Barcelona is a city full of life and sometimes it is hard to make a choice. Here you find our personal recommendations for best things to do in Barcelona:
We believe that a tour company should excel at four things: accurate history, entertainment, good advice and great customer service. We strive honestly to deliver them all. Here are some day activities in Barcelona we believe are worth a visit. For Restaurants in Barcelona see this post.
1.) The attraction getting the most visitors each year: Sagrada Familia.
BarcelonSail works together with tour operator Skip The Line Barcelona offering the best tour for the Sagrada Familia in combination with a sailing trip including lunch. Having seen the Sagrada Familia from the inside, then take our sail tour and see the Sagrada Familia from the sea. Who can show those pictures to friends and family?It is one of the best things to do in Barcelona.
“Important note from BarcelonaSail: Tickets for the Sagrada Familia are ONLY available online and only in advance! You can NOT choose your time during the day. There will be a given time frame to you where you have to be in. If you don’t make it within this time frame your already paid ticket will be invalid.”
2.) Calle Joaquin Costa in Raval
One of the less mentioned day activities in Barcelona are walking in and around Raval. You will find many interesting shops and places. This lively neighborhood is fantastic for a day activity. Our favorites are the Green Farmers, a fully ecological grocery store ran by two brothers. All the fruits and vegetables are under their own control. No apples from Chile but just from Cataluyna, and sometimes Spain. Yes, they do not have every day of the year the same fruits and vegetables but what you buy there is real.
A bit further down is Barcelona’s only stained glass repair shop, VidalGlass who repaired master works, such as the windows of Sagrada Familia. Find really original gifts in Joaquin Costa 62, and go back in to 70 in the place next doors.
Walking further down to direction sea, you will hit the newest Rambla of the City “Rambla de Raval”. This part of the city is one of the favorite streets among young locals and visitors who like to see and an authentic neighborhood.
On the Rambla de Raval you willl find yourself face-to-face with Barcelona´s most emblematic cat built by Fernando Botero.
Right next to the Rambla you can enjoy a stunning 360-degree view over the city from the rooftop of the Hotel Barceló. Have a break and enjoy some tapas and drinks next door in Cafe Monroe, café of the new cinematheque, the Filmoteca.
3.) Camp Nou
Many families have this day activity in Barcelona on their agenda and rightly so. FCBarcelona one of the worlds most famous football clubs, walk through the changing rooms, get to see the inside of the stadium, a magic place to see. You can learn about the Club´s history in the Museum dedicated to FC Barcelona, right next to the Stadium.
4.) The Montjuïc mountain
is where many locals find some piece of mind, with a pick nick bag enjoying the sun and the views over the city and the sea, where BarcelonaSail is operating. You could dedicate a whole weekend to exploring the attractions. Find below our personal favorites. Get a closer look at Montjuïc Park, where you’ll find the Olympic Ring. The Olympic Ring, scene of the 1992 Olympic games, including the Stadium, the Indoor Sport’s Pavilion, and the Olympic swimming pools.
5.) Fundacio Joan Miró
Visit the only Museum in the world exclusively dedicated to the great Barcelonian artist, Joan Miró, born in 1893. The Fundació Joan Miró was created by Miró himself. The Fundació opened to the public on 10 June 1975 and has since become a dynamic center in which Joan Miró’s work coexists with cutting-edge contemporary art.
6.) La Caseta,
A very cool open restaurant/bar on the South West corner of Montjuic. It has relaxing launch chairs and offers beautiful views over the sea with a dance and music program every Wednesday trough Sunday during the summer. A very nice ending of your day activity in Barcelona.
7.) Visit the incredible National Art Museum (MNAC)
The Palau Nacional, constructed for the International Exposition of 1929, is the location of the Museu Nacional d’Art de Catalunya. Its façade is crowned by a large dome, inspired by that of St Peter’s of the Vatican; two lesser domes on either side, and four towers inspired by the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostella.
The museums location is on the scenic hill of Montjuïc, a privileged setting from which you can enjoy magnificent and unique views of Barcelona. The front access to the Palau Nacional is reached by a major stone staircase from the avenue of Reina Maria Cristina, flanked half way up by the major luminous and monumental fountains by Carles Buïgas.
8.) Mies van der Rohe Pavilion.
If you are interested in Modern architecture, we recommend a visit to the Mies Van der Rohe Pavilion.
9.) CaixaForum Barcelona
An art gallery located in a former textile factory. The gallery is sponsored by Barcelona bank “la Caixa”, and opened in 2002. The building was originally commissioned as a textile factory by Casimir Casaramona i Puigcercós, and built by the famous Catalan architect Josep Puig i Cadafalch. Called the “Casaramona factory”, it was completed in 1911, and the same year won the City Council’s award for best industrial building.
10.) Visit the cactus garden – Jardins de Mossèn Costa i Llobera
The Cactus garden is nearly unknown for visiting tourists and even many locals. This is a real insider tip! These are one Europe’s biggest gardens specialising cacti and succulent plants. Facing the sea and sheltered by Montjuïc, they are located on a privileged mirador, just a few minutes from the city centre.
These are our 10 best day activities in Barcelona, below we share 2 more activities that are worth mentioning. We hope you enjoy the city.
11.) Labyrinth of Horta – Parc del Laberint d’Horta
You will find the Labyrinth of Horta on the top of the hills surrounding Barcelona, you can easily reach it by public transportation. This park has the city’s oldest conserved garden. Once Neocalssical, with a slightly Italian look, it later adopted a Romantic style. Surly on our list of best day activities in Barcelona.
12.) A day on the beach in Barcelona – Base Club Nautico
After seeing the city highlights it is time to go to the beach and have a drink. The best beach to go to is the one that is a little more relaxing: Base Club Nautico at beach of Mar Bella. You find more space and a very bar/restaurant to have a drink and lunch. La base by Farre, known by locals for its friendly service and good food and on the beach for an attractive price. My favorite when going to have a bite on the beach.