20 Interesting Places Worth Visiting in Barcelona

1. Park Güell

It's worth starting to explore the main attractions of Barcelona with Park Güell, not because it's the city's main "business card," but because there is really something to see and where to walk here.

The park is literally filled with creations by the famous architectural genius Antoni Gaudí. Wonders begin right at the entrance, which is adorned with gingerbread houses of whimsical wavy shape, and then there's more: the famous mosaic lizard - the symbol of Barcelona, a columned hall, a long winding bench-parapet - the feeling is such as if everything here is from another planet.

Opening hours of Park Güell:

• From November to February from 10:00 to 18:00;
• March, October - from 10:00 to 19:00;
• April, September - from 10:00 to 20:00;

• May-August - from 10:00 to 21:00.

Schedule of the famous architect's house-museum:

• May-September - from 10:00 to 20:00;
• November-February - from 10:00 to 18:00;

• March-April, October from 10:00 to 19:00.

Park entrance fee:

• €7 when purchased online;
• €8 - at the ticket office.

Museum ticket price:

• €5.50 adult;
• €4.50 child.

How to get there:

You can reach Park Güell by metro (Lesseps or Vallcarca stations).

2. Gothic Quarter

What you absolutely must visit in Barcelona is the labyrinth of narrow ancient streets located between La Rambla boulevard and Laïetana Street - that's where the true spirit of the old city resides!

Not only can you relax in cozy cafes or stroll through the shops here, but it's also a free open-air museum: every building dating back to the XIV-XV centuries is worth attention.

Be sure to find the best squares of the Gothic Quarter - Plaça de Sant Jaume, Plaça Reial, and Plaça del Rei - and, of course, don't forget such popular architectural masterpieces as the Cathedral and the Archbishop's Palace.

And if you want to explore all the hidden corners of the Gothic Quarter and learn about the most interesting city secrets from a local resident, we recommend taking atour "Gothic Quarter - the Heart of Barcelona".

• How to get there:
  The nearest metro stations to the Gothic Quarter are Liceu and Jaume I.

3. Montjuïc Hill

Perhaps all the most interesting sights of Barcelona (well, or most of them) are gathered right here: the best museums in the city (National Art Museum of Catalonia, Joan Miró Foundation, Spanish Village), buildings from the World Exhibition, numerous parks, gardens (including botanical ones, for example, Jardins de Mossen Costa i Llobera), shady paths, and, of course, the eponymous castle and the famous Magic Fountain. A great choice for walks, needless to say! Moreover, the hill offers a very beautiful view of Barcelona.

How to get there:

• The nearest metro station to Montjuïc Hill is Espanya.
• You can climb the hill by bus (№ 50, 55, 61, and 193),

• And for lovers of exoticism, there are cable cars and a funicular.

4. Old Port

Once unattractive, today the Old Port has become one of the most beloved places to stroll in Barcelona. In addition to being perhaps the most popular shopping destination in the city, it is also the starting point for boat tours around the port and docks, and where the funicular to Montjuïc departs.

Be sure to find time to leisurely stroll along the promenade of Moll de la Fusta or Moll d'Espanya, visit the ancient schooner Santa Eulàlia, and of course, don't forget to try the most delicious waffles in Barcelona, which are baked only here.

Santa Eulàlia Schooner Opening Hours:

• The schooner is open for visits daily except Monday, from 12:00 to 19:30,
• On weekends from 10:00.

• The ticket costs €2.50.

Picasso Museum

Undoubtedly, one of the most popular museums in Barcelona. Here you can not only learn about the creative path of the founder of Cubism, Pablo Picasso, but also see his works created in different periods of his career (there are even children's drawings). And rest assured, you won't be bored - the museum houses over 3500 works by the great artist.

You can book a hotel in Barcelona with a discount of up to -65% on the website.

Ticket prices:

• €6; temporary exhibitions - €5,
• museum + temporary exhibitions - €8.50.
• On the first Sunday of the month, admission is free for children under 16 (permanent exhibition only).
• Opening hours: from 10:00 to 20:00, closed on Mondays.

• Museum address: Montcada, 19-23, Metro Jaume I; Museu Picasso

6. La Rambla Street

This is undoubtedly the most famous street in Barcelona. La Rambla Boulevard stretches from Catalunya Square to the Old Port (right up to the Christopher Columbus monument) and is simply packed with all sorts of attractions: flower vendors, souvenir shops, and pastry shops coexist here with stately theaters and museums, while real mimes entertain the public on the sidewalk. It's no wonder that there's always a festive atmosphere and sparkling fun here!

And most importantly, it is on La Rambla that you will find the most famous sights of Barcelona: Royal Square, Boqueria Market, Liceu Theatre, and Virreina Palace.

