Your Ultimate Guide on the Best Things to do in Barcelona

Jessica Zapata

Last updated 12 Feb 2026

Check out our complete guide on the best things to do in Barcelona!

Explore beaches and basilicas in this Spanish seaside city ☀️

A Mediterranean coastline, vibrant nightlife, and melt-in-the-mouth tapas, Barcelona really does have it all, and it doesn’t skimp on culture either.

This famous city in Spain was once home to big names like Antoni Gaudí and Pablo Picasso, who literally left their mark on the city. Take an amble from the old Barri Gòtic neighborhood to the unmissable (and yet unfinished) Sagrada Familia church, and don’t forget to try some sangria along the way.

We’ve got you covered with our pick of Barcelona’s must-try experiences, from wine tasting to sailing through the city!

But before you begin your adventure, make sure to secure your essentials first:

First off is the Hola Barcelona Travel Card that gives you unlimited transportation in Barcelona for two to five days! With this travel card, you can take public transport like Transports Metropolitans de Barcelona (TMB), Ferrocarrils de la Generalitat (FGC) city network, Funicular de Montjuïc, and more, as you go around the city and visit some attractions.

Transfers between the city center and the Barcelona-El Prat Airport are also available via metro (Line L9 in Terminals 1 and 2), Renfe suburban train (Line R2 Nord in Terminal 2), and bus (Line 46 in Terminals 1 and 2).

Next is the Klook Pass Barcelona that's ideal if you want to explore more and spend less! With just one pass, you’ll get access to multiple attractions—a maximum of six, to be exact.

Forget about keeping many vouchers and tickets. All you need to do is keep this one pass safe, and you’ll easily enter your chosen attractions fuss-free. There are over 20 iconic spots to choose from, like the Sagrada Familia, Casa Batlló, and Montjuïc cable car.

1. Explore the city’s food scene with a food walking tour 😋

There’s no better way to know and understand another culture than indulging in local food! With this El Born food walking tour, you’ll get to explore and experience Barcelona’s food culture.

El Born is a neighborhood in Barcelona known for its cafes in the morning and cocktail bars at night. Get ready to have different types of liquor like beer, wine, and shots, all paired with savory tapas like local meats and cheeses, crispy fried potatoes, and more.

2. Spend an entire day touring iconic spots near Barcelona: Girona and Figueres 😎

While Barcelona is so much fun already, its surrounding areas are just as exciting! So while you’re in Spain, take the opportunity to explore more cities. With this full-day tour from Barcelona, you get to visit Girona and Figueres.

Your visit to Girona will be filled with all the ancient sights like the city walls, structures, and more. One notable site here is the Jewish quarter, filled with streets, houses, and patios that have stood the test of time since the Medieval era.

Next up on your tour is Figueres, a city that houses the Dalí Theatre and Museum, designed by Salvador Dalí himself. It’s one of the city’s historical sites that’s a must-visit for anyone who happens to be in Figueres. Inside the museum are thousands of artworks in different forms, like oil paintings, sculptures, and photos, to name a few.

Klook Tip: Wear comfortable but presentable clothing to ensure easy entry to the sacred attractions included in the tour.

3. Venture into Montserrat for breathtaking views and local wine 🍷

This mighty mountain towers above Barcelona and has views that stretch over the glittering Mediterranean Sea.

For a fuss-free visit to this designated natural park, book a Montserrat tour with Klook! You’ll be brought uphill via an air-conditioned bus, passing boulders in quirky shapes. A little culture’s thrown into the mix, with a stop at the 1,000-year-old Basílica de Montserrat, home to the Black Virgin patron saint of Catalonia.

To elevate your experience, book the package that comes with wine tasting to have a sip (or two!) of the city’s local wine made by monks.

But hey, if you want an experience that only focuses on wine, then this winery and tapas tour in Catalonia is the ideal option for you! This tour will take you through the ins and outs of wine production, a walk to the vineyards, and the best part — tasting different types of wine with appetizers to match.

4. See Barcelona from above 🚁

While exploring the city is fun on land, seeing it all from above is something new and exciting! This helicopter tour in Barcelona promises an experience that’s one for the books where you will see famous landmarks from above like the Sagrada Familia and Gothic Quarter. Get ready to see coastal views of Barceloneta Beach, as well as Port Vell.

For those who want to see panoramic views of the city but fear getting on a helicopter, we have just the solution for you! You can choose to go up the Mirador Torre Glories Observation Deck to marvel at 360-degree views of Barcelona. This 30-story building flaunts modern architecture that will leave you in awe.

From up on the deck, you’ll get limitless views of some landmarks too, such as the mountain of Collserola, the Mediterranean Sea, and the Montjuïc hill.

5. Immerse yourself in Barcelona’s culture ✨

There are so many ways to engage with Barcelona’s culture, and one is through art and history. When in Barcelona, make sure to drop by La Pedrera (Casa Milà), an Antoni Gaudí creation and a UNESCO World Heritage Site that promises not just an art exhibition but also a taste of their music culture.

