Barcelona is a Mediterranean metropolis that has it all. With its institutions like the opera, the works of world-famous painters and its elegant streetscapes, the city throbs with cultural cachet. There is so much to see and do, so we have pulled together a list of our favorite “must-see” cultural sights, to help you on your next visit to Barcelona.
1. La Sagrada Familia: Barcelona’s Catholic Basilica is perhaps Gaudí’s quintessential masterwork—or it will be once it’s finished. This already grand cathedral has been under construction since 1882, because, as Gaudí famously remarked, his “client is not in a hurry.” To truly appreciate the exterior, with its four towering spires and ornate façades, come at night, when the entire structure seems to glow from within.
2. Parc Guell: No city has a signature park quite like Barcelona’s Parc Guell. Its swooping entryway is classic Gaudí, like the grand staircase of a funhouse, and the park is filled with his ornate mosaic work. Perhaps most impressive are the walkways shaded by vaulted roadways that wind around the park. They are a triumph of both artistry and engineering. 3. Gothic Quarter: The Gothic Quarter is Barcelona’s earliest city center, dating back to the Romans. Fragments of the Roman city walls still remain, and its narrow, labyrinthine streets evoke a bygone era. But the real draw here is the stunning architecture that lines them. Ancient cathedrals and palaces abound, as well as city government buildings, all ornate examples of Barcelona’s Gothic past. 4. The Gaudí Houses: The houses designed by Barcelona’s hometown architect speak volumes about his unique style. The most famous are the Casa Batlló, a grand, rippling structure the color of tarnished copper; and the curvaceous La Pedrera with its ornate balconies. Palau Guell is less famous, but no less fascinating, with its 20 oddly peaked chimneys.
5. Fundacio Joan Miró: Another of Barcelona’s hometown heroes, artist Joan Miró, is immortalized in this beautiful museum, commissioned by Miró himself and dedicated to contemporary art. It’s hard to decide which is more invigorating: the museum’s impressive collection, or the mountainous grounds of the surrounding Parc de Montjuic. Miró’s final resting place is on the gorgeous southern slopes of the Parc he so adored. 6. Montjuic Fountain: Built for the 1929 World’s Fair, the Montjuic Magical Fountain lives up to its name even in today’s modern times. Its size alone is impressive, but this fountain is its own three-ring circus, with lighted prisms that change the water to vibrant colors, “water acrobatics” with streams changing shape and its very own musical soundtrack.
7. Picasso Museum: Perhaps the most popular sight in the Barrio Gótico is the museum dedicated to one of Barcelona’s most beloved former residents. Spread across five adjoining medieval palaces—works of art in their own right—the Museu Picasso’s extensive collection is one of the largest in the world, and also includes his lesser-known engravings and ceramics pieces. 8. La Boqueria: Barcelona’s energetic market has been the bustling commercial center of the city since the 13th century. Today, it is a wonderfully diverse array of vegetable stalls, colorful flower stands, and shops selling goods from all over the world, from exotic edibles to intriguing collectibles.
9. Gran Teatro del Liceu: Barcelona’s opera house is one of the city’s most renowned landmarks. Over 160 years old, Liceu has one of the biggest stages and some of the best acoustics for opera to be found in the world. And it’s a survivor: it has burned down twice, once in 1861 and again in 1994, only to reopen as a more state-of-the-art version of itself, making it a point of pride for Barcelona and one of the most venerated opera spaces in Europe. 10. Las Ramblas: Las Ramblas is a series of five interconnected streets that stretch from the Barrio Gótico all the way to the Mediterranean via a new sixth street, a boardwalk called La Rambla del Mar. It is always energetic, filled with street performers, artists and craftsmen. Many of the city’s most popular cafes line the street and are perfect places to sit and watch the world of Barcelona go by.