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Looking for the best things to do in Barcelona?
Well, look no further! There’s no shortage of bucket list worthy experiences in this vibrant city, but with beaches, nightlife, and tons of culture on offer, it can be hard to know where to begin in Barcelona.
After several visits to the city, we’re confident that we’ve found the top 10 things to do. From diving into the culture with cooking classes to boat rides, flamenco shows, and of course the famous Sagrada Familia, we’re going to take you through the most incredible experiences Barcelona has to offer.
Get excited because I promise you, all of these activities are an absolute blast!
Quick Pick: Our Favorite Activity
Don’t have time to read the full article?
Our personal FAVORITE thing we did in Barcelona was this paella cooking class! This is one of the most fun tours we’ve ever taken and the food was delicious. Check out the HUNDREDS of 5-star reviews and book it here!
Tip: This tour is popular – reserve your spot now and get FREE cancellation 24 hours before you go.
- Quick Pick: Our Favorite Activity
- Things to do in Barcelona
- 1. Join a paella cooking class
- 2. Tour the Sagrada Familia
- 3. Visit the Montserrat by train
- 4. Go on a tapas and wine tour of the city
- 5. Costa Brava kayaking tour
- 6. See a flamenco show
- 7. Go on a cruise
- 8. Go on Barcelona’s best walking tour
- 9. Get a taste of Barcelona on a 1-day full city tour
- 10. Ride in a hot air balloon
- Where to Stay in Barcelona
- Thanks for reading!
- Why We Book Tours with Viator
- Don't Forget Travel Insurance!
Things to do in Barcelona
1. Join a paella cooking class
This paella cooking class was the best thing that we did in Barcelona!
We had fun, we learned a lot, we got to eat amazing food, and it included unlimited sparkling wine. Seriously, what’s not to love?
The class started at 8 pm because remember, they eat late here in Spain! We were greeted with a glass of cava and met chef Kevin, then got to work preparing starters, desserts, and multiple different types of paella.
Kevin was such a charismatic and energetic teacher, and his passion for Catalan food was obvious. We learned so much about paella – as it turns out, there’s way more to this dish than just rice and seafood! The staff also kept topping up our wine glasses the entire time, which made it even more fun.
After we had finished cooking, our group sat down together to enjoy the meal (and more wine) together, family-style. Everything we made was absolutely delicious, and honestly, this was the best meal we had in the city, which is definitely saying something.
All in all, we cannot recommend this tour enough, and since it has over 900 5-star reviews, we’re definitely not alone in this! The class costs $176 USD each, which is a steal given the quality of the food and the quantity of wine you get!
2. Tour the Sagrada Familia
Did you even go to Barcelona if you didn’t tour the Sagrada Familia?
Gaudi’s still-unfinished cathedral is the city’s most iconic landmark, and thus a total must-visit while you’re here! We visited a lot of churches and cathedrals on our travels throughout Europe, but the Sagrada Familia is truly unlike any other! You absolutely cannot miss it.
However, since it’s so famous the queues do get pretty long, so we highly recommend booking this skip-the-line tour. Barcelona is such an amazing city that it’s a shame to waste time queuing when you could be exploring! And as well as fast-track entry, taking this tour also meant that we learned a lot about the Sagrada Familia.
Gloria was an excellent guide and she taught us so much about the significance of the church’s unique architectural features, and how Gaudi blended art and spirituality in his work. I’m so glad that we went with a guide, because it made our visit so much richer. We got headsets, too, so we never had any trouble hearing!
This tour was well worth $74 USD for an English tour, and after our 1.5 hours were up, we were able to stay inside the church and continue exploring by ourselves. However, I should warn you that this tour is super popular and almost always sells out, so make sure to book it in advance!
Book this tour with over 4,000 5-star reviews here and skip the line!
Or, if you want to take a real deep dive into Gaudi’s work across Barcelona, you can always book this 5.5 hour tour. Your expert guide will take you to see several of Gaudi’s works, including the beautiful Park Güell, which was actually one of my favorite spots in the city, and Casa Batlló or Casa Vicens. Then, it wraps up with a guided visit to the Sagrada Familia. This tour starts from $271 USD per person, and is a must for anyone who’s keen to learn more about the legendary Catalan architecture!
Reserve this tour in advance here with FREE cancellation options.
3. Visit the Montserrat by train
The best day trip from Barcelona is definitely a visit to the famous monastery perched on the dramatic Montserrat mountain! It’s a natural and cultural wonder and a true must-see.
We cannot recommend this full-day tour enough because it not only takes you to visit Santa Maria de Montserrat, but also includes a fantastic wine tour in the afternoon – in a castle, no less! How cool is that?
