Barcelona is arguably the best city in Spain. It is overflowing with culture, history, architecture, and more. When you visit, you will want to do and see everything on this ultimate Barcelona bucket list!
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La Sagrada Familia
La Sagrada Familia is one of Barcelona’s most famous landmarks. It is a basilica designed by Antoni Gaudi, a Spanish Architect. The church has been under construction since 1882 and it is not set to be done until 2026.
While it is still under construction, the inside is open to the public. Tickets have a timed entry and sell out fast, so buy them in advance. The inside is gorgeous and the stained glass is unbelievable.
Park Guell
Park Guell is my favorite place in Barcelona! It is another place designed by Gaudi.
The overlook area with the classic Gaudi benches has timed entry, so plan ahead. Since the park is on a hill, some of the best pictures overlooking the city are taken here.
If you were a Disney fan in 2006, you may recognize Park Guell from the Cheetah Girls 2. Check out one of the music videos!
Parc de Montjuic
Montjuic is a hill located south of the city. It is easy to get to and is home to many popular attractions including a castle, cable cars, the olympic stadium, and more.
Montjuic means “Jewish Mountain”, and got its name because it used to be home to Barcelona’s Jewish population.
Montjuic Castle
This castle was built in 1640 as a military fortress. It lies at the very top of the hill overlooking the whole city and the Mediterranian Sea.
The castle used to have a moat surrounding it which has been turned into a beautiful garden. On the inside, the walkways and the walls are pretty basic. However, if you walk along the outside walls of the fortress, the views are unbeatable.
Teleferic de Montjuic
The cable cars are the easiest and most fun way to get up to the castle. While it does cost up to 13.90 Euro for a two-way, adult ticket, it is a unique experience and easier than walking. Similar to the castle, the cable cars offer views from all sides of the city and the sea.
Anella Olimpica
On Montjuic just west of the castle, is the Olympic Area from the 1992 Games. This was the center of all the action during the Games.
Located here are the stadium, swimming pools, a museum, and much more. Additionally, an amazing tower meant to represent the body of an athlete.
Estadi Olimpic
The Olympic Stadium was home to many events during the 1992 Olympics. The stadium was originally built in 1927 for the International Expo two years later.
Entry to the stadium is free, but when there are no events happening, there is not much to see. However, if you are in the area, it is worth popping in to see, especially if you are a fan of the olympics. Be sure to check out the torch to your left above the seats.
Olympic & Sports Museum
Next to the stadium is the Olympic Museum. The museum opened in 2007 as a homage to Olympic and sports history. Similar to the stadium, the museum is interesting if you are a sports or olympic fan, and there are a lot of interactive exhibits. If you have extra time in the city, add this area to your list, but if you have limited time, there are likely better things for you to see.
Museu Nacional d’Art de Catalunya
The National Art Museum of Catalonia is located near the bottom of Montjuic. The Italian-style building is absolutely gorgeous, dating back to 1929. The most popular works of art here are church paintings and Catalan art.
The Magic Fountain
One of the most magical attractions in Barcelona is The Magic Fountain. Most weekend nights, there is a light show at the fountain in front of the MNAC. The fountain lights up and the water sprays up to music. A lot of people go to the show every night. Beware of pickpockets in the crowd, and get there early if you want to be close. Enjoy the show!
Parc de la Ciutadella
The largest green space in the city, Ciutadella Park, is home to the Barcelona Zoo, the Catalunya Parliament building, a lake and much more.
At the lake, you can rent boats to row. There are a lot of ducks around as well and the green spaces are great for a picnic. In addition to the zoo, the Museum of Natural History is located in the park.
Cascada Monumental
The Cascada Fountain is located in the corner of the park. It is modeled slightly modeled after the Trevi Fountain in Rome. Antoni Gaudi, Barcelona’s famous architect, designed some of the inner water elements of the fountain.
Arc de Triomf
Similar looking to the Arc de Triomphe in Paris, Barcelona’s Arc de Triomf is located next to Ciutadella Park. It was built to represent the gateway to the Universal Exhibition in 1888.
It is hard to miss since it is huge, and definitely worth a visit when you visit the park.
Playa de la Barceloneta
Barcelona has beautiful beaches. The most popular is in the Barceloneta neighborhood. The beach gets very busy in the summer, but it is long, so you will have no problem finding space in the sand. There are a lot of restaurants located along the beach and some night clubs as well.
Barcelona Cathedral
Like any cathedral in Spain, Barcelona’s is beautiful. It was built in 1339 and is located in a plaza in the center of the city. The inside has the typical alter and pews, as well as a garden with geese and a gift shop.
In addition to the general admission, you can pay extra for a terrace visit. The terrace has a 360 degree view of the city and is perfect for watching the sunset. Tickets for the terrace are only available on certain days (Monday & Fridays) and are limited, so buy in advance.
La Rambla
Starting at the Plaza de Catalunya and going all the way to the port is the famous La Rambla. The pedestrian street is a long stretch full of shops, restaurants, a market, and much more. This is a great place to wander if you want to get a feel for the culture and a great way to walk between other attractions.
Plaza de Cataluna
Catalonia Square is located in the center of the city near La Rambla. There are beautiful fountains and statues here, as well as lots of people out and about. This is a great meeting point since it is close to some major attractions. I walked through here many times going to and from other places in the city.
Mercat de la Boqueria
Located just off of La Rambla, The Boqueria Market is Barcelona’s most famous market. You can find everything from fruits and vegetables to fish and meat, to ready to eat snacks and meals. This is a great place to find fresh, authentic, Spanish food. Even if you do not want to purchase anything, walk around (entry is free) to experience one of the best parts of Spanish culture.
Camp Nou
FUTBOL! Football aka Soccer is huge everywhere in Europe, especially in Spain. At Camp Nou, FC Barcelona plays their season from September to May. Even if you visit outside of the season, there is a great museum and a tour you can take. It includes a history of the team, trophies, and great photo spots next to the field.
El Born Neighborhood
The El Born Neighborhood is a great neighborhood for walking, shopping and eating. Located in this neighborhood is a cultural center, a beautiful basilica, and an extremely popular art museum.
In the center of the neighborhood is the large, wide-open street where the Cheetah Girls “strut”-ed, in the Disney sequel. Check out this beautiful street in the video here.
Museu Picasso
The Picasso Museum is one of the most popular places in Barcelona. It showcases one of the largest collections of Spanish artist Pablo Picasso’s work. Since it is one of the most popular places in the city, tickets sell out fast. There are certain days where admission is free and the line wraps around multiple streets outside. Be sure to plan ahead and arrive early if you do not buy tickets in advance.
El Born Centre de Cultura
Located in the El Born Neighborhood, The Cultural Center was built in 2013 to show off history from the Eighteenth Century. There are remains inside the building that are from around 1714.
If you are in the area, take a walk inside since entry to the main area and the archaeological site is free. There are guided tours available for a few Euros and entry to the exhibition halls costs a few Euros as well.
Disfrutar!
Enjoy! Barcelona is absolutely beautiful, and you will love it. This Ultimate Barcelona Bucket List is a great start to your trip!
Want more information on Spain? Here is what to do in Seville! Or, want to learn how to save money on your next trip? Read my article here!
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