The picture is part of the travel blog 'The Essence of Traveling'. This travel blog features authentic and unique travel content such as compact travel guides and itineraries, travel tips and how-to guides, travel essays, and authentic perspectives about destinations from all around the world. The picture shows an antique globe and someone holding a magnifying glass in front of it. In the background, there is an old leather bag. The picture is part of the Europe travel guides.
The picture is part of the travel blog 'The Essence of Traveling'. This travel blog features authentic and unique travel content such as compact travel guides and itineraries, travel tips and how-to guides, travel essays, and authentic perspectives about destinations from all around the world. The photo is used for the Europe travel guides.
The picture is part of the travel blog 'The Essence of Traveling'. This travel blog features authentic and unique travel content such as compact travel guides and itineraries, travel tips and how-to guides, travel essays, and authentic perspectives about destinations from all around the world. The picture shows an antique map in the background. In the foreground, there is a mobile phone showing the time and a background photo of a cafe. The phone is laying on a notebook and next to it there is a pen. The picture is part of the Europe travel guides.

Barcelona travel guide

Guide me through Barcelona

Barcelona is bursting with life. Ancient Roman city walls and dreamy alleys in the Gothic Quarter whisper stories about its past, while masterpieces of Modernisme add an explosion of color to the city. Being a magnificent seaside metropolis with lovely Mediterranean weather, and boasting a hip beach culture, a fabulous drinking and dining scene and one of Europe’s best nightlife is what gives Barcelona its unique character.

Not yet sure where to travel after Barcelona?

Barcelona Top 5

Admire Sagrada Família

Marvel at Gaudí’s masterpieces

Stroll the Gothic Quarter

Relax at Park Güell

Dive into the city’s fabulous nightlife

Best things to do in Barcelona

The Highlights

Top 5  •  Specials  •  Museums  •  Other Activities  •  Delicacies  •  Travel Tips  •  Transportation  • Day Trips

The picture is part of the travel blog 'The Essence of Traveling'. This travel blog features authentic and unique travel content such as compact travel guides and itineraries, travel tips and how-to guides, travel essays, and authentic perspectives about destinations from all around the world. The photo is used for the Europe travel guides.
There are a plethora of things to see and do in Spain’s vibranat metropolis. One of the great joys of visiting Barcelona is strolling its diverse neighborhoods. 
 
Get lost in the Gothic Quarter and wander through its narrow winding alleys to find ancient Roman walls and medieval buildings. Located inside the Barri Gòtic, Barcelona’s Cathedral is well worth a visit. Climb to the top to enjoy panoramic views of the city.
 
Adjacent to the Gothic Quarter, you will find Las Ramblas – Barcelona’s famous pedestrian street filled with shops, tourist stalls, cafes, and restaurants. Feel its exhilarating energy while strolling the promenade and keep an eye open for the beautiful mosaic by Joan Miró and the Gran Teatre del Liceu, Barcelona’s opera house. Don’t miss visiting the adjacent La Boqueria, a massive, colorful indoor market selling fruit, food, and fresh produce.
 
Wander El Born neighborhood, Barcelona’s trendy and artsy district filled with galleries, tapas bars, vintage boutiques, hip cafes, and restaurants. El Born is home to the Church of Santa Maria del Mar and the Santa Caterina Market with a beautiful roof, both worth a visit. It is also where you’ll find a lot of Barcelona’s famous nightlife.
 
To end your day, see the sun setting over the Mediterranean at Turo de la Rovira Viewpoint and dive into Barcelona’s legendary nightlife. Have a drink, hit a bar, or dance in one of Barcelona’s superb clubs – most of them going strong until the sun comes up!
The picture is part of the travel blog 'The Essence of Traveling'. This travel blog features authentic and unique travel content such as compact travel guides and itineraries, travel tips and how-to guides, travel essays, and authentic perspectives about destinations from all around the world. The photo is used for the Europe travel guides.

Special things to see in Barcelona

The Architecture

Top 5  •  Highlights  •  Museums  •  Other Activities  •  Delicacies  •  Travel Tips  •  Transportation  • Day Trips

Scattered throughout the city, Barcelona’s signature architecture by Gaudí will captivate your heart. Marvel at his famous works on your own or take a tour that specializes in the life of the architect for the full experience.
 
If you only see one thing in Barcelona, it should be the Sagrada Família. Barcelona’s world-famous church is an impressive example of Gaudí’s unique work (book your tickets in advance!).
 
Park Güell, Gaudí’s iconic park filled with colorful mosaics, sculptures and much more to explore is another of Barcelona’s highlights. By all means, see Casa Milà and Casa Batlló from the outside. Tour their inside if you are a great fan of Gaudí’s architecture. 
 
A free alternative to marvel at one of Gaudí’s pieces is to visit his fountain and tribute to the god Neptune, located in the Parc de la Ciutadella.
 
For those who cannot get enough of fabulous architecture and Barcelona’s unique buildings, a visit to the Palau de la Música Catalana and Palau Güell should not be missed. Both palaces have their very own character. The Palace of Music of Catalonia awaits its visitors with lavishly decorated ceilings and colorful artwork, while Güell Palace – another one of Gaudí’s masterpieces – holds a somewhat eerie atmosphere.

Best museums to visit in Barcelona

Museums

Top 5  •  Highlights  •  Specials  •  Other Activities  •  Delicacies  •  Travel Tips  •  Transportation  • Day Trips

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Once home to world-famous artists such as Pablo Picasso and Joan Miró, Barcelona boasts incredible art and fantastic museums. Fans of art will get their money’s worth on the Articket Museums Pass, which offers half-the-price admission to Barcelona’s six greatest Art Museums plus skip-the-lines permission. 
 