We loved riding the cogwheel train up the side of the Montserrat mountain, as we got the most incredible views on the way! Things only got better when we reached the top, as our guide, Laura, gave us an incredible tour of the Santa Maria monastery, which dates back to 1025. We also had some time to explore by ourselves, too, and we even got to try some foods made by the resident monks!
So, the day was already pretty fantastic, but the visit to the Oller del Mas Winery really was the cherry on top. I mean, it’s an award-winning winery set in a 10th-century castle, and it has been owned by the same family for 36 generations. I don’t think wine tasting gets much better than this!
We had a delicious tapas lunch at Oller del Mas, although there’s the option to upgrade to a full meal if you’d like something heartier. We also got to try so many different wines and do a cellar tour, which was so much fun, especially in such a beautiful and historic setting.
The tour costs $102 USD with the tapas, or $119 USD with the full lunch option. Given that this price included our cogwheel tickets, entry to the monastery, food, wine tasting, and transport from the city, we thought that it was great value for money. We think it’s an unmissable Barcelona experience, and judging from the thousands of positive reviews, we are not the only ones who loved it!
Book this tour with over 2,700 5-star reviews here, before it sells out.
4. Go on a tapas and wine tour of the city
Barcelona is famous for tapas and wine, so what better way to explore than with this awesome food and drink tour?
We always book a food tour when we land in a new city because it’s such a great way to dive into the culture and discover the best and most authentic local hotspots. We were super keen to try the best local tapas and drink lots of delicious Spanish wine, and this tour certainly delivered!
We went to 5 different bars and restaurants, where we got to eat so many different types of tapas, including Iberian cured meats, fresh sardines, croquetas, and of course the iconic patatas bravas. I think my favorite dish, though, was mojama, which is salt-cured tuna that’s very hard to find outside of Spain. If you’re looking to discover lots of new dishes, this is the tour for you!
Better still, everything we ate was paired perfectly with local beverages. We got to enjoy several different red and white wines on this tour, as well as cava, and even vermouth! Vermouth is very popular in Spain, so we really got to drink like locals.
We also loved our guide, Nacho, who made the tour so much fun and taught us a lot about Barcelona’s famous food scene. He also told us stories about the different neighborhoods that we passed through, and he gave us some great recommendations for the rest of our time in the city.
The tour costs $108 USD, although there is the option to upgrade to a private experience! You can go at lunch or dinner time, but either way, do not miss the chance to do this tour while you’re in Barcelona. It’s one of the best food tours that we have ever done!
Check out the 3,500+ 5-star reviews and reserve this tour here.
5. Costa Brava kayaking tour
For lovers of sea, sunshine, and the great outdoors, this Costa Brava kayaking tour is absolutely unmissable!
As much as we love Barcelona, it was amazing to get out of the city for a day and explore the stunning Costa Brava region. With bright turquoise waters, craggy cliffs, and golden sand beaches, it’s without a doubt one of Spain’s most beautiful coastlines – and it’s only 1.5 hours from Barcelona!
Booking this tour meant that we didn’t need to worry about hiring a car or planning our day in Costa Brava. Instead, we just turned up for the adventure and enjoyed an epic day of kayaking. The views were incredible, and we loved exploring the picturesque coves and small sea caves dotted along the coastline.
We also had a lot of fun snorkeling on this tour and even got to see some colorful starfish. For me, though, the real highlight was cliff jumping! Our guides helped us to safely climb up onto the cliffs, and then we jumped down into the water. It was exhilarating!
As our adventure wrapped up, we enjoyed a deli-style lunch and headed to a local bar where our group enjoyed cocktails together. The alcoholic drinks weren’t included in the tour but they were reasonably priced and the bar had fantastic sea views, so this really ended our day on a high note.
Basically, we loved every second of this tour, which is available daily from April until the end of October. It was an awesome adventure in a beautiful setting, and worth every penny of the $113 USD we paid. We’re clearly not the only ones who think so, as the tour has over 2,000 5-star reviews!
Dates are limited, book this tour now and get FREE cancellation 24 hours before you go.
Why We Book Tours with Viator
Viator is a trusted online booking system for tours around the world! We almost always book our tours using Viator for a couple of reasons:
- Free cancellation on most tours – Most of the tours on Viator allow you to cancel and get a full refund up to 24 hours in advance. This is handy in case plans change, or if booking an outdoor activity, the weather forecast is looking grim.
- Reserve now and pay later – You can secure your spot on some of the most popular tours well in advance and not pay until closer to the day of the tour.
- Lowest price guarantee – If you happen to find the same tour at a lower price elsewhere, Viator will refund you the price difference.
