Barcelona city breaks & holidays

What to do in Barcelona

It's a sin to stick to the beaches in Barcelona, tempting though they may be. There are several essential stops among the city's iconic modernist architecture, older Gothic buildings, awesome churches and beautiful parks, plus more than a few captivating museums to boot.

La Sagrada Familia

Gaudí's crowning masterpiece had only one facade when the architect died in a tram accident, but the church-in-progress is already a mind-blowing fantasia of sculptural detail. Each generation's contribution is easily discerned by the lighter and darker tones and subtly different styles.

La Sagrada Familia will be finished in time for the centenary of Gaudí's death in 2026.

Casa Batlló

Another of Gaudí's most-lauded works is Casa Batlló on Passeig de Gràcia, which is a true wonder inside and out.

The undulating roof is covered in pink-and-blue tiles, rather like the scales of a dragon (or so we imagine), while the facade is adorned with broken ceramics in rainbow colours, as well as balconies like animal skeletons and an entrance resembling the jaws of a beast.

Santa Maria del Mar

Even if you're not a fan of churches, you'll love Santa Maria del Mar. Its perfect proportions are mind-boggling, while the interior of narrow stained-glass windows and aged pillars will have your jaw hitting the ground.

It's thought to be the last surviving example of Catalan-Gothic architecture (much of the other Gothic churches were destroyed during the Civil War) and it's much prized for having supposedly been built by local people.

Museu Picasso

Barcelona is credited with nurturing the talent of Picasso during its heyday as Europe's cultural capital in the early part of the 20th century. Fittingly, then, the city's Picasso museum has one of the largest collections – some 4,000 pieces – of the great artist's work anywhere in the world.

Spread across five grand Catalan gothic townhouses, the museum was uniquely unveiled during Picasso’s lifetime, and he donated many of the items personally.

Park Güell

By now, you may be thinking of Barcelona as the city that Gaudí built – but the pioneer of Catalan Modernism looms large with good reason.

Park Güell is a stunning wilderness hovering above the city, punctuated by giant sculpted ribs that resemble natural caverns, and a sculptural park showing off the best of the architect's broken-ceramics method, including his iconic lizard.

Where to stay in Barcelona

For food and drink

Barcelona’s culinary scene is up there with the best, whether you’re seeking out cheap and easy tapas bars or high-end fine dining. Central El Born is a good base for a wide range of tastes, and it’s also home to the enormous Santa Caterina Market, a bustling hall of fresh food and budget eats.

Elsewhere, El Raval is beginning to make a name for itself with its hip restaurants and bars, while Barceloneta’s food is very much inspired by its seafront location (it’s also right by the beach).

For nightlife

You don’t have to look too hard to find a party in Barcelona. Barri Gotic puts you right in the centre of the city, amid alleyways and squares, bars and nightclubs, just steps away from La Rambla. Stay here for a winning combo of choice and convenience. Trendy El Born, meanwhile, is known for its cool cocktail bars and bohemian vibes.

If you’re after upmarket, Seafront Vila Olimpica – the former Olympic village – is all beach bars and glitzy night clubs. You’ll find some of the city’s most exclusive venues here.

For culture

For the best of Barcelona’s cultural attractions, stay central. In particular, El Born is packed with interesting architecture, and world-class museums.

The concert hall Palau de la Música Catalana, El Born Centre Cultural, the basilica of Santa Maria del Mar and Museo Picasso are all here. Plus, it’s close to both the beach and La Rambla. El Raval is another excellent central option. MACBA (Barcelona Museum of Contemporary Art), the Maritime Museum and the CCCB arts centre are all located here.