The exhibits change occasionally but currently, “The Nabis: from Bonnard to Vuillard” is featured. Developed in collaboration with the renowned Musée d’Orsay, the showcase highlights the Nabis artistic movement’s defining artistic ideas, inspirations, and stylistic characteristics.

Another fun way to get to know more about Spain’s culture is through flamenco, a form of dance most prominent in Southern Spain. Witness the beautiful art of dance through a flamenco show at Tablao Flamenco Cordobes in Barcelona! Over 15 performers will show up on stage to treat audiences to a passionate dance performance, accompanied by Spain’s folk music.

If you want to experience Barcelona’s culture like no other, get the package that comes with dinner so you can have a taste of over 40 authentic Spanish dishes and unlimited drinks (beer, sangria, water, coffee, and more).

6. Go on a luxurious cruise through the city coast 🛥️

Join a Barcelona sailing tour and see the city from a different light! This has got to be the most relaxing way to explore the city and its beaches.

To make your sailing experience even better, you’ll also get to enjoy a glass of chilled cava, a type of Spanish sparkling wine and is said to be one of Spain’s specialties. During the cruise, make sure to just sit back, relax, and take in the breathtaking skyline views.

7. Live the dream at the FC Barcelona Museum 🌟

If you’re a football fan, one of the best places to visit in Barcelona is the FC Barcelona museum, where you can see the history of football through the trophy room and a walkthrough of past and present players. Learn all about “Barça” (Futbol Club Barcelona) in the audiovisual multimedia area that brings the story of this La Liga and Champions League-winning team to life.

You’ll also get a peek into the ongoing construction of Spotify Camp Nou, a stadium in Barcelona and home to the soccer team, Futbol Club Barcelona.

8. Discover artist Antoni Gaudí’s whimsical world 🤩

You can spot more of Gaudí’s offbeat Catalan Modernism all over the city. The best-known sight is Park Güell, a collection of buildings with quirky curved lines and bright mosaics. Look out for the multicolored, gargoyle-esque El Drac Salamander statue. You’ll also find the colonnaded Sala Hipóstila and the wavy Serpentine Benches at this UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Get your Park Güell ticket on Klook and save on booking fees,leaving you more euros to spend on sangria! 🍷

Klook Tip: If you’re on the hunt for more Gaudi-inspired architecture, you must visit Sant Pau Recinte Modernista in Barcelona, an architectural masterpiece by Lluis Domenech i Montaner.

9. Learn how to cook authentic Spanish food 🤗

Apart from indulging in the goodness of Spanish cuisine, one other experience that you can try out is cooking the local dishes yourself! It’s not every day that you get to unleash that chef in you during your trip, so Barcelona might be a good start.

Starting off with paella, one of Spain’s well-loved and well-known dishes. This paella cooking session is not just all about cooking but also about knowing the history of paella and its significance to the country. You can choose to cook seafood or vegetarian paella, either way will be taught in detail by a professional chef.

After the session, you get to enjoy the paella you cooked with a glass of wine.

Next up is a Jamón Experience Masterclass where you pick up a thing or two about Jamón ibérico, a type of cured leg pork mostly found in Portugal and Spain. This type of meat is used in most Spanish dishes, and its preparation is not an easy task.

In this class, you’ll get a one-of-a-kind experience as you taste seven different types of jamón like Paleta Gran Reserva, Paleta 50% Iberian Cebo, and Paleta 50% Iberian Bellota. The jamón expert will also teach you how to pair your jamón with wine or cava (Spanish wine), so you get the perfect blend of tastes during your tasting session.

FAQs about the best things to do in Barcelona

What shouldn’t you miss in Barcelona?

You can’t leave without seeing La Sagrada Família, exploring the Gothic Quarter, and walking around La Rambla. Make time for Park Güell for those iconic views and colorful mosaics. And don’t skip the beach; Barcelona is one of the few cities where culture and coastline go hand in hand.

What are the top five things to do in Barcelona?

Start with exploring Gaudí’s masterpieces, especially La Sagrada Família and Casa Batlló. Get lost in the historic streets of El Born and the Gothic Quarter. Enjoy tapas and wine at a local bar, relax at Barceloneta Beach, and end your day with sunset views from Montjuïc.

What is a must-try in Barcelona?

Trying tapas is a must, with patatas bravas, jamón ibérico, and fresh seafood. Pair it with local cava or vermouth for the full experience. If you’re feeling adventurous, finish with crema catalana for dessert.

What to do in Barcelona for the first time?

Visit the major landmarks (like the Sagrada Familia), but also leave time to sit at a café, people-watch, and explore neighborhood streets. Walking is the best way to experience the city’s energy and charm.

What I wish I knew before going to Barcelona?

Book popular attractions in advance since lines can get long fast. Wear comfortable shoes because you’ll walk more than you expect. And remember, Barcelona runs on a relaxed schedule, so embrace late dinners and take things slow so you’ll enjoy it way more.

Plan more fun-filled days and balmy nights in glorious Barcelona

If you’re planning a trip to this vibrant city soon, make sure you’re equipped with your travel essentials like a Spain eSIM, Barcelona airport transfers, Barcelona City Card & Express Card, and more.