Colorful sunset over Barcelona with iconic park Güell architecture, mosaic benches, and cityscape in the background.
Scenic view of rocky mountains with a historic building at the base, overlooking a valley under a partly cloudy sky.

Note: The are so many things to see and do in Barcelona, but don’t forget to stroll the neighborhoods of El Born, Gothic Quarter, Barceloneta and El Rival with the la Boqueria market on La Rambla avenue

From city to sea with mountains all around, Barcelona is an endless list of sites and sounds that enthrall all who visit or live there. No matter what you enjoy, this city by the sea will provide it. The following is just a partial list of all its wonders.

It all began with an idea. A new way of thinking and seeing, beyond what anyone anywhere could imagine. On almost every corner on every street the old and the new combine to provide a confluence of visual sights that surprise and delight. Just make sure to take the time to stop and look, in case you miss some of the sublime features that arise all around you from the street into the sky.

Basilica de la Sagrada Familia: If not the most famous of cathedrals in Europe it is certainly one of the most visually stunning. But make sure to go the their website to get tickets way in advance to see the inside as well! Because it is such a popular attraction, there is a lot of noise around it and approaching it, from restaurants to kiosks to pick pockets. Keep your eye and hand on your valuables and know that it is quite a walking distance from the tourist centers. A cab may be your best and safest way to go!

BTW, plan to spend at least three hours if not more, between waiting in line and then meandering through the amazing inside and gawking at every view possible of the outside. It is worth every minute. Even if it is Gaudi! Get it???

Interior view of Sagrada Familia church with ornate columns and colorful ceiling decorations
Sagrada Familia basilica in Barcelona with cherry blossoms in the foreground and a blue sky.

Arc de Triomf: Standing as constant guard to the long walkway that leads to the magnificent Parc del la Ciutadella, this is a site that should not be missed! The arch with walkway and the city park is like nothing else, so plan to see it all. Maybe even join in on the outdoor salsa party at the park fountains or buy a ticket to the zoo! It is located just outside the Born neighborhood, so if you adventurous the walk will do you good.

Along the side road are several decent restaurants that offer a variety of Spanish and other cuisines, including libations galore. You can easily spend a few hours wandering about the park and the nearby restaurants, providing a peaceful respite from the hustle and bustle of the city.

A large historic triumphal arch made of red brick with ornate sculptures and decorative elements, surrounded by palm trees and a busy city square with people walking and sitting.
A grand architectural structure with intricate sculptures and golden statues on top. A fountain with water features flows at the base, and there is a terraced area with people standing and sitting, overlooking the structure. The sky is partly cloudy.
Historical monument with ornate architecture and sculptures surrounded by gardens and a water feature, set against a clear blue sky.

Barceloneta Beach: Updated in 1988 for the Olympics that was held on Barcelona, this city beach area with white sand and crystal clear waters provides a non-ending boardwalk past many restaurants and late night party spots. At one end is the Port Vell, providing dockage for all types of private and excursion boats. Make sure to take the long stroll down to the contemporary W Hotel shaped like a big sail and then go visit the new shopping mall.

Because it is such a long beach, we enjoy renting bikes and taking a ride through the old town streets that include several good locale restaurants. However you get there, you can’t go wrong on a sunny day.

People playing beach volleyball on sandy beach with ocean and blue sky in background.
View of a beach in Barcelona with the W Hotel in the background and boats on the water.

Cathedral of Barcelona: The home of the Barcelona Catholic church positions itself at the fore front of the Gothic area, its square the center of everyday and tourist life. Inside and out this church and it’s surroundings should not be missed. Purchase reasonably priced tickets here for an enjoyable visit. The Gothic area is where you can literally and preverbally get lost in the maze of streets offering unlimited sightseeing including restaurants, bars, nightclubs and boutiques.

Around every corner there’s a new surprise and we often would strike out with a nightclub in mind only to end up at a great restaurant or music venue. Go figure!

