Barcelona Must Dos

Here you find a few things that are not to be missed during your stay in Barcelona! To read a little more about a specific topic, just click on the bar! 

1. La Sagrada Família

Work on La Sagrada Família started in 1882 and continues to this day. Indeed, completion is not expected until at least 2026, yet this magnificent building is one of Barcelona’s most iconic landmarks, encapsulating architectural brilliance, culture, religion and faith. La Sagrada Família is Antoni Gaudi's most recognised work and Barcelona's number one visitor attraction.
 
The view from outside is breath-taking as the spires climb up into the sky above you and your eyes traverse the innumerable nooks and crannies of the design, constantly discovering new intricate, hand-sculpted detail. Venturing inside is equally awe-inspiring and gives us the added bonus of being able to visit the museum which explains both the history of the project and contains teachings about Gaudi himself. It is also possible to view a completed, scaled model of the finished article. When you are in Barcelona, visiting La Sagrada Família is a must. 
Our Tip: Pay the extra €2 and take the elevator to the top, the views are simply spectacular.
 
Address:
Mallorca, 401 (08013) Barcelona
T. +34 934 550 247

Opening Times: Monday through Sunday 9am to 8pm.
Metro: Sagrada Família (L5) 

2. Les Rambles

Found right in the heart of central Barcelona you can find Les Rambles, the busiest and most renowned street in Barcelona.  Situated in the Barri Gótic district, this vibrant street stretches over 1 Kilometre from Plaça de Catalunya at the top all the way down to Port Vell and the marina at the bottom. The pedestrianised central boulevard is awash with sights, sounds and smells in an explosion of culture and artistry.

Street performers offer exciting, and sometimes bizarre entertainment which never fails to grab smiles and add to the atmosphere. There are numerous bars, cafés, street vendors and shops to enjoy but it does not stop there. Take a side road off Les Rambles and discover a whole new array of drinking, eating and shopping experiences.  Indeed some of Barcelona’s best retail treasures are tucked away down these narrow streets!  It is important to remember that as with all popular, bustling tourist destinations there are a small minority of people who look to take what does not belong to them. Have your wits about you and keep your valuables safe.

 
Our Tip: No visit to Les Rambles would be complete without paying a visit to La Boqueria, the famous food market which is regarded by chefs, critics and food lovers alike as one of the greatest in the world!
 
Metro: Les Rambles is very easy to get to and is serviced by (L3) with stops at three points down the Street which are: Catalunya, Liceu and Drassanes.

3. Park Güell

Antoni Gaudi steals the show again at number 3 with the beautiful and archetypally original Parc Güell. This is a fantastic place to go if you wish to escape the busy city for a few hours. Constructed to the north of central Barcelona in the Grácia district between 1900 and 1914, the area is now recognised as one of UNESCO’s world heritage sites.

 
Parc Guell is hugely popular among the locals and tourists alike with its winding footpaths, dragon fountains and serpentine benches. The terrace at the top of the park is tiled in stunningly colourful mosaic designs which are delightful on the eye. However, if you can peel yourself away, look up and catch a view of Barcelona which you and your camera will love!
 
Our Tip: Take a picnic with you and enjoy the tranquil atmosphere in the sunshine.
 
Guests with disabilities should be aware that Parc Güell does have some steep and tricky inclines to negotiate, yet it is still possible to enjoy many of the best parts with relative ease. 
 
Metro: (L3) Lesseps

4. F.C Barcelona and the Club Museum

Relive the excitement of the year Barcelona won 6 trophies and discover the monumental wealth of history and tradition at F.C Barcelona! Visit and take a tour of the infamous Camp Nou Stadium and stand at pitch-level to experience a coaches-eye view before you visit the VIP lounge, press area and take a look at over 100 years of success in the club’s dedicated museum.  Over one million visitors are drawn here every year making it the most popular football museum.

