Can you experience Barcelona’s great architectural masterpieces and famous artists, soak up the local Mediterranean atmosphere, and enjoy great food—all while avoiding the biggest tourist crowds? Yes, it’s possible. Here are some tips on how to see the main attractions and get a taste of Barcelona’s culture and lifestyle without getting lost in the crowds.
1 At least one of Gaudí’s iconic buildings
The Modernista architect Antoni Gaudí (1852–1926) is impossible to miss when you visit Barcelona. The city is dotted with his inventive, colorful, and whimsical buildings, and it’s a must to take a closer look at one or more of them.
If you only have time to visit one building, I recommend La Sagrada Familia.
La Sagrada Familia is a creative and unique interpretation of the Bible, expressed through a wealth of sculptures and colors. It’s impossible not to be impressed when you stand amid the forest of columns in the nave or climb one of the towers and examine all the small symbols and details.
Gaudí worked on his most important masterpiece for the last 43 years of his life, and the church was consecrated in 2010. In 2026, the façade was completed, 100 years after the architect’s death. Gaudí is buried in the church crypt. Some interior work still needs to be done before the church is fully completed.
If you have time, be sure to check out Casa Batlló and La Pedrera as well. If you’d rather visit a much less touristy spot, I recommend Casa Vicens in the Gràcia neighborhood. If you’re traveling with children, they’ll enjoy visiting the fairy-tale park, Parc Güell. Read the guide to all of Antoni Gaudí’s buildings in Barcelona.
TIP: You should buy tickets in advance for La Sagrada Familia. Tickets are available with or without access to one of the towers. Choose the earliest time of day when there are the fewest tourists. Buy tickets to La Sagrada Familia.
La Sagrada Familia
Carrer de Mallorca 401
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2 Get Lost in the Gothic Quarter
Barcelona’s Gothic Quarter (Barri Gòtic) is a labyrinth of narrow streets and squares, surrounded by buildings featuring medieval architecture. Around Barcelona Cathedral, Plaça Reial, and the Bishop’s Bridge (Pont del Bisbe), there are many tourists and souvenir shops.
If you venture further into the side streets, you’ll discover another side of the neighborhood. Visit the beautiful square, Plaça de Sant Felip Neri, with its octagonal fountain and the small church, Sant Felip Neri, dating from 1750, which Antoni Gaudí visited daily. He was also on his way to the church in 1926 when he was struck by a streetcar, an accident that led to his death.
Most notable is the church’s facade, which is full of bullet holes. The holes are from a bomb attack during the Civil War in 1938. Here, 42 people who had sought shelter in the church during an air raid were killed. During the day there are many tourists, but if you come in the evening, when the place looks most beautiful, there are very few people.
Adjacent to the square is the Jewish quarter. Take a look inside the synagogue, the Sinagoga Mayor, dating from the 6th century, which is one of the oldest in Europe. The synagogue served as the center of Jewish life in Barcelona until 1391, when the Jewish quarter was ransacked and over 300 Jews were killed. Here, you can gain insight into the history and culture of the Jewish community in Barcelona.
You’ll also find several historic shops in the neighborhood. For example, take a stroll down Carrer de Petritxol, which is home to chocolate shops and galleries, among other things.
3 Santa Catalina Food Market
A few steps from Barcelona Cathedral you’ll find the Santa Catarina food market, which despite its location in the city’s most touristy area is visited by far fewer tourists than the famous La Boqueria food market on the Rambla.
The building that houses the market is one of Barcelona’s most interesting architectural gems and is worth a visit in its own right. Built on the site of a former monastery, it was completely renovated in 2005.
The huge wooden structure has a beautiful, undulating roof, covered with colourful mosaics. Under the roof you’ll find a host of stalls selling tapas bars, vegetables, meat, fish, cakes, bread and ready meals.
Enjoy a tapa with the locals at one of the bars. It’s also a great place to shop for delicacies to take home.
Mercat Santa Catalina, Av. by Francesc Cambó 16
4 Explore Picasso’s Art
Barcelona was of great importance to Picasso, as can be seen in the museum’s works. He trained at the Escola Llotja and had a special connection with the café El Quatre Gats, where he met other artists and intellectuals, exhibited and painted the café’s iconic menu.
