Barcelona, spain
Attractions Guide
Introduction
Barcelona is a massive city and the capital of Catalonia and is best known for its many wondrous and highly intricate structures designed by the famous Antoni Gaudi, which comprise many of Barcelona's top attractions. Be sure to make advanced reservations for Gaudi's most popular attractions, including La Sagrada Familia, Casa Battlo, Casa Mila (or La Pedrera) and Parc Güell.
Gothic Quarter
Barcelona's Gothic Quarter is the city's historic center, which was once surrounded by ancient Roman walls and later medieval walls. Sections of these walls still stand and can be found around the Gothic Quarter. This area of Barcelona is known for its distinct neo-gothic architecture and narrow medieval streets.
Many of the buildings in the Gothic Quarter are elegant and quite elaborate, so be sure to spend some time wandering the streets and enjoying the atmosphere. This district is also known for its many great bars and restaurants.
From the Gothic Quarter you can walk to the long sandy La Barceloneta Beach, which is lined with a boardwalk and offers great coastal views and warm Mediterranean waters.
Cathedral of Barcelona
At the center of the Gothic Quarter is the Cathedral of Barcelona, an intricate gothic cathedral with a stunning interior. You can climb the stairs to the roof of the cathedral where you'll find walkways, from which you can enjoy exceptional views over the Old Town. Adjacent to the cathedral is the MUHBA Temple d'August, which houses the pillars of an ancient Roman temple and is free to visit.
Nearby the cathedral is the Museum of the History of Barcelona, which houses the excavated remains of the ancient Roman city of Barcino which you can walk over. The museum also consists of several historic structures including part of the medieval Royal Palace and an early Christian episcopal complex.
Palau de la Music Catalana
Also in this area is the gorgeous UNESCO listed Palau de la Musica Catalana, an elegant art nouveau-style concert hall. In order to see this concert hall's breathtaking interior, you'll either need to book a tour or see a show.
More Gothic Quarter Attractions
Near the eastern edge of the Gothic Quarter is the landmark Basilica of Santa Maria del Mar, another marvelous gothic church. This 14th century church contains lovely stained glass windows and an intricate brick-work interior. Be sure to take the guided tour up to the church's rooftop for excellent views over the surrounding area and to learn about the fascinating history of the church and neighborhood.
Picasso Museum
Nearby you might visit the giant Picasso Museum, which houses one of the most extensive collections of the famous artist's works. The museum is housed across several connected medieval palaces and is quite lavish.
Borne Centre & Santa Caterina Market
Just east of the Picasso Museum and Basilica is the El Borne Centre de Cultura i Memoria, a massive covered market square. This market was built in the 19th century in the modernisme architectural style and is the largest covered square in Europe. The structure now houses the excavated ruins of the medieval la Ribera district of Barcelona, which were found during renovations of the market.
The Gothic Quarter is also home to the Santa Caterina Market, which is known for its unique and colorful wavy roof. The marketplace contains many food vendors.
Ciutadella Park
East of the Gothic Quarter is Barcelona's Ciutadella Park, where you'll find the magnificent Cascada Monumental, a gorgeous neoclassical fountain and monument. The park also contains many sculptures and gardens, the elegant Palace of Parliament, the city's zoo, and the impressive Castle of the Three Dragons, which houses a zoological museum.
On the northeastern side of the park is a connected walkway leading to the grand Arco de Triunfo de Barcelona, a striking triumphal arch.
La Rambla Street & Placa de Catalunya
Bordering the western side of the Gothic Quarter is the famous La Rambla Street, a popular tourist destination lined with many shops, restaurants, and cafes. Along the street is the entrance to the giant Mercado de la Boqueria, the city's most popular food market.
At the northern end of La Rambla is the Placa de Catalunya, a vast bustling plaza surrounded by 19th century buildings. The Placa de Catalunya is considered to be the center of Barcelona. From this plaza you can continue northwest up Passeig de Gracia Street to see several important Gaudi structures.
Güell Palace
Near the southern end of La Rambla is one of Antoni Gaudi's most impressive projects, the Güell Palace. This highly ornate mansion was designed for an industrial tycoon, and is fully furnished with many intricate architectural features, most notably the breathtaking Central Hall.
