Barcelona attractions: top 15 must-see spots and monuments

3. Mercat de la Boqueria

This covered market in the heart of the city is a must-see. Located on the famous Ramblas, this market attracts thousands of visitors daily. If you’re in the mood for a tasty snack, La Boqueria is the place to be. There are many market stalls in this covered hall where you can find all sorts of typical Spanish products. The fruit and vegetable stalls are a colorful collection where you can also buy delicious fresh fruit juices. These provide a refreshing cool-down on hot days.

The fish section is also an impressive part of the market; multiple vendors display their goods on large layers of ice. The freshness of the products is evident from the many stalls located in and around the market.

Tapas at La Boqueria

If you want to try a few typical Spanish tapas dishes, you can stop by Quim de la Boqueria. This is a small eatery right in the middle of the market. It’s the perfect spot for a quick bite. Afterward, you can continue exploring the attractions in Barcelona. Prefer a more extensive meal? Check out our overview of restaurants in Barcelona.

4. Santa María del Mar

The most written-about church in Spanish literature is Santa María del Mar. It’s a true icon for the people of Barcelona. This immense church is located in the heart of the El Born district and is definitely worth a visit. Since the 14th century, believers have gathered here to practice their faith.

Construction began in 1329 and the church was completed in 1383. At the time, this was astonishingly fast. The construction was continuous, which explains the church’s unique architectural style. It was uncommon for a plan to be executed directly.

Due to its location in the middle of the district, it’s difficult to get a good view of the church’s size until you go inside. Once inside, you can truly appreciate how large and tall the church is. Thanks to the many stained-glass windows on the sides of the church and the numerous gilded statues, it’s a colorful spectacle inside. If you want to visit the church’s interior, make sure to wear clothing that covers your shoulders, as you may otherwise be denied entry.

Read more about Santa María del Mar

Books about Santa María del Mar

Many books have been written about Santa María del Mar. In the Netherlands, “The Cathedral of the Sea” by Ildefonso Falcones is particularly well-known. This book was recently adapted into a Netflix series of the same name. Of all the Barcelona attractions, this is the most discussed church in literature.

Are you a fan of visiting churches? Then read our article about the churches in Barcelona.

5. Parc de la Ciutadella

When you exit the Santa María del Mar through the back entrance, you find yourself on the charming street Passeig del Born. This street used to extend much further than it does today, reaching the bustling neighborhood of La Ribera. However, after the Spanish victory over the Catalans, that neighborhood was demolished to build a large fortress. In the 19th century, that fortress was in turn demolished. In honor of Barcelona’s first World’s Fair in 1888, a large park was created on the site.

This park, called Parc de la Ciutadella, still exists today. It’s a popular spot for locals to enjoy the outdoors. On summer and spring days, the park is filled with people sunbathing and picnicking.

The palm trees in the park provide shelter from the sun, making it a popular spot on warm days. The beautiful design of Ciutadella also contributes to the park’s popularity. Additionally, the park is a suitable place for sports, jogging, or playing games.

Famous pond with fountains in La Ciutadella

In the park, you’ll find a pond with fountains and a beautiful monument behind it. All of this was built in honor of the 1888 World’s Fair. The dragon fountains were designed by a student. It was only much later discovered that this student was Antoni Gaudí. The dragons are thus the oldest work of the famous artist in the city.

When you exit the park through the main entrance, you arrive at a beautiful promenade with lovely street lamps and many palm trees.

Read more about Park La Ciutadella

6. Arc de Triomf

At the end of the promenade stands the Arc de Triomf. So no, the Arc de Triomf is not only in Paris ;)
However, this arc has nothing to do with any triumph. The monument was specifically built for the World Exhibition. It would actually be more accurate to call it a welcoming arch.

Besides taking a stunning photo here, it’s a delightful spot to spend the day thanks to the many street performers and vendors. The arc with palm trees and hills in the background looks great in pictures. In the evenings, the area around la Ciutadella is often lively with groups of people gathering. The city frequently organizes events on the promenade of the Arc de Triomf. The park and the Arc de Triomf are among our guides’ favorite Barcelona attractions.

Read more about Arc de Triomf

7. Explore all Barcelona attractions by bike

Did you know that Barcelona is an excellent city to cycle around? The city is actively working to make it even more bike-friendly. There are already over 200 kilometers of bike paths, and this number is growing. Therefore, exploring all the Barcelona attractions is perfect to do by bike.

If you choose a tour of the highlights of Barcelona with Baja Bikes, a Dutch guide will take you to all the exciting spots. If you’re only in Barcelona for a short time, we recommend reading Barcelona in 1 day.

Our guides have lived in the city for quite some time and know all the fascinating stories they are eager to share with you. In just a few hours, you’ll get a good sense of what the Catalan capital has to offer.

The tour starts in the center of Barcelona but also takes you to places beyond. You’ll also pass attractions that we discuss later in this article.

8. Barcelona Cathedral

There is no shortage of churches in this city by the Mediterranean Sea. The Santa María del Mar in El Born might be an impressive church, but it pales in comparison to the Barcelona Cathedral. This attraction is located in the Barri Gòtic district.

Fortunately, they left some space around the church. From Plaça Nova, you have a good view of the impressive front of the Cathedral of the Holy Cross and Saint Eulalia (as it is officially called).