Magic Fountain

While strolling through evening Barcelona, don't miss the chance to see one of its greatest treasures - the Magic Fountain. A magical spectacle of light, water, and music unfolds every Friday and Saturday at Plaza de España and leaves no one indifferent. The best view is from the terrace of the National Museum, but keep in mind that the fountain starts working at 19:00, and the museum closes at 20:00.

Fountain hours: Fri and Sat - from 19:00

8. Catalan Art Museum

The main museum of Barcelona and one of its most recognizable buildings. The Catalan Art Museum is located on Montjuïc Hill at the end of Avinguda de la Reina Maria Cristina.

This place is simply paradise for painting enthusiasts: the museum houses artworks of Romanesque and Gothic styles, Baroque and Renaissance epochs. Drawings and engravings, coins and medals, paintings and even a library of art history – one can "get lost" in the museum's halls for hours.

Museum opening hours:

• Tuesday to Saturday from 10:00 to 19:00,
• Sunday and holidays from 10:00 to 15:00.
• The museum is closed on January 1st, May 1st, and December 25th.

Admission fee:

• Tickets cost €12 (adult).
• For children under 16 and persons over 65 - free.
• First Sunday of each month - free.

9. Tibidabo Hill

The best place to admire the beautiful panorama of Barcelona from above is Tibidabo Hill; nevertheless, it will interest not only with this. Here you can spend a great time strolling through the wooded slopes, visit the CosmoCaixa Museum of Natural Sciences or find your way out of the landscape labyrinth Laberint d'Horta. And of course, don't forget the main gem of the hill - the Temple of the Sacred Heart, crowning its summit.

How to get there:

• The most convenient way to get to Tibidabo is by FGC metro trains (Avinguda de Tibidabo station), from where a bus runs to the top of the hill.
• On weekends and holidays, the "Tibibus" T2 runs between Plaça de Catalunya and Plaça del Tibidabo. The fare is €2.60.

10. Spanish Village

If you don't have time to travel all over Spain, boldly head to the Spanish Village on Montjuïc Hill, where skillful architects have erected precise replicas of buildings from different regions of the country.

Here you can see all the main constructions of Spain: medieval fortress gates from Ávila, buildings from Castile and Aragon, as well as Andalusian, Basque, Valencian, and many other "thematic" quarters.

In the village, you can not only explore all the buildings from the outside and inside but also buy original handmade souvenirs.

• from 09:00 to 00:00,
• on Mondays - until 20:00,
• on Fridays and Saturdays - until 03:00.

Admission fee:

• €11 for adults,
• €6.25 for children,
• €7.40 for students and seniors.

Address: Monjuic, avinguda de Fransesc Ferrer-i-Guardia (Espanya metro station)

11. Güell Palace

This masterpiece by the great Gaudí is located in the Old Town at Carrer Nou de la Rambla, 3-5. It's worth visiting here to see impressive interiors with mirrors, stained glass, and purely "Gaudíesque" carved ceilings and "flowing" decorative elements.

Address:

Carrer Nou de la Rambla, 3-5

Opening hours:

• from April 1 to October 31 - from 10:00 to 20:00;
• from November 1 to March 31 - from 10:00 to 17:30.
• The palace is closed on Mondays, as well as on December 25 and 26, January 1 and 6, and from January 18 to 24.

Admission fee: €12 (for students and seniors - €9).

12. Santa Maria del Mar

This church in the La Ribera district is one of the few in Barcelona built in one style - Catalan Gothic. It's worth coming here to enjoy not only the beautiful interiors of the church halls and stained glass windows from the 15th-18th centuries but also the stunning acoustics (and if you're lucky, attend an organ concert).

Opening hours:

• Monday to Saturday - from 09:00 to 13:00 and from 17:00 to 20:30,
• Sundays - from 10:00 to 14:00 and from 17:00 to 20:00.

Address:

Plaça de Santa Maria, 1

13. Cathedral of the Holy Cross and Saint Eulalia

The hallmark of Barcelona, this majestic cathedral in the Gothic style differs from its European counterparts with its lighter architecture. The cathedral is beautiful both outside and inside: the facades are adorned with Gothic "roses", elegant columns, and slender spiky towers, while inside you will find a magnificent hall with a sculpture of Christ and figures of thirteen white geese - in honor of Saint Eulalia. From the dome of the cathedral, there is an amazing view of the city.

How to get there:

• The Cathedral is located in the Gothic Quarter, and you can reach it via Carrer del Bisbe street (starting from Plaça de Sant Jaume).

Ticket prices:

• Entry to the Cathedral and the inner courtyard is free, but there is a fee of €2.20 for climbing the dome.
• You can purchase a combined ticket to see the choir, the Meeting Hall, and the viewpoint for €5.

Opening hours:

• from 08:00 to 20:00

14. Hospital de Sant Pau

Contrary to expectations, this is not a gloomy structure or a dark hospital, as one might think. Hospital de Sant Pau is a whole mini-city designed by Lluís Domènech i Montaner and is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The hospital complex is a vivid example of modernist style: gardens and streets, pavilions, and, of course, the main building with a clock tower. And all of this is richly adorned with sculptures and mosaic.

