Things to do in Barcelona: top sights, neighbourhoods and practical tips

More Barcelona guides

• Barcelona in one dayA one-day route through Barcelona: Sagrada Família, Passeig de Gràcia, Gothic Quarter, El Born and Barceloneta, with times, lunch spots and tips.
• Barcelona in 2 daysA 2-day Barcelona itinerary: day 1 Gaudí and the Eixample, day 2 Park Güell, Montjuïc and the Gothic Quarter. With times, tickets and tips to save time.

Barcelona's must-sees

Barcelona comes in layers: the medieval old town, the Modernista Eixample and Montjuïc. Pick from these and leave time to wander.

1. 1

   Metro L2 / L5 Sagrada Família

   Sagrada Família

   Gaudí's basilica, under construction since 1882, is the city's most visited monument. Buy a timed ticket on the official site: the basic ticket is €26 and includes an audio guide; the towers add €10. Allow 1.5 to 2 hours.

2. 2

   Gràcia · Carmel

   Park Güell

   Gaudí's park with the mosaic lizard plaza and the wavy bench. Entry is timed and online-only, around €18. Check the official site before you book.

3. 3

   Passeig de Gràcia

   Casa Batlló and Casa Milà (La Pedrera)

   Two Modernista jewels a ten-minute walk apart. Casa Batlló is open daily until 22:30. For both, the facades can be seen free from the street.

4. 4

   Ciutat Vella

   Gothic Quarter and Cathedral

   Medieval lanes, Plaça Sant Jaume and Barcelona Cathedral. Getting lost here is part of the visit. Wear comfortable shoes.

5. 5

   El Born

   Picasso Museum and El Born

   Picasso's early collection in medieval palaces on Carrer Montcada. Closed Mondays; free slots exist with booking.

6. 6

   Ciutat Vella

   La Boqueria, La Rambla and Barceloneta

   The La Boqueria market (closed Sundays), La Rambla promenade and the Barceloneta beaches to end the day.

Neighbourhoods to explore

• Gràcia: squares with terraces, small shops and a village feel.
• El Born: vermouth bars, design shops and the Picasso Museum.
• Eixample: Modernista grid with the Modernisme Route and Passeig de Gràcia.
• Barceloneta: tapas by the sea and the seafront promenade.
• Poble-sec and Montjuïc: pintxos bars on Carrer Blai and the museum hill.

Museums and art beyond Gaudí

The MNAC on Montjuïc holds the world's finest collection of Romanesque art. The Fundació Joan Miró and the CCCB complete the modern-art offer. To identify a Modernista facade, a sculpture or a painting, point the AnyArt camera at it and hear its story without hunting for the label.

Tickets, transport and when to go

• Buy Sagrada Família and Park Güell only on official sites and with a time slot: they sell out days ahead.
• The centre is walkable; use the metro for Sagrada Família, Park Güell or Montjuïc.
• Watch for pickpockets on La Rambla, in the metro and at tourist hotspots.
• Avoid Mondays for museums: many close.
• In summer, do outdoor sights early or at sunset.