The majority of the works date from 1890 to 1917, including a number of drawings from his time as a student at the Escola Llotja, avant-garde paintings, his time in Paris and the Blue and Pink period. There is also a collection of lithographs, etchings and ceramics.
TIP: Buy your ticket in advance and arrive when the museum opens. That way, you’ll run into fewer tourists.
Museu Picasso , Carrer Montcada 15-23
5 Funky Contemporary Art
The MOCO Museum is a must-see if you’re into modern and experimental art that’s not afraid to be edgy. The museum opened in 2021 and quickly became popular, so expect quite a few visitors. I personally love the museum—it really captures Barcelona’s modern and innovative urban vibe.
The art is a breath of fresh air—featuring modern, contemporary, and street art—that invites contemplation. Here you’ll find works by great artists such as Banksy, Andy Warhol, Jean-Michel Basquiat, and Keith Haring, spanning painting, graffiti, illustration, sculpture, and installations.
MOCO is a truly colorful experience. The museum regularly hosts special exhibitions. Keep an eye on the website.
MOCO is right next to the Picasso Museum, and it’s a short walk, so you can visit both in the same morning or afternoon.
MOCO, Carrer de Montcada 25
6 The Cathedral of the Sea
If you ask the locals which church is their favorite, most will say Santa Maria del Mar
The beautiful Gothic basilica, Santa Maria del Mar, became world-famous thanks to Spanish author Ildefonso Falcones’ bestseller *Catedral de la Mar* (*The Cathedral of the Sea*).
The church is located in Barcelona’s El Born neighborhood, surrounded by a labyrinth of narrow streets, and the locals call it the Ribera Cathedral.
Santa Maria del Mar was built in the 1300s and is a beautiful example of Catalan Gothic architecture. The name suggests that it was once located closer to the sea than it is now. Virtually all of the local artisans were involved in the church’s construction, which is why it took only 54 years to build.
Inside, it is surprisingly bright compared to other Gothic churches and far more elegant. There is a large distance between the columns (13 meters), and the windows feature beautiful stained glass. The church is a peaceful oasis in the middle of an otherwise touristy neighborhood and is also a popular place to light a candle.
You can also go up to the church’s roof terrace and enjoy the beautiful view of the neighbourhood.
Santa Maria del Mar, Santa Maria Plaça 1
7 Side Street Shopping in the El Born Neighborhood
The narrow streets around Santa Maria del Mar are super charming and very photogenic. I lived there for a while, and I loved how the residents and shop owners have given them a very personal touch. It’s a really great place to explore and find a unique, locally made gift for yourself or someone you care about.
Behind the unassuming facades lies a wealth of exciting little shops. Here you’ll find everything from delicacies to jewelry, handbags, and fashion clothing. If you’re passionate about photography, be sure to check out the wonderful retro photo shop Lomography on Carrer d’en Rosic. Pinzat at Carrer de Grunyí 7 has a cool and whimsical selection of bags, wallets, and bike seats made from recycled materials, adorned with street art by local artists. OMG BCN on Carrer de la Palla has some really nice items created by local artists and designers. Here you’ll find, among other things, clothing, jewelry, watches, ceramics, pillows, and bags.
If you have a sweet tooth, be sure to stop by the bakery, too Hofmann at Carrer dels Flassaders 44. This small artisan bakery sells some of Spain’s best croissants filled with flavors such as raspberry, almond, mango, mascarpone, marzipan, and chocolate. You’ll also find intricately crafted pastries and gift ideas such as chocolates, macarons, and cookies in designer boxes and tins.
8 See Barcelona from above
Barcelona has many great viewpoints, but the 360-degree view from Bunkers Carmel is well worth the trip. The viewpoint is located at the top of Turó de la Rovira, at an elevation of 262 meters, in the Carmel neighborhood.
Although the place is known as Bunkers, there have never been bunkers on top of Turó de la Rovira. During the Civil War, the site was used for anti-aircraft batteries that helped defend Barcelona.
For many years, the area was desolate, run-down, and unknown, and it served, among other things, as a slum until the 1990s. In 2006, Turó de la Roviradet was transformed into a local history study center, where you can gain insight into Barcelona’s history from a bird’s-eye view.