The museum itself has recently undergone some improvements and now boasts a modernised environment with interactive multimedia facilities as well as new showcasing of club memorabilia and trophies.  Do not miss the chance to attend one of football’s true spiritual homes during your stay in Barcelona.

Our tip: Get yourself to the museum and have a photo taken whilst holding the 2008-09 Champions League Trophy!

Tickets for non-members cost €18 and include the Camp Nou Tour, the Museum and the new Multimedia zone.
 

C/ Arístides Maillol,
08028 Barcelona, 
902 189 900

The closest Metro stops to The Camp Nou are found on L5 and they are: Badal and Collblanc. Just follow the signs for the stadium.
Opening Times: Monday through Saturday 10am to 8pm

Sundays and Holidays 10am to 2.30pm
(Museum closes 3 hours before kick–off on match days).

5. Passeig de Gràcia

Passeig de Grácia is quite probably Barcelona’s second most popular street behind Les Rambles in terms of popularity yet in terms of exclusivity it is most definitely top of the rankings! Real estate and homes for rent on Passeig de Grácia are up there with the most expensive places to live in all of Spain and you need only look at the local stores and restaurants to get a feel for its residents.

The designer stores and boutiques which line the boulevards scream out style and host some of the most famous fashion labels in the world. Chanel, Yves Saint Laurent, Giorgio Armani, Jimmy Choo, Cartier, Gucci and Bvlgari are just a few of the many ultra-chic outlets Passeig de Gracia plays home for. Do not panic however, if you did not bring that extra debit-card, there are many other high-street brands offering quality and choice for your wardrobe.

With the shopping out of the way you may want to relax in one of the cafés or restaurants nearby and again the choice is diverse and of plenty! It is important however not to forget that Passeig de Grácia is not all retail and hospitality! Two of Antoni Gaudi’s famous buildings Casa Batlló and La Pedera are also found here and both are equally wonderful. They both operate as museums in their own right and are well worth a visit for their stunning aesthetics!

Our Tip: Grab some tapas and sit at a table soaking up the cosmopolitan atmosphere at one of the many patio restaurants as you enjoy a beer and watch the people pass you by. 

Passeig de Gràcia is accessible on foot from Plaça de Catalunya and has its own Metro station called "Passeig de Grácia" which is accessible using L2, L3 and L4.

6. L'Aquàrium de Barcelona

Located in Port Vell, L'Aquàrium de Barcelona is the largest aquarium in Europe and houses some 11,000 creatures spanning across 450 different species. Inside the aquarium is an impressive 80 meter long tunnel where it is possible to get extremely up-close and personal with sharks! Over one million people visit L'Aquarium de Barcelona each year making it one of Barcelona's top attractions. 

Our Tip: Combine your L'Aquàrium de Barcelona visit with a tip to the IMAX cinema which is situated right next door and was actually the first cinema of it's kind ever to be built!

Moll d'Espanya del Port Vell
08039 Barcelona
+34 932 217 474

(Best Accessed via Metro L3 - Stop at Drassanes or L4 -Stop at Barceloneta). 

Opening Times: Monday through Sunday 9.30am to 9pm July and August until 23:00

7. Barcelona Bus Turístic

Barcelona provides a wealth of choice in all it has to offer and the bus tours are no exception. There are numerous companies to choose from and each one is slightly different. If you are in Barcelona for only a short time, a bus tour is most definitely the simplest and most convenient way to see a large part of the city, fast. Most of the tour companies offer a ‘hop-on, hop-off’ service which means you can stop at any point along the tour to take a closer look at an attraction before boarding another bus to continue, as many times as you wish.

Of course you may wish to stay on the bus for the full tour and listen to the guide explain many of the most interesting facts about the areas you are passing through in one go! You will learn about the layout of the city and really get a feel for the diverse nature of each district housed within Barcelona and furthermore, stop at the city’s most interesting and beautiful sights. Getting a seat on open-topped the upper-deck will give you a great view of your surroundings as well as a nice spot in the sun during the summer months! 
 