- Pay in your chosen currency – Avoid costly international transaction fees by choosing to pay in your home currency.
- Peace of mind – When booking with tour operators you find in person on the street or in small booking offices, you are often promised one thing and given another. This online platform holds tour operators accountable with a written description of inclusions as well as the opportunity for customers to leave reviews.
Check out the Viator website here! Or, for more info, read our detailed review about Viator here.
6. See a flamenco show
Watching Flamenco is hands down one of the best ways to spend an evening in Barcelona, and Casa Sors is THE place to catch a show, so we just had to book these tickets while we were in town! It’s a small and intimate venue that has hosted some of the biggest names in Flamenco over the years. The performance we saw here truly was first-class!
The musicians and dancers were so talented, and we really found ourselves engrossed in the story that the performers were telling. Even though this is a small venue, it’s no amateur production, I promise you that much!
Then, after the performance, we got the chance to meet the performers and snap photos with them, and we got a guided tour of the backstage guitar museum. We were shown around by a local musician who explained the history of Flamenco music and shared some cool anecdotes about the particular guitars that we saw. It was such a great way to learn more about the rich tradition of this iconic Spanish dance.
There were different ticket packages available, but prices start at $42 USD for the show and museum. We opted for the dinner package, though, which cost $97 USD and included a huge spread of tapas and a cocktail each from the bar. It was so worth it!
So if you’re looking for a classy evening of culture in Barcelona, do not hesitate to grab tickets for this excellent Flamenco show. It’s an unmissable opportunity to immerse yourself in Spanish culture, and the performance is truly mesmerizing!
Don’t miss out – check ticket options and reserve yours in advance here.
7. Go on a cruise
For me, relaxing on a yacht with a drink in hand is one of my favorite ways to sightsee! So if you’re anything like me, make sure that you book this luxury cruise while you’re in Barcelona.
We loved chilling on board the boat as we cruised out of the city, taking in Port Vell and the city’s beautiful skyline on the way out towards the Mediterranean sea. We sailed along the Costa de Barcelona for about an hour before turning back, so there was plenty of time to admire the pretty coastline. Since we went on a warm day, we were even able to jump in and go for a swim, so remember to bring your bathers during the summer.
And as if all of that weren’t enough, did I mention that this cruise includes an open bar? Yup, we were able to enjoy as much beer, cava, wine, and soft drinks as we liked during the cruise, plus some yummy tapas to boot. Drinks in Barcelona can be really pricey, so the fact that you get a cruise and unlimited drinks for $56 USD is too good of a deal to pass up in my opinion!
I also have to give a shout-out to the amazing crew who made this cruise extra memorable. They were so friendly and accommodating. This is definitely the best sightseeing cruise in Barcelona.
Book this cruise with more than 600 5-star reviews here.
8. Go on Barcelona’s best walking tour
I highly recommend booking this walking tour for your first day in Barcelona, because it’s such a fantastic way to get acquainted with the city. Over 2 hours, our guide took us to the city’s best-known areas, including the Gothic Quarter and La Rambla, Barcelona’s iconic and buzzing central street. After this tour, we felt much better equipped to explore the city by ourselves, so it was definitely worth it!
Our guide, Yannis, regaled us with colorful stories about Barcelona’s history as he took us walking past iconic sights like Gaudi’s fairytale-esque Casa Batllo, the gorgeous Gothic cathedral, and Passeig de Gracia – aka Barcelona’s poshest street! He really helped us get to know the different areas and gave us a really interesting insight into what life is like in the city.
What really stood out to me the most about this tour, though, was that we were in a small group! Free walking tours are great but the group sizes can be huge, which makes it difficult to hear and sometimes hard to keep up, too. So for $44 USD, I think that this tour is well worth it, and over 200 5-star reviews seem to agree with me!
Since it’s a small group tour, spots can be booked up pretty fast though, especially during the summer months.
Take advantage of the FREE cancellation policy and book this tour now!
9. Get a taste of Barcelona on a 1-day full city tour
If you don’t have the time or the inclination to plan the perfect Barcelona itinerary, then I strongly suggest that you make things easy for yourself and book this full day city tour instead! It’s also ideal for travelers who are short on time, because it hits all of the must-see highlights.
I’m not kidding! With Park Guell, Casa Batllo, and the Sagrada Familia on the itinerary, this tour does an amazing job of covering Gaudi’s most famous works, which of course is an essential part of any trip to Barcelona. It also includes a guided walk around the Gothic Quarter and Passeig de Gracia, as well as a visit to Montjüic, aka the “Jewish Mountain” for sweet views of the city below.
