La Sagrada Familia & Park Guell

Widely regarded as Gaudí’s masterpiece, this breathtaking structure took the artist most of his life to create, and is still under construction some 150 years later. Dominating the city’s skyline at over 500ft tall, its soaring spires and intricate stonework are a photographer’s dream. Walking a little further, Park Guell is Gaudí’s stunning park area and former residence. The park is full of nooks and crannies with stunning architecture at every turn. The colourful mosaic structures and unrivalled view over Barcelona are not to be missed. For more great Gaudí architecture be sure to check out Casa Milà and Casa Batlló.

Las Ramblas

Leading from the Plaza de Catalunya all the way to the seafront, this tree-lined boulevard is a huge tourist hotspot. From vibrant street art to pop-up live performances, it’s abuzz with action almost 24/7. Here you can find a huge number of shops, restaurants, bars and even museums - all in one place.

Camp Nou

Home to the world-famous Barcelona FC, this super-sized stadium is built into the ground and is the largest in Europe, seating a whopping 99,000 people. With a huge range of tours on offer - from self-guided wanders to VIP pitch walks - it’s a must for lovers of the beautiful game. There’s even the chance for a sneak-peek behind the scenes, and the interactive exhibits offer hours of hands-on fun for even the littlest footie fan.

Boqueria Market

As one of Europe’s largest and most famous food markets, the Boqueria Market is an absolute must for any foodie. Just wandering around the hundreds of stalls will have you in awe. With fresh fruit and veg, artisan chocolates, locally-produced cheese and the region’s famous ham, you won’t be short of something new to try. To make it even better, there are also a few small open-air restaurants and bars cooking up the most fresh and tasty lunches possible.

Museo Picasso

If you’re into your art then a visit to Museu Picasso is definitely a must! Picasso lived in Barcelona between the ages of 15 and 23 and the city definitely had an impact on his work. Marvel at some of Picasso’s most well-known pieces and discover some of his lesser-known early works that were inspired by this beautiful city.

Take a ride on the Montjuic Cable Car

Montjuic is a scenic wooded hill that borders the bustling city below and is home to a magnificent castle. Taking a trip up here is worth it for the views alone. And to top that off, a trip by cable car is even better. Whether you start at the bottom stop or take the funicular halfway, you’re sure to enjoy the amazing panoramic views on offer.

Things to do in Barcelona with the kids

Taking the kids on holiday means planning those day trips and excursions to suit a range of different ages, tastes and interests. If Barcelona could guarantee one thing, it’s that you’ll never hear those dreaded two words – ‘I’m bored’.

No trip to Barcelona would be complete without a slow meander down the famous street of Las Ramblas. Lined with trees, this one-of-a-kind street is a green oasis, and the beating heart of Barcelona. From quirky record shops to unique fashion boutiques: large tapas restaurants and quaint little tavernas, you could easily spend a full day exploring this kilometre long stretch. Not to mention, the kids will love the street performers and magicians dotted along the way.

Got a football fanatic in your family (yes that includes the big kids too)? Then, a trip to Nou Camp is an absolute must. The stadium doesn’t look all that big from the outside. But, renovated to hold just shy of 100,000 people, the stadium actually descends lower than ground level once inside. Offering stadium tours and behind the scenes access, this experience is truly magical for those who love the sport. Because, who doesn’t want to stand where Maradona once did? Or Messi? Or Guardiola? Or Ronaldinho? You get the idea.

Things to do in Barcelona for couples

A holiday with your partner is definitely one of the finer things in life. Enjoying each other’s company, exploring somewhere new and taking the time to just relax without a care in the world. Sounds good right? Queue your perfect holiday destination for a couples holiday… Blissful sunny days, gorgeous Gothic architecture and getting lost in the maze of picture-perfect cobbles streets, Barcelona offers romance by the bucket load. Here are a couple of things you can’t miss.

Notably Barcelona’s most famous cathedral and landmark, La Sagrada Familia is an architectural wonder and one of Antoni Gaudi’s most famous works. Commissioned in 1882 and – unbelievably – still largely unfinished, this amazing feat of engineering is both intricate and stunning. Whether you choose to take a guided tour or simply marvel from the roadside, the beauty of La Sagrada Familia is sure to entrance you.

So, we’ve all got to stop for lunch, and what better place to grab a bite to eat than La Boqueria? Dating back to the 13th century, this bustling marketplace is now the site of hundreds of amazing stalls, street food kiosks and even a central bar. Maybe just leave an extra hour spare to explore the labyrinth of stalls after lunch.

Things to do in Barcelona for groups

Organising a trip for a group of people can be time consuming. Someone wants to see the sights, someone wants to hit the beach and another just fancies a bar crawl in slightly warmer climes. The answer to this problem? Barcelona. Old to young, lively to quiet – there’s something for every member of the group in this city.

So, you have a group that want to visit different parts of town? Check out the Barcelona bus tours! With two lines (red and blue), this hop-on-hop-off service means you can take in the sights and culture of the city with the added ability of hopping off wherever you fancy to check out the different neighbourhoods.

Keeping a group happy on a night out is like an extreme sport. To cater for everyone you need a variety of bars, music and vibes. So, picking a club to end the night in can be tricky. That’s where Razzmatazz comes in. With five rooms, big-name DJs and top performing artists, Razzmatazz is an experience that should not be missed.

Things to do in Barcelona on a budget

So far you’ve already paid for your flights, your hotel, transfers, the obligatory airport beers… the list goes on. The last thing you want to do is fork out a lot of money on excursions when you could be saving those spends for important things, like food! It’s cool, we get you.

First stop: the beach. Grab your towels (maybe a Frisbee too) and hit the sands. With a choice of beaches and plenty of facilities, a beach day in Barcelona is the perfect way to relax under the gorgeous Spanish sun. Laze the day away, challenge the gang to a game of beach rounders, enjoy a beach picnic and soak up that sun.

Now, you can’t visit Barcelona without popping to see at least one of the infamous Antoni Gaudi buildings and monuments throughout the city. Why not see them all, on your very own Antoni Gaudi tour of Barcelona? A whistle-stop tour (with no entrance fees) should include La Sagrada Familia, Park Güell, Casa Batlló and Cascada Fountain at Parc de la Ciutadella.

Things to do in Barcelona at night

You’ve spent the days exploring the streets of Barcelona, lazing on the beaches and discovering true Catalan culture. But what do you do when night falls? A good holiday needs to have a good nightlife, and something that will suit you and your squad (whoever that may be). Whether you want to enjoy a top-notch meal, take in a show or hit the bars, Barcelona has something for you.

First thing’s first, you’re in Barcelona – a place where traditional Spanish food is fused with authentic Catalan tastes. The best way to try it all? Tapas! If you’re anything like us and you want to order everything from a menu, here’s your chance to do it. Enjoy your tapas on Las Ramblas and you’ll be in for a meal you’ll never forget.

Once you’re sufficiently stuffed, it’s time to leave the restaurant and explore the bars of the Gothic Quarter. Whilst there’s amazing nightlife in all areas of Barcelona such as the big clubs of El Pobelnou and the chic cocktail bars of Eixample, the Gothic Quarter offers something different. From traditional tavernas to hidden gems that hold only 15 people, bars around here are quirky and unique.