Barcelona Spain Attractions: 10 Of The Places You Must See

The Museum de Arte Moderno de Barcelona was designed by Richard Meier and opened its doors to visitors in 1995. The museum is dedicated to showcasing both Catalan and Spanish art, with a focus on all that is contemporary.

Serious art lovers will appreciate the layout of the museum and may be eager to join art walks or events. There is a library, auditorium, and well-stocked bookstore for selecting a gift or building your at-home art library.

South of the museum is one of the best places for skateboarding locations in Barcelona.

This is one of the top destinations to visit in Barcelona, as La Sagrada Familia is an unfinished church still in the stages of completion. Over a period of 130 years, this magnificent structure was conceived by architect Antoni Gaudi in 1882.

Over 3 million people travel to La Sagrada Familia annually, and it is projected that the building will be completed in 2026. Antoni Gaudi was tragically killed in 1926 after being hit by a tram, but he realized his masterpiece would outlive him.

You can take a look around the outside of the towering cathedral free of charge but plan to grab skip-the-line tickets to take a peek inside. Feel awed and inspired by the natural light that shines through the windows of the interior during the morning or afternoon hours. Make sure to dress conservatively and leave the skimpy clothing at home.

It is best to give yourself 1 to 2 hours to enjoy surveying the interior of this cathedral, which has 8 out of 8 spires completed.

La Rambla also called Las Ramblas consists of several streets, and is famous for its walking thoroughfare. Be careful about pickpocketers when traveling through crowded areas, but otherwise, the area is fairly safe.

La Rambla begins at Plaza Catalunya and comes to an end at the Columbus Monument at the Port Vell marina.

When you visit La Bouqueria plan to come early right after opening at 8 am. Avoid buying fish on Mondays, but try the local ham and cheese. Be aware that the market can get pretty crowded, but everything is for sale, so happy shopping.

The market is open until 8 pm, but stalls will close for the lunch hour. If you want to scoop up the best deals, try to go closer to closing time. The market is a great place for tasty tapas, smoothies, and is well worth the price.

The Mirador de Colom or the Columbus Monument stands at the end of La Rambla nearby the sea. The monument was built in 1888 and has a viewing gallery that offers selfie-worthy views.

Inside the viewing gallery, you can view the Gothic Quarter, La Rambla, and the Santa Maria del Mar to the north. If you look to the south, you can get a view of the castle atop Montjuic Hill.

At the top of the column, there is a statue of Christopher Columbus pointing toward his route to America.

You will have to pay for tickets to visit and take the elevator to the viewing gallery, but the landmark is open every day except for New Year’s Day and Christmas. This location is accessible for people with hearing impairment or physical disabilities.

If the crowds at La Sagrada Familia are too much, check out the Basilica of Santa Maria del Mar. This majestic cathedral was built in 55 years when most Gothic architecture style churches would often take over a century to erect.

Built between the years 1329 and 1384, this is the sole surviving cathedral that is built in pure Catalan Gothic style.

Visit the Montjuic Castle to get 360-degree views of the city and capture stunning photos. This castle has seen a lot of battles and history, being a military fortress, and survived the War of the Spanish Succession.

The castle has been used as a prison, executions of public officials have taken place there, and it even housed a weapons museum. Today, the Montjuic Castle serves as a reminder to Barcelona of the oppression of military might and violence.

Architect Antoni Gaudi is not only recognized for La Sagrada Familia, as he is responsible for the Casa Batllo.

The Casa Batllo is located on one of Barcelona’s most famous streets, the Passeig de Gracia. Before you make your way to the architectural landmark with a ticket purchased in advance, feel free to go shopping or enjoy nearby Modernist buildings.

People who have physical disabilities, hearing impairment, or vision impairment can be comfortably accommodated.

Anton Gaudi used his genius to remodel a preexisting house in 1904, and the house has been restored and refurbished countless times after its completion. Some believe that the house was designed to honor St. George slaying the dragon. The structure is noteworthy for having organic, irregular windows, lacks straight lines, and utilizes ornate, colorful mosaics.

Listed as a UNESCO heritage site, this fascinating park has been touched by the visionary designs of Antoni Gaudi.

Visitors can enjoy walking along winding paths, interact with playful sculptures and mosaics, and relax among peaceful green spaces. The park was inaugurated for public use in 1926 and received its UNESCO heritage site status in 1984.

Barcelona didn’t boast any beautiful beaches until 1992. Once the capital city decided to host the Olympic Games, they transformed the waterfront choked with industry into a coastline worth envying. Today, Barcelona is known for having fabulous restaurants, bars, and hotels near its 4.5-kilometer coastline, featuring seven beaches.

The Mediterranean climate is perfect for beachgoers to take advantage, as the summers are mostly warm and dry.

The Barceloneta Beach is perhaps Barcelona’s most popular and oldest beach. The beach is believed to be connected to the fishing quarter that bears the same namesake, as the vacation spot is located in the fishing district.

There are plenty of amenities for everyone at the beach, regardless of disability. Visitors can enjoy rubbing shoulders with tourists and locals, play volleyball, enjoy some tapas, or relax in the sun.

Footballers and Messi fans rejoice, as you will most likely want to check out the FC Barcelona Museum.

Camp Nou is one of Europe’s largest stadiums, with enough space to seat 100,000 eager fans.

There are tour guides available at the FC Barcelona Museum, but you can enjoy taking a self-guided tour within the mecca to football. Depending on what type of ticket you purchase, you can get an audio guide as you walk through the space. If you need help, security and staff are available to be of assistance, but no one can answer trivia questions.

You can check out the player’s changing room, see what it feels like to be behind the scenes at the club from a player’s point of view. There’s a chapel, a press room, and the President’s box to visit. Travelers to this holy grail for football can enjoy feeling what it’s like to run onto the pitch in front of a roaring crowd, check out historical tidbits from the football club, and mingle with fans.

You will want to grab tickets to enter Camp Nou and the FC Barcelona Museum anywhere from 4 days to a week in advance to avoid long lines.