10 Best Activities in Barcelona

There are endless things to see and do in Barcelona, but not all of them are amazing monuments, that's why I wanted to show you a selection of amazing activities to do in the city. Some of the places where you can do amazing activities in Barcelona are the Park Güell or the Sagrada Familia.

But besides that, Barcelona offers you other fun activities like enjoying amazing attractions in Port Aventura park or going to the Rambla to visit its exotic stores and restaurants where you can not only enjoy the vibrant atmosphere but also the Spanish gastronomy.

Taking a stroll through Barcelona's Gothic Quarter is one of the activities you should include in your list of places to visit in Barcelona in 1 day. This is one of the most emblematic and touristic areas of the city, it is also full of history thanks to the fact that it was founded during Roman times. Thanks to its gothic and medieval architecture, you will surely love to know part of what is considered one of the best medieval towns in Barcelona.

If you go on a guided tour of the Gothic Quarter, your guide will tell you that it is not possible to establish precisely the year in which this place was founded because the overlapping of different civilizations and architectures throughout the history of the city gave rise to it. Within this place there are several points of interest that you should not miss, among which are the Cathedral of Barcelona, the Plaza Sant Jaume, the Plaza Real and the Museum of History of Barcelona.

You can also see places that are recognized as some of the most tourist places in the city as the Boqueria Market, where you can try some of the Spanish cuisine. The Call Jueu is another of the highlights within this neighborhood, which is precisely a Jewish area of Barcelona, which you will love for its narrow streets and historic buildings.

If you go with children, they will also have fun touring the Gothic Quarter because there is located the Museum of History of Barcelona, which is an amazing place to see interactive exhibits and educational games for children. One of the things I recommend when you go to this place, is to visit it during the day, so you have the opportunity to see in detail each of its buildings and historical monuments.

Details of interest

• Price: You don't need to pay anything to tour the Gothic Quarter if you go on your own, but if you take a guided tour you will have to pay between 20 and 35 euros per person.
• Hours: The area is open, so it is accessible 24 hours a day. Although if you go on a guided tour, you will have to stick your itinerary to the schedule proposed by the guide.
• Location: This neighborhood is one of the most important in the center of Barcelona.

There is no better way to get to know a city than riding through its streets by bike, that's why one of the things you have to do is to sign up for one of the best bike tours in Barcelona, not only to know the city, but to feel each of its streets, its atmosphere, its people, and to breathe its air in the purest way. To tour the city in this way you have two options: either take a tour, or rent a bike.

If you decide for the second option, you will find in Barcelona many stores that rent bikes, and the prices from one store to another can vary considerably. As Barcelona is a city where it is customary to go by bike to many places, there are plenty of places that you can tour by bike and take pictures along the way, thanks to the fact that they are picturesque and crowded places.

Among the most recommended places to ride a bike in the city is the Natural Park of Serra de Collserola, which is also a perfect place to get in touch with nature, since it is the green lung of the city. And as Barcelona is a coastal city, you will also love to take a bike ride along the beach, tour the Olympic Port or visit the promenade on two wheels.

Now, if you are looking for a much more urban tour, I recommend cycling to the most popular neighborhoods of the city such as the Gothic Quarter, the Raval and El Born. In each of these places, trails and bike paths are very common, so you should always ride on these roads to maintain safety during your trip.

Details of interest

• Price: Bicycle rentals can be between 20 and 30 euros per day. While a city tour can cost between 30 and 50 euros per person, including bike rental.
• Schedule: The schedule of the bike tour is up to you, although if you take a guided tour, the tour guide will most likely tell you what time the tour will take place.
• Location: You can cycle all over the city of Barcelona.

There are many places in Barcelona where you can enjoy traditional Spanish flamenco, and among the most prominent are Palau Dalmases, Tablao Flamenco Cordobes and Los Tarantos Flamenco. And with so many places to see some of the best flamenco shows in Barcelona, this is certainly an activity that shouldn't be missing from your travel itinerary.

