There aren’t many European cities where you can marvel at mind-bending architecture and world-class works of art in the morning and spend the afternoon swimming in the warm Mediterranean. Barcelona, however, is one of them. The city’s beachside location creates a laidback attitude and slower pace in comparison to its European counterparts, all of which adds to its appeal. Sat snug between the coast and a range of hills, the compact and walkable Catalan capital is divided into districts called ‘barrios’, each with their own architecture and charm. Exploring these is one of the many things to do in Barcelona, along with a plethora of other options whether that’s heading for the historic gothic quarter and Gaudi’s much loved work or simply relaxing by the beach after another long lunch.
How many days do you need in Barcelona?
In a long weekend you can comfortably fit in some of the key sights with enough time for wandering, shopping and eating. However, to get off the tourist trail and explore some less-visited areas or perhaps take a day trip outside the city, a week-long trip would be more advisable.
When is the best time to travel to Barcelona?
Barcelona is truly an all-year-round destination but spring and autumn are arguably the loveliest times to visit weather-wise when it's mild and sunny. The high summer months can sometimes get a little hot and humid for extensive walking and sightseeing but are perfect for beach days. Plus, it’s festival season with each neighbourhood taking its turn to host their own week-long street party. For a culture- and food-filled break minus the crowds, winter is an ideal time to book a trip.
The best things to do in Barcelona
Barcelona’s most famous architect shaped the design of the city and you could easily spend a week looking at his work. However, some buildings aren’t to be missed. The Sagrada Familia, the legendary uncompleted church with its mammoth proportions and intricate carvings is truly a sight to behold. Inside is even more special as the sun pours through the stained glass windows basking the atrium in a rainbow of light. The museum underneath also offers a fascinating look at how it's being built with a peek at the workshop where the architects design today. At the back of the city, Gaudi’s Park Güell with its gingerbread house entrance, famed lizard mosaic bench and cave-like porticos is a beautiful place to spend time – and get some of the best views of Barcelona. Casa Batlló and Casa Mila (La Pedrera), his two townhouses located on Passeig de Gràcia are not to be missed but if you’re searching for something a little less visited, his first first major work to be finished, Casa Vicens, show his style at its most liveable and rarely attracts large crowds. Beyond Gaudi, it’s also worth discovering the city’s other famous architect from this period, Lluís Domènech i Montaner. A contemporary of Gaudi, he was responsible for some of the most exquisite examples of the Modernisme movement (the Catalan take on Art Nouveau) in the city, most notably the Hospital de Sant Pau and Palau de la Musica Catalana – both which make fascinating visits.
Boasting over 4,000 of his works, Museu Picasso is a chance to see the artist's prolific career, especially his early work, in a beautiful converted palace. Over on Montjuic – the hillside park that hugs the south of the city – MNAC is a grand building with Catalan art from the 12th to the 20th centuries while next door the serene Joan Miró Foundation showcases the Catalan artist’s work in a modern minimalist space designed by his architect friend Josep Lluís Sert. At the foot of Montjuic, the Caixa Forum has an interesting curation of international art exhibitions in an old factory building while the Mies van der Rohe Pavilion is an architectural masterpiece made from glass and steel. Back in town, MACBA has an excellent collection of modern art while for photography, both Foto Colectania and KBr Photography Center have a great roster of rotating exhibitions.
Start in the heart of it all, at the city’s other famous church, the towering 15th-century neo-Gothic cathedral. Here you can climb on the roof and orient yourself. The Gótico area that surrounds it is an inviting maze of narrow streets and picturesque squares that are a joy to just get lost in. Stop by "The World Begins With Every Kiss" mural, a collection of 4000 photos submitted by locals on the theme ‘freedom’, a temporary art project for the 300th anniversary of Catalonia Day that has stuck around since 2014. Tucked behind the cathedral is MUHBA, The Museum of the History of Barcelona, which showcases its Roman past via an impressive 4,000m2 of underground excavations. La Rambla, Barcelona’s landmark street, borders this Gothic quarter on one side and is overrun with tourists and pickpockets so is best avoided other than to hop across it as quickly as possible to get to where you need to be.
While in the summer people flock with their umbrellas and picnics for a day of sunbathing, in the cooler months, the beaches and their promenades make for a lovely stroll with a side of people watching – think buskers, rollerbladers and brave sea swimmers. Barceloneta is the city’s most central beach and the busiest of all, but as you head North towards the Poblenou district, they tend to become a little quieter. Paella lunch by the beach – especially on Sunday – is a must do activity in itself and Escribà, Pez Vela and Can Fisher all fit the bill superbly. If you have more time, the beaches at Garraf and Sitges to the south and Montgat and Sant De Pol to the north make good day trips by train while with a car you reach the Costa Brava beaches.
If you’re keen to embrace Barcelona’s laidback pace, it’s not just about the beach – there are also some charming green spaces in the city. Spend a lazy afternoon at Ciutadella, the city’s main park with its fountains, boating lake and ornate greenhouses. Or, head to the hillside park of Montjuic where you’ll find both Jardí Botànic de Barcelona, a beautiful botanical garden and Jardins de Mossèn Costa i Llobera, a hidden cactus garden alongside lots of other spots for catching sweeping views of the city. If a drink is calling, Salts, a simple bar perched over the Olympic diving pools has one of the best outlooks in town. For more immersion in nature, Collserola, a huge natural park at the back of the city has endless hiking trails to be explored. A day spent here can also be combined with a visit to the vineyard of L'Olivera where you can arrange wine and olive oil tastings. On the other hand, simply wandering through the city’s distinct neighborhoods always leaves something to be discovered. Stroll through the neighbourhood of Eixample with its Art Nouveau architecture and design-led boutiques or head to Gracia, with its pretty tree-lined streets where an afternoon in a square with a good book and a vermouth is always a good idea.
The produce market La Boqueria, just off La Rambla, has become a tourist attraction in itself but there are similar food markets in every neighborhood of Barcelona offering the same experience minus the crowds. The market in the neighborhood of Sant Antoni is one of the loveliest and is great for filling up on supplies for a beach picnic or grabbing some simple tapas at one of the counters. For lovers of second-hand interiors, the historic market of Encants with its huge mirrored roof has a daily flea market with weekly auctions alongside a number of permanent antique shops. However, it’s more than worth making the journey just outside Barcelona to Sant Cugat’s Mercantic, a miniature shopping village with a daily antique market, huge second-hand book fair and a number of independent design shops which comes alive on weekends with live music and events. Back in the city, the monthly Palo Market Fest in Poblenou with its street food stalls, DJs and vintage clothing stalls is always a fun way to spend an afternoon.
Things to know
Weather: The summer months between June and September see average temperatures between 28 and 34 degree celsius. In July and August the humidity rises making the weather feel even warmer. Spring (March – May) and autumn (October and November) are cooler with temperatures between 17 and 24 while in winter (December – February) the barometer drops lower, hovering between 8 and 15.
Currency: Euro
Transportation and how to get around: The majority of the city is walkable but the air-conditioned metro system is efficient for longer journeys. There is no contactless payment so you’ll need a ticket and the T10 card (for 10 journeys) is the most cost effective option. You can pick up a black and yellow metre taxi at the airport or on other busy roads or use an app like FreeNow. Uber isn’t widely available in the city currently.
Visa requirements: None, but stays are subject to the EU’s 90-day policy.
