The Sights & Attractions of Barcelona
Full of arts, architecture, culture and passion – be inspired by the things to see and do in Barcelona!
From the Olympic mountain of Montjuic to the bustling Ramblas in the centre to the beaches of Barceloneta and beyond, every neighborhood has got its unique charm and identity.
Explore the incredible diversity of Barcelona from the narrow lanes of the Gothic Quarter to UNESCO World Heritage architecture in Eixample to the typically Catalan atmosphere of Gracia.
Architecture
Sagrada Familia
The roman-catholic basilica of Sagrada Familia is considered the master-piece of Antoní Gaudí and the most famous landmark of Barcelona.
Park Güell
Parc Güell is situated on the slopes of the mountain range of Sierra de Collserola and it was constructed between 1900 and 1914 by architect Antoni Gaudí.
Casa Batlló
Casa Battló at Passeig de Gracia No. 43 by many is considered as the most beautiful building that Antoni Gaudi has designed in Barcelona.
Casa Mila (La Pedrera)
Casa Mila in Barcelona is commonly known as La Pedrera – the quarry. It has been constructed under the supervision of architect Antoni Gaudi until 1912.
Palau Güell
Palau Güell (the Guell Palace) was constructed by Antoni Gaudí between 1885 and 1890. It was the home of the Güell family who funded many works of Gaudí.
Casa Vicens
Casa Vicens in Carrer de les Carolines 24 in Barcelona’s district of Gracia is considered Antoni Gaudí’s earliest important work.
Crypt in Colonia Güell
Colonia Güell is situated in the village of Santa Coloma de Cervelló. The crypt by Antonio Gaudi became a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2005.
Torre Agbar
Torre Agbar marks the entrance to the business district of Barcelona@22. The round building with its luminescent facade is the icon of modern Barcelona.
Arts
Picasso Museum
The Picasso Museum in the El Born district shows some of Pablo Picasso’s most important works alongside his time living in Barcelona.
Fundacio Miró Museum
The Fundacio Miró Museum in Barcelona has been established by Joan Miró himself in 1972 when he donated a large part of his own works to the foundation.
Museu Nacional d’Art de Catalunya (MNAC)
The Museu Nacional d’Art de Catalunya (MNAC) in Barcelona’s Palau Nacional offers you a journey through 1000 years of Catalan art.
Theatre Museum of Salvador Dali
Opened in 1974 by Salvador Dalí himself, the museum in the former theatre of Figueres is considered the largest collection of surrealist art in the world.
Sports
Anella Olimpica – the Olympic Ring
Barcelona’s Anella Olimpica (the Olympic Ring) has been constructed for the 1992 Olympic Games on Montjuic around the Estadi Lluis Companys.
Camp Nou Stadium
Camp Nou Stadium is the home ground of FC Barcelona. With a capacity of 98,787 it today is the largest football stadium in Europe.
Historic
Gothic Cathedral
Barcelona’s gothic cathedral La Seu is situated in the Gothic district (Barri Gotic) at the hill where the Roman’s once founded their colony of Barcino.
Montjuic Mountain
Montjuic, the Olympic mountain of Barcelona, is situated like an island 173 metres above the historic centre and the port.
Poble Espanyol
Poble Espanyol (the Spanish village) has been constructed for the 1929 World Exhibition after plans from modernista architect Josep Puig i Cadafalch.
Montjuic Castle
The castle on Montjuic dates back from 1640. It has been constructed in this excellent strategical position overlooking the harbor and the city.
Tibidabo Mountain
Tibidabo is with 512 meters the highest mountain in the Sierra de Collserola range which separates Barcelona’s narrow coastal stretch from its hinterland.
Tibidabo Cathedral del Sagrat Cor
The neogothic Tibidabo Cathedral looks down on Barcelona from the city’s tallest peak, Mount Tibidabo, 500 metres above the sea.
Montserrat Mountain
Montserrat is situated roughly 40 kilometres north-west of Barcelona. Its name was derived from the Catalan term translated as serrated (sawed) mountain.
Sitges
Thanks to its beautiful setting on the rugged coastline of Costa Dorada and for its exploding property prices Sitges has been nicknamed St. Tropez of Spain.
Beaches
Barceloneta Beach
The beach of Barceloneta is the closest to the city centre of Barcelona. Thus it is visited by tourists and locals, particularly as an after-work spot.
Garraf Beach
Garraf is a charming old fishing village nestled upon a hill between the beach and the Parque Natural de Garraf, about 20km south of Barcelona.
Montgat Beach
Montgat beach is 14 kilometers north-east of Barcelona. It is easily reachable by train within 20 minutes from Placa Catalunya.
Sitges Beaches
Besides its picturesque centre, the reason for most day tourists from Barcelona to make the 30km down south are Sitges 15 Beaches and the inviting promenade.
City Districts
Barceloneta
Barceloneta is an old fishermen’s quarter constructed in the 18th century when the fishermen’s housings in El Born had to make way for the citadelle.
Barri Gotic
The oldest district of Barcelona is Barri Gotic, the gothic quarter, which was founded as a Roman colony during the reign of emperor Augustus 2000 years ago.
Eixample
Barcelona’s district of Eixample was built to extend the city in the end of the 19th century. In many buildings you can see the contemporary modernism style.
El Born
The district of El Born or La Ribera has been the commercial centre of Barcelona in the middle ages. Today it is popular for its cafes, bars and boutiques.
El Raval
El Raval is an old district in the historic centre of Barcelona. A huge variety of shopping, bars, cafes and restaurants creates a unique urban experience.
Gracia
Festa Mayor De Gracia Gracia has been an old independent village in the vicinity of Barcelona for many centuries. With the extension of Barcelona, it was incorporated by the city.
Port Olimpic
Created for the 1992 Summer Olympics in Barcelona, Port Olimpic has become one of the most popular leisure districts of Barcelona.
Port Vell
Like many other areas along the beautiful seashore of Barcelona, Port Vell (the old harbour) has been a degenerated area until the 1992 Olympic Games.
Plazas & Boulevards
La Rambla
La Rambla is the most famous street of Barcelona if not the whole of Spain. From the central Placa Catalunya it gently descends down to the old harbour.
Passeig de Gracia
Passeig de Gracia is Barcelona’s most glamorous avenue. In the district of Eixample it connects the historic centre with the once independent town of Gracia.
Placa Reial
Placa Reial is the royal plaza of Barcelona. By many, neo-classical Placa Reial is considered the most beautiful plaza of Barcelona.
Placa Espanya
Plaça Espanya is the site for gatherings with a Spanish cause in Barcelona. Here 300.000 people celebrated the Spanish victory in the 2010 FIFA world cup.
Placa del Sol
Placa del Sol is one of the loveliest plazas in Barcelona. It is the favourite hangout for the locals of Barcelona’s district of Gracia.
Placa Catalunya
Plaça Catalunya is the heart of Barcelona. Here the boulevards of La Rambla and Passeig de Gràcia meet as well as Barca’s supporters after winning a title.
Placa Glories Catalanes
Officially named Plaça de les Glòries Catalanes, it is Barcelona’s largest roundabout and the crossing of Avinguda Diagonal with Gran Via.