Part of what you'll love about these shows, in addition to the sheer talent and culture, is that they are all-inclusive shows that include singing, dancing, guitar and percussion. Best of all, they take place in an intimate and cozy atmosphere in traditional tablaos throughout the city. In the middle of the show you will have the opportunity to accompany that moment with some traditional Spanish tapas and drinks, which adds value to the show.

If you definitely declare yourself a fan of flamenco and for you a couple of shows are not enough, you also have the opportunity to go to flamenco schools and academies where you can attend a couple of classes to learn more about flamenco culture.

Interesting details

• Price: Flamenco shows can cost from 25 euros per person per ticket, consumption you also have to pay on your own.
• Schedule: Generally these shows take place in the evening and until dawn.
• Location: There are many places where you can get flamenco in the city.

In Barcelona it is very common to get wineries and vineyards because the wine culture is deeply rooted in the city, so this is one of the activities you can't miss. Visit a local winery and even a vineyard to taste and learn about different types of wine, while taking the opportunity to experience the culture and enjoy the local scenery.

To see different wineries and vineyards, I recommend signing up for a wine-focused gastronomic tour of Barcelona, where your guide will take you to visit different wineries to taste wines and learn about the winemaking process and the length of time the wines are aged. Each of these wineries have their best times to visit them, that's why touring a vineyard or a winery will always be a good option, no matter if you visit Barcelona in summer, autumn, or any other season of the year.

Details of interest

• Price: A gastronomic tour to visit wine cellars can cost between 100 and 250 euros per person, as long as it is shared.
• Schedule: Tour schedules through the vineyards and wineries vary according to the indications of each of these wineries.
• Location: There are multiple wineries throughout the city.

The Montjuïc Cable Car is one of the most popular ways to climb to the top of the mountain and visit the Montjuïc Castle, and it is definitely one of those things you have to include among the activities to see and do in Montjuic. I recommend you to go up by cable car to appreciate the scenery from the moment you start to climb until you are at the top.

Once at the top you will love to enjoy the panoramic views of the city and the Mediterranean Sea, a landscape worthy of photographing again and again. When you get on this cable car and find yourself in the town of Montjuic, you will realize that there is much more to see besides the most iconic monuments of Barcelona such as the Sagrada Familia or the Olympic Stadium, which you should definitely visit as well.

Details of interest

• Price: The usual price of a one-way ticket for the cable car is approximately 12,80 euros for adults, while children will have to pay at least 9,60 euros between 4 and 12 years old.
• Opening hours: The opening hours vary from March to November, from Monday to Sunday from 10:00 to 20:00 hours. Between December and February the cable car opens from Tuesday to Sunday, from 10:00 to 18:00 hours.
• Location: The main station of the Montjuïc Cable Car is located on Avinguda de Miramar, in the Montjuïc Park area of Barcelona.

Undoubtedly one of the things you can not miss, especially if you visit Barcelona with children, is to go and enjoy a live soccer match at the Camp Nou Stadium in Barcelona. Of course you have to keep in mind that this is an activity that you should include in your itinerary if you go to Barcelona in August, when the soccer season starts, which lasts until May.

To go to a soccer match in this stadium you should buy your FC Barcelona tickets in advance so you don't miss your place in the match, because although the capacity of the Camp Nou Stadium is almost one hundred thousand spectators, you would be impressed by the amount of people who really love to watch soccer all over the country, and also taking this into account, once you have your ticket, I recommend you to arrive with enough time before the match to avoid the crowds.

But if you don't go during the soccer season, you can still experience the Camp Nou Experience, thanks to the guided tours inside the stadium when it's not soccer season. During the visit the guides take you around the stadium, including the famous grandstand, the changing rooms, the tunnel to the pitch and the technical area, and the rooms dedicated to the club's trophies and achievements in the FC Barcelona Museum, it is undoubtedly one of the best experiences for soccer lovers.

