Top Things to do in Barcelona
Are you travelling or planning to take a trip to Barcelona? Great! Then you must be wondering about the top things to do in the Catalan capital. Barcelona is considered an unmissable destination thanks to the great variety of activities that the city offers. In our previous article “A Tour around Barcelona”, we talked about the different places you can go to when visiting this city. Now we will focus more on the places that you absolutely cannot miss when you visit Barcelona. In this article, Flamingo Tours brings you the top things to do in Barcelona.
Gaudi’s Barcelona and the top things to do in Barcelona:
Probably the most famous parts of Barcelona have been created by our star architect Antoni Gaudi. We have already explained in detail in our article “Sagrada Familia and Gaudi’s Barcelona” the importance of Gaudi’s work and how he has portrayed the city of Barcelona. However, we could not leave him behind when we talk about the absolute must see attractions in the “Ciudad Condal”. Attractions such as Sagrada Familia, Casa Batlló, Park Guell and La Pedrera are remarkably close to each other. You can easily walk around to at least admire these architectural jewels from the outside.
Explore Barcelona’s most exclusive Street – Passeig de Gràcia
If you are walking through Gaudi’s Barcelona, you must visit Passeig de Gràcia. This manor street has been since the 1900s the most exclusive area of Barcelona. As you walk along it, you will realise the great number of people that are doing exactly the same as you. This is because Passeig de Gràcia is the busiest street in Barcelona, with more than 35,000 people passing through every day. It is also the intersection between the right and left side of L’Eixample neighbourhoods. The most notorious fashion shops as well as Hotels and Restaurants are equally part of the landscape.
Cross Plaza Catalunya
The entry point between the city centre and the modernist Barcelona is Plaza Catalunya. The Plaza is surrounded by six sculptural groups representing the four Catalan capitals. Barcelona, Tarragona, Girona and Lleida. Enjoy the fountain in the middle surrounded by the flow of people that cross this square daily. Admire the view of the intersection between the main city’s street arteries. This central square is the entry point between “La Rambla” and “Passeig de Gràcia”. In other words, it is the division between the old Barcelona (before modernism in the 1900s) and the new Barcelona (after modernism).
Admire the Arc de Triomf
Located on the side of the Gothic Quarter, the Arc de Triomf is an incredible architectural masterpiece. It was not made by Gaudi, and therefore it is not part of the modernist era of Barcelona. However, it was built in 1888 as a new starting point in order to change the image of the city. Unlike other military triumphal arches, Barcelona’s was built to show the civil, artistic, and economic development of the city. Did you know that the Eiffel Tower was supposed to be built in this part of Barcelona? However, it was the city council that refused to move forward with the project, because they believed that the Eiffel Tower would not fit the esthetical background of the city.
Taste everything at La Boqueria and top things to do in Barcelona
One of the best things everyone should do is try the local gastronomy. As you walk through the market, you will be warmly greeted by the local people. You will encounter greetings like “Hola” or “Buenos dias” all around the market. While you walk through all the food stands, your nostrils will pick up a delicious scent of fresh seafood. It is a must to try at least one of the food stands. You can enjoy a nice glass of cava, as well as many of the thousands of tapas offered by each venue. Keep in mind that the more you venture through this market, the better the experience will be.
Walk down Barcelona’s most famous street – La Rambla
Surrounded by a crazy amount of people and small commerces, La Rambla is a must for all visitors. Located at the entry point you can find the fountain of Canaletas. It is famous because all the FC Barcelona fans come here to celebrate the team’s victories. As you walk down, you will find an endless amount of architecture and shopping places suitable for all budgets. From luxury brands to mobile sales carts, you can find all types of souvenirs and gifts for your loved ones.
Get lost in the Gothic Quarter
If you are walking down La Rambla from Plaza Catalunya, you can either go right (El Raval neighbourhood) or left (Ciutat Bella neighbourhood). No matter what your choice is, you have to take a tour around the charming small streets of the Gothic Quarter. In this area, you will find all types of activities. From cultural, historical, artistic, or leisure purposes, this great area of the city of Barcelona can charm anyone. We strongly advise you to visit the Barcelona Cathedral, The Colon Statue, The Wax Museum, or the Palau Guell for cultural purposes.
Take a plunge on the Barcelona beach
You can visit many beaches in Barcelona, depending on how far you are willing to travel. You can go to the most touristy places such as la Barceloneta. On this beach you will find many activities to enjoy a sunny day in the Catalan capital. Bars, restaurants, souvenir shops and sunshine are waiting for you on this kilometre-long seafront. Just past the Port Olimpic, you will find a more relaxed beach with a more local atmosphere. Playa del Bogatell or Playa Mal Bella are also excellent options if you want to stay away from the tourist scene.
Reach the top of Montjuïc Castle
The top of Montjuïc Castle is another of Barcelona’s artistic and cultural highlights. It may not seem like an attractive hill to walk up, but the views and architecture are totally worth it. Most of the way up, you will find electric ladders, so do not worry about getting tired. Once you reach the top, you can visit the National Art Museum of Catalunya. While visiting this museum, a 360-degree view experience is offered on top of the castle. The panoramic views of the city are simply breath-taking. While visiting Montjuïc, another incredible experience is to take the cable car of Montjuïc. You will enjoy the best views of the city and experience Barcelona from the sky.
Have fun at Tibidabo – Barcelona’s highest point
An amusement park may also be on your list of places to visit in Barcelona. Located relatively close to the north part of the city, you will find the Tibidabo Amusement Park. Adults love the views, and kids enjoy the park. If you are travelling with your family, this is probably a must-see on your visit to Barcelona. There are several ways to get to Tibidabo Mountain, which is the highest point in Barcelona. You can either take public transport (both metro and buses), take a private car or go hiking. To clarify, if you decide to hike, it will take around 1 hour (3.3 kilometres) if you start at the northern neighbourhood of Sarrià.
Visit Camp Nou – FC Barcelona’s Temple
Especially if you are a football fanatic, this is a must when you visit Barcelona. One of the top things to do in Barcelona is visiting Lionel Messi’s backyard. Whether it is to buy a shirt at the official Botiga del Barça or to visit Camp Nou. Europe’s biggest stadium is totally worth a visit, not only for the stadium itself, but also to get a first look at how football plays such an important role in Barcelona. As one of the world’s football capitals, the sport has become an essential part of the lives of the locals. The people of Barcelona compare watching their team to opera. It has become such an international spectacle to watch Messi’s team play that they make comparisons with the best opera singers.
As you may have noticed, there are multiple activities that are among the best things to do during your visit to Barcelona. Depending on the type of trip you are planning, you can opt for different options. In case you want to know more about most of the best things to do in Barcelona, we invite you to join our Free Tour Barcelona. We will take you through the modernist route of the city where you will learn more about the history and art that has shaped this city. Remember that the best things in life are free and we want your experience to be memorable.
