Top things to do in Barcelona
Attractions, tours and activities in Barcelona
Recommended museums in Barcelona
Where to discover culture and the arts in Barcelona
Barcelona: the city's best neighbourhoods
Find a great area to stay in Barcelona
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Ciutat Vella
0.5 miles from city centre
Ciutat Vella (‘old city’) is comprised of several neighbourhoods - El Barri Gòtic, El Raval, El Born and Barceloneta (all detailed here in separate descriptions). As a whole, the district’s characteristic features are narrow, winding streets that reach from Las Ramblas to the coastline.
Places to stay from £10 per night
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Eixample
0.4 miles from city centre
L’Eixample’s large, grid-like avenues (modelled after New York) are easy to navigate. Passeig de Gràcia (at the centre) is a tourist hot-spot, with Gaudí's Casa Batlló and La Pedrera, and Puig i Cadafalch's Casa Amatller in easy reach. Carrer Balmes is a safe and tolerant area for travellers of all persuasions.
Places to stay from £7 per night
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Gràcia
1.3 miles from city centre
There’s a youthful energy in this dynamic area. Plaça de la Virreina, Plaça del Sol and Plaça de Rius i Taulet, are charming squares to relax and people-watch. Take a stroll through Gaudí’s Park Güell, with its unusual architectural spaces that offer wonderful views of the city.
Places to stay from £11 per night
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Sants-Montjuïc
1.4 miles from city centre
This district retains a lot of its traditional character. Tourist hot-spots surround Montjuïc Hill, next to Plaça Espanya. Visit the Joan Miró Foundation and Catalonia National Art Museum (MNAC) in the Palau Nacional. The 17th-century Montjuïc Castle stands on the hill, or enjoy the colours of the Magic Fountain below.
Places to stay from £7 per night
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Sarrià-St. Gervasi
1.7 miles from city centre
Accessible only via train or bus, this primarily residential district has a range of local restaurants. For families travelling with younger children, the CosmoCaixa science museum offers a range of exhibitions. At the furthest edge of the district is Les Planes, an outdoor picnic area.
Places to stay from £8 per night
About Barcelona
Including tips for the best time to visit Barcelona
Cultures melt together in Barcelona, a lively metropolis of mesmerising architecture, medieval streets and top museums on the coast of Catalonia. Its most celebrated figure, Antoni Gaudí, takes all the credit for the city’s most outstanding monuments. From the twisting facade of stone-hewn Casa Milà to the monumental Sagrada Familia, the work of this world-famous architect can be found all over the city.
In the Gothic Quarter, you’ll find centuries-old tapas bars set among old haunts and a gargoyle-adorned cathedral. Fill up on staples like ground-beef stuffed croquettes and salt-cod fritters under this dramatic backdrop, and wash it all down with a glass of fruity Rioja. Nearby, an amble along the lively, tree-lined promenade of La Rambla will bring you to the coast, where the crowds start to thin out.
Find a slice of beach in Barceloneta or a shady patch of grass in Parc de la Ciutadella, and soak up the year-round sunshine. Alternatively, take a stadium tour of Camp Nou, or climb Carmel Hill for sweeping views and the iconic mosaics of Park Güell – another of Gaudí’s fantastical creations.
Tonight
From £250 per night
This weekend
From £490 per night
Next weekend
From £277 per night
| Most popular time to visit | October–December |
| Cheapest time to visit | January–March |
| Local currency | € 10 = £8.63 |
| Language | Spanish |
| Average weekend price | £152 per night |
| Average weekday price | £132 per night |
| Typical stay | 2 nights |
Points of interest in Barcelona
Stay near the top sightseeing spots in Barcelona
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Camp Nou
2.5 miles from city centre
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Plaça Catalunya
In the city centre
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Sagrada Familia
1.2 miles from city centre
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Plaza Espanya
1.4 miles from city centre
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Passeig de Gracia
0.2 miles from city centre
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Cathedral of Barcelona
0.4 miles from city centre
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Arc de Triomf
0.6 miles from city centre
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Plaça del Sol
1.2 miles from city centre
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Palau Sant Jordi
1.9 miles from city centre
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Plaça Reial
0.6 miles from city centre
Barcelona reviews
What other travellers say about Barcelona
An extensive city with many wonderful historical buildings...
23 April 2024
An extensive city with many wonderful historical buildings and intersting Archietecture. Palais de. music was a highlight without many tourists. Timed entry tickets with a guide made the sightseeing easy Some wonderful tapas bars found away from the tourist routes in local neighbourhoods
Packed most places into our 4 days.
23 April 2024
Packed most places into our 4 days. You must book ahead to visit museums etc. loved restaurant nuria on la rambla, best paella. Red and blue hop on off busses are a must to get your bearings. Try to get to cafes balto early as it’s sooo busy. Maritime museum was excellent. Sagrida well that is a must. A lot of museums are closed on a Monday so check before going. Went to a flamenco dance on Sunday night was well worth it.
We loved our trip.
22 April 2024
We loved our trip. The locals were friendly and the atmosphere was fun and calm. We enjoyed delicious tapas and paellas at both big and small places, with good prices. Getting around the city was easy by walking or taking a cheap taxi. Three days is enough to see everything, but families might need more time. Don’t forget to buy tickets online for La Sagrada Familia and book early for drinks or dinner at the Terrace of Sercotel Rosellón, as it gets booked up fast. Will absolutely visit again, we had a great time 🙌
Lots of interesting art galleries, museums and architectural...
21 April 2024
Lots of interesting art galleries, museums and architectural curiosities to visit. Easy to get around on the Metro and bus system. A lively city centre with lots of restaurants, snack bars and crowds enjoying the many open spaces.
Excellent public transport.
20 April 2024
Excellent public transport. Great choice of restaurants. The City Bus Tour Hop On Hop Off service was very useful for finding places and getting an idea of what was near what. Tip - if you want to go to Sagrada Familiar or Parc Guell, you need to book well in advance - we knew about the former but not the latter and found that it was fully booked for the next 2 days.
Our first trip to Barcelona was a memorable one.
20 April 2024
Our first trip to Barcelona was a memorable one. The city exceeded our expectations. We found the city to be much more relaxed and inviting than our hometown of NYC. We stayed near the Cathedral of Barcelona so it was a good, central location for exploring the city. The first morning we took a Gaudi themed walking tour that started at Placa Reial and ended at Sagrada Familia (must see!!). It included a couple rides on the subway and was a perfect way to get acclimated to the city. There is so much to see in Barcelona. Take a walking tour or two if you've never been. Then get lost exploring, stopping in little places for food and drinks along the way.
Popular places to stay in Barcelona
Stay in some of the best accommodation Barcelona has to offer
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Casa Camper Barcelona Ciutat Vella, Barcelona
From £208 per night
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Hotel El Palace Barcelona Eixample, Barcelona
From £444 per night
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Yurbban Ramblas Boutique Hotel Ciutat Vella, Barcelona
From £198 per night
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Olivia Plaza Hotel Ciutat Vella, Barcelona
From £238 per night
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Other accommodation in Barcelona
Choose from a wide variety of places to stay in Barcelona
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Apartments
From £25 per night
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Villas
From £167 per night
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Cottages
From £82 per night
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Serviced Apartments
From £37 per night
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Holiday Homes
From £82 per night
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From £11 per night
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Hostels
From £7 per night
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B&Bs
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Boats
From £26 per night
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From £7 per night