This tour has a whopping 5,000+ 5-star reviews (see them all here!) making it one of the top-rated tours in the city. Whether you’re pressed for time or just looking for an amazing introduction to the city, you’re in good hands here!
I also like the fact that you can join a small group tour for $113 USD per person, or upgrade to a private tour, which actually starts at the same price. Either way, this is a fantastic way to get to know Barcelona, and Angie is an incredible guide, so what are you waiting for? Book your spot today!
Book this top-rated tour here for FREE cancellation and flexible payment options.
10. Ride in a hot air balloon
Nothing says “bucket list” like a hot air balloon ride, so why not make your Barcelona trip extra memorable by booking this top-rated flight? There truly is nothing like waking up early and soaring over the Pyrenees mountains in the soft morning light. This is such a romantic experience and I think it would be perfect for a honeymoon, or a proposal!
A hot air balloon flight truly gives you a view like no other of the Catalan countryside and the jagged Montserrat mountain from 900 meters (3,000 feet) up in the air. It’s the perfect way to soak in the breathtaking natural landscapes that surround Barcelona, and get a feel for what makes this part of Spain so special.
Prices start from $204 USD per person for a shared ride with a small group, but you can opt to include pickup from the city, make the ride longer, or upgrade to a private experience, which is ideal for couples. It’s not the cheapest thing to do but at the same time, this is certainly not something you do every day! If you’ve ever wanted to ride in a hot air balloon (and come on, who hasn’t?) then this is a truly beautiful part of the world to tick that off of your bucket list!
I will also add that prices for this experience do fluctuate quite a bit along with demand. My advice would be to book now to secure the best rates!
Secure this hot air balloon now, before spots fill up!
Where to Stay in Barcelona
Now that you have a taste for what Barcelona has to offer, it’s time to find a place to stay! There are tons of hotels to choose from, so we’ve narrowed it down to our top pick in each budget range. We’ll even let you in on where we stayed last time we were here!
Grand Hyatt Barcelona – $$$
For a real 5-star experience, Grand Hyatt Barcelona is where luxury travelers stay. It’s right in the heart of Alta Barcelona – an area known for the most exclusive shopping and restaurants.
The rooms are large and very extravagant – it feels like a true vacation staying here! The amenities impress too with a fantastic restaurant on the top floor, a stunning pool, a spa with saunas and steam baths, and a 24-hour gym.
Room here can be as low as €200/night, but go up if you splurge on a suite. Book your VIP stay here!
Barcelona Princess – $$
For a mid-range option that still has touches of luxury, Barcelona Princess is our pick. The rooftop pool alone is worth it!
The location is great too as it’s next door to a fantastic mall, only 3 minutes from a metro station and a 10-minute walk to the beach! Of course, the heated outdoor pools – including one on the rooftop – are also worth the price of staying here.
Rooms have an elegant feel and great views if you ask for an upper floor. Prices typically start around €98, but you’ll find the best deals when you book in advance online.
Kabul Party Hostel – $ (Where we stayed!)
If you’re looking for a budget-friendly and fun place to stay, Kabul Party Hostel is THE place. It’s known as one of the best party hostels in Europe and has a fantastic location to see the best sights in Barcelona.
We loved the rooftop patio that looks out over Plaza Real and there were activities up here most nights for us to check out. The dorms are quite spacious and really bright and offer free WiFi, air-conditioning, and personal lockers. Plus, the free breakfast buffet every morning was great after a late night out!
Dorm beds start around €30 and can be booked on Hostelworld.com or Booking.com.
Don’t Forget Travel Insurance!
If you’re looking to save money on travel insurance, we currently use and recommend SafetyWing. We’ve been using their coverage since 2018 and they’ve had our backs when we needed emergency flights and got sick overseas.
SafetyWing is one of the cheapest providers out there and covers everything from medical costs to lost luggage, travel delays, and emergency flights. A huge difference we’ve found between them and other companies is that they let you take out a policy AFTER leaving your home country. We’ve also found it handy that it’s a monthly payment rather than a lump sum, and you can get a refund for unused time.
SafetyWing has helped us out in some scary situations before and their affordable coverage has given us peace of mind. You can read our honest review of SafetyWing for all the pros and cons.
Thanks for reading!
Barcelona is a bucket-list place to visit for many travelers for a reason! There are so many activities on offer in this vibrant city, this list just scratches the surface. But, I’m confident that if you can tick off a few of these top activities, you’ll see the best Barcelona has to offer.
If you found this blog helpful, be sure to check out our other travel blogs! We’ve been all around the globe and have lots of travel tips, destination guides, and unique experiences to share with you. Here are a few more blogs to get you started:
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