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 £90 per night
This weekend
From £333 per night
Next weekend
From £489 per night
| Most popular time to visit | October–December |
| Cheapest time to visit | January–March |
| Local currency | € 10 = £8.54 |
| Language | Spanish |
| Average weekend price | £147 per night |
| Average weekday price | £127 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
A very busy place, even in April.
16 April 2024
A very busy place, even in April. Enjoyed a walk and linger on the beach, the sun was out and it was warm. The food market is an absolute gem, I loved browsing amongst the stalls with their wonderful offerings. I found the Metro easy enough to navigate and it took me to the places, or near to them, that I wanted to go to. Park Guell is beautiful but it was so busy, even early in the morning. I would highly recommend pre booking tickets for the Gaudi attractions well in advance. They do sell out and can't be bought on the day as far as I know. I also used the airport shuttle bus which was quick, very frequent and not too expensive.
You have to love Barcelona!
16 April 2024
You have to love Barcelona! Been there quite a few times and each time it has brought me a different experience. It is a large and vibrant city. Has so much to offer , Gaudi, tapas, shopping, beach, beauty, style and amazing views!! You have to see Sagrada Família , the most amazing church designed by Gaudi!! It is a city you must go and visit! Transport is excellent , it is a place to put on your list of cities to visit.
Barcelona is a beautiful place to visit.
16 April 2024
Barcelona is a beautiful place to visit. The tree-lined streets remind you of Paris only it's warmer. Just walking around, looking at the Gaudi architecture and stopping every now and then for tapas is a lovely way to spend a lazy afternoon. There are plenty of shops and bars in both Las Ramblas and the Gothic Quarter but for a more chilled experience (and better shops) head toward the mountain side of Plaça de Catalunya to either Passeig de Gracia or Rambla de Catalunya. Here you are more likely to be mixing with locals and will find plenty of cool restaurants on the footpath without the hoards of tourists of Las Ramblas. Whilst in Passeig de Gracia, head to El Nacional Barcelona - you can't miss it as it has its name up in lights - this is a beautiful and huge old art deco hall which contains two restaurants - one fish, one meat, a tapas bar and a cocktail bar all under the one roof. Even if you don't want to eat, it's worth a look inside just to see how gorgeous it is. Book in advance online (suggest at least a week) to get into the Sagrada Familia or Park Guell - there are no tickets available on the day and both book out early in busy times. There used to be a bit of the park that was free access - this is no longer available unless you are a registered local. There are also good views of the city to be had from the Torre Glòries - which is the big cucumber like building sticking up in the middle of the city. Lastly, hanging out in Park Ciutadella is nice and you have the nearly spectacular Arc de Triomf nearby as well.
There is always more to see.
15 April 2024
There is always more to see. Ww love exploring back roads and off beaten path bars and tapas. Ventured on metor and public buses. Awesomely Gulten Free restaurants, bakeries, beer and tapas. Started with hop on hop off to get bearings and choice must check out spots. Felt very safe. No problems with anyone. No eye contact with beggers or merchant pushers, simple no thank you and look away. Can't wait to return!!! Low cost! The Main turstist market is higher than other choices but would do again for the experience! Chok is totally GF and things can't get in states.
The places to eat and the food was amazing and everyone was...
15 April 2024
The places to eat and the food was amazing and everyone was so friendly. Billy Brunch was a favourite! There is so much to do in Barcelona, we crammed in so much with our 2 day Go City Passes (would definitely recommend booking in advance!) We went to the Segrada Familia which is breathtaking, rode the segways, visited Barceloneta Beach, the zoo, Big Fun Museum and Museum of Illusions. Watched a flamenco show at Torantos, had a boat ride on an eco - cattermeran and loads more! Getting around was easy either via metro, taxi or tourist bus. Everywhere is so clean and tidy and the architecture is amazing! Even the pedestrian crossings are well organised. We visited as an adult holiday but after visiting Barcelona I would be more than comfortable to bring my children back for a city break. There's so much to do and the shopping in the Gothic Quarter and La Ramblas is amazing. We loved Barcelona!
Barcelona is great city with lots to do and see.
15 April 2024
Barcelona is great city with lots to do and see. And also with great vibe . As business traveler and seeking to see the city after work, there’s always activities one can do. Also transportation is easy, taxi or trains to get around. As colleagues we aimed for best rated things to do in the city, Sagrada Familia, Park Güell and checked out local cuisine and sports bars. Also ease access to Madrid by train or bus and lovely sightseeing and great culture.
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 £206 per night
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Hotel El Palace Barcelona Eixample, Barcelona
From £454 per night
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Olivia Plaza Hotel Ciutat Vella, Barcelona
From £235 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 £24 per night
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Villas
From £165 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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Guest Houses
From £10 per night
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Hostels
From £7 per night
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B&Bs
From £7 per night
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Homestays
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Boats
From £26 per night
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Self Catering Accommodation
From £7 per night
