14 Best Tourist Attractions Destination in Barcelona
The vibrant capital of
Catalonia, Barcelona is a beautiful seaside town that flaunts its beauty and
sunny lifestyle. Magnificent scenery, breathtaking architecture and fantastic
cultural attractions make it an attractive destination. The balmy Mediterranean
climate, of course, adds to the charm. Barcelona has an atmospheric medieval
neighborhood, the Barri Gòtic, with an almost magical old-world atmosphere, but
its modernist architecture makes it even more famous. Antoni Gaudí and his
avant-garde Surrealist buildings left a lasting mark on Barcelona; several are
listed as UNESCO.
Tourists will want to
simply relax and soak up the joyful vibe of the city after all the sightseeing.
Walk down La Rambla, hanging from the locals. Escape to the sandy beaches close
to the harbor and linger on the outdoor terraces for leisurely meals. Wander
aimlessly and find hidden squares of the city where street musicians strum on
Spanish guitars with melodies. At every turn, pleasant surprises abound. Find
the best places to visit with our list of Barcelona's top attractions.
01. Basilica de la
Sagrada Famili
One of the most
unconventional churches in Europe, the most famous sight in Barcelona is this
spectacular basilica. The Basilica de la Sagrada Familia, listed by UNESCO, is
located in the northern part of the city, dominating its surroundings with 18
spindly towers that rise above all other monuments. Also known in Spanish by
its official name is the Basilica of the Sacred Family: Temple Expiatori de la
Sagrada Família.
Antoni Gaudí was
commissioned as a neo-Gothic church in 1883 to design this basilica. But he
created a signature example of his famous surreal Art Nouveau architecture
instead of following the plans. He had no firm ideas in mind, preferring to
change and add as work progressed to the plans. Although Gaudí had originally
predicted between 10 and 15 years, the church has never been completed. As a
result, the main work of the most important modern-day Catalan architect
remains only a shell, and no one knows if it will ever be completed or when.
Visitors are first
struck by the lavish exterior with its expressive façade of the Nativity
depicting Jesus ' birth, and the evocative façade of the Passion illustrating
Jesus ' suffering, death, and resurrection. Equally amazing, the interior is a
90 meter long, 60 meter high, huge space. With opulent decorative details, the
ceiling shines, and colorful stained-glass windows allow ethereal light to flow
in.
The apse features an
unusual lantern - rendered Crucifix as a canopy. Jaw - dropping is the overall
effect. The essence of his architectural masterpiece was best captured by Gaudí
when he described it as "a work in the hands of God and the will of
people."
02. Barri Gòtic
(Gothic Quarter)
The Gothic Quarter has
been the city's spiritual and secular center for 2,000 years. Relics of ancient
Roman buildings are still to be found here, but the historical monuments packed
into this quarter best represent the Middle Ages. The medieval cathedral stands
on Monte Tabor, the highest point in the city center, a masterpiece of Gothic
architecture. The Gothic Quarter is where, after his first trip to the New
World, Christopher Columbus was received by the Catholic Monarchs, and since
the 14th and 15th centuries, the city authorities have had their seat here.
Walk through this
beautiful labyrinth of narrow paved streets and atmospheric alleys to discover
this traffic-free magical medieval world. Discover picturesque, quiet squares
inspired by the sounds of chatting and laughing people, or classic Spanish
guitar strumming. Children often play a soccer pickup game in the Gothic
Quarter's hidden corners, and small cafes with sidewalk terraces are located in
their courtyards. See the Picasso Museum and Plaça del Rei in the Gothic
Quarter, a square where sometimes there are outdoor concerts, along with its
inviting little boutiques and restaurants.
03. Casa Mila (La
Pedrera)
The UNESCO-listed Casa
Milà is the most famous secular building of Antoni Gaudí, located in the
Eixample district off the elegant boulevard of Passeig de Gràcia. Also
affectionately known as "La Pedrera," Casa Mila translates into
"The Stone Quarry" because the building looks like an open quarry.
This flamboyant avant-garde dwelling was built between 1906 and 1912 and looks
more like a sculpture than a functional building. With rounded windows and
metal balcony railings twining around in plant-like shapes, each line of the
natural stone façade is curved. In addition to the decorative chimneys, even
the roof has an undulating shape.