Details of interest

• Price: Tickets to see FC Barcelona can cost around 20 to 50 euros per person. While to explore the Camp Nou you will have to pay approximately 40 euros per person.
• Hours: Football match times can vary according to the season, while guided tours usually take place in the morning hours.
• Location: Camp Nou is located in the area of Les Corts, in the district of L'Hospitalet de Llobregat.

Leaving a little bit of urban activities, one of the things I recommend you to do in the city if you plan to stay in Barcelona for 3 days or more, is to leave a whole day to have a great time with your family at PortAventura Park. This park is amazing because it offers a wide variety of attractions and mechanical shows for all tastes.

I recommend you to buy tickets to Port Aventura Park because inside you can find roller coasters, water shows and fireworks. The amusement park is divided into regions, among which are the Mediterranean region, China, Mexico, Far West and Polynesia. In each of these places you can find different types of fun.

Details of interest

• Price: To enter Port Aventura Park you will have to pay around 50 to 60 euros per adult, while children have to pay around 40 to 50 euros per ticket.
• Hours: The park usually opens between 10:00 and 11:00 and closes between 18:00 and 20:00.
• Location: It is located in the city of Tarragona, about 100 km from Barcelona.

Among the things you definitely have to do in Barcelona is to try its delicious and extensive gastronomy, that's why you should sign up for a gastronomic tour around the city. One way to do it is through a guided tour, and the other option is to take advantage of the stops of the Barcelona tourist bus to visit some of the most emblematic restaurants and bars of the city.

On this tour you will have the opportunity to get to know the culinary scene of the city and taste the different dishes that make up the local cuisine, entering several local restaurants. In the middle of this gastronomic tour you will be able to taste dishes such as paella, bread with tomato, tapas and local desserts.

Interesting details

• Price: When taking a gastronomic tour you will have to pay around 30 euros per person, including tastings.
• Hours: Restaurant hours in Barcelona can change, but the average Spaniard usually has lunch between 13:00 and 15:00, so this is a good time to try some of the main dishes. You could also take a night tour for dinner between 20:00 and 23:00.
• Location: In the historic center of Barcelona there are countless restaurants where you can enjoy tapas and Spanish dishes.

An activity that can't be left off your list is the tour of the El Born neighborhood, which is a historic area of Barcelona and has become an iconic site of the city without anyone knowing exactly why. You will love to know how the Born has evolved over the years, and how its historical, cultural and touristic importance has influenced it.

To know this place I recommend you to sign up for one of the tours in Barcelona, because your guide will take you on this walk through the streets of this town where you will also find vintage clothing stores, cafes and outdoor terraces to enjoy a coffee or a drink. The Plaza del Born and the cathedral of Santa Maria del Mar are places where you should stop to take a couple of pictures.

Interesting details

• Price: For a tour of the old town that includes the El Born neighborhood, you will have to pay around 20 to 30 euros per person.
• Hours: You can take a tour of this neighborhood at any time of the day, although I recommend you do it in the morning hours.
• Location: El Born neighborhood is located in the heart of the city of Barcelona.

One of the best works of Gaudi in Barcelona is the Park Güell, which is one of the best options to enjoy art and nature in one place. You can go to the park on your own, in it you will find many maps and signs that will help you to know the site.

In addition, within its facilities you will find many stores and restaurants to buy food and drinks during your stay in the park. I recommend you to buy your tickets for the Park Güell because it is a good place to take children because you can find inside different attractions for them, among which stand out the famous Lagarto de Gaudi, and several playgrounds.

Interesting details

• Price: The entrance fee to Park Güell changes depending on the season and the time of day, although generally the entrance fee is 10 euros per person, while children would have to pay around 7 euros for their ticket.
• Hours:Although visiting hours change according to the season of the year, it is usually open between 8:30 and 18:00.
• Location:Park Güell is located on Olot Street in Barcelona, very close to the neighborhood of Gracia.