Placa Reial Square
Also along La Rambla is the beautiful Placa Reial square, which is lined with arches on all four sides, and features many palm trees as well as lanterns designed by Antoni Gaudi. Nearby is the impressive gothic Basilica de Santa Maria del Pi, which is known for its rooftop observation deck that offers breathtaking panoramic views over the city's skyline.
Maritime Museum
At the very southern end of La Rambla is Barcelona's epic Maritime Museum, which is located within the medieval royal arsenal building where ships were once built. The museum houses a full-sized replica of a 16th century Spanish galleon ship, as well as a large collection of nautical exhibits.
Gaudi Houses: Casa Battlo, La Pedrera, & Casa Vicens
Several blocks away from the Placa de Catalunya plaza is the fairytale-like Casa Batllo, which is among the most famous structures designed by Antoni Gaudi. This highly eccentric multi-story building features many fantasy-like elements and very few straight lines in its design. Inside the house are very trippy and colorful rooms, designed with incredible attention to detail.
A few blocks further up the street from Casa Batllo is another stunning Gaudi structure, the nine-story tall Casa Mila (also known as La Pedrera). This building hosts interesting exhibits, but is most famous for its fantastical roof, which contains walkways and terraces to explore the strange spires and features atop the building.
In order to see the interiors of both of these amazing structures you'll need to pre-book a tour.
Casa Vicens (Gaudi's First House)
Further northwest from the Casa Batllo and Casa Mila is the first house designed by Antoni de Gaudi, the Casa Vicens. This colorful structure combines art nouveau influences with Moorish style. As expected, the house's interior is strikingly intricate and posh, showcasing Gaudi's early architectural style. Usually you can visit this house with no wait without a pre-booked tour.
La Sagrada Familia: Gaudi's Basilica
Gaudi's most incredible structure is the massive La Sagrada Familia, a towering basilica which is nearly 560 feet (170 m) tall. This basilica is the most opulent and most audacious of Gaudi's projects, and has been under construction since 1882. Although the basilica will not technically be completed until 2032, most of the interior is finished and open for tourists.
La Sagrada Familia's exterior showcases a hyper-complex mix of gothic and art nouveau architecture, with multiple giant towers. This basilica's interior is breathtakingly aesthetic, with massive columns supporting geometric flower-like patterns on the ceiling built with a stunning level of intricacy. The interior also features huge rainbow-colored stained glass windows, which are vibrant and truly mesmerizing, especially when the sun hits the windows.
La Sagrada Familia might be one of the most beautiful man-made structures you see in your entire life. In order to see the basilica you'll need to pre-book a reservation. Underneath the basilica is a sizable crypt you can explore which also contains exhibits. You can also enjoy excellent views of the cathedral's exterior from the adjacent Placa de Gaudi park.
Hospital de la Santa Creu i Sant Pau
Several blocks north of La Sagrada Familia is an incredible UNESCO listed modernisme complex, the Hospital de la Santa Creu i Sant Pau. Although this beautiful complex of buildings once served as a hospital, it now exists as a vast museum and cultural center. The complex's extravagant exteriors are strikingly gorgeous.
Gaudi's Parc Güell & City Viewpoints
In the foothills of Northern Barcelona is perhaps the most iconic work by Gaudi, the Parc Güell. This urban park is like a fantasy land with many amazing unique structures, including the famous mosaic tile terrace overlooking Barcelona.
Other impressive structures in Parc Güell include a room full of Doric columns below the terrace, gingerbread-like houses, palm tree-like colonnaded footpaths, organic viaducts, and more oddities. You'll need to pre-book your ticket to enter the park at least a few hours ahead of time, although much of the park (excluding the houses and terrace) is open and free to explore.
Within Parc Güell you'll also find the Gaudi House Museum, the fully furnished former residence of the famous architect. Surprisingly the house's interior is quite simplistic and minimalist, so you may wish to only admire the house's exterior.
Be sure to walk along the scenic windy path up the park's hill, which passes by more bizarre architectural elements. At the top of the hill is the Mirador de Joan Sales, which provides breathtaking views over Barcelona and the coastline from high above.
