      August 20, 2020 at 2:45 pm

      Thanks for posting as now I know what to do in Barcelona.

      1. Devour Tours says
        August 24, 2020 at 8:32 am

        Happy to help, thanks for reading!

    11. Melanie says
      August 28, 2020 at 10:54 am

      Amazing post! I would add to do a boat trip in Barcelona. We did it with http://www.barcelonaboatours.com and we really enjoyed.
      We booked the sunset trip, very recomendable, best thing we did in our trip.

      1. Devour Tours says
        August 31, 2020 at 9:07 am

        That sounds incredible! Thanks for sharing, Melanie!

    12. Melanie says
      August 28, 2020 at 10:54 am

      Amazing post! I would add to do a boat trip in Barcelona. We did it with http://www.barcelonaboatours.com and we really enjoyed.
      We booked the sunset trip, very recomendable, best thing we did in our trip.

      1. Devour Tours says
        August 31, 2020 at 9:07 am

        That sounds incredible! Thanks for sharing, Melanie!

    13. Travel tips and hacks says
      May 14, 2021 at 9:56 pm

      Many thanks for this article. I have shared it on my own Twitter account.
      Hopefully, several of my friends and family will pay you a visit ….
      not personally 🙂

      1. Devour Tours says
        May 17, 2021 at 8:43 am

        Thanks so much for reading and sharing! 🙂

    14. Travel tips and hacks says
      May 14, 2021 at 9:56 pm

      Many thanks for this article. I have shared it on my own Twitter account.
      Hopefully, several of my friends and family will pay you a visit ….
      not personally 🙂

      1. Devour Tours says
        May 17, 2021 at 8:43 am

        Thanks so much for reading and sharing! 🙂

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