The building's entrance
is on Carrer de Provença, through a remarkable wrought-iron gate leading to an
inner courtyard. Ribbed arches designed for load-bearing purposes support the
building, a feature that reveals Gaudí's genius as a structural engineer. For a
closer look at the strangely shaped mosaic-adorned chimneys, visitors can walk
around the roof terrace. The roof area also rewards visitors with sensational
city views, with the view extending in the distance to the Basilica de Sagrada
Família.
Casa Mila houses the
cultural center of the Fundació Catalunya, which organizes events all year
round. The monument is open daily for visits to the public and there are audio
guides available. A welcome stop for tourists, in a venue worthy of the venue,
the Cafè La Pedrera offers a relaxing place for a snack.
04. La Rambla:
Barcelona's Social Hub
La Rambla, a wide,
tree-shaded avenue that divides the Old Town into two parts, is the heart of
Barcelona's social life. La Rambla extends all the way down to the port from
the Plaça de Catalunya, where the beautiful Romanesque Santa Anna Convent of
the 12th century stands. With expansive pedestrian sidewalks, this wide street
is lined with shops, restaurants, and outdoor cafés, making it one of the
city's most popular hangouts.
During the day, many
locals are found doing their daily shopping at the Mercat de la Boqueria and at
night, groups of friends and families take their evening walk on La Rambla to
enjoy the fresh air and lively atmosphere. Depending on the day, spectators may
be treated to live music, a mime show or other impromptu street performances.
La Rambla borders the
Barri Gòtic on its northeast side, and the Plaça Reial is halfway down the
avenue, a beautiful palm-fringed square surrounded by historic houses. These
elegant buildings have shops, cafes and restaurants filled with arcades. The
Three Graces Fountain with a candelabra designed by Antoni Gaudí is at the
center.
The Palau Güell, a
ostentatious mansion designed by Antoni Gaudí in 1886, is another important
monument on La Rambla (number 3-5). The owner, Eusebi Güell, was a great arts
patron and the building was built with a large dome hall for poetry readings
and private concerts. The entire building reflects the tremendous wealth of
Güell, created by Gaudí with sumptuous decoration, valuable textiles, and
handmade furniture.
05. Palau de la
Música Catalana (Palace of Catalan Music)
The Palau de la Música
Catalana, built between 1905 and 1908 as a concert hall for Orfeó Català, was
designed in the Catalan Modernista style by the architect Lluís Domènech I
Montaner. But while the building is characterized by curving lines and colorful
palette of the style, unlike the works of Gaudi, this design places function
ahead of shape. Although the interior decoration is as colorful and fanciful as
the outside, choral and other musical performances are dedicated to its shape
and decoration.
The Palau's concert
hall, which seats about 2,200 people, is Europe's only auditorium that is fully
illuminated by natural light during daylight hours. The walls on two sides
consist mainly of stained-glass panels set in magnificent arches, and overhead
is a huge stained-glass skylight designed by Antoni Rigalt whose centerpiece is
an inverted dome in gold shades surrounded by blue suggesting the sun and sky.
The concert stage is framed by elaborate sculptures.
06. Parc Güell:
Gaudí's Surrealist Park
This splendid surreal
park is a colorful, cheerful and whimsical UNESCO World Heritage Site designed
by Antoni Gaudí. The Park Güell was created between 1900 and 1914 and is
beautifully landscaped with architectural elements in the signature style of
Gaudí. The space is scattered with viaducts, grottoes, a colonnaded hall,
winding staircases and semi-closed conversation seats. In multicolored ceramic
fragments, these creative structures are decorated. A spectacular terrace
overlooks the city and the sea. This area of the city was loved by Gaudí
himself, and his home was here.
Surrounded by a
pleasant garden, the Casa Museu Gaudí occupies the house where Gaudi lived; the
collection displays works of art, mostly decorative objects and furniture,
designed by Gaudí.
07. Casa Batlló
The UNESCO-listed Casa
Batlló is one of Barcelona's most characteristic modernist buildings, yet
another amazing Gaudí creation. The fantastic mansion for textile manufacturer
Josep Batlló I Casanovas was designed as a private residence. This dreamlike
building looks like a castle from a surreal fairy tale with its freely swinging
shapes and ornamental façade.
