Barcelona top sights
TravelSavvy holiday travel guide to top sights in Barcelona
There are so many holiday attractions in Barcelona it's worth planning each day.
Nearly every Barcelona holiday visitor will spend time wandering down the Ramblas and the Barri Gotic is just as appealing. Montjuïc has enough to take up a full day. For a quick visit the red and blue tour buses are a good way to see most sights.
Rather than wandering aimlessly around the city, short break visitors may be interested in guided tours of Barcelona from 'Barcelona City Tours'. These tours provide knowledgeable Barcelona experts to show you the sights. There are many tours available and they can be tailored to your personal needs.
The Ramblas is at the very heart of Barcelona and it makes finding your way around very easy. It's not just a lure for tourists, it’s where the locals head for too - a kilometre-long partly traffic-free thoroughfare.
Beneath the plane trees and elegant buildings, street traders enliven the Ramblas. There are street performers, artists, bars and restaurants galore, plus La Borqueria, one of the world's great markets. The holiday visitor can experience Barcelona simply by sticking to the Ramblas.
The Ramblas is in fact five streets, though you’d be hard pressed to see where Rambla Canaletes becomes Rambla Estudis, then Sant Josep, Caputxins and Santa Monica. At the seaward end is the Mirador de Colon, the Columbus statue, where the explorer is said to have landed after his first voyage to the New World. It does get edgier here, with what's left of a red light district and prowling pickpockets.
The city centre is an ideal place to stay on a Barcelona city break. See Ramblas Hotels for some of the best hotel deals.
Just off the Ramblas is the Gothic quarter. Dating mainly from the 14th and 15th centuries, it centres on the bulky cathedral, La Seu and some superb museums – principally the Museu d’Historia de la Ciutat and the Museu Frederic Mares.
The medieval alleys are fascinating and the area is packed with bars, restaurants, boutiques and galleries. As well as the Cathedral, there is the Placa de Sant Jaume and the elegant restaurant and café-lined Placa Reial. Again, it gets seedier nearer the sea and care is needed after dark.
One of the great Gothic structures, it is noted for its cloister, a lush spot with palm trees and white geese. The Cathedral dates from 1298, was finished in 1448 with the façade added some 450 years later - what’s the point of rushing? La Seu is open 8am to 1.30pm and 4pm to 7.30pm (an extra hour at weekends).
Once the wealthiest part of town, today it's an attractive medieval street and home to the Picasso Museum, now housed in five old mansion houses.
The International Exhibition of 1929 and the 1992 Olympics transformed the steep hill of Montjuïc. Highlights are the Museu Nacional d’Arte de Catalunya and the famous Spanish Village. It’s also linked by cable car across the harbour, an exciting trip with stunning views.
Montjuïc covers a large area, so trip planning is a must. You can approach from the north from the Placa d’Espanya with its twin towers. Go up the Avinguda de la Reina Maria Cristina past the imposing International Exhibition buildings. It’s a steep walk but there are outdoor escalators.
Alternatively, take the funicular from Paral Lel Metro to the Fundacio Joan Miró, a must-see visit for the artist's fans. Buses also run from Placa d’Espana - #50 passes the Caixa Forum; Poble Espanyol; the Olympic area. The summit is topped by the Castell de Montjuic with impressive views of the city and port.
Equador, followed by Peru, is where most migrants to Barcelona came from
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