Ranked one of the most popular cities in Europe to visit, unlike its rivals London, Paris, and Rome, Barcelona is also one of the most affordable cities on the continent, according to Forbes magazine.  Barcelona landmarks are also some of the most recognizable in the world.

Walking through Barcelona is like walking around in a semi-dream state of ancient cathedrals and modern sculptures and landmarks. The architecture encompasses everything from surreal Gaudi, to ancient Gothic, to uber-modern skyscrapers and everything in-between.

There’s intriguing 2,000-year history, luscious gastronomy and of course, chic Mediterranean beaches. There’s no bad time to visit – the temperature is always conducive to tourists, ranging from a low of 49° F in January to a high of 84 F° in August.

One could spend weeks drifting, or even backpacking around this second largest city in Spain, not to mention the day trips from Barcelona, or travel with kids to Barcelona and not run out of things to do and see. There’s so much variety in the types of neighborhoods, here’s a guide to the best places to stay in Barcelona.

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For first-time visitors especially, there are a dozen sights that are simply not to be missed.

1.  Gothic Quarter

The Gothic Quarter, also known as Barri Gòtic, is Barcelona’s Old Town. It’s a veritable maze of narrow streets and secluded squares with a rich history dating to Roman and medieval times. In the center of the old city stands the Gothic Catedral de la Seu which predates the more famous La Sagrada Família by six centuries. The ornate exterior is styled with gargoyles and flying buttresses, and best viewed from the rooftop of the surrounding buildings.

This ancient rabbit’s warren of cobblestone streets flanked by towering old stone buildings is my favorite part to wander in Barcelona. The area is awash in cafés, boutiques, and museums. But do take care because it’s very easy to get turned around and lost in the alleys.  Click here for an organized walking tour.

2. La Sagrada Família

Barcelona landmarks include La Sagrada Familia, one of the most recognizable sites in the world.

This massive Roman Catholic Church, designed by renowned Catalan architect Antoni Gaudí, is the iconic Barcelona landmarks and part of the city’s Gaudi UNESCO World Heritage Site. Aside from the incredibly stunning design of the building is the fact that the church has never been completed and has been in a perpetual state of construction, renovation, and repair. The church is said to be 70% complete with a tentative completion date of 2026 – the centennial of Gaudí’s death.

The exterior design calls for a total of eighteen unusually shaped spires representing in ascending order of height the Twelve Apostles, the Virgin Mary, the four Evangelists and loftiest for Jesus Christ which upon completion will make La Sagrada Família the tallest church building in the world.

The interior is breathtaking, with an ornate display of stained glass and geometric and colorful details in the ceiling and nave, and visitors must reserve tickets in advance and wait in a long queue before setting eyes on the splendor.

The church is one of the most unique buildings in the world, although not everyone is a fan… George Orwell called it “one of the most hideous buildings in the world.”

Here’s more information for visiting La Sagrada Familia.

3. Paella, tapas, and cava

Naturally, you can’t go to Barcelona and not indulge in the paella, which is widely considered to be Spain’s national dish. The ingredients vary from chef to chef but usually include bomba rice, beans, tomatoes, onions, peppers, muscles, shrimp, chorizo sausage, chicken garlic, paprika, and other spices.

For the most festive dining venue, go to Plaça del Rei in the heart of Barri Gòtic. This square was once the center of all activity in Barcelona. Tapas (appetizer or snack) of all sorts are everywhere, and cava – Spain’s answer to France’s champagne and Italy’s prosecco – is flowing. It’s a lively affair with voices and music.  We had a ton of fun combing food, drink, and history in a tour called Tapas, Taverns, and History – a  Devour Barcelona walking tour that took us through the Gothic Quarter.

4. Park Güell

Barcelona landmarks include Park Guell, a colorful and quirky site.

This masterpiece by Antoni Gaudi is arguably the most photo-worthy location in the city. Gaudi took over an unfinished housing project and turned it into a cacophony of building, sculptures, and undulating walls, covered with brightly colored mosaics. Some of the buildings look like they are straight out of a Dr. Seuss book, while others look like gingerbread complete with roofs that appear to be made out of cake icing. Park Güell is wildly popular with tourists, so to get unobstructed photos along the colorful iconic wall with panoramic views of Barcelona, I suggest getting there when the park opens.