Bunkers del Carmel, Carrer de Marià Lavèrnia s/n
8 See Barcelona from above
Barcelona has many great viewpoints, but the 360-degree view from Bunkers Carmel is well worth the trip. The viewpoint is located at the top of Turó de la Rovira, at an elevation of 262 meters, in the Carmel neighborhood.
Although the place is known as Bunkers, there have never been bunkers on top of Turó de la Rovira. During the Civil War, the site was used for anti-aircraft batteries that helped defend Barcelona.
For many years, the area was desolate, run-down, and unknown, and it served, among other things, as a slum until the 1990s. In 2006, Turó de la Roviradet was transformed into a local history study center, where you can gain insight into Barcelona’s history from a bird’s-eye view.
Bunkers del Carmel, Carrer de Marià Lavèrnia s/n
9 Go on a tapas crawl
Barcelona is a gourmet’s paradise, so of course you should try as many different tapas as possible. They come in countless varieties, from classic to avant-garde. I haven’t—of course—eaten my way through all the city’s bars. My best advice is to explore the side streets, away from the tourist areas, and find your favorites.
Just try one or two, and then move on to the next bar and try a few more. That way, you can really try a lot of different ones. Going from bar to bar is also a natural part of Spanish culture.
One of my favorites is Bar Canyí in Sant Antoni. Try their “bomba,” which is a Barcelona specialty. Canyí’s version of this deep-fried potato ball is filled with either beef or grilled shrimp.
I also keep going back to Bar Cañete, which has the best mussels in town and delicious vegetable tapas. Quimet & Quimet in Poble Sec is a local classic that I also love. They have plenty of seafood tapas, and their artichokes are fantastic. If you’re in the mood for a super-simple, local experience, stop by La Cova Fumada in Barceloneta. The place is more like a bustling cafeteria, and their squid and sardines are fantastic.
10 The Modernist Concert Hall
Gaudí is not the only modernist architect to have given Barcelona impressive buildings. The Catalan architect Lluís Domènech of Montaner is important for the period, and his buildings are worth a closer look. The most famous is the Palau de la Música concert hall, which he built between 1905 and 1908 for the Catalan choir, Orfeó Catalá. The amateur choir is still in the concert hall.
The Concert Hall is easy to find, as the eye immediately catches the many colourful mosaics, sculptures and reliefs that adorn the red-brick facade. Note the old ticket hatch inside one of the columns.
The Palau de la Música is built in a sophisticated mix of brick, steel and glass, and even inside, it is lavishly decorated in a multitude of colors and intricate designs. It was added to UNESCO’s World Heritage List in 1997.
If you want to see the beautiful 2156-seat concert hall, you can either buy a concert ticket or take a guided tour. You can also just drink coffee in the beautiful café with a view of the stairs up to the hall. The Palau de la Música has been given a modern, simple and stylish extension that plays surprisingly well with the Montaner’s opulent.
Palau de la Música , C / Palau de la Música 4-6
11 A Dip in the Mediterranean Sea
Barcelona has the luxury of offering both a vibrant city life and miles of sandy beaches. So, of course, you’ll want to wash off the city dust in the azure Mediterranean.
The beaches closest to downtown, in the old fishing district of Barceloneta, are the most popular. People are packed like flies on the African beach towels sold everywhere along the beach, so if you want more space and a local vibe, head to the beaches farther from downtown. Personally, I prefer Bogatell Beach in the Poblenou neighborhood.
Take a walk along the beach promenade to see works of art such as Frank Gehry’s fish and the crooked house, L’Estel Ferit, by artist Rebecca Horn. The latter is an interpretation of the small apartments typical of the Barceloneta neighborhood.
12 The Miro Museum on the Mountain
The surrealist artist Joan Miró (1893-1983) was born in a backyard near the Rambla, and the museum dedicated to him sits atop Mont Juïc.
Here you can take a tour of Miró’s Barcelona and his colorful art, which the artist wanted to be a natural part of everyone’s daily life.
The museum opened in 1975 on Miró’s own initiative and mainly contained works from the artist’s private collection. The museum also organises exhibitions with other artists from the 20. and 21st century.
