What you cannot miss in Barcelona
It might be one of the prettiest cities in Europe. Located right at the sea, full of historical buildings and close to the mountains, offering various opportunities to explore the nature of the country. Of course, I am talking about Barcelona. A vibrant Spanish city attracting travellers from all over the world to experience the unique flair. Maybe it is the combination of beach and city, or maybe the laid-back atmosphere and the stunning views wherever you look, but Barcelona really is an absolute highlight when it comes to European cities. Therefore, it is an absolute must-do whenever you are looking for a next city adventure. If you are keen to fall in love with a new place and get lost in the beauty of a city, here is what you absolutely cannot miss in Barcelona. Only then, your trip to Spain is complete, but see for yourself!
Walk through Las Ramblas
Let´s start with the probably most obvious thing to do in Barcelona. A stroll along the famous Las Ramblas. This is the name of the promenade starting right at the Plaça de Catalunya and ends down to the Columbus Monument at the waterfront. Walking in between the beautiful tall plane trees, which cover both sides of the way, you will get a beautiful perspective of the city. There are a few touristy shops that sell postcards or things to eat and at the very end, you will also come across some restaurants. If you want to avoid the tourist hassle, you should only make it your goal to walk along Las Ramblas and not stop anywhere to eat or drink, as it is rather expensive.
During the summer time, Las Ramblas is a beautiful place to be. Watch the beautiful shadows of the trees on the road and hide in their shadow. Plus, if you follow Las Ramblas from the Plaça de Catalunya down to the waterfront, you will eventually end up at the beach, which is a great place to be during the hot months.
Take a look at the Sagrada Familia
Next on the list is the Sagrada Familia. There is no such thing as a trip to Barcelona without taking a look at the famous cathedral. Surely, this is a completely obvious thing to do and you will find yourself in the middle of the tourist crowds, but the view is still worth it. The Cathedral is still not finished, which can be annoying as the construction site is blocking some of the view. Initially, they expected to finish the renovation before 2026, but this goal was described as unrealistic a few months ago. Nevertheless, it is impressive to look at the architecture and the art behind it.
Make sure to stroll around the area of the Sagrada Familia as well, as it is quite beautiful. If you want to get even more insight into the building, you can enter it. But be prepared for a bit of waiting time, as most of the tours are taking a look inside as well.
Hike up to Turó de la Rovira for the most amazing views
Ready for the best view of all of Barcelona? If this is not the best place to be in the whole city, I do not know… The Turó de la Rovira is a park which offers an incredible overview of the entire city. It is well-known among locals as well and especially students love to gather there shortly before the sun sets. You might want to be early to get the front row spots to watch the city turn from day into night and see all the millions of lights.
You will get to enjoy the view over the roofs of Barcelona, see the sea in the background and on the other side, you can also spot the mountains in the distance. Actually, you can see almost everything from up here. Combined with the fantastic atmosphere, this really is a thing to do you cannot miss in Barcelona. It is a little bit of a steep walk for about 10 minutes, but absolutely worth it.
Make sure to bring a few drinks or some snacks and have a little picnic while not being able to take your eyes off the view – promise!
Stroll through the Old Town
Barcelona is full of history. You will quickly notice that when looking at the old houses and the historical architecture, which is basically everywhere in the city center. The absolute highlight of Barcelona is the Old Town. You can reach some of the prettiest streets and alleys of Barcelona if you head down Las Ramblas. Then turn into one of the smaller streets on the side. For example, you can visit the Catedral de barcelona and the Gothic Quarter. Here, you will come across cute traditional shops, small cafés or tiny streets with a lot of character.
This is one of the many times while travelling, when it is best to simply follow wherever your heart takes you. It might lead you to the prettiest streets and places in the city. Plus, it shows you more of the small details and characteristics of Barcelona. This is definitely one of the things you cannot miss out on when exploring the city.
Spend some time at the beach
A city which basically includes a beach as well? This really does seem too good to be true, but Barcelona makes this dream a reality. Here, you cannot only enjoy the vibrant city life and dive deeper into the beauty of architecture, but as well get all the beach vibes in. The most popular beach is the La Barceloneta, which can easily be reached by foot from Las Ramblas.
The whole beachfront boardwalk actually stretches for miles and it it will take you a good hour to reach Diagonal Mar. But if you are trying to get your steps in, this is a beautiful walk where you can get stunning views over the life at the beach. During the summertime, the city beaches are quite busy, and you will not find the typical idyllic beach atmosphere. Still, it is nice to have a beach in such close distance. And if you want to relax for a bit or go for a swim or work on your tan while exploring Barcelona, this is your chance.
Enjoy a Sangria
Ready for some drinks? A sangria is absolutely one of the things you cannot miss in Barcelona. It is basically culture and should be tasted at least once (even though it would be a shame because it is simply too good). Have one while relaxing at the beach, while having lunch or dinner. Or grab a sangria to go while you are watching the sunset from the viewpoint. Believe me, it is worth it!
And if you are keen on getting to know the nightlife in Barcelona, this could also be your drink of choice.
Order a delicious and traditional Paella
Next to the Sangria, an absolute must-do is eating a Paella. It is the Spanish national dish and therefore simply has to be tried. You can choose between different options, ranging from a classic seafood paella to vegetarian dishes. It can easily be combined with some delicious tapas as an entry, and you will get a whole Spanish food experience.
Admire the art of architecture in the streets
One of the main characteristics of Barcelona is the stunning architecture in the streets. Different architectural styles have influenced the city. The main highlight are the buildings by Gaudí, which are not only architectural masterpieces, but as well some of the main tourist attractions. Therefore, what you cannot miss in Barcelona definitely does include the Casa Milà, the Park Güell and the Casa Batlló. Both of the houses can be admired from the outside, if you want to know more about Gaudí and his work in the city, you can take a tour through the Casa Batlló.
Admire the art of architecture in the streets
One of the main characteristics of Barcelona is the stunning architecture in the streets. Different architectural styles have influenced the city. The main highlight are the buildings by Gaudí, which are not only architectural masterpieces, but as well some of the main tourist attractions. Therefore, what you cannot miss in Barcelona definitely does include the Casa Milà, the Park Güell and the Casa Batlló. Both of the houses can be admired from the outside, if you want to know more about Gaudí and his work in the city, you can take a tour through the Casa Batlló.
Visit the market
And last but not least on the list of what you cannot miss in Barcelona is the Mercat de la Boqueria. It is located right besides Las Ramblas and already visible from the outside. It is a giant market hall full of food stands selling all kinds of things to eat. You can buy some fresh fruits, taste traditional dishes or have a look at the seafood or different spices of Spain. Make sure to be at least a little bit of hungry, get yourself a smoothie or an exotic fruit or maybe some churros. During the warmer months, you can enjoy your food behind the market hall on a big square where you can sit down and simply taste and live the city!
Off to Spain? What are you waiting for.
If you really want to explore a city which is made to fall in love with, Barcelona is your choice. It is not only one of the absolute highlights of Spain, but as well offers an extraordinary experience for all kinds of travellers. With the full list of what you cannot miss in Barcelona, you’re all ready to go. From a beach to vibrant city life to history and even some adventure time – Barcelona has it all for you. With a reliable and quite affordable transport system you can easily reach any spot in the whole city. What are you waiting for?
Can’t get enough of city trips? Click here.
