Discover The Ten Iconic Attractions In Barcelona

Barcelona was everything I imaged while somehow also being nothing I thought it would be. Perhaps my biggest shock was the city’s architecture. Due to the iconic attractions in Barcelona like the famed Sagrada Familia, I pictured a place dominated by dramatic and extravagant buildings, and although this is not far from the truth, as you wander parts of city, you will be met by simple structures that may remind you of Asian cities. Nevertheless, the destination offers everything you would want for a Spanish adventure – a welcoming and delightful place with lively urban beaches, an endless collection of parks, incredible cuisine (hello patatas bravas), vibrant nightlife, and magnificent sacred architecture.

It is a city where art and nature blend and gives way to a colourful and tranquil paradise despite being a buzzing metropolis.

Barcelona is also a place you might visit more than once because the never-ending list of attractions will keep bringing you back. But, for first-time visitors like myself, there are ten unmissable attractions in Barcelona that you have to explore. Read on to find what they are!

Travel and Accommodation In Barcelona 

Barcelona is a travel hub with two large airports offering direct flights from all over the world. Flights from London take approximately 2-hours and depending on the time of year, tickets are at wonderfully low prices when flying out of Luton or Stansted.

If you land at Josep Tarradellas Barcelona-El Prat Airport (BCN), the cheapest and best way to get to the city centre is by taking a direct bus from outside the arrivals gate, which costs 6 euros. Public transport is therefore, affordable and reliable, and you you can read more about using buses and trains in Barcelona here.

Being a large city, the attractions in Barcelona are scattered all around you, so there is no “perfect” place to stay. It truly depends on what you want to be close to. The beach or the mountains? The Sagrada Familia or the Barcelona Cathedral? There are no wrong options because anywhere you choose would be beautiful and there is always easy access to transport links.

I stayed in an Airbnb a two-minute walk from the Sagrada Familia, and I loved every bit of this energetic and convenient setting. However, if I were to do this trip over, I would stay closer to the Gothic Quarter because a wider collection of the attractions are in this area, including the beach.

The Ten Best Attractions In Barcelona 

Sagrada Familia

As the life’s work of Catalonia’s most famous architect, Antoni Gaudí, the Sagrada Familia is undoubtedly Barcelona’s most striking and recognisable landmark. Appreciate the nearly 140 years of work that has gone into the creation of this quirky basilica and marvel at the contrasting facades of its interior and exterior. (book tickets in advance)

The squares around the Sagrada Familia are just as lovely as the basilica itself and is a great place to have lunch, drink jugs of Sangria or catch a concert in the nearby park at night.

PS. The Sagrada Família hosts a pretty epic Christmas Market over November and December, so keep that in mind if you ever visit Barcelona over the festive season.

Barcelona Cathedral 

Although Barcelona Cathedral holds less hype than the Sagrada Familia, it is a magnificent, towering structure within the historic gothic quarter which encompasses the oldest parts of the city. Surrounded by markets and events through out the year, the cathedral is the focal point of activity in Barcelona. Head over to the nearby roof top bars for even more stunning views of the architecture.

La Rambla 

Almost every large European city has a famous street – in Barcelona it is La Rambla. The 1.2km tree-lined pedestrian stretch offers pure wandering bliss as it connects the Plaça de Catalunya in its center with the Christopher Columbus Monument at Port Vell. However, like any tourist-loving attraction, its filled with pickpockets so hold onto your belonging tightly.

Palau De A Musical Catalana 

The gorgeous concert hall designed in the Catalan modernista style, is a stand-out Instagram paradise but is more importantly, a stunning UNESCO-listed heritage site where the best of Spanish opera, symphonies and folk music is cherished.

Picasso Museum

I don’t think a trip to Barcelona is complete without making your rounds at a museum dedicated to one of Spain’s (and the world’s) best-known artists and gaining the opportunity to examine Picasso’s evolving yet distinctive styles. While you can buy tickets on site, the museum is very popular, so I would highly recommend booking tickets in advance to avoid the queues.

Gaudí’s Park Güell

Like the Sagrada Familia, Park Guell was not only designed by the same architect, it is another one of Spain’s most notable attractions, even when filled with tourists. Colourful tiles and sculptures stand out against lush gardens – while also overlooking panoramic views – and you can easily loose hours in its beauty.

The park is another attraction where you should pre-book tickets because on-site sales are limited.

Camp Nou 

Camp Not is the famous 99000-seater stadium that has been the home ground of FC Barcelona since 1957. From Messi and Xavi to Maradona and Rhonaldinhio, Camp Nou has witnessed some of the greatest players of all time bless its pitch with their skill, and a visit here is every football fan’s dream. Millions make their way here to watch great games in vibrant atmospheres and browse the memorabilia and museum. Truthfully, amid great architecture and nature, there is nothing more culturally relevant to the this city than its iconic football club. (stadium is closed for renovations until November 2024)

Montjuïc

Barcelona is a city a varied landscapes. While everyone knows about the beaches in Barcelona, few are drawn to the beautiful mountains and their exceptional views. Try not to miss Montjuic for it is one of the hidden attractions in Barcelona offering cooler climates, olive oil tasting and scenic funicular rides.

Beaches and Beach Clubs

The city’s coastal landscape is vibrant and buzzing no matter the time of day, so whether you want to relax on golden sands or party through the night, there is no wrong time to visit. Barcelona is definitely one of the most popular party destinations in Europe and is a great place to visit with friends.

Rooftop Bars 

Rooftop Bars are the heart of the city’s drinking scene, and there is no better way to enjoy glasses of Sangria than overlooking grand architecture at sunset. I visited Ayre Hotel Rosellón near the Sagrada Familia, but as mentioned earlier, there are other beautiful ones near the Barcelona Cathedral too.

Average Cost For Four Days In Barcelona Per Person

Transport (flights from London + local travel): £80

Accommodation: £60 (£120 per double)

Attractions: £60

Food and amenities: £100

Keep In Mind

A travel pass will be your best friend while exploring Barcelona. There are a variety of passes you can buy at any train station depending on how long you plan your say e.g., 24hrs, 48hrs, 96hrs, 10 trips etc. These passes let you ride on almost all public transport in the city.

Practical Information About Barcelona

Location: Spain, Western Europe 

National Languages: Spanish

Currency: Euro

Neighbouring Countries: France and Portugal