The Miró Museum is housed in a building designed by Josep Lluís Sert, who has created a fine link between the interior and exterior spaces, presenting the art beautifully both inside and out. The building is surrounded by a green park with Mirós sculptures and beautiful views of the city.
The collection consists of over 14,000 works and among the most important works you will find Street in Pedralbes, Portrait of a Young Girl, The White Glove and Woman Dreaming of Escape.
Joan Miró Foundation, Montjuïc Park
13 Drinks with a View in Raval
Barcelona has many rooftop terraces that are perfect for enjoying the sunset with a drink. The rooftops of hotels are especially popular.
I like the rooftop terrace at the Barceló Raval design hotel because not many tourists find their way there. The hotel is located in the heart of the multi-ethnic El Raval neighborhood, on the neighborhood’s own Rambla.
You’re more than welcome to use the rooftop terrace, even if you’re not a guest at the hotel. Head into the lobby and take the elevator up to the 11th floor. The waitstaff are efficient, and they serve really great cocktails at the bar on the oval terrace. You can walk all the way around the terrace, where you’ll enjoy a 360-degree view of the city and the sea. The view of Montjuïc Mountain—with its castle and the Olympic Stadium—overlooking the colorful Raval neighborhood is especially beautiful at sunset.
From Thursday to Friday, the patio is especially popular because there’s a DJ playing there. So get there early if you want a good spot.
Barceló Raval, 17 Rambla de Raval
14 Gràcia—a village within the big city
Barcelona’s Gràcia district is cool and hip. Despite this, the number of tourists in the neighbourhood is not as overwhelming as in the rest of Barcelona’s city centre.
The charming Plaça de la Virreina, also known to locals as Plaça de Sant Joan because of the Sant Joan church located there, is a wonderful place to soak up the local atmosphere. Although many locals enjoy relaxing at one of the cafés, on the benches, or on the church steps, the square is the most peaceful spot in the neighborhood. Inside the church, built in 1884, you’ll find an old Modernist chapel that some claim was designed by Gaudí.
Plaza de la Vila is also a wonderful place to soak up the neighborhood’s colorful atmosphere.
Sit on one of the terraces by one of the many bars and restaurants that surround the square with a beautiful octagonal bell tower in the centre.
If you’re visiting in August, don’t miss the neighborhood’s annual festival, the Fiesta Mayor de Gràcia. The streets are beautifully decorated, and there are community dinners and events in the shops.
15 FC Barcelona’s stadium
Of course, every FC Barcelona fan needs to see a home game at Camp Nou, where footballing excitement is guaranteed as 99,354 fans gather in the stands to cheer on the city’s footballing idols.
If there’s no match at the stadium when you’re in town, a tour of an impressive stadium and museum is well worth a visit in a country where football plays a big part of the culture and is worshipped as a religion.
Camp Nou offers several types of tours. A basic tour where you can visit the museum—which features, for example, the many trophies the club has won over the years—as well as a virtual area that gives you a glimpse into the club’s history.
There is also a tour with audio guide and VR glasses, which in my opinion is not worth the money. The virtual experience you get is a short and indifferent panorama of the stadium and does not provide a better experience than the basic tour.
There is also a special guided tour where you also get access to the players’ locker rooms and a gift.
Finally, you can shop in the giant store. Football fan or not, a visit to Camp Nou gives a good insight into the club’s universe and not least, what a huge money machine it is.
I bought the ticket online and I would recommend you to do the same. Then you don’t have to stand in line.
Buy tickets for Camp Nou and the museum (advertising link).
More tips for Barcelona
If you’re looking for alternative and lesser-known experiences, check out the guide to unique experiences in Barcelona. Also, read the complete guide to Gaudí’s architectural works in Barcelona. Find inspiration for your stay among Barcelona’s best boutique hotels.
If you’re looking for more neighborhood experiences, check out the guides to Poblenou and Sarrià in Barcelona.
If you’re looking for dining recommendations, be sure to check out our guide to the best tapas bars, great restaurants in Barcelona, eco-friendly restaurants in Barcelona, and the city’s best brunch spots.
If you’re up for a trip outside of Barcelona, you’ll find inspiration in this guide to the best day trips from Barcelona.