A narrow, old stone alleyway with arch overhead, brick walls, and vintage street lamps.
Front view of Barcelona Cathedral, a Gothic-style church with intricate stonework, pointed arches, and tall spires, against a clear blue sky, with people walking near the entrance.
Gothic-style architectural balcony with pointed arches, decorative tracery, and stone columns, extending over a narrow street between stone buildings.

Park Guell: Designed by architect Gaudi to be a residential visit of the most avant-garde architecture, Park Guell position against the surrounding mountains is a sight that everyone should visit. Plan a part of your day to stroll about and wonder at the mind that designed and built such an amazing example of what the mind of mankind can produce. Make sure to by tickets way in advance here, since they sell out way in advance. It is a ways out of town, so you’ll have to drive via cab or car.

Antoni Gaudi was commissioned in the early 1900’s to build this crazy cool looking park as a housing development. Never quite caught on with the Smurfs and such so we now can dig this amazing place on a hill overlooking all of Barcelona.

Colorful view of Antoni Gaudí's Casa Batlló, a famous architectural landmark in Barcelona, Spain, with intricate mosaics, whimsical shapes, and a vibrant cityscape in the background.
A colorful and ornate building with columns, stairs, and lush greenery in a garden setting.

Montserrat monastery: Seen in the far distance, this monastery that dates all the way back to 800 AD is a fun day trip that everyone young and old can enjoy. From the Black Madonna statue that has been attributed for granting miracles to the melodic sounds of the boys choir, the view from this monastery cannot be beat. (It did not cure my bad hair day!) There are many tour companies of all types and costs to get you there. Go here for low cost tours or consider these many highly rated tours.

This 11th-century Benedictine abbey can also be reached by train or cable car is you decide to go it alone. It has works by artists like Dalí, Picasso, and Monet, along with treasures from the Holy Land and a boys choir that sings daily, if they can’t help it.

A town nestled between rocky cliffs with buildings and a road visible in a mountainous landscape.
Historic monastery complex built into rocky cliffs with stone buildings, arched windows, and a courtyard, under a partly cloudy sky.

Casa Batllo: Another amazing wonder of architecture and inspiration designed by architect Antoni Gaudi in 1904, this treasure was a redesign of an existing residential house and now stands as an amazing visual site both inside and out. Located in the center of the city, make sure to get tickets here. I would suggest taking about two hours for this trip, as sometimes the lines to get in can be a bit of a wait. Located in the trendy and upscale Eixample neighborhood, you may want to spend sometime just cruising around or dropping into one of the many restaurants or bars. There is also a lot of upscale shopping around here too.

Colorful and whimsical building with organic shapes, multiple windows, and decorative balconies resembling nature's curves, featuring vibrant mosaic details and architectural design by Antoni Gaudí.
Interior view of a building with colorful mosaic walls and several windows, viewed from the ground looking up.
Interior view of a room with an organic, curvilinear design, large multi-pane windows with colorful stained glass, wooden flooring, and decorative columns. Outside, trees and street views are visible.
A narrow European courtyard with old stone buildings, balconies with plants, and a small shop entrance labeled 'BORN' at the bottom center, illuminated by warm lighting.
A narrow alleyway in an urban area with cafes and shops on both sides, string lights above, and signage advertising different places.
A covered walkway between two yellow buildings with balconies, leading to a glass-domed structure at the end, surrounded by trees.

I’ve alluded to this before but now I’ll just come out and say it, the Born neighborhood is a must go. Across the Via Laietana boulevard from the Gothic barrio, is the Born. It starts with the Born Mercado and is bordered by the Arch de Triomf park on one side and Barceloneta beach on the other.

This is where hip happens, like one of the top bars in the world, yes the world, called Paradiso, and Dr. Stravinsky bar. Or, over a dozen places to eat that range from drop in to all night adventure! If you’re cool and young, or just cool, this is the place to be and be seen. Just enter and walk for hours getting lost in the revelry.