There is so much to do, so many things to see and such a wealth of experiences on offer in Barcelona that it can sometimes be a challenge deciding where to go first. For those planning their first visit to this unique European city, here is a list of five attractions that should not be missed.
Las Ramblas
Running from the bustling square of Placa de Catalunya to the Christopher Columbus monument at Port Vell, Las Ramblas is Barcelona’s most famous street, a popular meeting point for both tourists and locals. A walk along this vibrant thoroughfare offers a perfect introduction to Barcelona, with street entertainers, cafés, market stalls and shops providing a charismatic representation of life in the city. Located along Las Ramblas is the Mercat de la Boqueria, Barcelona’s best-known street market, as well as the Centre d’Art Santa Monica and the Gran Teatre del Liceu opera house.
As well as providing a memorable experience in itself, Las Ramblas offers access to Barcelona’s Barri Gotic, or old town, which lies to the east of the street. This area gives visitors the chance to explore the Barcelona of times gone by, with medieval buildings, historic museums and the stunning La Seu cathedral.
The Sagrada Familia
The Sagrada Familia is one of Barcelona’s iconic tourist attractions, a towering Roman Catholic church designed by Antoni Gaudi, a pioneer of the ‘modernista’ style of architecture that can be seen in a number of locations around Barcelona. Gaudi oversaw the beginning of construction work on the Sagrada Familia in 1882 and, so ambitious was the project, the church is still being built today. The most striking aspects of the building are its intricately detailed gothic towers and its facades depicting different scenes from the Bible. Visitors to the Sagrada Familia can head to the church’s museum to learn more about its history and ongoing construction, with exhibits including original models designed by Gaudi.
Other notable examples of modernist architecture around the city include La Pedrera, Casa Batllo, Casa Calvet and Casa de les Punxes.
The Camp Nou
Sports fans will already be well aware of the significance of football in Barcelona and the almost god-like status that FC Barcelona and its players have in the city. The huge part that football plays in the lives of local people is represented in the size of Barca’s legendary stadium, the Camp Nou. Construction of the arena as it appears now began in 1954 and lasted three years, with the official inauguration of the ground taking place in September 1957. With an impressive capacity of more than 98,000, it is the largest stadium in Europe and the 11th largest in the world.
Barca are currently leading Spain’s Primera Liga and will face home games against Athletic Bilbao (March 8th), Sevilla (April 22nd), Villarreal (May 10th) and other big sides before the end of the season.
Tibidabo
Tibidabo is a mountain to the north of Barcelona that offers stunning views across the city and its Mediterranean coastline. On a clear day, of which there are many in Barcelona, visitors can see as far as the Montserrat and Pyrenees mountains and even across the sea to the island of Mallorca. At the top of the mountain is the Sagrat Cor church, a telecommunications tower and the popular amusement park. The park boasts a mix of traditional and high-tech attractions and can be considered a smaller cousin to PortAventura, the theme park that can be reached by taking a day-trip from Barcelona.
One of the most popular ways of reaching the summit of Tibidabo is the funicular railway. Visitors can bring their day on the mountain to an end by exploring the surrounding Parc de Collserola or heading to the nearby Museu de la Ciencia.
Museums and galleries
Barcelona has a rich and distinguished cultural history, which is explored in its many museums and galleries. One of the city’s most famous artistic sons is Joan Miro, whose experimental and surrealist work earned him international acclaim. At the Fundacio Joan Miro, visitors can see many of the artist’s greatest works as well as pieces by other visionaries that are presented in regular exhibitions. Barcelona is also home to a foundation devoted to the abstract expressionist painter and sculptor Antoni Tapies. The institution is currently undergoing renovation work and is due to reopen in the spring.
Arguably the most famous Spanish painter of all is Pablo Picasso, considered by many to be the greatest artist of the 20th century. While he was not born in Barcelona like Miro or Tapies, he had strong links with the city and with Catalonia, which are explored at the Museu Picasso. The highlights of the museum’s collection include pieces by Picasso inspired by Diego Velazquez’s Las Meninas and portraits of the artist’s family members.
People with a passion for modern art will find plenty more to interest them at the Museu d’Art Contemporani de Barcelona, while the Museu Nacional d’Art de Catalunya offers a broader view of Catalonia’s creative culture and history.
