Barcelona’s Top 10 Must See Attractions

The intriguing and bustling Barcelona is a thrilling travel destination and among Europe’s best places to visit – without any doubt. The big question to any traveler who can’t afford to stay long enough in order to dig every corner and every shade, is: which are the best attractions one shouldn’t miss out on?

Here are 10 of the best places you should visit – doable, even if you are only there for 3-4 days. 

#1 The Sagrada Família Church

Definitely the top attraction and also the most renowned icon of Barcelona. Gaudí’s masterpiece is a gigantic surreal temple – a representative of organic architecture. Sagrada Familia is a breathtaking work of art.

Take your time and give it at least 2-3 hours to visit, but it’s best going in the morning hours when the crowds are less dense. 

Sagrada_Familia

This file is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0 Unported licence.

#2 “La Pedrera” – the Casa Milà

Another one of Gaudí’s famous works. Locally called “La Pedrera” (meaning “The Quarry”), it is a prominent attraction of the city, found in the beautiful central Gràcia district.

Besides the beautiful interiors, the rooftop constitutes a special attraction. Occasionally concerts or other cultural events are held up there. 

Casa Milà

Casa Milà, better known as La Pedrera. This file is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 2.0 Generic license.

#3 The Casa Battló

Just a short walk away from the Casa Milà, the Casa Battló is another surreal-looking building – the result of Antoni Gaudí’s and Josep Maria Jujol’s work.

Casa Battló is essentially an Art Nouveau apartment block and its interiors are alluring.

Casa Battlo

By Planomenos (Own work) CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

#4 The Casa Vicens

Another Gaudí work of art, found at the Carrer de Less Carolines, not far from the Fontana metro station – on a quiet narrow street where the crowds generally don’t reach.

It is not possible for visitors to enter (unless you’re lucky and someone kind enough invites you in to admire the interiors). The Casa Vicens is a relatively small building, but one of Gaudí’s best works.

Casa Vicens

Scale model: Casa Vicens,Photo by Jordiferrer (Own work) CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

#5 The Güell Park

A surreal green area, a park in northern Barcelona.

A retreat area, but yet another surreal Gaudí hotspot. Filled with peculiar-shaped arches, bridges, houses and a famous terrace. The attractions within the park include a pink Gaudí house museum, the place where the famous architect has lived for about two decades!

Barcelona

This file is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 2.0 Generic license.

#6 The Montjuïc Fortress

A stronghold overlooking Barcelona, established on top of the Montjuïc Mountain is a great place to contemplate the city’s panorama.

There are several ways to reach it – by aerial tramway you can get very close to it, but you may also try the funicular (only that you’ll have to walk a little longer to reach the fortress).

Castell de Montjuic

By Oleg Khalimov (Own work) CC BY-SA 3.0 , via Wikimedia Commons

#7 The Salvador Dalí Museum

A relatively small museum situated a short walk away from the Santa Eulàlia Cathedral.

Contains a number of “crazy” works by the famous surrealist artist. This small museum is definitely a great place to pay a visit. But, if you want to see the best Dalí museum on planet Earth, then you’ll have to travel to the town of Figueres and visit the Dalí Theatre-Museum.

Dali Museum

By Christine Zenino from Chicago, US CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

#8 Joan Miró Museum at Fundació Miró

You shouldn’t leave Joan Miró out of your list – another World-famous Catalan painter, born in Barcelona, actually.

The Miró Foundation has a large museum on the side of the Montjuïc Mountain mentioned earlier. Lots of large paintings by Miró… and there’s a souvenir shop selling various weird little items to remind you of the place.

Joan Miro

By Kippelboy (Own work) CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

#9 The Picasso Museum

Although Picasso was born in Málaga, he spent part of his life in Barcelona, therefore – one shouldn’t be surprised to find a relatively large Picasso Museum in the Gothic Quarter.

Be advised: it sometimes takes 2-3 hours to get to the ticketing office, there are dense crowds. Get there early.

#10 Barri Gòtic and the Barcelona Cathedral

Barcelona has a vast Gothic Quarter and its Santa Eulàlia Cathedral is one of Europe’s most important large Gothic churches. Never leave this part of the city out. Also because this is where you’ll find a profusion of other attractions or, you’ll come across them a short walk away!

The interior atmosphere of the Cathedral will take you off your feet. Besides, you can also take the lift to its rooftop and get a glimpse of Barcelona from above!

Saint Eulalia

Tomb of Saint Eulalia, Cathedral of Barcelona. Photo by Canon in 2D (Flickr.com) CC BY 2.0 , via Wikimedia Commons

Don’t forget about Barcelona’s hidden attractions (some of which are depicted on the EscapeHunter.com site) and prior to your visit you should also learn about the local art-related attractions. After all, Barcelona is a “paradise” for art lovers. Deeper details about Barcelona you’ll find in the Barcelona walkaround guide, based on which this list below was put together…

Check out this blog on What to See in Barcelona: A Stellar 3 Night Itinerary for some night-out ideas in Barcelona.

Written by

Travel blogger and tourism graduate from Bulgaria, working in the field of Digital Marketing and PR for travel brands.

Latest comments
  • Never been to Barcelona yet, like you, but I’ve heard it’s astounding!
    I also know that it’s considered to be the art nouveau centre, but guess what! Riga, Latvia, where I was born, has more buildings in art nouveau than Barcelona! MUA. HA. HA.

    http://www.therussianabroad.com

  • Ohh this post makes me so excited for Barcelona!! I can’t wait to see all these places for myself 🙂

  • We’re headed back to Spain in April, and this was a great primer on all the cool architecture. I didn’t know about the lift and views from the Cathedral — will definitely check that out!

  • Great list and totally agree with it. but i think you missed the magic fountain show which me and my friends enjoyed a lot.

  • I hope to get to Barcelona this spring, so thanks for the great list of attractions. I will definitely bookmark your post.

  • I have lived in Barcelona for almost a decade now, and I found it funny that you included Casa Vicens in this list, since I lived in the street for a while where this house is, and not so many tourists come to see that Gaudi building.

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