Top things to do in Barcelona
Attractions, tours, and activities in Barcelona
Recommended museums in Barcelona
Where to find art and culture in Barcelona
Barcelona: the city's best neighborhoods
Find a great area to stay in Barcelona
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Ciutat Vella
0.5 miles from downtown
Ciutat Vella ("Old City") is comprised of several neighborhoods: Barri Gòtic, Raval, El Born and Barceloneta (all in more detail in separate descriptions). As a whole, the district’s characteristic features include narrow, winding streets that reach from Las Ramblas to the coast.
Places to stay from $13 a night
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Eixample
0.4 miles from downtown
L’Eixample’s large, grid-like avenues (modeled after New York) are easy to navigate. Passeig de Gràcia (in the center) is a tourist hot-spot, with Gaudí's Casa Batlló and La Pedrera, as well as Puig i Cadafalch's Casa Amatller within easy reach. Carrer Balmes is a safe and tolerant area for all kinds of travelers.
Places to stay from $9 a night
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Gràcia
1.3 miles from downtown
There’s a youthful energy in this dynamic area. Plaça de la Virreina, Plaça del Sol and Plaça de Rius i Taulet are charming squares to relax in and people-watch. Take a stroll through Gaudí’s Park Güell, with its unique architectural spaces that offer wonderful views of the city.
Places to stay from $13 a night
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Sants-Montjuïc
1.4 miles from downtown
This district retains a lot of its traditional character. Tourist hot-spots surround Montjuïc Hill, next to Plaça Espanya. Visit the Joan Miró Foundation and Catalonia National Art Museum (MNAC) in the Palau Nacional. The 17th-century Montjuïc Castle stands on the hill, and there are also the colors of the Magic Fountain to enjoy below.
Places to stay from $9 a night
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Sarrià-St. Gervasi
1.7 miles from downtown
Accessible only by train or bus, this primarily residential district has a range of local restaurants. For families traveling with younger children, the CosmoCaixa science museum showcases a range of exhibitions. Les Planes, an outdoor picnic area, is nestled on the farthest edge of the district.
Places to stay from $10 a night
About Barcelona
Including tips for the best time to visit Barcelona
Located on the coast of Catalonia, Barcelona is a melting pot of cultures, filled with unforgettable architecture, medieval streets, and impressive museums. Its most famous figure, Antoni Gaudí, is the genius behind some of the city’s most incredible monuments. From the twisting, stone façade of Casa Milà to the world-famous Sagrada Familia, the works of this legendary architect can be found all over the city.
In the Gothic Quarter, you’ll find all sorts of historic cafes and tapas bars leading the way to a cathedral protected by gargoyles. Be sure to try Catalonian classics like beef croquettes and salt-cod fritters under this dramatic backdrop, then wash it all down with a refreshing glass of Rioja. The perfect way to end the day is with a walk all the way down the lively, tree-lined boardwalk of La Rambla until you get to the calm port at dusk.
If you’re looking to soak up the year-round sunshine, find a spot on the sand in Barceloneta or a comfy patch of grass in Parc de la Ciutadella. If you have time, take a stadium tour of Camp Nou, climb Carmel Hill for amazing panoramic views, or explore the iconic mosaics of Park Güell – yet another of Gaudí’s amazing creations.
Tonight
From $314 per night
This weekend
From $511 per night
Next weekend
From $492 per night
| Most popular time to visit | October-December |
| Cheapest time to visit | January-March |
| Local currency | € 1 = $1.08 |
| Language | Spanish |
| Average weekend price | $162 per night |
| Average weekday price | $170 per night |
| Average stay | 2 nights |
Points of interest in Barcelona
Stay near the top sightseeing spots in Barcelona
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Camp Nou
2.5 miles from downtown
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Plaça Catalunya
In downtown
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Sagrada Familia
1.2 miles from downtown
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Plaza Espanya
1.4 miles from downtown
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Passeig de Gracia
0.2 miles from downtown
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Barcelona Cathedral
0.4 miles from downtown
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Arc de Triomf
0.6 miles from downtown
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Palau Sant Jordi
1.9 miles from downtown
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Placa Reial
0.6 miles from downtown
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La Pedrera
0.7 miles from downtown
Barcelona reviews
What other travelers say about Barcelona
Amaizing place to visit.
