Barcelona, Spain: travel guide
Gaudí's fantastical buildings between the mountains and the sea
Capital of Catalonia on Spain's Mediterranean coast, known for Gaudi architecture, beaches and food.
About Barcelona
Barcelona is the capital of Catalonia, a Mediterranean city where modernista architecture, Gothic lanes and city beaches sit within a short walk of one another. Few cities pack in so much architecture alongside such an easy outdoor life.
Antoni Gaudí's buildings are the headline, among them the Sagrada Família, Park Güell and Casa Vicens. Away from Gaudí you can visit the Picasso Museum in the old town, wander the Poble Espanyol village of regional architecture, and escape to the Parc del Laberint d'Horta, a quiet garden with a hedge maze. Tapas, vermouth and seafood fill the rest of the day.
Barcelona suits first-timers, architecture and food lovers, and beach-and-city breaks. Spring and early autumn are the best time to visit Barcelona.
- Country
- Spain
- Currency
- EUR
- Time zone
- Europe/Madrid
- Nearest airport
- BCN
Last updated
Top places to visit in Barcelona
Basílica de la Sagrada Família
Basilica · 4.8 rating · about 0.8 h · entry €26 (≈ ₹2,770)
Gaudí's unfinished masterpiece basilica, the icon of Barcelona, famous for its towering spires and stained glass.
Park Güell
Gaudí park · 4.4 rating · about 1.3 h · entry €18 (≈ ₹1,920)
Gaudí's whimsical hillside park of mosaic terraces, serpentine benches and city views, a UNESCO World Heritage site.
Barcelona Cathedral
Gothic cathedral · 4.6 rating · about 0.8 h · check the fee at the gate
Grand Gothic cathedral in the Gothic Quarter with a tranquil cloister and rooftop views.
Poble Espanyol
Open-air village · 4.2 rating · about 1.3 h · entry €16 (≈ ₹1,710), Same-day adult rate EUR 16.00; online advance EUR 14.40.
Open-air architectural village recreating styles from across Spain, built for the 1929 Expo.
Picasso Museum Barcelona
Art museum · 4.4 rating · about 2 h · entry €15 (≈ ₹1,600)
Five medieval palaces housing the world's deepest collection of Picasso's formative works.
Museu Nacional d'Art de Catalunya (MNAC)
Art museum · 4.7 rating · about 2 h · entry €12 (≈ ₹1,280)
Catalonia's national art museum in the domed Palau Nacional, strong on Romanesque frescoes.
Palau Güell
Gaudí mansion · 4.6 rating · about 1.3 h · entry €12 (≈ ₹1,280)
Gaudí's early Art Nouveau mansion off La Rambla with a colourful mosaic-chimney roof.
Casa Vicens
Gaudí building · 4.6 rating · about 1.3 h · check the fee at the gate
Gaudí's first major house, a colourful Moorish-influenced early work, now a museum.
Temple of the Sacred Heart (Tibidabo)
Hilltop church · 4.7 rating · about 0.6 h · check the fee at the gate
Mountaintop church crowned by a bronze Christ, with the best panorama of the city.
Barcelona Maritime Museum
Maritime museum · 4.4 rating · about 1.8 h · entry €10 (≈ ₹1,070)
Maritime history museum in the medieval Royal Shipyards, with a full-size galley replica.
La Rambla
Cultural · 4.4 rating · about 1 h · free entry
Barcelona's iconic 1.2 km tree-lined pedestrian boulevard connecting Plaça de Catalunya to the sea, lined with kiosks, flower stalls, cafes and street performers.
Jardins de Joan Brossa
Montjuïc garden · 4.4 rating · about 0.8 h · check the fee at the gate
Montjuïc garden with city views and play areas on the site of a former amusement park.
Things to do
- Sagrada Familia Skip the Line Heritage · 1.5 h · from EUR 25 per person
- Park Guell Reserved Entry Heritage · 2 h · from EUR 10 per person
- Casa Batllo Self-Guided Tour Heritage · 1.5 h · from EUR 33 per person
- La Boqueria Market Tour Food Tour · 1.5 h · from EUR 25 per person
- Day Trip to Montserrat Monastery Day Trip · 6 h · from EUR 33 per person
- Bunkers del Carmel Sunset Viewpoint · 1.5 h
- Tapas and Wine Walking Tour Food Tour · 3 h · from EUR 49 per person
- Flamenco Show in Born Show · 1.3 h · from EUR 33 per person
Where to stay in Barcelona
Hotels
- Mandarin Oriental Barcelona 5-star · INR 55,000 to INR 220,000 per night
- Hotel Arts Barcelona 5-star · INR 45,000 to INR 180,000 per night
- El Palace Barcelona 5-star · INR 40,000 to INR 150,000 per night
- Almanac Barcelona 5-star · INR 15,000 to INR 42,000 per night
- Hotel Mercer Barcelona 5-star · INR 12,000 to INR 35,000 per night
- W Barcelona 5-star · INR 22,000 to INR 75,000 per night
Where to eat
- Cervecería Catalana spanish, catalan, tapas · about EUR 30 per person
- Brunch and Cake international, brunch, cafe · about EUR 25 per person
- Tapas 24 spanish, catalan, tapas · about EUR 35 per person
- Quimet and Quimet spanish, catalan, tapas · about EUR 22 per person
- Los Caracoles spanish, catalan, traditional · about EUR 45 per person
- Bar Lobo spanish, mediterranean, brunch · about EUR 30 per person
- Bormuth spanish, catalan, tapas · about EUR 25 per person
- Bar del Pla spanish, catalan, tapas · about EUR 25 per person
Getting to Barcelona
Airport: Barcelona (BCN)
Getting around
- Metro
- Transit Pass
- Walking