Bunkers del Carmel
East of the Parc Güell are the Bunkers del Carmel, a set of military bunkers used during the Spanish Civil War. The bunkers contains a small museum, however the main draw of this attraction are the magnificent panoramic views over Barcelona and the coast which you can enjoy from atop the bunkers. Because of their location atop a hill not too far from the city center, these bunkers provide the best view you'll find in Barcelona.
Montjuic & Museums
Southwest of the Gothic Quarter is Montjuic, a tall hill which rises above the city along the coastline. Leading to the entrance of Montjuic is a short avenue where visitors are greeted by the massive Torres Venecianes (Venetian Towers). These towers are smaller replicas of the iconic St. Mark's Campanile tower in Venice.
At the other end of the avenue is the giant Magic Fountain, which puts on a spectacular light and water show at night. Behind the Magic Fountain is the grand symmetrical staircase up to Montjuic, which features towering columns, a series of waterfalls, and excellent views overlooking the city.
Palau Nacional & Catalunya National Art Museum
At the top of the grand staircase is the Museu Nacional d'Art de Catalunya (National Art Museum of Catalunya), which is housed within the magnificent Palau Nacional (National Palace) building. This museum contains a vast collection of Catalonian art, including one of the world's foremost Romanesque art collections The museum also hosts significant collections from later time periods including Gothic, Renaissance, Baroque, and Modern art.
Poble Espanyol
On the western side of the museum is the Poble Espanyol open-air museum, which contains many scaled-down models of Spanish monuments. The museum also contains a recreated gothic Spanish village, which hosts restaurants and shops.
Joan Miro Foundation
On the eastern side of the National Art Museum of Catalunya is the Joan Miro Foundation, a modern art museum dedicated to the famous artist.
Montjuic Castle
Near the Joan Miro Foundation is the Teleferic de Montjuic, an aerial tramway which takes you to the top of the hill where the Montjuic Castle is located. The aerial tram ride provides amazing views over Barcelona and is a much easier option than hiking the short but steep path to the top of the hill.
The Montjuic Castle is a large 17th century fortress which later served as a prison. Today the fortress hosts a military museum and offers incredible views over the coast, as well as part of the city.
Barcelona Olympic Park
Atop Montjuic you'll also find the expansive Olympic Park, which includes a giant stadium as well as many other sports complexes. The Olympic Park was constructed for the Barcelona Olympics in 1992.
Tibidbao & Gaudi's Bellesguard Manor
At the northwestern edge of Barcelona below the hills is one more Gaudi structure you might consider seeing, the Bellesguard Manor (or Casa Figueres). This castle-like manor house contains elegant and highly intricate interiors as well as lovely tile-works.
Tibidabo
Near the Bellesguard Manor is the Funicular del Tibidabo Station, a cable car which will take you to the mountaintop theme park of Tibidabo. Just outside of the theme park is a magnificent church, the Temple of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. From the church you can also enjoy gorgeous views looking over Barcelona from high above.
If you'd like to take in views from even higher up, you can head to the nearby Torre de Collserola, a massive TV tower with an observation deck. The observation deck offer amazing panoramic views over the city and even over Tibidabo.
More Attractions
A couple blocks away from Casa Mila is a brilliant modernista structure, the Casa de les Punxes. The building's castle-like exterior is reminiscent of a fairy-tale. You can tour the inside of the home if you'd like to see the elaborate craftsmanship that makes this house beautiful.
Placa de les Glories Catalanes Plaza
Around the massive Placa de les Glories Catalanes plaza you'll find many modern buildings and structures.
One of the most stunning structures around the plaza is the Mercat dels Encants, a great flea market open on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays. Apart from the great deals, you can admire the enormous reflective stainless steel roof of the market, which is an incredible and unique structure.
Nearby the plaza and market is The Design Museum of Barcelona, an ultra-contemporary structure housing exhibits on design and fashion. Adjacent to the museum is the Agbar Tower (also known as Glories Tower), a colorful bullet-shaped skyscraper. The tower is especially impressive when it lights up at night.
Google Maps Attraction Lists
Save Barcelona Attraction Lists to your Google Maps Account:
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