Visit the Picasso Museum to marvel at one of the most extensive collections of his works, see artwork by Joan Miró in the Fundació Joan Miró, enjoy contemporary art at the MACBA – Barcelona’s Museum of Contemporary Art – or find changing exhibitions in CaixaForum.
 
Other museums are well worth a visit, such as the Catalan Art Museum, the Barcelona History Museum, or the Maritime Museum.
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More fun activities to do in Barcelona

Other Activities

Top 5  •  Highlights  •  Specials  •  Museums  •  Delicacies  •  Travel Tips  •  Transportation  • Day Trips

Thanks to its location by the sea, Barcelona has several beaches to offer, with Barceloneta Beach being the most popular.
 
A fun way to explore the city differently is to follow the trace of Barcelona’s free public art. Try to spot Gaudí’s lampposts in Plaça Reial and Pla de Palau, the Cascada Fountain in the Parc de la Ciutadella, the Miralles Gateway on Passeig de Manuel Girona, and admire Miró’s mosaic on Las Ramblas and one of his sculptures at Parc de Joan Miró.
 
If you are a soccer fan, tour Barcelona’s stadium and FC Barcelona Museum or try to get a ticket for a soccer match if one is going on. Fun for young and old can be a visit to Barcelona’s old-school Tibidabo amusement park, which conveniently offers great views of the city and coastline.
 
Or ride the cable car that connects Montjuïc Hill with Barceloneta and enjoy spectacular panoramic views of the city. Once on your way to Montjuïc Hill, take your time to explore the area, which is home to the fortress Castell de Montjuïc, a replica of a historic Spanish village, an Olympic stadium, and beautiful gardens.

Best food to try in Barcelona

Local Delicacies

Top 5  •  Highlights  •  Specials  •  Museums  •  Other Activities  •  Travel Tips  •  Transportation  • Day Trips

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In Spain, lunch is generally the biggest meal of the day, and dinner is not served until around 10 pm. It is common to snack on tapas and pintxos – local dishes and delicacies served in mini portions or on small pieces of bread – in bars and restaurants. A great way to sample local cuisine is to order several kinds of tapas and make a meal out of them.
 
Seafood paella is a popular dish in Barcelona, but unfortunately, it is also quite expensive (don’t eat it at tourist hotspots!). For a cheaper treat, try Buñuelos de Bacalao, cod fritters that are sold at food stands and tapas bars all over town. Or indulge in traditional hot chocolate and churros, a treat for those with a sweet tooth.
 
When it comes to Barcelona’s drinking culture, order Cava (sparkling wine) or a Caña (a small size draft beer served ice-cold) to blend in with the locals. If you want to learn more about Spanish food, take a cooking class or join a food tour, there are some great operators in Barcelona offering both.
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Best travel tips for Barcelona

Useful travel tips

Top 5  •  Highlights  •  Specials  •  Museums  •  Other Activities  •  Delicacies  •  Transportation  • Day Trips

The most valuable tip for your trip to Barcelona is to plan your visit and book your tickets in advance. Whenever possible, purchase museum and attraction tickets online, as Barcelona’s tourist attractions are notoriously booked out! Another advantage is for your feet. Barcelona’s sights are spread throughout the city. Knowing where to go and what to visit can save you time and energy.
 
In Barcelona, there are several Free Walking Tours and specialty tours where you can learn more about the city, Spanish culture, or the world-class artists that the Catalan capital is so famous for. Don’t forget to tip your guide at the end.
 
See the city’s free sights to save some travel money. Many museums are open to the public for free on Sundays.
 
There are some additional tips when it comes to food and dining in Barcelona. Keep in mind that Spanish people enjoy their siesta, so many restaurants close around 2-4 pm and don’t open back up until 8 pm. If you are a fan of seafood, have it for lunch, as some restaurants (especially near the beaches) offer lunch specials that are half the price of dinner. Avoid at all costs eating at the restaurants on Las Ramblas, as you are going to overpay for low-quality food. Shop food and fresh produce at the daily markets or La Boquería to save some money.
 
Some practical tips for exploring the Catalan capital are: Watch out for pickpockets (don’t leave valuables on the beach!), find free wifi at every metro stop, and get the Barcelona Card if you plan on doing loads of sightseeing and using public transportation frequently.
The picture is part of the travel blog 'The Essence of Traveling'. This travel blog features authentic and unique travel content such as compact travel guides and itineraries, travel tips and how-to guides, travel essays, and authentic perspectives about destinations from all around the world. The photo is used for the Europe travel guides.

Transportation tips for Barcelona

Transportation

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While walking is the best way to explore the city, using Barcelona’s public transportation system is quite straightforward as well. With over 100 bus routes, 8 subway lines, and trams public transportation takes you anywhere you need. Get the Hola Barcelona Card for unlimited use of public transport (fees are time-based). There is a bus called Express Aerobus or the RENFE train that connects the city to the Airport.

Best Day Trips from Barcelona

Best Day Trips

Top 5  •  Highlights  •  Specials  •  Museums  •  Other Activities  •  Delicacies  •  Travel Tips  •  Transportation

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There are other local gems within easy reach of the Catalan capital. Take a day trip to the Montserrat mountain range, where you can escape the hustle and bustle of the city for a while. Take a hike, visit the local market or see the shrine of the Black Madonna.
 
Visiting Girona makes another unforgettable day trip. Explore the city’s medieval city walls, interesting museums, and charismatic center. For those with more time on their hands, a (day) trip to Costa Brava, Barcelona’s beautiful surrounding region, offers highlights such as the Salvador Dali Museum in Figueres and his house in Cadaques.
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Travel Tips

The Ultimate Travel Packing Checklist

or learn which food to try and souvenirs to buy on your next trip to Europe

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