Sagrada Familia is a breathtaking basilica that combines intricate facades, towering spires, and stunning stained glass windows, making it one of the most iconic landmarks in the world—and no visit to Barcelona is complete without marveling at this Antoni Gaudí masterpiece. The structure is unique for many reasons but especially because it’s taken more than 140 years to complete. Seeing it from outside is spectacular, but if you’re going in make sure to get tickets with access to the towers.
Also designed by Gaudí, Park Güell is a whimsical park that offers panoramic views of the city. Explore its colorful mosaic sculptures, meandering pathways, and lush gardens. Simply put, this is the Disneyland of Barcelona, and will transport you to another time and place. One more Gaudi building you can’t miss is Casa Batlló in the middle of the city. Open daily, the magical house is a UNESCO World Heritage Site
Pro tip: Make sure to get your Gaudi tickets (Sagrada Familia, Casa Batlló, Park Güell, etc.) in advance because they tend to sell out fast.
Walking is one of the best ways to discover Barcelona. Wander through the labyrinthine streets of the Gothic Quarter, where medieval architecture, charming plazas, and hidden gems await at every turn. Discover historic landmarks like the Barcelona Cathedral and Plaça Reial. Another great place to walk is La Rambla, Barcelona's most famous boulevard. Filled with street performers, souvenir shops, and busy cafes, La Rambla is also home to La Boqueria, a huge public market with stalls selling cured meats, cheeses, and more since 1840.
An elevated park, Jardins de la Rambla de Sants, is a 20,000-square-meter garden, built for the purpose of hiding the rail line with a box of hundreds of trees, and thousands of plants and shrubs. Ride the Montjuïc Cable Car, a gondola lift to the top of Montjuïc Hill, and enjoy stunning views of the city below.
Go to the beach! And when we say beach, we actually mean beaches. There are dozens to choose from, including Barceloneta, Bogatell, Llevant, and Mar Bella. This is a perfect activity on warmer days, before or after bar hopping for tapas, pintxos, and cava. For shopping (window shopping or otherwise), we love Bimba y Lola, Boo (a small, artfully-curated men's boutique in Gracia), Emma Pardos (for beautiful, sustainable bags and accessories), and Apres Ski (Barcelona-based goods, open since 2009) for jewelry and other one-of-a-kind objects. There’s also Hibernian, a cute, independent bookstore selling thousands of secondhand (and new) English-language books.
Trip Extras
Are you an IHG One Rewards member? Book tours, activities, and things to do in Barcelona and earn points toward future travels. A couple fun ones include a day trip to Montserrat, Girona, and Costa Brava, and a 3-hour food-and-drink walking tour of Barcelona's El Born and Gothic Quarter neighborhoods.