Opening hours:

• The information office operates daily from 10:00 to 14:00,
• closed on December 25 and 26 and January 1 and 6.

Ticket price:

• €8.

Address:

• Carrer de Sant Quintí, 89

How to get there:

• by metro (Line L5, Hospital de Sant Pau station; Line L4, Guinardó station)
• by bus (No. 15, 19, 20, 45, 47, 50, 51, and 92).

15. Sagrada Família

When asked what to see in Barcelona, this is the first thing you'll be told about. The most popular attraction in Barcelona and the masterpiece of the great Gaudí, the Sagrada Família astonishes the imagination of anyone who sees it. Not only is the building intended to carry a symbolic load according to the author's intention, but it is also an incredibly beautiful structure.

The finishing, decoration, and details are amazingly elaborate and intricate, combining different styles flawlessly and skillfully. Here, Gothic and Baroque elements blend with Christian and Eastern traditions, generously seasoned with modernism.

Opening hours:

• October to September - from 9:00 to 18:00,
• in the summer - until 20:00.

Ticket price:

• €12.50 (with a guide or audio guide - €16.50);
• for students and seniors, children aged 10-18 - €10.50 (with a guide or audio guide - €13.50).

Address:

Mallorca, 401

How to get there:

• You can reach the temple by metro (Sagrada Familia station), lines L2 (violet line) and L5 (blue line),
• or by buses No. 19, 33, 34, 43, 44, 50, and 51 (stop Sagrada Familia).

16. Amatller House

Barcelona is rich in whimsical architecture, and the Amatller House is no exception. It is designed in the Modernisme style with a touch of Neo-Gothic and somewhat resembles Dutch houses with its stepped gable and narrow tall windows. The house is notable for its delicately pink facade adorned with picturesque elements and lace-like columns on the windows.

Opening hours:

• Monday to Saturday - from 10:00 to 20:00,
• Sundays - from 10:00 to 15:00.

Address:

• Passeig de Gracia, 43 (metro station - Passeig de Gracia)

17. Forum

Arguably the most futuristic building in Barcelona, the Forum immediately grabs attention. Built in 2004 for the Universal Forum of Cultures, it has the shape of an equilateral triangle with a height of 25 meters and sides of 180 meters each. Part of the adjacent area is formed by an artificial dam.

Today, exhibitions, congresses, and other cultural events are held here.

Address:

• Rambla Prim, 2-4.

How to get there:

• metro (yellow line L4, station "El Maresme / Forum"),
• bus: No. 7, 36, 41, 43, 141,
• tram: No. T4 (stop Forum)

18. Casa Batlló

Another gem of Gaudí's masterpieces, Casa Batlló will leave a lasting impression on you. Its whimsical, seemingly floating facade, vibrant mosaic colors, stained glass windows, and intricate balcony decorations make the house appear alive compared to neighboring buildings. Inside, everything is equally fascinating: admire the sun-inspired chandelier, stained glass window inserts, and the famous "flowing" decorations in the mansion's interior.

Working hours:

• from 9:00 to 21:00.

Ticket price:

• €17.80 for adults,
• €14.25 for children and seniors.

Address:

• Passeig de Gracia, 43 (metro station - Passeig de Gracia)

19. Palau de la Música Catalana

It may not be among the top attractions, but if you have a little more time and are wondering what to see in Barcelona in 3 days, this place is worth adding to your list.

Built, like many buildings in Barcelona, in the modernist style, the palace seems to dance to unheard music. A colorful mix of architectural elements, whimsical columns, intricate facade and balcony decorations, spires, and towers - it's as if it's all a frozen melody in flesh.

The main decoration of the palace - the concert hall - can be visited on a tour, and it's worth it: sculpture and mosaic, painting and sculptures, and most importantly - the stunning stained-glass ceiling create a truly unforgettable atmosphere.

Opening hours:

• from 10:00 to 15:30.

Guided tour cost:

• €17 for adults,
• €11 for children and seniors.

Address:

• Carrer de Sant Fransesc de Paula, 2 (metro station - Urquinaon)

20. Barcelona History Museum

Want to learn more about Barcelona than guides and guidebooks tell you? It's easier than you think! Head to the History Museum: here you'll find not only historical documents and archaeological finds related to the city's glorious past, but also intriguing corners where you can try on real knight's armor, study the ancient city's irrigation system, or practice sword fighting.

Opening hours:

• Summer period:
• Tuesday to Saturday from 10:00 to 20:00,
• Sunday from 10:00 to 15:00.

Winter period:

• Monday to Saturday from 10:00 to 14:00;
• Tuesday, Thursday from 16:00 to 18:00,
• Sunday from 10:00 to 15:00.

Entrance fee:

• €4.

Address:

• Placa del Rei; Barcelona City History Museum