Most of the design
details are completely different from any precedent in architecture. On the
first floor, the window frame is bordered by swinging shapes that suggest
plants, while others look like cave entrances. Decorative glazed ceramic tiles
add to the flamboyance on the façade in green, blue, and ochre colors. Like
that of Casa Milà, the wave-shaped roof has numerous richly decorated chimneys.
In addition, Gaudí created the interior decorations that can be seen in Güell
Park's Casa Museu Gaudí. The elegant Moments Restaurant, with two Michelin
stars, is just a few steps away at 38 Passeig de Gràcia for those looking for a
superb gourmet meal.
08. Camp Nou
Just as Modernista
buildings for fans of architecture are must-see attractions, Camp Nou is a
must-see for fans of football. FC Barcelona's home, the 99,354-seat stadium is
Europe's largest and the world's second largest. Wait here for a game or take
the exciting tour and visit the museum. Camp Nou was one of Barcelona's
locations for the 1992 Summer Olympics.
09. The Magic
Fountain
One of Barcelona's
favorite things to do at night is to watch Montjuïc's Magic Fountain at the
start of Avinguda Maria Cristina in the neighborhood of Montjuïc. The large Art
Deco fountain, built in 1929, delights all ages with its musical choreographed
light and water shows. It was designed for the International Exhibition in
Montjuïc in 1929 by Carles Buigas. The show lasts an hour or so.
10. Scenic Views
and Art Museums in Montjuïc
This hilltop
neighborhood is on the site of an old Jewish cemetery, which explains its name,
"Mont Juïc," which translates into "Mountain of the Jews."
Standing 213 meters above sea level, the hillside is crowned by a fortress at
its peak and slopes steeply down to the Mediterranean. This city's picturesque
area is known for its beautiful natural park with great views and beautiful
museums. Catalonia's National Art Museum has an exceptional collection of
Catalan art from the 10th to the 20th century, including sculpture, paintings,
drawings, engravings and photography.
Another popular spot to
visit is the Poble Espanyol (Spanish Village). For the World Exhibition of
1929, this charming fabricated village was created. Montjuïc was a venue for
the Summer Olympics in 1992, and tourists can visit the stadium where the
Olympics took place.
11. La Barceloneta
Adjacent to the cruise port,
La Barceloneta neighborhood borders the long, wide Sant Sebastià Beach, where
locals enjoy sunbathing, surfing and socializing in the many seafood
restaurants and tapas facilities overlooking the sea. A long, palm-lined
promenade connects the beach area with yachts-filled marinas. From the Port
Cable Car, which ascends from here to the Montjuïc hilltop, you get a good view
of the marinas and port area.
12. Monestir de
Pedralbes
A wonderful example of
Catalan Gothic architecture, the Monestir de Pedralbes convent lies in a
picturesque little park called the Jardines Reina Elisenda. Native shrubs,
palms, cypresses and shady trees fill this idyllic garden. The convent was
founded by Queen Elisenda de Montcada for the Order of Saint Clare in 1326. The
complex features a beautiful Gothic church, a serene three-story cloister and
peaceful monastery buildings. In the quiet setting, visitors enjoy relaxing and
learning about the life and work of nuns of the 14th century. Another highlight
of a visit is the Monastery Museum, which displays an outstanding collection of
14th century medieval art as well as later created through the 20th century
religious art.
13. Mercat de la
Boqueria
Colorful displays of
fruits and vegetables, sandwiches, glistening candied fruits, savory and sweet
pastries, chocolates, whimsical figures of marzipan, fresh-mixed smoothies,
Spanish almonds, burritos, breads, olive bins, bright pepper strings — la
Boqueria is a riot of colors and aromas. It's also where on a busy morning
you'll meet half of Barcelona as they shop for dinner that night. Go here for
lunch, picnic provisions, a snack, or just enjoy the sensory pleasures and mix
with the locals.
