Coming to Barcelona for the first time? There’s so much to see, do, eat, and experience in a short time, so it’s normal that you might start to feel overwhelmed when it comes to planning. To make things easy, we’ve created a first-timer’s guide to Barcelona to make sure that your first visit is a breeze.

Here’s your first-timers guide to Barcelona. 

Quick history about Barcelona 

First up, here’s a little background info about this city that you should know. Barcelona is the capital of Catalonia, one of Spain’s 17 autonomous communities. It’s the second-largest city in Spain, with a population of 1.6 million.

Though Barcelona is known today as a modern, cosmopolitan city, it’s actually over 2,000 years old and boasts quite a bit of fascinating history. The city of Barcelona is very easy to navigate thanks to its walkability and abundance of public transportation options. Walking the streets, you’ll find two different co-official languages in Barcelona: Spanish and Catalan. 

Many people, at least in the city center, also speak English, which makes it even easier to get around. So if you’re ready, let’s go.

Where to stay your first time in Barcelona

There are loads of options when it comes to places to stay in Barcelona. Whether you’re looking for the perfect hotel, neighborhood, or local experience, doing just a bit of research will make for the perfect first visit to Barcelona.

The city is divided into 10 districts and 73 neighborhoods, each of which has its own unique character. When deciding where to stay in Barcelona, think about what’s most important to you. Some things to consider are:

• Proximity to the city center
• How close you want to be to the beach or parks
• What public transportation is nearby
• If you want to be in a busy neighborhood or somewhere relaxed
• What attractions you want to visit most and how close you want to be to them

For more information, you can read our full posts on where to stay in Barcelona and, of course, our guide to Barcelona neighborhoods.

First visit must-dos in Barcelona

The list of things to do in Barcelona is infinite. So much so that we made a list of 100 of them.

However, if it’s your first time visiting Barcelona, there are certain things that are a must on the itinerary, even if you’re here for just a couple of days:

• Visit the Sagrada Família
• Walk down La Rambla
• Explore La Boqueria Market
• Get lost in the historical Gothic Quarter and El Born neighborhoods
• Take a self-guided tour of famous architect Antonio Gaudí’s work
• Wander around one of Barcelona’s many wonderful museums
• Hike around Montjuïc and visit its many different sights
• Rent a bike and head down Barcelona’s coastline
• Go on our Barcelona Tapas, Taverns & History Tour to discover the city’s wonderful gastronomy

First-Timers guide to getting around Barcelona with ease

Barcelona is a very walkable city. Depending on where you’re staying, you might never need to set foot on public transport. That said, certain places, like Gaudí’s famous Park Güell, can be a bit of a hike on foot. 

Instead, make good use of the metro or bus systems which are easy to understand and function almost flawlessly.

Local Tip: 

• If you plan on taking public transportation several times, get a T-Casual card, which is a 10-ride pass that will save you money over time. The card is easy to use and you can buy it inside any metro station.

If you’re the bicycle type, Barcelona is a fabulous city to see from the seat of a bike. There are plenty of bike rentals around the city that will provide you with a map of the city’s bike lanes.

Guide to Barcelona’s best food and drink

Barcelona is famous for its wonderful cuisine, and it’s no wonder why. The city boasts an incredible array of options, from rustic Catalan dining to modern and trendy tapas bars. Of course, you can’t miss out on all of the sweets in between.

Check out the best options for different tastes and occasions below:

• Traditional foods in Barcelona
• The best tapas bars in Barcelona
• Top pastry shops in Barcelona
• 10 must-visit restaurants in Barcelona

The eating schedule and habits of locals can be tricky for visitors. Spain is famous for its long, late lunches and even later dinners, so it might be helpful to try and get on the local schedule if you want to eat like a local in Barcelona. 

Finally, for a true taste of local flavor, head to the different historic food markets around the city. The Boqueria market is a must, but there are so many others to discover. Take a look at the video below to get a guided tour around the beautiful Santa Caterina Market with our lovely co-founder, Lauren Alouise.