Our Tip: Be sure to have your camera to hand whilst the bus is in motion in order to capture some great pictures of Barcelona’s streets and boulevards!

8. Tibidabo

Tibidabo is a mountain overlooking the Barcelona, providing a backdrop to its busy skyline and nowhere else can offer such sensational views of the city. With a bird’s eye view you can gaze across the entire cityscape and pick out the landmarks you may have already visited. Tibidabo is home to Temple de Sagrat Cor which translates to ‘The Church of the Sacred Heart’ which you might have spotted from down in the city with its night-time illuminations. The Church also overlooks the Tibidabo Amusement Park which is good for children. To get up to Tibidabo you can use the old Tramia Blau ‘Tram’ which has been in operation since 1901 and then take a ride on the funicular of Tibidabo up to the top!  

Our Tip: Stop off and have a drink at ‘Mirablau’ which is a popular bar opposite the funicular. Get a window seat and admire a cool drink with an even cooler view!

To get to the Tramvia Blau you need to use the L7 Ferrocarrils train which stops at Av. Tibidabo where the Tramvia stop is situated.

9. Montserrat

Montserrat is a mountain in Catalunya situated close to Barcelona. It is the home of a stunning Benedictine monastery and monk retreat which is a mecca for Catholic pilgrims and travellers alike. Montserrat is an absolute must-see for anyone who enjoys breath-taking scenery, history or religion. The Monastery of Montserrat is found at the top of the 4000ft mountain and hosts a wealth of religious significance and beauty. This includes The ‘Basilica’ which is next to the monastery and houses the ‘Black Virgin’ statue known as La Moreneta which depicts the Virgin Mother and baby Jesus.

The Basilica also contains the famous fifty-strong choir ‘Escolanía’ who date back to the 13th Century and can be heard singing at 1pm daily. The Montserrat Monastery is still active and the monks openly invite guests to practice mass and recreation with them. This is truly an experience which offers food for the soul and provides an alternative to the fast-pace of the city and modern life. 

Our Tip: Take the guided tour and learn about all the rich and wonderful religious and cultural importance which Montserrat holds directly from a true expert.

10. Barri Gòtic

The Barri Gòtic or ‘The Gothic Quarter’ is found in the centre of Barcelona to the left of Las Ramblas if you are walking down from Placa de Catalunya. This is a very special part of Barcelona and is very much the ‘roots’ of the city. Despite originating in Roman times and transforming over centuries the Barri Gótic still holds onto its authentic feel and picturesque heritage. It is stark in contrast to the modern areas of the city and its distinctive cobblestoned, narrow winding streets lead you around an array of charming little stores, romantic cafés, chic bars and restaurants

Visitors flock to Barri Gòtic to get a taste of a more traditional and historical Barcelona and it never fails to please. Contained within the compact streets and narrow walkways are some of the main buildings in Barcelona including the town hall ‘Palau de la Generalitat’ and the amazing 13th Century Gothic Cathedral ‘Palau Reial’ which is open to the public. Whilst you are in the Barri Gótic you will experience an atmosphere and style which truly expresses the nature of Barcelona. Historical artistry, finesse and culture. Barri Gótic is also home to Picasso’s Museum and this is probably the biggest attraction in the area with over 3000 of the artists painting’s being showcased. 


The museum is completely wheelchair accessible and there are also wheelchairs available for visitors who may require one. There is a lift for mobility vehicles and wheelchairs alike. 

Our Tip: If you do want to visit the museum, be aware that it is very popular and you should aim to arrive early to avoid long queues throughout the year. 

Museu Picasso Opening Times: Tuesday to Sundays (including holidays): 10 am to 8 pm.
Closed on Mondays (except bank holidays).
Admission Prices: Museum and temporary exhibition ticket  9

Best Accessed by Metro L4 – Stop at Jaume I