2022
I’m somebody who can visit the same place many times and never get bored of it. I’ve been to Barcelona twice and I’m about to go again for the third time. It can offer you so much—from various architectural wonders to beautiful beaches and tasty cuisine—that you’ll never have the same experience twice. If you’re planning to visit this Spanish city, here is what you should add to your list.
1. The Magic Fountain of Montjuic
Situated very close to Plaza Espanya Square—one of the main connection points for public transport in the city—the Magic Fountain is one of the first things you see when you enter Barcelona from the direction of the airport. It’s located in front of the magnificent building of the National Museum of Art.
Make sure to go there in the evening when you’ll be able to enjoy a spectacular display of lights, music, colour, and perfectly choreographed fountain dances. Millions of tourists every year come to Barcelona to witness this magical performance.
The show usually takes place from Thursday to Saturday around 9 p.m., but it’s closed in January and February due to winter weather conditions, so be sure to check the working days and hours prior to your visit to the Magic Fountain on the official website.
Once in Barcelona, you might hear the name of the famous Catalan architect Antoni Gaudi a lot. Almost all of his most impressive and unique modernist works can be found scattered around the city. His main architectural feat is the Sagrada Familia Cathedral which is considered the symbol of Barcelona and one of the city’s most iconic buildings. It’s recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The construction of the Sagrada Familia is still ongoing. It started in the late 19th century and is expected to finish in 2026, when it’ll mark the 100th Anniversary of Gaudi’s death. Sagrada Familia has a truly impressive facade, but the amazing multicoloured light that comes through the stained glass windows inside is what makes this church one of tourists’ favourite attractions. I can’t wait to visit Sagrada Familia again when it’s completely finished!
3. Park Guell
Another one of Gaudi’s signature projects is Park Guell. This is one of his masterpieces and you should definitely include it in your list of places to visit in Barcelona. Situated on the outskirts of the city, Park Guell is the perfect spot to take a long walk and bask in the sun while enjoying a panoramic view of Barcelona!
There are five main attractions in the park, each with a special name. The “Laundry Room Portico” designed to mimic an ocean wave, the “Hypostyle Room” with its 86 columns that support the roof, and the “Austria Gardens” with its terraced greenery and Gaudi House Museum are definitely must-sees! However, my ultimate favourite is the “Serpentine Bench” which is made of colourful mosaic tiles and glistens so beautifully on top of the Hypostyle Room. From there you can see the gingerbread-like house Casa del Guarda as an excellent view of the whole city of Barcelona, right up to the beach and the Balearic Sea. Last but not least, you can’t miss “El Drac”, the mosaic salamander statue opposite the main park gate which is another symbol of the city. Keep in mind that you can take a photo next to the statue, but touching it is not allowed!
The perfect place to relax and even have a picnic after walking around the busy streets of Barcelona is Ciutadella Park—one of the greenest spots in the city. You can try a variety of activities, from going to the Barcelona Zoo to visiting the Catalan Parliament Palace, to renting a boat and sailing on the lake. The Triumphal Arch of Barcelona is also close by as well as the Barceloneta Beach.
My personal highlight was enjoying an iced coffee under the palm trees while gazing at the magnificent Cascada Monumental fountain and some cute parrots flying around.
Getting to Mount Tibidabo might be quite an adventure but it’s definitely worth it! This is the highest point of Barcelona, so I used the subway and a funicular to get to the top, but once there, I was amazed by the breathtaking view.
There is a small amusement park at the top which is perfect for a weekend family getaway. You also can’t miss the enormous Catholic church perched on a terrace above the amusement park and towering over the whole city as if protecting it. For only a couple of euros, you can take the elevator to the top of the church and enjoy an unobstructed view of all of Barcelona. I went there during the day so I can only imagine what a fascinating sight the sunset and the numerous city lights would be!
Have you ever been to Barcelona? What did you like the most? Share your experiences in the comments below.
From each time I have fantastic memories, like getting lost trying to get there, in the era of physical maps, like going there just to be in a U2 concert and the last one, of visiting a dear friend and seeing her the last time, before she passed away.
In this last photo you have her, who even feeling sick from her treatments against cancer, did a great effort to be by my side in Parc Guell, in the photo you see her and her mom. I cropped her son from the original photo, since I know Google does not like to have kids photos here.
Hey @BorrisS ,
Thanks for your comment. Unfortunately I've seen Sagrada Familia only from the outside. I could go and visit it for the third time in 2026 when it's supposed to be finished and I can see its glory from the inside as well.
As for the Gothic quarter - that is one of my favourite parts of Barcelona. The architecture is amazing and I really feel like I have travelled through time and jumped back to the 13th century. The best memory from there is when I got lost and while I was walking around the narrow streets somehow I found Basilica de Santa Maria del Pi. Of course, I had to click a quick photo of it because its facade is unique.
Hola @MoniDi,
Thanks for sharing this amazing article with us! Barcelona is such a beautiful city and this post brings back all the good memories I have there. And among all spots, what impressed the most is Sagrada Familia. It's just too majestic to be true. The light shines in through the glass windows makes the cathedral look so unreal.
