Barcelona is big enough to get lost in and small enough to feel familiar in just a few days. The Sagrada Família is on everyone's list, for good reason. But there's more. Here are seven things I'd do—or have done—from sipping coffee with a cathedral view to spending a day in the vineyards outside the city.
Sagrada Família: Yes, You Really Want to See It
Touristy? Absolutely. Yet, you mustn't skip the Sagrada Família on your first visit to Barcelona. Gaudí's structure is impressive from the outside (its highest point was reached in 2026, but it won't be completed until after 2034), but definitely go inside, too. It's there you'll truly appreciate the design, with high columns, organic shapes, and colorful stained-glass light.
Reserve your ticket in advance and choose an early time slot if possible. Check here for tickets.
Want to see the Sagrada Família from a different perspective afterwards? The rooftop of Sercotel Rosellón Barcelona, directly opposite the Sagrada Família, offers a direct view of the cathedral's towers. Pre-book this spot online.
Park Güell: Gaudí with a View Over Barcelona
Another known spot that, in my opinion, is well-deserved in almost every Barcelona guide. Park Güell is a bit farther from the city center and on a hill offering beautiful views. Here you'll find Gaudí's famous colorful mosaics, undulating forms, and viewpoints overlooking Barcelona.
I recommend visiting Park Güell in the morning, before the crowds gather. It's best to book tickets for the monumental area in advance. Only 40 people are allowed every half hour, so in high season, pre-booking is a must. There's no on-site ticket office. Here's a link to Park Güell tickets.
Are the Sagrada Família and Park Güell both on your list? A combo ticket for both is a handy option, making it easier to plan.
What to Do in Barcelona if You Love Architecture: Palau de la Música
Palau de la Música Catalana is one of the city's most beautiful buildings, and you don't need a concert to appreciate it. A tour is enough. Glass, color, light, and details on every inch. The building is a celebration, even if classical music isn’t your thing. Be dazzled by a riot of colors, shapes, and light when you enter the Concert Hall. Check out the large skylight from the 2nd floor. Culture by day, tapas by night. That's my style.
Hospital de Sant Pau: Colorful Modernism sans the Crowds
The history of Hospital de Sant Pau dates back to the 15th century. The current modernist complex was designed by Catalan architect Lluís Domènech i Montaner in the early 20th century. With its colorful mosaics, stained glass, and gardens, it hardly feels like a former hospital.
Interesting detail: Antoni Gaudí died here in 1926, having been hit by a tram days earlier. Sant Pau is about a ten-minute walk from the Sagrada Família, so I'd definitely combine the two.
→ View tickets for Hospital de Sant Pau
Tapas Food Tour: Discover the City Through Its Food
A tapas food tour is really just an excuse to enjoy delicious snacks. With a local guide, you wander through neighborhoods you might otherwise miss, and stop at small bars for patatas bravas, jamón, and surprisingly good wine. You'll hear stories and try tapas and wine you'd never order yourself. A great way to get to know Barcelona if it's your first visit. Definitely do it if you're with a group! Want to seek out the best tapas bars in Barcelona on your own? Check out my article on the site.
GoCar: Explore Barcelona in a Small Electric Car
Renting a GoCar feels like starring in your own movie. You rent one for two people, follow a GPS-guided route at your own pace, and stop wherever you want. Past highlights, and places you'll find on no map. Fun, relaxed, and a bit different from walking or cycling.
Flamenco at Palau Dalmassus: Intimate and Authentic
Flamenco Palau Dalmassus in El Born is the opposite of a large flamenco show in a tourist venue. The performance lasts an hour, the building is beautiful and historic, and the energy is raw in a way you don't experience in a big hall. Singing, guitar, and dance just ten meters away. There's a small bar, making it a great evening even without big plans around it.
Wander Through El Born and the Gothic Quarter
Not everything you do in Barcelona needs a ticket or time slot. El Born and the Gothic Quarter are neighborhoods where I love to wander aimlessly. Narrow streets, small squares, old facades, and plenty of great spots for coffee, tapas, or a glass of wine along the way.
In El Born, you'll find the Santa Maria del Mar, the Picasso Museum, and the old El Born market hall, but I visit just as much for the atmosphere, shops, restaurants, and bars. On the other side of Via Laietana is the Gothic Quarter, with winding streets around the cathedral and squares you’ll inevitably stumble upon if you just keep walking.
Check out my extensive article on El Born for my favorite restaurants, bars, and addresses.
Wine Tasting in Penedès: Leave Barcelona Behind
Ride a cheerful Méhari out of the city, towards the vineyards of Penedès, one of Catalonia's most beautiful wine regions. Along the way, stop for tastings and a long lunch among the hills. Everything at a relaxed pace, with attention to taste and scenery. Perfect for those wanting to leave Barcelona behind without going far.
Still looking for a hotel in Barcelona? Check out 8 addresses you can always rely on
What to Do in Barcelona? My Key Tip
Try not to tick everything off your list. Choose a few places you really want to see and leave enough room for a long lunch, an unexpected terrace, or a street you just can't resist wandering down. In my view, Barcelona is most enjoyable when not every hour is pre-planned.
Looking for Great Places to Eat in Barcelona?
On my Google Maps guide, you'll find all my favorite hotspots neatly organized. From restaurants and wine bars to hotels and places I've personally selected. This way, you just have to decide where to go first.
View my Mapped by Carole map of Barcelona