May 7, 2024
Amaizing place to visit. Just remember to book tickets to Sagrada Família and Park Güell in advance. Tickets to Sagrada Família is possible to by only by online application. These places are very busy.
Barcelona is a great city.
May 7, 2024
Barcelona is a great city. It has one of the best architectural places for anyone to see. A very walkable city too. Loved the food and the markets, specially La Boqueria , the fruit was the best we have had.
It’s a beautiful city and is very walkable with beautiful...
May 7, 2024
It’s a beautiful city and is very walkable with beautiful architecture and great tapas. Lovely shops. Only disappointing thing was that Zara floor staff are very rude. When you spend a lot of money over many years around the world at Zara, I think one is entitled to expect some
Charming & proud people, amazing Catalan-regional food,...
May 6, 2024
Charming & proud people, amazing Catalan-regional food, stunning architecture, impressive history, kind front-line people, sublime atmosphere, lots of tour options to choose from, great shopping, a true world-class City. Only negative is not enough TOILETS. Saw several people literally Peeing on trees/shrubs because no other options. Barcelona needs to figure this part out quickly. But, that being said, I would definitely go back again & again! Even in the rain, it was great!
All overpriced, unreasonable prices.
May 6, 2024
All overpriced, unreasonable prices. Sights collected immediately upon entry, although you do not know if you are interested in all attractions or events. The trip to Montserrat was a disaster, where we both on the way there and on the way back stood in an overcrowded and overpriced bus the whole way. But what is a complete disaster are the toilets. When visiting the park, we spent 1/2 of the two hours. waiting in line for the toilet and I'd rather not write about the condition. If you happen to come across a public toilet, it's either closed or in such a state that you'd rather get a coffee in a restaurant and use their toilet, than your stomach should rise. The highlight of the entire stay was the behavior of the control employee at the Familia Sagrada. I understand why monuments need to be protected and there are also undisciplined tourists, but her behavior was absolutely inadequate. She checked our rucksack and shuffled things (despite the fact that he passed the X-ray screening). When I asked her to put the things to sleep and close the rucksack, I didn't hand it to her like that, she started screaming at me and swearing at me in Catalan, although I politely asked her in English to please return the things the way I gave them to her . We didn't even like the pleasant covers and signs in the subway, tourists, go home. We understand the problems of local residents, but tourists also bring jobs and income to local residents. Every situation has a solution, but not for tourists to worry about someone spitting on them on the street just because they don't like them. We have already visited several metropolises in Europe, but nowhere have we encountered such a feeling of unwillingness and even resistance.
Fantastic architecture and interesting well-kept medieval...
May 5, 2024
Fantastic architecture and interesting well-kept medieval historic city centre. Most top sights are within walking distance. City has plenty of good restaurants and bars, as well as plenty of tourist traps. Unfortunately, even casual tapas bars can be quite pricey and give you unpleasant surprise when you see the total on the cheque.
Popular places to stay in Barcelona
Stay in some of the best accommodations Barcelona has to offer
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Petit Rosselló Eixample, Barcelona
From $221 per night
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Casa Camper Barcelona Ciutat Vella, Barcelona
From $254 per night
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Hotel El Palace Barcelona Eixample, Barcelona
From $509 per night
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H10 Madison 4* Sup Ciutat Vella, Barcelona
From $323 per night
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Hotel Boutique Mirlo Barcelona Sarrià-St. Gervasi, Barcelona
From $326 per night
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Other accommodations in Barcelona
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From $31 per night
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