Gorgeous Gaudi
From the soaring spires of (his famously unfinished church) to the magical grottoes and walkways of Parc Güell, Antoni Gaudi’s architecture is an essential part of Barcelona’s visual DNA.
Along with the above, don’t miss the fascinating La Pedrera, an apartment block designed by Gaudi with a great museum in the attic, and the nearby Casa Batlló (House of Bones) which resembles a mermaid’s palace.
The ‘Modernista’ style (Art Nouveau to English speakers) is also evident in work by other architects in the city.
Sagrada Familla
Open: 9am-6pm November to February, 9am-8pm April to September, 9am-7pm in October
Tickets: €19.50 with guide (English, French, German, Spanish, Catalan), €19.50 with audio guide (English, French, German, Spanish, Catalan, Chinese, Portugese, Russian), €15 without guide
Parc Güell
Open: 8.30am-6.15pm (last entry 5.30pm) January (01) to March (28), 8am-8pm (last entry 7.30pm) March (29) to May (03), 8am-9.30pm (last entry 9pm) May (04) to September (06), am-8pm (last entry 7.30pm) September (07) to October (24), 8.30am-6.15pm (last entry 5.30pm) October (25) to December (31)
Tickets: €8 General ticket, €7 online
La Pedrera
Open: 9am-8.30pm (last entry 8pm) February (27) to November (02), 9am-6.30pm November (03) to February (26), Gaudi’s Pedrera: The Origins 9pm-11pm Monday-Sunday May (18) to October, 10.15pm-11pm Fridays & Saturdays June (19) to September (12), 7pm-10pm Wednesday to Saturday Novemeber to February
Tickets: €27 La Pedrera by Day Premium, €20.50 La Pedrera by Day, €37.50 La Pedrera by Day & Night, €34 Gaudi’s Pedrera: The Origins
Casa Batlló
Open: 9am-9pm seven days a week all year round
Tickets: €21.50 Adult, €18.50 Student, €18.50 Juniors (7-18), Free Children (under 7)
Palau de la Musica Catalana
Check out Palau de la Musica Catalana, a concert hall with the most elaborate interior imaginable. You can only see it on guided tours, and these tend to sell out so get in early.
Open: 9am-9pm Monday to Saturday, Guided tours 10am-3.30pm Monday to Saturday
Tickets: Guided tours €15
Port Olimpic
Relive the glory of the 1992 Olympics with a trip to the Olympic Port and Village. The area has one of the city’s best beaches and is a pleasant spot to enjoy Barcelona’s sunny climate.
Tapas
There are tapas bars galore in Barcelona. Tapas can be simply a handful of olives or more elaborate meat and vegetable dishes. The idea is to pick a variety and have tapas as a meal rather than a snack. Take a look at the Food & Drink section for details.
Barcelona shopping
Spain is the country that brought us Zara, Mango and Camper to name a few of the better-known brands, so it’s only right that you spend at least some time checking out Barcelona’s shops.
The Barri Gòtic is a good place to head if you are after interesting trinkets or authentic wares such as handmade espadrilles. For high street shops, L’Eixample, La Ribera and La Diagonal are the places to go. Don’t leave any planned shopping for a Sunday — the Spanish take their day of rest seriously and few shops open.