We could make it a thousand things to do in Barcelona, but for the moment a hundred will do. From Pedralbes Monastery to the Picasso Museum, Gaudi to the Grácia Festival, here's our heavyweight list of a hundred things to do in Barcelona.
So get your Barcelona metro ticket - the ideal way to get around the city - and off you go.
See also: One-Page Wikitravel-Style Guide to Barcelona
More things to do in Barcelona:
- Spain Tours from Barcelona Tours of Catalonia and the rest of Spain from one to five days.
- Learn Spanish in Barcelona (book direct)
- Spanish Food and Drink Tours and Day Courses in Barcelona
See also:
100 Things to Do in Barcelona by Subject and District
Image: (c) Damian Corrigan
If you're looking for a particular type of activity, check out this breakdown of our 100 Things to Do in Barcelona:
- 12 Leisure Activities in Barcelona
- 10 Barcelona Day Trips
- 9 Barcelona Streets
- 9 Barcelona Landmarks
- 9 Barcelona Museums
- 8 Barcelona Plazas
- 8 Barcelona Nightlife Spots
- 7 Barcelona Art Museums
- 6 Modernist Buildings in Barcelona
- 5 Barcelona Tapas Bars
- 5 Barcelona Churches
- 4 Barcelona Restaurants
- 3 Places to Shop in Barcelona
- 3 Barcelona Parks
- 2 Barcelona Events
But the best way to split Barcelona is into districts, beginning in the centre and working our way out to the suburbs. Each area is easily worth a day of your time, but depending on time restraints each can be covered in one morning or afternoon.
- 10 Things to Do on Las Ramblas
- 10 Things to Do in the Gothic Quarter
- 10 Things to Do in El Born
- 10 Things to Do in Barceloneta
- 10 Things to Do in El Raval
- 10 Things to Do in Eixample
- 10 Things to Do in Gracia
- 10 Things to Do in Montjuic
- 10 Things to Do in Tibidabo
- 10 Barcelona Day Trips
Don't want to take our word for it? There are nearly 200 things to do in Barcelona that have been selected by the users of Tripadvisor. Check out Tripadvisor's Things to do in Barcelona for some alternative ideas.
Ten Things to Do Around Las Ramblas
Image: (c) Damian Corrigan
Spain's most famous promenade can be a river of tourists, but it's worth getting swept in for a couple of hours to enjoy the stalls, human statues and eclectic mix of landmarks, from ceramics by Mirò to the Liceu Theatre and elegant but seedy Plaça Reial.
Ten Things to Do In Barrio Gotico
Image: Image: Oliver Mallich Some Rights Reserved
Barrio Gotico is the Gothic Quarter, where the La Seu Cathedral, Plaça del Pi and myriad dark, winding alleyways preserve the area's rich medieval heritage.
Ten Things to Do In El Born
Image: XCaballe Some Rights Reserved
El Born is the site of one of Spain's finest Gothic churches, Santa Maria del Mar. The medieval passageways adjoining it will take you to the unmissable Picasso Museum and Palau de la Musica, while Passeig del Born is one of the trendiest places for a paseo - an afternoon stroll - in the city.
Ten Things to Do In Barceloneta
Image: Jaume Meneses Some Rights Reserved
Barceloneta is Barcelona's fishermen's barrio. It has the most popular beaches in the city, some of the best seafood eateries and a magnificent port.
Ten Things to Do in El Raval
Image: MorBCN Some Rights Reserved
El Raval looks, smells and tastes different. It's a multi-cultural hub showcasing delicious international cuisine, much of the city's best graffiti, unusual drinking spots and contemporary art in the award-winning MACBA Museum.
Ten Things to Do In Eixample
Image: (c) Damian Corrigan
Eixample is all about the extraordinary modernist architecture of Gaudi, Domenech i Montaner and Cadafelch, centred upon the surreally beautiful Passeig de Gràcia, also Barcelona's top shopping avenue.
Ten Things to Do In Gràcia
Image: (c) Damian Corrigan
Gràcia sees itself as a village within the city, but visit its buzzing Carrer Verdi and Plaça del Sol and you'll find a vibrant community whose festival in August is one of Barcelona's most unforgettable.
Ten Things to Do In Montjuic
Image: (c) Damian Corrigan
Montjuic is dominated by the presence of its castle, Olympic Stadium and Royal Palace. It is also home to some of Spain's finest museums, including the Miró Foundation and Caixa Forum.
Ten Things to Do In Tibidabo
Image: (c) Damian Corrigan
A funicular ride to the top of Mount Tibidabo provides the best views of Barcelona. Lower down, the Royal Palace of Pedralbes has a wonderful ceramics museum, and Pedralbes Monastery stores a treasure trove of religious art.
Ten Day Trips From Barcelona
Image: (c) Damian Corrigan
From the amazing rock formations of Montserrat to the charming seaside resort of Sitges and Dali's home town of Figueres, here are some of the top treats within a couple of hours' reach of Barcelona.