Barcelona’s Best Places to Visit
The best things to do in Barcelona are as diverse as its population. Art lovers will enjoy the modernist Sagrada Famlia and the modernist Museu Picasso. Art lovers can also enjoy the MUHBA, which includes Roman archaeological sites. For more information, visit the website of the Barcelona Tourism Board. For an in-depth look at the city, read the following guide to learn more about its best places to visit.
Casa Batllo
If you’re looking for an architectural treasure, then Casa de Batllo is the place to go. This UNESCO World Heritage site is one of the city’s most popular tourist and cultural attractions. You can visit the building in person, or purchase a virtual reality tour of the space. In VR you can even bring a pet if you’d like to see the museum without the hassle of cleaning up a pet mess.
La Pedrera
When you’re visiting Barcelona, make sure to include La Pedrera on your itinerary. This building was designed by famed architect Antoni Gaudi and has become a symbol of the city. It is one of two houses designed by Gaudi located on the Passeig de Gracia and was commissioned by wealthy local businessmen and socialites. The building was completed in 1926.
Parc Guell
You will be able to enjoy the park’s natural beauty and enjoy the city’s Mediterranean lifestyle from a vantage point that offers some of the best views of the city. Parc Guell has many attractions, including the Guard’s House, which is a favorite postcard image of Barcelona. The colourful Guard’s House, Barcelona’s skyline, and the Mediterranean Sea in the background combine to represent the city’s culture.
Sagrada Familia
Purchasing tickets online for Sagrada Familia ahead of time is essential if you want to visit the cathedral. You should aim to purchase them at least five days before your visit, but ideally, two months before. As it is quite a popular site, queues can be up to two hours long. Visitors are advised to pack water and sunscreen to avoid being drenched in the sun. If possible, opt for a tour that hosts 5-star local tour guides. Basic tickets, which cover the Basilica and museum, do not include the towers.
Museu Picasso
The Picasso Museum is a popular place to visit in Barcelona. It features the permanent collection of the artist, as well as occasional temporary exhibitions of his work. Although it’s free to enter, the museum can get very crowded at peak times. To avoid this, visit the museum early in the morning or late at night. You can also listen to audio guides while you’re here. The museum is free for children under 18, and adults over 65 can buy skip the line tickets for 12 Euros.
Cervantes Park
The park is a large, open green space with wide paths and a gentle slope that makes it a popular place for walking. The park was once home to the Estela torrent, which collected water from Sant Pere Martir. You can walk up the hill to the park from the Av Diagonal or stroll down from the Ronda de Dalt. Both are worth the effort, however, and both offer beautiful views of Barcelona.
El Born
Aside from its many tourist attractions, the medieval area of El Born is also home to a unique style of samba. A day in El Born is perfect for shopping at designer boutiques, and at night, you can dance to the samba in the area’s cafes and cocktail bars. Other attractions include the Santa Maria del Mar Basilica with ornate stained glass, the Picasso Museum, which showcases the artist’s masterpieces, and the El Born Cultural and Memorial Centre, housed in an old market building.
