10 Places You Must See in Barcelona, and Essential Tips for First Time Visitors
This past summer I visited Barcelona for the first time. It was a great trip filled with good food, amazing architecture, and sunny beaches. A Barcelona travel guide could be very extensive but I’ve condensed this one into the 10 places you absolutely must see in Barcelona, and a few essential tips that first-time visitors should know. If you’re planning on being in Barcelona for more than a few short days, check out my list of the best day trips from Barcelona.
If you have been to Barcelona and have other recommendations, leave them in the comments!
xx, Heather
Where I Stayed
I was on a family trip and we needed a place with multiple bedrooms, so we rented this amazing VRBO townhouse. The location was perfect as it was only a few blocks from Passeig de Gràcia Barcelona’s main street. Barcelona is easily accessible by cab, bus, or train, but we really enjoyed being in walking distance to a lot of great restaurants and shops, and in a central location for visiting all of the best sites in the city.
10 places you must see in Barcelona
There are endless things to do in Barcelona, but if it’s your first time, or you only have a few days, make sure to hit these key spots. These are 10 places you must see on your first trip to Barcelona, Spain, including several of Antoni Gaudi’s most iconic works.
La Sagrada Familia
Any first-time visiter to Barcelona must experience the incredible architecture of La Sagrada Familia, one of Gaudi’s most famous works in Barcelona. The exterior of the church is so intricate and complex that the building has been under construction since 1882. Plan to spend some time taking it all in, before or after your tour. Inside, the church is equally as impressive and the afternoon sun shines through the stained glass in the most stunning way - you truly have to experience it. This is one destination you 100% need to pre-buy tickets for.
Park Guell
Spend a morning wandering the gardens and buildings in Park Guell. Park Guell is another popular location that you should pre-buy tickets for. Try to get tickets for the morning since the park only gets busier as the day goes on.
Casa Batlló
Take the guided audio tour of Casa Batlló. Like all of Gaudi’s work, this home is unlike any architecture that you see today. As fascinating as the exterior is, it is worth paying to tour the interior as well. If you’re staying nearby, stop by at night to see it lit up.
The Gothic Quarter
Explore the narrow streets and historic buildings in Barcelona’s Gothic Quarter. There are plenty of walking tours but I found it best to take your time and go at your own pace, as there is a lot to see, lots of shops to check out, and cute places to stop for a coffee. Walk down Carrer del Bisbe to see the famous Pont del Bisbe bridge. Plaça Reial, a charming little square off Las Ramblas, is a great place for lunch.
5. La Boqueria markert
Stroll down the famous Las Ramblas street and shop for a bite to eat in La Boqueria market, a massive public market with vendors selling local meats, sweets, fruits, seafood, etc.
6. Palau de la Musica
See the colorful Catalan stained glass and mosaics at Palau de la Musica. This Catalan music hall is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. You can buy tickets for a concert to fully experience it, or take the short tour to see the inside of the concert hall and learn about its history. I loved the outdoor balcony with mosaic-covered columns.
7. Arc de Triomf
Walk through the Parc de la Ciutadella to the Arc de Triomf. Both the park and the Arc de Triomf and public, free destinations. While you’re exploring the park, make sure to also see the Cascada Monumental fountain.
8. La Pedrera
Take a tour through another one of Gaudi’s famous works, La Pedrera, also known as Casa Mila. An audio tour will guide you through nine floors and up to the rooftop of what once was a private residence for a wealthy family.
9. Catedral de Barcelona
La Sagrada Familia is a must see, but there are other churches worth visiting in the city, and Catedral de Barcelona is one of them. Inside the church is a charming little courtyard. Head to the back of the church and take the elevators up to the roof for amazing views of the city.
10. Picasso Museum
See the most extensive collection of artworks by Pablo Picasso at the Picasso Museum. Plan to buy tickets ahead of time for this museum as it’s extremely popular.
6 Barcelona Tips for First-TimE Visitors
Here are six essential tips and things you should know when visiting Barcelona for the first time.
Pre-Purchase Your Tickets for Tourist attractions
I highly recommend planning out your days ahead of time and purchasing tickets online for each of the sites that you plan on visiting. Even with pre-purchased tickets, you may end up waiting in a short line, but you would end up losing so much more time by showing up without a ticket. Some sites even have a limit on the number of visitors they let in per day, so it’s best to lock in your spot.
Check City listings for Free Days
Many of Barcelona's museums offer free entry once a month, usually on a Sunday. Check online for specific dates and times for the site or museum you’d like to visit, and you could end up saving on a few admission costs!
The best view is at the W Hotel
We went to the W Hotel for drinks one of our last nights in Barcelona, and I was blown away by the view from the top of this hotel. Take the elevators up to the bar at the top of the building for the most spectacular sunset view over Barcelona and Barceloneta Beach.
Las Ramblas is extremely crowded
The famous Las Ramblas street is quite touristy and crowded so I recommended walking down it to see La Boqueria market, and then heading into the much quieter Plaça Reial for a more relaxing lunch atmosphere in a charming square.
Skip Barceloneta Beach
Barceloneta Beach is the busiest beach due to it’s close proximity to the city. It is definitely an easy beach day if you are short on time, but if you have a few extra days take the train down to Castelldefels Beach (read more in my post on the Best Day Trips from Barcelona). Other local beach options that are also a bit less crowded than Barceloneta are Nova Icaria Beach, Bogatell Beach, or Ocata Beach.
Watch your purse
Experienced travelers will already be aware of this, but it’s worth a reminder especially if you are visiting Barcelona in peak tourist season during the summer months. I always felt safe during my visit, but Barcelona has a bit of a reputation for pickpockets so carry a purse that can be fully closed, and keep your belongings close.
Want more recommendations for Barcelona? Check out my list of the best day trips from Barcelona here.
