Barcelona is one of the most visited destinations in Europe, thanks to its rich cultural heritage, diverse neighbourhoods and remarkable architecture — much of it influenced by the Catalan architect Antoni Gaudí. With so many incredible places to explore, Hop-On Hop-Off Barcelona bus routes offer a practical way to move between landmarks while getting a feel for the city’s layout.
It’s a place you can visit over and over and always find something new to enjoy. We invite you to get lost in its streets, let yourself be seduced by the majesty of its modernist architecture and find yourself in one of the many nooks and crannies of this cosmopolitan city.
In this article, you will learn about not only the most emblematic monuments and places of the city, but also the main leisure and tourism attractions that you can enjoy.
If you’re planning your trip to this wonderful city, be sure to read this article and let yourself be captivated by the charm of Barcelona, the balcony of the Mediterranean.
Table of Contents
Must-see places you can't miss when you visit Barcelona
1. Sagrada Familia - a beautiful and unique church designed by Antoni Gaudí.
When you think about Barcelona, the first thing that comes to mind is the Sagrada Familia. Undoubtedly, this building is popular and recognized worldwide and represents a great identifying icon of the city of Barcelona.
Construction of the building was overseen by the Catalan architect Antoni Gaudí and represents the greatest exponent of Catalan modernism, although it also pays homage to the Gothic and Byzantine cathedrals.
It has been under construction since 1882 and the date of completion of the work is not certain. This is because it’s considered an expiatory temple, a house of prayer to atone for your sins, and it is being built from donations.
The exterior of the Sagrada Familia has three facades that represent the phases of Jesus’ life: Birth, Passion and Glory. It is the reflection of Christian beliefs that citizenship must follow in accordance with the Catholic religion.
We recommend that you buy tickets in advance since in high season it is usually sold out every day and, without a doubt, it is one of the best places to visit in Barcelona.
In addition, if you’re a religious devotee, you can attend mass in the Sagrada Familia every Sunday. Entrance is free, although the capacity is limited.
2. Las Ramblas, a must-see during your stay in Barcelona
Barcelona’s Las Ramblas is one of the city’s best-known streets as it connects the iconic Plaça Catalunya with the port of Barcelona. It is a very busy road where we can find countless places of interest.
If we start the tour from Plaça Catalunya and walk down the street, we will find the famous Boqueria market. It is one of the city’s oldest markets and in it, we can find a multitude of fresh products such as fruit, meat and fish as well as food stalls where you can enjoy Mediterranean cuisine.
Next, we find the great Teatro del Liceo, a historical and important place where opera lovers can enjoy the best opera shows by artists of great recognition and world fame. Finally, we can admire the majestic statue of Columbus in front of the port.
3. Casa Milà: the building that broke the architectural norms of its time.
If you walk along Passeig de Gràcia, you will come across this peculiar building, the work of Gaudí, which represents Catalan modernism and highlights the architectural elements used by the artist.
Casa Milà, also known as La Pedrera. has a unique design, with undulating stone facades and iron balconies. Inside, you can visit the apartment where Gaudí lived for a while, as well as the roof terrace with its animal-shaped fireplaces.
This unique building was the residence of the Milà family for an extended period. However, the name Pedrera refers to a quarry, since for the citizens of Barcelona it represented a dirty and ugly place.
The building was designed for residential purposes and three people currently live there, one of them the famous writer Ana Viladomiu.
You can visit Casa Milà every day from 09:00 to 20:30 except November to February when the schedule is from 09:00 to 18:30. There are also night visits. We recommend that you buy tickets in advance to avoid queues at the entrance.
4. Font Màgica de Montjuïc - one of the most amazing places to visit in Barcelona
Just 10 minutes from Plaza España after crossing its famous Venetian Towers, we find the Montjuïc gardens that house one of the most spectacular fountains in Spain, the Font Màgica de Montjuïc. This is a brilliant place to take your kids in Barcelona.
Designed by the Catalan architect Carles Buigas, it is popular for its light show that, together with the waterfalls, creates a spectacular show that you cannot miss on your visit to Barcelona.
It is an emblematic fountain in the city since many events are held there, such as the final pyrotechnic show of the annual festival of Barcelona, La Mercè.
5. Discover the charms of Barcelona from the Montjuïc Cable Car.
If you like heights, this is undoubtedly an activity that you cannot miss in Barcelona.
The Montjuïc Cable Car allows you to have a panoramic view of the city and contemplate the views from the heights of the Montjuïc mountain. It is 750 metres long, and you’ll be able to appreciate all the charms of the city.
In the high season, this tourist attraction is open from 10:00 to 21:00. So, find yourself a quick and convenient way to get to this top-notch tourist treat, and enjoy the brilliant views of beautiful Barcelona.
6. Enjoy the Mediterranean climate by getting lost in the nooks and crannies of Park Güell.
Another way to appreciate Catalan modernist architecture is by strolling through Park Güell. It has an area of more than 17 hectares and is characterized by its architecture that brings together animal figures, columns with the appearance of trees and geometric figures.
Most of the surface is decorated with colourful mosaics that are peculiarly attractive, and that embody Gaudí’s architectural style. To visit this monumental park, you need a minimum of two hours. However, if you want to visit all the areas, it’ll take much more time due to its large size.
Park Güell is also an ideal place to relax and enjoy the views of Barcelona. We recommend visiting it first thing in the morning or late in the afternoon.
These are the 6 most attractive places in Barcelona that you should see
Now you’ve learnt about some of the most emblematic places in the city. However, there is much more to Barcelona, and we recommend that you plan your visit well so as not to miss any corner of this incredible city.
So, pack your suitcase and head to Barcelona: we’re waiting for you! Have a nice trip and see you soon!
Frequently Asked Questions
Thanks to its Mediterranean climate, Barcelona is a fantastic place to visit all year round. We especially like the spring, but buy us tickets to go there in the winter and we won’t say no!
You can probably see the absolute highlights, but if you want to see more than just that we think you need at least two days and very possibly more.
Yes, all the locals speak Spanish. Many speak Catalán too, but if you only know Spanish, you’ll be just fine. If you don’t know either, there’s no need to worry as many people speak other languages such as English and French.