With no doubt, Barcelona is the center of Catalan culture. World famous attractions (including the masterpieces of Gaudi), an impressive Gothic architecture, trendy neighborhoods, a buzzing nightlife, beautiful beaches, and a tasty local cuisine, will satisfy the needs of every traveler visiting Barcelona.
What to do in Barcelona?
Go Gaudi
One of Barcelona's top activities is admiring the works of Antoni Gaudí. Examples of Gaudi's “Modernista Architecture” can be found all over Barcelona. Gaudí's most famous creations are, however, the impressive La Sagrada Família church, and Park Güell, an astonishing space that seems to come out of a fairy tale with brightly colored mosaic twisted columns, animals, and a super long park bench, installed on a sunny terrace overlooking the park.
Don't miss the opportunity to see as well lesser-known Gaudí buildings such as Palau Güell, Casa Batlló, and Casa Vicens.
Climb Montjuïc mountain
Montjuïc is a prominent hill overlooking the harbor of Barcelona that played a strategic role in defending the city. Today Montjuïc is a cultural center for the town and a perfect place for a relaxing stroll immersed in a beautiful surrounding with spectacular panoramas. Art lovers can visit three major art galleries at the top of the mountain: the Museu Nacional d’Art de Catalunya (MNAC), CaixaForum, and the Fundació Joan Miró.
If art is not your thing, you can check out the Olympic ring and stadium (built for the Olympic Games in 1992), the military fortress of Castell de Montjuïc, and the Jardi Botanic (botanical garden). You can reach the Montjuïc walking up through the gardens on the hill, proving spectacular views all around, or take it easier using the Montjuïc Funicular or the Port Cable Car that leave from downtown.
Visit the Gothic quarter
Walk through the maze of cobblestoned streets, alleys and quiet squares of the old Gothic Quarter (Barri Gòtic). This area is the center of the ancient city of Barcelona where you can find remains of Barcelona’s Roman settlement and many medieval buildings including the old Jewish quarter. In the heart of the Gothic quarter stands the Gothic ‘Catedral de Barcelona’; don’t miss out its magnificent domed ceilings which are especially impressive at dusk. Apart from its beautiful architecture, the Gothic Quarter is also the ideal place to chill out in one of the lively bars, dine or have a look at its cute little shops.
Explore the off-beaten El Raval
El Raval, once a rough red-light district, is today a vibrant place home to trendy bars, and restaurants, and vintage stores. It offers an exciting nightlife and some of the city’s best cultural programs in Barcelona’s Contemporary Cultural Center.
Discover Barcelona’s food markets
Barcelona’s most prominent food market is called La Boqueria. Since 1217 there has been a market on this place, and today many locals and restaurateurs buy here their fresh food like fruit and vegetables, cheeses, seafood, fresh and cured meats, and bread. It’s a perfect place to collect some delicacies for a picnic or to have a quick lunch in one of the tapas bars that are spread around.
Not far away lies the Mercado de Santa Caterina, known for its roof with about 325,000 mosaics, that can be even admired from Barcelona’s Cathedral. In 2005, the covered market was refurbished entirely giving space to stalls, eateries, and some top-quality restaurants serving, of course, the freshest food from the market.
Hop to Barcelona’s beaches
Barcelona has - within easy reach of the city - some fantastic sandy beaches where you can spread out your towel after a busy day of sightseeing. From the closest and most crowded Barceloneta to the quieter Icària or Mar Bella. Each of them has a selection of beach bars (“chiringuitos”) for a refreshment or something to eat.
Taste some tapas and pintxos
Pintxos are Basque tapas - plates of bite-sized food served atop a piece of bread - and are a culinary trend in Barcelona. If you crave for tapas, your options are endless. Everywhere in town, you find tapas bars, from traditional to new style cuisine, where you can try these tasty bites with a good glass of wine.
August is usually the hottest month to visit Barcelona with almost 84 °F ( 30 °C) high temperature average. Read more about the
climate of Barcelona >