Itineraries
Where to stay
The Gothic Quarter or El Born for first-timers, the Eixample for Gaudí and calmer streets, Gràcia for a village feel, Barceloneta for the beach.
The areas: Gothic Quarter and El Born, Eixample, Gràcia, Barceloneta.
Where to stay in Barcelona: areas and adviceHotels in BarcelonaPlaces to see
All things to do in SpainChurchBarcelona CathedralA Gothic cathedral whose cloister is home to 13 white geese.Entry: Sundays from 2 PM
NeighborhoodBarcelonetaThe old fishermen's quarter behind the beach, with seafood restaurants and classic tapas bars.Entry: Free to visit
BeachBarceloneta BeachThe city beach, with a seafront promenade and seafood restaurants.Entry: Free to visit
FoodCarrer de BlaiA pedestrian street in Poble-sec lined with pintxos bars.Entry: Pay as you go
MuseumCasa BatllóA Gaudí house with a dragon-scale roof on the Passeig de Gràcia.
NatureCiutadella ParkThe old town's big park, with a boating lake and a monumental fountain.Entry: Free to visit
NeighborhoodEl BornThe medieval quarter around Santa Maria del Mar, full of tapas bars, boutiques and small squares.Entry: Free to visit
NeighborhoodGothic QuarterNarrow medieval streets and squares around the cathedral.Entry: Free to visit
NeighborhoodGràciaA former village north of the Eixample, with small squares, local bars and independent shops.Entry: Free to visit
MarketLa BoqueriaThe famous food market off Las Ramblas, with tapas counters inside.Entry: Pay as you go
MuseumLa Pedrera (Casa Milà)A wavy stone apartment building with a rooftop of chimney sculptures.
MuseumPalau de la Música CatalanaA Modernista concert hall by Lluís Domènech i Montaner, crowned by a stained-glass skylight.Entry: Visits daily until 3:30 PM
ViewpointPalau Nacional (MNAC)The domed palace on Montjuïc that houses the National Art Museum of Catalonia, with a wide view from its terrace.Entry: Terrace free; the museum closes on Mondays
NaturePark GüellGaudí's hillside park of mosaic benches and gingerbread-like houses.Entry: Timed tickets for the Monumental Zone
MuseumPicasso MuseumPicasso's early work, in medieval palaces in El Born.Entry: Online price; more at the ticket office
ChurchSagrada FamíliaGaudí's still-unfinished basilica, begun in 1882, glowing with stained glass inside.Entry: Book a time slot
MuseumSant Pau Recinte ModernistaA former hospital of tiled Modernista pavilions by Lluís Domènech i Montaner.
ChurchSanta Maria del MarA soaring 14th-century Catalan Gothic church in El Born.Entry: Free outside cultural visiting hours.