5. Las Ramblas

Las Ramblas is a wide tree-lined pedestrian promenade almost a mile long, lined with shops, florists, restaurants, bars, and historic buildings housing operas, theatres, and museums. It’s almost always crowded here, bustling with activity, vendors, and street performers. Unfortunately, it’s also a hot spot for pickpockets so keep your wits around you.

The iconic Barcelona landmarks are a must-see, but if you have time, check out these 18 hidden gems in Barcelona.

6. La Boqueria

Pass through La Boqueria’s grand iron entrance and you’ll be entering one of Europe’s largest and most famous food markets. Riots of colors are everywhere. It’s loud and the ground beneath your feet can get slippery, but lots of fun. Among the wide variety of offerings, you’ll see fresh fruit, vibrant candy, animal carcasses, and fresh seafood.

7. Montserrat

Montserrat is a great day trip from Barcelona. Approaching the heights by train, visitors enter an area of odd, otherworldly peaks piercing the periwinkle horizon. The bizarre-looking rounded rock pillars were formed by thousands of years of wind, rain, and frost. At a height of 4055 feet, Montserrat is the highest point of the Catalan lowlands. The grounds are lovely and worthy of an afternoon stroll. But the main attraction is the monastery of Santa Maria de Montserrat founded in 1025. Its basilica hosts a glistening gold palatial hall where the sweet vocals of choir boys echo their Gregorian chants over the crowd. Catholic pilgrims come from far and wide to see the 12th-century wooden statue of La Moreneta (The Black Virgin), also located in the abbey. There’s a museum on-site with works of major artists such as Dali, El Greco, Monet and Giordano

8. Picasso Museum

Barcelona art and architecture is incredible. The Picasso Museum, located in the La Ribera district, houses one of the most extensive collections of artworks by the 20th-century Spanish artist. The exhibits are spread across a series of five adjoining medieval buildings, all built around a shared courtyard. The collection includes exquisite examples of his works in painting, drawing, ceramics, and engraving.

9. Modern Architecture

Two of my favorite structures are Torre Agbar – a dazzling bullet-shaped skyscraper that dominates the landscape around it. The structure has 4500 windows each with different colors that can be lit up into different patterns.

The other exceptional building is the Hotel Porta Fira. You can’t miss it. The whimsical red skyscraper is eye-catching. Rooms are spacious and well-appointed in upscale contemporary décor which does not detract from the gorgeous city view from the wall-to-ceiling windows.

Don’t forget to compare prices on all Barcelona hotels!

10. Barceloneta Beach

Tourists generally do not flock to Barcelona specifically for the beaches, but the location on the Mediterranean makes at least a day in the sun hard to resist. Barceloneta is by far the most popular. It’s a high-energy spot with vendors, music, kite flying, and lots of umbrellas.

11. Montjuïc

Photo credit Albert T M

Montjuïc is a small mountain overlooking Barcelona. Most people choose to arrive by cable car so they can enjoy a panoramic view of the city. The area surrounding Montjuïc area offers a lot to do as well. The Nacional d’Art de Catalunya, located within the lavish Palau Nacional, is a showcase of an extensive collection of Catalan art, sculpture, and paintings.

12. Barcelona Landmarks Downtown

Just get out and stroll around downtown Barcelona — you’ll find some neighborhoods you’ll love.  The vibe is crowded but pleasant, and you’ll be rubbing elbows with everyone from tourist families, approachable elderly locals to friendly (read: fresh) young Barcelonan men. Everywhere you look up you’ll see splendid buildings like Gaudi’s Casa Milà and Casa Batlló as well as other architects’ works. Stop at an outdoor café to savor a steaming mug of coffee and a slice of flan – custard dessert with a layer of soft caramel on top, while absorbing the fun, frenetic energy of this wonderful city.

Click below to PIN so you can find Barcelona landmarks again:

Read more about Barcelona here.

About the Author

Patti Morrow is a freelance travel writer and founder of the award-winning blog Luggage and Lipstick. TripAdvisor called her one of “20 Baby Boomer Travel Bloggers Having More Fun Than Millennials.”  Patti is the author of the book “Girls Go Solo: Tips for Women Traveling Alone,” and has over 150 bylines in 40 print and online publications, including The Huffington Post, International Living Magazine, Washington Post Sunday Travel, Travel Girl, Travel Play Live Magazine, and Ladies Home Journal. Patti has traveled six continents looking for fabulous places and adventure activities for her Baby Boomer (and Gen X!) tribe.