What Not to Miss in Barcelona
There’s no doubt that Barcelona is one of Europe’s must-visit cities and I honestly can’t count the number of people who told me “Oh, Barcelona is my favourite city!” when I was planning my trip. And you can see why. Barcelona has something for everyone (and every budget) and is one of the most laid-back and vibrant cities I’ve visited. Whether you’re looking for beaches, history, unique architecture or a delicious food and wine scene, Barcelona will deliver. So with so much to see and do, what are actually the best things to do in Barcelona?
1. Take a day trip to Costa Brava
The ultimate day trip from Barcelona and a fantastic way to see more of Barcelona’s beautiful coast. We booked this tour and found it was a great combo between some guided parts to explain the history and more about Catalonia. The free time meant wandering pristine beaches, exploring the narrow twisting streets of seaside towns and going for a dip. We visited in late August and it was still steaming hot so make sure to pack your bags full of sunscreen, swimmers and water bottles.
2. Watch the sunset at Barceloneta
Soak up the ambiance, grab a drink from one of the beach bars and listen to other beach goers music while you watch the sun set. Be warned that this is a super busy beach and you’ll be approached by many hawkers selling anything from towels to mojitos but it’s part of the experience and they’re respectful if you decline. Once the sun has set, make sure to book a table at the nearby restaurant, Jai Ca, for phenomenal tapas and a delicious end to the evening.
A quick note to keep a hand on your valuables at all times — I had my phone stolen from right next to my hip and there’s a reason that Barcelona has a police station dedicated to stolen items (shoutout Mossos d’Esquadra).
3. Build a picnic at Mercat de la Boqueria
This sprawling indoor market is a foodie’s dream come true and it’s a fantastic way to sample local produce and dishes. You can sit and enjoy your meal at one of the counters, but I’d recommend grabbing lots of individual items from different market stalls and creating your own picnic. There’s a little square behind the market where you can feast, but keep in mind that a seat or bench is hot property, especially in the summer.
Every stall is designed to impress visitors but there’s plenty of stalls selling the same thing so try and resist the temptation to buy the first thing you see — especially because prices tend to drop the further you go into the market. Make sure to try some Iberian ham, local cheeses and fresh juice.
4. Check out some of Gaudí’s best architecture
Gaudí has truly shaped modern Barcelona and it’s not hard to find his work scattered across the city. The three big standalone buildings you’ll want to add to your Barcelona itinerary are Casa Vicens, Sagrada Família, Casa Batlló. Casa Vicens is definitely under-appreciated and it was by far the quietest of Gaudí’s designs that we visited which meant lots of time to admire and take in the details. The audio guide options at each of these buildings are fantastic and give you a wonderful insight into the mind of Gaudí. I loved that you can download an app on your phone and use your own earphones or airpods, rather than carrying around the typical clunky walkman and headphones situation.
5. Watch the sunset from Bunkers del Carmel.
There’s nothing quite like gathering on the cliffs overlooking Barcelona to watch the sunset and the crowd is a lively mix of locals and tourists . We got there nice and early and ended up being one of the first groups on the cliff so we had a prime position right at the front. Come too close to sunset and you risk sitting at the back of the crowd. Pack a picnic and settle in; your neighbours for the evening will likely bring the tunes and you can all watch the sun set over Barcelona together.
There are a few options get up up the hill (we admittedly took the longest and most convoluted route on the hottest day of the trip through local neighbourhoods and then a short bush walk — learn from us). The cheapest and easiest way — especially in the summer heat — is taking the metro and walking the final big up the hill. If your budget allows for it, plenty of people arrived by taxi and I was incredibly jealous of how fresh and polished they looked next to my sweaty, dusty state. Fortunately, getting back down the hill is much easier and you can generally just follow the crowds to the closest metro station.
This was one of my favourite evenings and while we came for the view, we stayed long after the sun set for the atmosphere.
6. Take a stroll through the Gothic Quarter
Known to the locals as the Barri Gòtic, the gothic quarter isn’t your average European old town. Sure, you can expect twisting streets and laneways and historical architecture but you can also expect narrow streets draped in colourful flags lined by trees.
Set aside an afternoon to wander the streets, stop for churros at La Pallaresa Chocolatería Churrería (where churros are served with mugs full of melted dark chocolate), and people watch over a glass of sangria at Placa Reial, and pop in and out of shops as you wander.
You can also opt for a guided walking tour of the quarter if you’re looking for a little more context and direction. The gothic quarter backs onto Las Ramblas make sure to check out one of Barcelona’s busiest streets while you’re nearby.
7. Explore Park Güell
Of all the Gaudí architecture in Barcelona, this own is its own point because it truly is in a league of its own. You could easily spend hours walking through the park, sitting on benches and soaking it all in. The colours, the architecture and the sheer creativity blew us away and I’d recommend setting aside a few hours to check this out. The bus and metro make this a nice and easy site to visit — we took the metro so we could walk and see more of the city but be prepared for some pretty steep hills.
Planning a Euro summer trip? Don’t miss my guide to the perfect European summer skincare routine — because SPF deserves a spot on the itinerary too.