Barcelona attractions – what to see and do around this amazing city
Barcelona attractions are endless with Gaudi inspiration, gorgeous Mediterranean gardens at Montjuic, historic sites and fabulous walking promenades like Las Ramblas, fun outdoor markets and food venues, there’s so much to do and see in this magnificent city that is fun to explore from day time to late at night.
Explore Gaudi’s amazing architecture
Visit some of Gaudi’s impressive architecture and you’ll see why he is the most admired architect in the city with these magnificent buildings.
Visit to Sagrada Familia
The most popular Barcelona attraction is this amazing church that is still in progress to completion and one of Gaudi’s masterpieces that dominates the skyline. You can sign up to visit this basilica and come early because it is busy all day and tickets have to be booked in advanced to see the wonderful interiors and details to the church.
Park Guell
One of the signature parks Gaudi created with the waving mosaic benches, the signature salamander and all the engineering work done underneath with the columns and the purpose to creating this amazing park. It’s fun to explore the entire park, watch the views and capture it from above and visit the beautiful fairy tale like buildings on the park grounds to give you an idea about what was planned in this area before it became a public garden.
Casa Mila & Casa Battlo
Catalan Modernismo architecture comes alive with Gaudi’s Casa buildings here that you can visit as living museums to these gorgeous structures that are converted into museums and one that is still used as apartments with places you can visit inside.
Gorgeous Montjuic on the hill
The large hill dominating the city at Montjuic commands impressive views of Barcelona from above and hosts some of the most magnificent museums and gardens in the area. It is worth spending even a whole day if you love views, Mediterranean gardens and really wonderful Barcelona inspired museums worth visiting in the area and even at night time, the fantastic water ballet dances at the Magic fountain is just that truly magical. You’ll also find some inspiring panoramic views of Barcelona to enjoy at the Montjuic hill.
Montjuic Castel
Right at the top of Montjuic sits the historic Castel that is wonderful to explore and enjoy the amazing views of the city from above. Built in the 17th century as a military fortress, it later served as a prison, military base and now is a living museum for the public to explore and check out the collections and displays inside.
The Magic Fountain at Montjuic
The night comes alive at the Magic Fountain where you can view the fountains from above at the National Museum of Art of Catalunya MNAC or on the lower levels. It is a fantastic and free show that really captures the essence of the park and city and fun to do at night time. Come early to the viewing areas so you can enjoy sunset from above and the first night show that happens daily.
Gothic Quarter of Barcelona
The historic district or Gothic Quarter of Barcelona has all the impressive plaza’s, cathedral and significant Roman and Medieval architecture that is fun to walk through and see what ancient Barcelona was really like in the historic parts of the original city. It’s fun to explore the famous squares of Placa Reial and Placa San Jaume and then wander through the picturesque streets in the historic district near the Ramblas.
Explore the highlights visiting the Gothic quarter here.
The Cathedral of Barcelona
Sitting majestically in the historic district, the cathedral is imposing, dark and filled with menacing gargolyes and a beautiful little cloister to walk around. It is an impressive structure built during the 13th century and receive updates and more impressive detail work in the early 19th century. and creating more of a Neo Gothic appearrence than the Gothic architecture that it was created as originally.
Palau de la Musica Catalana
Close to the Gothic Quarter, the Palau de la Musica is one of the most stunning concert halls of Europe and is worth visiting inside and out. Designed by Lluis Domenech I Montaner, who was one of the founders of the Catalan Modernism period. Construction begain in 1905 to 1908 and this magnificen hall is declared as a World Heritage Site.
Check out the details and a visit to Palau de la Musica Catalana here.
Mercat de La Boqueria
La Boqueria is the famous outdoor public market of Barcelona and is truly a beautiful market with beautifully presented produce, prepared foods and finished products and even some delicious local cafes that you can stop and try some of the local tapas and favorite local foods of the area. A fun place to explore, take some lovely photographs and be amazed with the quality and gorgeous displays of how Barcelona food and products should be seen and why eating is a favorite pastime in the city.
Las Ramblas
Barcelona’s most famous street is a wide boulevard with a walking promenade in the center of the boulevard that hosts daily markets, street art and performances and exploring the shops and other venues that line this large thoroughfare that cuts through the biggests sections of the city to keep exploring.
Museums of Barcelona
Barcelona has some of the most dynamic and impressive museums to visit around the city covering the gamut of local Catalan art, historic treasures and collections and even living museums to famous buildings to explore. Some of the most popular to visit in the city includes the following below.
Picasso Museum
The museum has arranged all of Picasso’s impressive works into time periods of when he painted and presented his work in chronological order so that you can also follow the time frame and inspiration to his thinking and the periods of his work and development
National Museum of Art of Catalunya MNAC
This impressive regional art museum sits at the top of Montjuic and commands impressive views from above and down into the city. Hosting all of the most impressive artist, sculptors and other arts inspired collections from the Catalan regions, this is a wonderful museum to get acquainted and absorb the major influences of regional art in the area.
Miro Museum
Also located in the Montjuic area, Miro Museum is a delight, light and color inspiration and Miro’s large graphic works, paintings, sculptures, taspestry and even his early drawings to explore and enjoy at this beautiful museum.
MACBA: Museu d’Art Contemporani de Barcelona
The Modern art museum is a beautiful art space that is designed by American architect Richard Meier and hosts some of the most impressive modern art collections of the 20 to 21st century along with fantastic rotating art shows to enjoy when you visit the museum.
Sant Pau Hospital
Another stunning architecture and a Unesco World Heritage site on it’s own, the Sant Pau Hospital is unique and also built by master architect, Domènech i Montaner. The Sant Pau Hospital opened in the 1930s as an impressive structure to serve Barcelona citizens and was a fully functioning hospital until 2009 when a new structure was constructed to replace it. The building used today as as a cultural centre and museum that is open for the public to visit.
Historic public areas and gardens of Barcelona
Along with all the plazas and walking promenades of Barcelona to explore, the gardens and other public areas of the city are also fun to explore and take a nice rest to enjoy the quiet moments views and places where locals love to hang out in the city. Check out the best of these public spaces below.
Mossen I Llobera garden at Montjuic
Enjoy this desert and cactus garden on Montjuic with spectacular views of the city and coastline from above. This hidden garden is a true oasis away from the public to enjoy the outdoor arid gardens here.
The areas around Montjuic are filled with lovely botanical gardens and other wonderful hidden spots to explore and have some green oasis from this busy and conjested city. Check out the views and lovely gardens here.
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Conclusion to Barcelona Attractions
There are so many fabulous places to visit around this amazing city and all the Barcelona attractions here will delight you in all the places that you visit. Enjoy your visit to the city and hope that these Barcelona attractions inspired you to visit all of these wonderful places to visit around the city.
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