Barcelona is one of the best places to see in Spain. Many travellers who have been to the city will even say that it’s one of their favourite cities in the country.
Given the many beautiful places in Barcelona and the numerous fun activities, it’s easy to see why. Whether you’re travelling solo or with your loved ones in tow, here are the must-visit places in Barcelona.
Basilica de la Sagrada Familia
The Basilica de la Sagrada Familia is one of those attractions you should not miss while in Barcelona. It’s Gaudi’s most famous masterpiece and the city’s most iconic landmark. The construction of the magnificent church started in 1882 and is still ongoing to this day. It was only 20 per cent complete when Gaudi died in 1926.
La Sagrada Familia’s magnificent exterior consists of three facades, each depicting the life of Jesus Christ, from nativity to passion and glory. The southern section is where you’ll find the passion facade, just opposite of nativity. On the southeast side of the building is the “glory” facade, but there isn’t much to see in this section since nothing has been done to it yet.
Make sure you get inside the church to admire its gorgeous interiors. Gaudi meticulously planned every nook and cranny of the church, making it functional and attractive. Since he is an enormous fan of natural light, the church is bright and airy, reflecting the hues of colourful stained-glass windows. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Basilica de la Sagrada Familia is unlike any church you’ve seen, making it worth a visit on your Barcelona trip.
La Rambla
It’s hard to resist the charm of the picturesque streets of La Rambla, especially its pedestrian-friendly boulevard running for 1.2 kilometres. The place is full of stalls selling souvenirs, arts and crafts, etc. There are also shops, restaurants, and beautiful statues.
La Rambla is usually bustling with tourists, but it’s worth a visit. It is where you’ll find some of the city’s top eateries, making it a haven for foodies who want to feast on authentic Spanish street foods. It’s also bustling with painters, human statues, street performers, and artists who can paint your portrait or caricature.
Seeing the Columbus Monument is a must while in Las Ramblas. It’s about 60 metres tall and was built in 1888 to commemorate Christopher Columbus. Another place worth a stop is the Gran Teatre del Liceu, an opera venue founded in 1847 and housed in a beautiful building. Another building to check out is Palace Virreina, a Neoclassicism palace showcasing significant art exhibitions. The Centre d’Art Santa Mònica is also worth a stop, one of the many fantastic galleries in the neighbourhood.
Catedral de la Santa Cruz y Santa Eulalia
Nestled in the heart of the Gothic Centre of Barcelona, the Catedral de la Santa Cruz y Santa Eulalia is a 14th Century Gothic-style church that should be on your list of places to see in the city, especially for families. It was constructed between 1298 to 1448, recognised for its fascinating facade, dominating the Gothic Quarter.
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Often overlooked in favour of the La Sagrada Familia, the Catedral de la Santa Cruz y Santa Eulalia is an iconic landmark of Catalonia. The church is on the same site where a former Roman Temple once stood in the 12th Century. Dedicated to Saint Eulalia, co-patron saint of Barcelona, the cathedral has a fascinating history. Its main altar holds the tomb of Saint Eulalia, tortured during the reign of the Roman Empire.
Featuring magnificent Gothic and Neo-Gothic styles of architecture, the church looks exceptional. Take the time to admire its intricate details, pinnacles, arches, and statues, a testament to its extraordinary beauty. Nowadays, the Cathedral serves as the seat of the Archbishop of Barcelona and is a significant house of worship for locals.
Parc Güell
Exploring the magnificent Park Guell, one of Gaudi’s masterpieces, is a must on your visit to Barcelona. It’s one of the city’s top attractions, featuring colourful architectural elements inspired by nature. Like many of Gaudi’s masterpieces, Park Guell is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
A large portion of Park Guell is free to enter, but if you want to see Gaudi’s works, you must purchase a ticket to get into the Monumental Zone, where you’ll find the Dragon Staircase, the Viaducts, and the Hypostyle Room. You’ll find the Dragon Staircase right at the entrance of Park Guell. It will take you to the Hypostyle Room, Laundry Room Portico, and Nature Square. When you reach the third platform, you’ll come across the park’s famous symbol, the mosaic-tiled dragon.
The Hypostyle Room was supposedly a market area for the residents and features tiled ceiling mosaics looking down to fluted columns. The columns collect rainwater to supply the residents.
Gaudi designed Park Guell to connect all areas of the park. Thus, he built three viaducts throughout the park, linking the lower and higher ground. Both are wide enough to accommodate horse-drawn carriages.
Magic Fountain of Montjuïc
The Magic Fountain of Montjuïc is the largest fountain in Barcelona, constructed in 1929 for the World Fair. When evening comes, the fountain displays a spectacular dancing show of music, light, and water acrobatics. It is a must-see, especially for those visiting Barcelona on a family holiday. Best of all, this is one of those attractions in the city that you can see for free.
Getting to the Magic Fountain of Montjuïc is easy, regardless of which area in Barcelona you are based. You can take the metro and get off at the Espanya metro stop. When you exit the station, you’ll see the Palau Nacional at the slope of the Montjuic. Walk for about 10 minutes via the automatic escalators to Montjuic hill, where you will find the Font Màgica.
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