Nearly every visitor will spend time wandering down the Ramblas. The old city, the Barri Gotic is also appealing but there are so many attractions, it's worth planning each day of your stay. Montjuïc, for example, has enough to take up a full day. The red and blue tour buses are an excellent way to get around to most sights.
The city centre is a great place to stay at when in Barcelona. Take a look at Ramblas hotels to find the best deals
Ramblas and nearby areas
The world-famous 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 pedestrian thoroughfare, once a seasonal river.
Plane trees, elegant buildings and street traders – birds, flowers, fish, books - who all have kiosks and stalls. There are street performers, artists, bars and restaurants galore, plus La Borqueria, one of the world's great markets. The visitor can enjoy Barcelona simply by sticking to the Ramblas.
It 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. It does get edgier down here, with what's left of a red light district and pickpockets on the prowl.
The Barri Gotic
Just off the Ramblas is the Gothic quarter. Dating mainly from the 14th and 15th centuries, it centres on the cathedral, La Seu and some superb museums – principally the Museu d’Historia de la Ciutat and the Museu Frederic Mares, both in a former palace.
The medieval alleys make for fascinating wandering 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 Real. Again, it gets seedier near the sea and care is needed after dark.
La Seu Cathedral
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, 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).
Carrer de Montcada
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.
Montjuic
The International Exhibition of 1929 and the 1992 Olympics transformed the steep hill of Montjuïc and made it a fascinating area to visit. Highlights are the Museu Nacional d’Arte de Catalunya and the famous Poble Espanyol or ‘Spanish Village.’ It’s also linked by cable car across the harbour, an exciting trip with stunning views.
Montjuic 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 more impressive views of the city and port.
Ramblas statue
La Boqueria
Barri Gotic wall
Gaudi's Barcelona