We highly recommend taking a look inside. There you will see many stained glass windows and decorations. In the middle of the cathedral, you’ll find the sarcophagus of Eulalia, one of the city’s two patron saints. The cathedral also features various chapels and a garden worth exploring.

Once outside, we suggest taking a walk around the entire complex. You’ll pass through a narrow street with a beautiful arch and acoustics, where there’s almost always a musician or singer entertaining people. You’ll also come across a lovely secluded square where you can relax. The walk around the entire cathedral is an attraction in itself that you definitely don’t want to miss. This is the oldest part of the city, where you can still find Roman remains.

Read more about the Barcelona Cathedral.

Barcelona attractions outside the city center

Not only in the old city center but also outside it, you’ll find the most exciting and well-known attractions of the Catalan capital. We’ll list them one by one for you so you can be sure not to miss anything.

9. Park Güell

We’ve talked enough about churches, but not yet about Gaudí. This man shaped the face of the city, and many of his projects are still on display.

Park Güell is one of them. This attraction is located quite a distance from the city center and on a hill, so we recommend taking the metro to Vallcarca. From there, it’s still a bit of a walk, but fortunately, the steep streets have an escalator. It’s also possible to take one of the many taxis driving around to the park.

Once in the park, you’ll find Gaudí’s famous mosaics. The salamander by the stairs is also a Barcelona attraction that loves to be photographed. While you’re in the park, take a walk to the highest point. The view over the city is truly stunning, and you definitely don’t want to miss it.

This park is a must-see during your visit to Barcelona. Note that only a limited number of visitors are allowed per hour. In the past, entrance to the park was free, but now it’s essential to purchase your tickets in advance.

• Read more about Park Güell Barcelona
• Visiting Park Güell? Buy your tickets online

10. Casa Batlló

Passeig de Gracia is one of the more expensive streets in the center of Barcelona. This is where all the wealthy families lived, and they wanted to show it. What better way than to hire the city’s best architect to design a house for you? This is exactly what the Batlló and Milà families (see next attraction) did.

Casa Batlló is a stunning colorful spectacle with the most unusual shapes on the outside. Everything is rounded, and it looks as if the building is made of bones and scales.

The roof resembles the back of the dragon slain by Saint Jordi, the other patron saint of the city. The chimney somewhat resembles his sword. We recommend checking out the interior, but be sure to get skip-the-line tickets online to avoid long queues.

• Read more about Casa Batlló
• Casa Batlló admission: Buy tickets online

11. Casa Milà

For Casa Milà, it’s also wise to buy an entrance ticket online. This house doesn’t resemble Casa Batlló in terms of colors, but here too, you won’t find a single angular shape. The locals were less impressed with Casa Milà and jokingly nicknamed it La Pedrera, or the quarry.

The interior and especially the roof are unique designs, and you don’t need to be a design student to appreciate this remarkable building.

• Read more about Casa Milà
• Visit Casa Milà. Buy your entrance online

12. Montjuïc

One of the major Barcelona attractions is a mountain. On the edge of the city lies the Jewish mountain, Montjuïc. On top stands a 17th-century castle. Here you have a beautiful view over the harbor and the coastline along the city. The mountain itself hosts various gardens and parks, and in 1992, this mountain was the setting for the Olympic Games. The stadium, swimming pool, and the tower for the flame are still there and are attractions in their own right.

If you want to escape the city’s hustle and bustle, a leisurely afternoon on this mountain is the perfect solution. You can stroll through nature and past some beautiful buildings and museums. On Montjuïc, you can truly unwind.

Montjuïc, at 185 meters high, is quite a hill. If you want to explore it without breaking a sweat, opt for the e-bike tour. With the electric bike, you can easily glide up the mountain.

• Read more about Montjuïc
• Tickets online: Castle visit and cable car ride

13. Plaça Espanya

At the foot of Montjuïc stands a palace that now houses the National Museum of Catalan Art. From this palace, you can clearly see the impressive fountains. In the evening, they put on a spectacular show called Font Magica (the magical fountain). Furthermore, from here, you can see the two Venetian towers that stand at the edge of Plaça Espanya.

That round building on the square? It was once a bullfighting arena. However, this activity is banned in Catalonia, so they transformed the complex into a shopping center.

• Read more about Plaça Espanya

14. Tibidabo

The highest point in Barcelona is clearly visible from large parts of the city. It is a hill on the city’s edge with a church and a statue of Jesus on top. From Tibidabo, you have the best view of Barcelona. Here, you can truly see how vast this metropolis is. If the view isn’t enough, you can also enjoy a ride on the roller coaster or Ferris wheel in the amusement park next to the church.

It’s quite a journey to reach Tibidabo, but it’s fun. The old tram is an experience in itself. First, take the metro from the city center to the Tibidabo stop. You’ll then be at the foot of the hill. From there, the tram departs towards the top. Halfway up the hill, there’s a café where you can enjoy a refreshing drink while taking in the view.

• Read more about Tibidabo

15. Bonus attraction in Barcelona: Camp Nou

For football enthusiasts, the stadium of FC Barcelona is definitely worth a visit. This club attracts many visitors, and a lot of them are Dutch. The long history of Dutch players at this club seems to continue, making a visit to Camp Nou even more interesting. The stadium’s museum is the most visited museum in Barcelona.

Currently, Camp Nou is under renovation, and matches are being held at the Olympic Stadium in Montjuïc. They hope to complete the renovations by the end of the 25/26 season and resume playing at Camp Nou.