Barcelona is a cosmopolitan city whose attractions, climate and culture make it one of the most visited destinations in Europe. In this Barcelona travel guide, we talk about what to see and what to do in the city, its best beaches and restaurants and the places you can visit near Barcelona.
What to see and what to do in Barcelona
The list of places to visit and things to do in Barcelona is huge. These are the most popular attractions and sights in the city:
Barcelona and Catalan Modernism
In a trip to Barcelona, you can’t forget about its most emblematic building: the Expiatory Temple of the Holy Family or Sagrada Familia, which is striking both inside and out. If you want to know well all its details, we recommend you to visit it with a tour guide.
Other designs by the architect Gaudí that are true masterpieces are Park Güell, Casa Batlló and La Pedrera. Moreover, other Modernist buildings that we can see in Barcelona are Hospital de la Santa Creu i Sant Pau and Palau de la Música (Música Palace), both by Lluís Domènech I Montaner, and also Casa Amatller and Casa de les Punxes.
A large number of these Modernist buildings, such as Casa Batlló or La Pedrera, are located in Passeig de Gràcia, the most luxurious street in Barcelona.
Gothic Quarter
Focusing on the old city of Barcelona, it’s a must to take a walk through the Gothic Quarter. In it outstand the Santa Cruz and Santa Eulalia Cathedral, Pont del Bisbe, Plaça Sant Jaume and Plaça Reial.
Also, a popular and romantic place to visit in the Gothic Quarter in Barcelona is the mural The world begins with every kiss, a photomosaic made up of 4.000 photos that show two lips kissing.
Las Ramblas
Las Ramblas is one of the most crowded and touristic streets in Barcelona. In addition to strolling along it until you reach to Plaça Catalunya, we recommend you to visit La Boqueria Market, where you can buy fresh and typical products.
Apart from all the places mentioned above, other sights to visit in Barcelona are:
- Basílica de Santa María del Mar and El Born quarter
- Montjüc, its Magical Fountain and Poble Espanyol
- Bunkers of Carmel for a beautiful view of the city
- Tibidabo, an amusement park ideal for going with children
Best beaches in Barcelona
If during your visit to Barcelona you want to swim in the sea and sunbathe, these are some of the best beaches inside the city and near Barcelona:
City beaches in Barcelona
The most popular city beach in Barcelona is Barceloneta, that is 578 meter long and it’s near the Gothic Quarter. With an extension of 660 m, one of the biggest is the beach of San Sebastià. Also, inside Ciutat Vella district, we find the beaches of Sant Miquel and Somorrostro.
If you are looking for a quieter beach, we recommend you the beach Nova Icària. Next to the beach of Bogatell, you can also go to Mar Bella beach. This beach was created in 1992 for the Olympic Games in Barcelona.
Best beaches near Barcelona
A good place to go to combine a beautiful town and the beach is Sitges, that is 40 km from Barcelona city. Furthermore, in El Maresme, 55 km from Barcelona, we find Calella, that has several nice beaches.
Even closer, 22 km from the city, it’s the beach of Castelldefels. In addition, just 15 km from the city centre and beside the airport we can go to El Prat beach, that has a nudist zone.
Best places to eat in Barcelona
Barcelona’s gastronomic offer is really varied. These are some of the best restaurants in the city:
Michelin star restaurants
In Barcelona there are several restaurants with one or more Michelin stars. The most awarded, with three Michelin stars, are ABac, by the chef Jordi Cruz, and Lasarte, by Martín Berasategui.
With two Michelin stars, we can taste the suggestions of the restaurants Cocina Hermanos Torres, Cinc Sentits, Disfrutar, Angle, Moments and Enoteca Paco Pérez.
As for one Michelin star restaurants in Barcelona, there are plenty of options, for example Alkimia or Caelis. In this section of the Michelin Guide website you’ll find all the awarded restaurants in Barcelona.
Restaurants with great views
If you want to have dinner with nice views of Barcelona, you can choose the restaurant Òleum, located inside National Art Museum of Catalonia (MNAC). Also, the restaurant Marea Alta is in the 24th floor of the Colon Tower and has a 360º view.
Other nice restaurants in Barcelona
Apart from the ones previously mentioned, other recommended restaurants in Barcelona are:
- La Palmera: located in L’Eixample and specialized in tapas and Mediterranean cooking.
- 1991 per Sagardi: it’s inside the History Museum of Catalonia and it has views to the port.
- Alba Granados: an elegant place in L’Eixample. One of their specialties are scrambled eggs.
- The Green Spot: specialized in vegan food. It is located in Port Vell.
- Sant Antoni Gloriós: a good option to taste tapas. It’s in Sant Antoni neighbourhood.
Barcelona nightlife and clubs
When the night falls, Barcelona stills full of live. If you want to have a drink in the open, you can go to Coctelería Torre Rosa, a charming bar that has a terrasse with centuries-old palms and a nice atmosphere. For a rooftop bar in the city centre, Sky Bar Plaza de Cataluña is a good option.
Other place to take a glass is Bloody Mary Cocktail Lounge, where they prepare signature cocktails and tapas. Furthermore, in Passeig de Gràcia, we find El Boulevard, an elegant cocktail bar and restaurant.
Moreover, speakeasies are very in vogue. One of the most eye-catching and valued is Paradiso, located in El Born and whose entrance is hidden in the fridge of a Pastrami Bar that is also open.
If you want to continue until the end of the night, some of the most recommended nightclubs are Sala Apolo, Opium Barcelona, Otto Zutz, Pacha Barcelona and Sala Razzmatazz.
Destinations near Barcelona
We know that Barcelona is a city with plenty of things to visit, but we can’t forget about its sorroundings. Three interesting places to visit in a day trip are the Montserrat Monastery, Colonia Güell and the Monastery of Sant Cugat.
As for beautiful towns near Barcelona, we can go to Mura, a nice medieval village that is one hour from the city, or to La Garriga, 45 minutes from the city, where Modernism also played an important role. If you prefer seaside towns near Barcelona, some options are Sitges, Vilanova i la Geltrú and Sant Pol de Mar.
Are you looking for a villa rental in Barcelona?
In Home Sweet Home Villas we have several villa rentals in Barcelona province so you can live a unique and exclusive experience near the city.
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