Barcelona Travel Guide

Best Things to Do in Barcelona

A local taxi driver's shortlist of the top sights and experiences in Barcelona. From Gaudí's masterpieces to hidden tapas bars, these are the places we send our favourite passengers — with direct booking links so you skip the queues.

1. 1.

   Gothic Quarter & Cathedral of Barcelona

   

   Wander the medieval alleys of the Gothic Quarter, where Roman walls meet hidden squares and centuries-old cafés. Step inside the Barcelona Cathedral to admire its Gothic cloister and serene rooftop views.

   The Gothic Quarter sits directly over the ancient Roman colony of Barcino, founded around the 1st century BC. Its cathedral was begun in 1298 under Catalan Gothic master Berenguer de Montagut and largely completed by the mid-15th century, though its ornate neo-Gothic facade was added in the 19th century. It remains the spiritual heart of Barcelona because it preserves nearly 2,000 years of layered history — Roman walls, medieval alleys and a Gothic cloister that still houses 13 white geese in memory of Santa Eulàlia.

   4.7 (1850)Book from €26
2. 2.

   Park Güell

   

   Gaudí's whimsical park blends fairy-tale mosaics, winding paths and panoramic views of the city and sea. Perfect for a relaxed morning stroll among the artist's most colorful outdoor creations.

   Commissioned by industrialist Eusebi Güell and designed by Antoni Gaudí, work began in 1900 as a luxury garden-city of 60 houses. Only two plots were sold, so the project was abandoned and donated to the city, opening as a public park in 1926. It is essential because it shows Gaudí at his most playful: mosaic dragons, undulating benches and paths that follow the natural terrain, all crowned by UNESCO World Heritage status in 1984.

   4.8 (3200)Book from €29
3. 3.

   Magic Fountain of Montjuïc

   

   Watch the famous Montjuïc fountains light up in a spectacular show of water, music and color. A magical evening stop after a day of sightseeing, and completely free to enjoy.

   Designed by engineer Carles Buïgas and unveiled for the 1929 Barcelona International Exposition, the fountain was built in less than a year on the slope below the Palau Nacional. It was damaged during the Spanish Civil War and restored in 1955, with music and light choreography added in the 1980s. It captivates visitors because more than 2,600 litres of water per second dance in time to light and music against the dramatic backdrop of Montjuïc.

   4.6 (980)
4. 4.

   Ciutadella Park & Zoo

   

   Barcelona's greenest escape, with a grand fountain, rowing boats and wide lawns ideal for picnics. The zoo entrance adds a family-friendly twist right in the heart of the city.

   The site was a massive military citadel built by Philip V after 1714 to control the city; it was finally demolished in 1869. Landscape architect Josep Fontserè i Mestre designed the new park for the 1888 Universal Exposition, with a young Antoni Gaudí helping on the ornamental cascade. It matters because it turned a symbol of repression into Barcelona's first great public park and green lung, hosting a zoo, a lake and the modern Catalan parliament.

   4.5 (740)Book from €23
5. 5.

   La Rambla & Boqueria Market

   

   Stroll down Barcelona's most famous boulevard, alive with street performers, flower stalls and local energy. Dive into La Boqueria market for fresh juices, tapas bites and vibrant Catalan flavors.

   La Rambla follows the bed of a medieval stream — ramla in Arabic — that ran outside the old city walls. The market roots trace back to the 13th century, but the current iron-and-glass hall was built from 1840 to a design by Antoni Rovira i Trias, with its Modernista entrance added in 1914. It defines Barcelona because it is the city's living promenade, where locals, performers, flower stalls and the historic food market have mingled for centuries.

   4.6 (1200)
6. 6.

   Barceloneta or Bogatell Beach

   

   Soak up the Mediterranean sun on wide golden sands just minutes from the city center. Choose lively Barceloneta or the more relaxed Bogatell for beach bars, paddle games and sea breezes.

   Barcelona's beaches were entirely reclaimed for the 1992 Olympic Games, transforming a run-down industrial waterfront into 4.5 km of coastline. Barceloneta itself was built in the 18th century to rehouse residents displaced by the Ciutadella fortress.

   4.7 (1500)