The Top 7 Highlights of Barcelona

Barcelona is a city and second most populous municipality of Spain. If you have been following- we road tripped through Europe, starting from the UK, then flying over to Paris and continuing on the road through to Portugal. After leaving Madrid, we drove approx. 7.5 hours to explore Barcelona.

Once a major city in the Roman Empire, the city still places an important role in the region and is home to millions of residents and visitors enjoying all the delicious sangria and gin, mouthwatering food, stunning beaches, warm weather, the rich history and culture, and unique architecture that Barcelona is famous for.

This unique travel guide lists the top 7 highlights of Barcelona and all the best things to see and do while visiting this incredible city!

How to get around Barcelona

We stayed just outside of the city area and utilized their train system to get to and from the city. The T10 ticket (Zone 1 ticket) is a type of transport card which you can purchase at the entrance to any metro station. It entitles you to 10 journeys on the metro, FGC (FGC run train lines similar to the metro around the city centre) buses, tram and RENFE all Zone 1 areas for a small cost of €10.20 (single ticket costs €2.20).

Explore my Top 7 Highlights of Barcelona!!

1. Shop ’till you drop at Passeig de Gràcia

Passeig de Gràcia is part of the 5 km shopping line and is an important road in Barcelona containing several of the city’s most celebrated pieces of architecture.

2. Barter your souvenirs at La Rambla

La Rambla is a street in central Barcelona that stretches for 1.2 kilometers. Think of it as a long stretch of markets. It can be crowded, especially during the height of the tourist season but is definitely a popular thing to do on you top highlights of Barcelona. Its popularity with tourists has affected the character of the street, with a move to pavement cafes and souvenir kiosks. It has also suffered from the attention of pickpockets, so beware!

3. Explore the Gothic Quarter (Barri Gòtic)

The Gothic Quarter is the centre of the old city of Barcelona. The Barri Gòtic (as pronouced in spanish) retains a labyrinthine street plan, with many small streets opening out into squares. Most of the quarter is closed to regular traffic although open to service vehicles and taxis. The quarter encompasses the oldest parts of the city of Barcelona, and includes the remains of the city’s Roman wall and several notable medieval landmarks.

4. Cheer on at Camp Nou (Football Stadium)

Camp Nou (Catalan for “new field”) is a football (soccer) stadium in Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain. It has a capacity of 98,787 – making it the largest stadium in Europe. The stadium is the home ground of FC Barcelona and you can do a stadium tour which will also mean you get to walk in the same footsteps of some of the world’s famous football stars.

5. Discover the quirky Park Güell

The Park Güell is a public park system composed of gardens and architectonic elements located on Carmel Hill. Park Güell was created in 1900, when Count Eusebi Güell bought a tree-covered hillside (then outside Barcelona) and hired Gaudí to create a miniature city of houses for the wealthy in landscaped grounds.
Something quite quirky and different to the norm but nevertheless a site to be seen while visiting Barcelona.

6. Marvel at La Sagrada Família

This is a must on your see on your highlights of Barcelona! The Temple Expiatori de la Sagrada Família is a large unfinished Roman Catholic church designed by Catalan architect Antoni Gaudí and his work on the building is part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Construction began in 1882 and is still to this day unfinished. It is anticipated that the building can be completed by 2026, the centenary of Gaudi’s death.

7. Day trip to Montserrat

Montserrat is a multi-peaked mountain range part of the Catalan Pre-Coastal Range. The main peaks are Sant Jeroni, Montgrós and Miranda de les Agulles. Even just driving towards these picturesque mountains are worth it- the views are like a postcard!

You can get up to the Benedictine Monk retreat either by train or cable car and honestly when you get up there you will see that Montserrat offers you some of the most spectacular mountain views of Catalunya. You will also learn about the holy grotto where visitations by the Virgin Mary were reported.

See opening times and info here.