Barcelona top sights
TravelSavvy holiday travel guide to top sights in Barcelona
There are so many good holiday attractions on a Barcelona city break it's worth planning each day.
Nearly every Barcelona holiday visitor will spend time wandering down the Ramblas, while the Barri Gotic is just as appealing. Montjuïc has enough on offer to take up a full day. For a quick visit, the red and blue Barcelona tour buses are a good way to see most sights.
Rather than wandering aimlessly around the city, Barcelona short break visitors may prefer the guided tours of Barcelona from 'Barcelona City Tours' where 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 galore help to enliven the Ramblas. Street performers and artists are in evidence outside the bars and restaurants while La Borqueria is one of the world's great markets. The holiday visitor can experience Barcelona simply by sticking to the Ramblas. As the city centre is an ideal place to stay on a Barcelona city break check out Ramblas Hotels for some of the best hotel deals.
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 prowling pickpockets in what's left of the Barcelona red light district.
Just off the Ramblas is Barcelona's Gothic quarter. Dating mainly from the 14th and 15th centuries, it is dominated by the bulky cathedral, La Seu and some superb museums – principally the Museu d’Historia de la Ciutat and the Museu Frederic Mares.
One of the great Gothic structures, La Seu 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).
The medieval alleys are fascinating and the area is littered 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 maybe needed after dark.
Once the wealthiest part of Barcelona, today it's an attractive medieval street and it's full of palaces that were built from the Middle Ages to the 18th century. The first palace heading towards the port is the 13th century Palau Berenguer d'Aguilar, which now houses the Picasso Museum. Just opposite, the Palau dels Marquesos de Llio is now the Textile Museum. Along with the historical buildings and museums, the street also has plenty of bars, cafes and souvenir shops.
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 fabulous views.
Montjuïc covers a large area, so trip planning is a must. You can approach from the north through Placa d’Espanya with its twin towers. Go up the Avinguda de la Reina Maria Cristina past the imposing International Exhibition - 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 Barcelona city and port.
The Camp Nou stadium is Europe's largest
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