14. Quadrat d'Or
The Quadrat d'Or
(Quadrant of Gold) is an area of the Eixample district renowned for its
Modernist architecture. The Plaça de Catalunya, Avinguda de la Diagonal,
Passeig de Sant Joan and Carrer de Muntaner border this area. In this area,
Antoni Gaudí's work inspired the exceptional avant-garde buildings and built in
the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Passeig de Gràcia is the main road
through it. The neighborhood was marked by different architects, and the result
is a diversity of Modernist style. A true open-air museum, the Quadrat d'Or
offers every step of the way delightful surprises. Visitors will discover
interesting ceramic art details, stained-glass windows, forged ironwork,
decorative reliefs, mosaics, and statues.
Where to Stay in Barcelona for Sightseeing
Many of Barcelona's
attractions are concentrated in the Gothic Quarter's atmospheric, winding
streets and the neighboring district of Eixample, with others more widespread
in different directions. Luckily for tourists, in these neighborhoods there is
a wide choice of hotels in all price ranges; here are some of Barcelona's
highly rated hotels:
·
Luxury Hotels:
Mercer Hotel Barcelona adds a rooftop pool to its superb location in the heart
of the old Gothic Quarter. A short walk away and only a block from La Rambla,
Casa Camper Hotel Barcelona includes breakfast and complimentary snacks all
day. It's all about elegance at El Palace Hotel, in a vintage building at the
edge of the Gothic Quarter, with a rooftop pool, spa, and afternoon tea.
·
Mid-Range Hotels:
Near La Rambla and at the edge of the Gothic Quarter, Yurbban Trafalgar Hotel
also has a rooftop pool and views from top-floor rooms. Another pool tops the
EuroPark Hotel, surrounded by shops and restaurants in smart Eixample, between
the Gothic Quarter and Gaudi's church of La Sagrada Familia. Room Mate Pau, two
blocks from La Rambla alongside the Gothic Quarter, offers well-designed rooms
consistent with Room Mate's chic brand image.
·
Budget Hotels:
Hotel Curious, amid the restaurants and shopping neighborhood just off La
Rambla and near La Boqueria market, is close to the airport bus stop. Many of
the rooms at Hotel Constanza Barcelona, a few blocks north of the Gothic
Quarter, have balconies. Although it's a 30-minute walk to the Gothic Quarter,
Ibis Barcelona Centro is only a few steps from La Sagrada Familia and
surrounded with restaurants, cafés, and shops. The metro station is also
nearby, with connections to all the city's attractions.
Tips and Tours: How to Make the Most of Your Visit to Barcelona
·
Sightseeing Tours:
A flexible way to see all the top sights in Barcelona without the hassle of
navigating your way around the city is the City Sightseeing Barcelona Hop-On
Hop-Off Tour. Relax and tour the city in an open-air double decker bus while
listening to an informative commentary, and hop off at any of the 44 stops to
spend more time at your favorite attractions. The pass is valid for either one
day or two.
The Skip the Line: Best
of Barcelona Tour, including Sagrada Familia, comes with a professional guide
if you're looking for a more intimate small-group tour. See the city's top
sights, walk the Gothic Quarter streets, and save time with special
skip-the-line admission at Gaudi's Sagrada Familia. There are both half-day
tours and full-day tours.
·
Day Trip Tours:
Cultural and historical attractions dot the beautiful countryside around
Barcelona, and an organized day tour is a great way to explore them without
worrying about driving and finding your way. Accompanied by a guide, the
Small-Group Medieval Villages Day Trip takes you in an air-conditioned minivan
through picturesque rural landscapes to see the charming villages of Besalú,
Castellfollit de la Roca, and Rupit, where you can explore historic buildings,
meander down the cobblestone streets, and feast on traditional Catalan cuisine.
If you're a Salvador
Dali fan, on the full-day Salvadore Dali Museum, Figueres and Cadaques
Small-Group Tour, you can visit his birthplace and his beloved sun-soaked Costa
Brava. With an expert English-speaking guide's informative commentary, you'll
learn everything about the famous artist, his life, and works while traveling
in the comfort of an air-conditioned minivan.
Try the Three Countries
in One Day to check out a few more countries on your travel wish list: France,
Andorra, and Spain tour. This full-day guided tour includes a visit to a medieval
Spanish village and Mont-Louis listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site in
France, a walking tour of the capital of Andorra, and the opportunity to go
hiking or shopping. It includes a coffee, a croissant and a drink.
Comments