Sights to See
The following is a curated list of sights that all travellers should have the chance to visit while in Barcelona…
Sagrada Familia
Carrer de Mallorca, 401, 08013 Barcelona
An icon of Barcelona, La Sagrada Familia is the unfinished masterpiece of Barcelona’s most famous architect, Antoni Gaudí. More than 137 years after construction began and with a turbulent history, La Sagrada Familia continues to be constructed to this day. While 2026 has tentatively been announced as a completion date (100 years since Gaudi’s death) many don’t think it will ever truly be finished. Set to be the world’s tallest church when completed, the church was designed in Gaudi’s signature surrealistic Art Nouveau style and is unlike any other church in the world. You could spend hours exploring the intricate and unique detailing of the exterior design, but it is inside where the church displays its breathtaking beauty. 90 metres long and 60 metres high, it is a huge space. Look up into the vaults and you’ll see more spectacular detailing within the coloured stained-glass windows. There are a range of ticket types but we recommend the ticket giving you access to one of the towers. This enables you get up close to the amazing design and the spectacular view and also includes the excellent audio guide (€32).
Park Güell
Another masterpiece designed by Gaudi (his name pops up frequently in Barcelona), Park Güell is a fantastical park full of whimsey and imagination, in the north west of the city. An urban park of 19 hectares, set on the side of the Tres Creus and El Carmel hills, Park Güell is part local green space and part landscape architecture fairyland. Explore the mushroom topped gatehouse and climb the beautiful lizard stairway up to the Nature Square with its curved mosaic seating and views across the city. Explore the grottoes and gardens and keep your eyes peeled for the intricate details found throughout the park. Of course, don’t miss the famous mosaic lizard statue, one of the most famous symbols of the city.
Tickets (€10) should be purchased in advance online in order to secure an entry time (tickets are limited due to the popularity of the site). Once you have entered the park you can stay as long as you like.
You will need public transport or a taxi to get to Park Güell. Included with your ticket is a free shuttle bus from Metro Stop Alfons X (on L4) which takes 15 minutes.
La Rambla
Barcelona’s most famous boulevard, La Rambla runs from the port up to Plaça de Catalunya. Over 78 million people amble up La Rambla’s tree-lined footpaths each year, perusing the many shops, restaurants, flower stalls and architecture on display. Along the way look out for the Mercat de la Boqueria, Barcelona’s main food market with over 300 stalls, the stunning Liceu Opera House and the Teatre Principal, the oldest theatre in Barcelona. Fair warning, it will be busy, so keep your belongings safe and perhaps aim to grab something to eat or drink from one of the many charming roads or squares off the main road.
Architecture
Along the tree-lined boulevard of Passeig de Gracia, between Carrer del Consell de Cent and Carrer d’Aragó, lies the Illa de la Discòrdia, the Island of Discord. Here, five incredible buildings designed by five acclaimed Catalan architects sit side by side – clashing spectacularly in Modernista glory. The works by Montaner, Sagnier, Coquillat, Cadafalch and Gaudí (of course) were all built in the early 20th century and showcase the imaginative expertise of architecture in Barcelona at that time.
Just 500m from Illa de la Discòrdia you will find another architectural gem, Casa Mila, or La Pedrera (the Stone Quarry). Designed by Antoni Gaudí in the early 20th century, Casa Mila is one of Gaudi’s most famous works. With its curved stone façade, wrought-iron balconies and decorative chimneys, it showcases Gaudi’s typical flamboyance. Ahead of its time as a work of architecture and now UNESCO world heritage listed, La Pedrera is a stunning building to behold and a fascinating one to visit (€22).
Picasso Museum
Carrer Montcada, 15-23, 08003 Barcelona
Set in five beautiful palaces in the historic El Born area, the Picasso Museum shows the fascinating progression of Picasso from a classically trained painter to an innovative cubist maverick. Featuring 4,251 of his works, the gallery space is expertly designed to showcase his sketches, paintings, engravings and ceramics. Tickets are €12 for the main collection and €14 with the temporary exhibitions. Free entry is available Thursday evenings 6:00 – 9:30pm and the first Sunday of each month.
