Barcelona sights: 25 best places to visit in Barcelona
Some sights to visit in Barcelona in this article may seem obvious to you, but their fame is well deserved, and they deserve their place in any recommendation. Fenix.info is no exception.
Nevertheless, we've included some sights that many people still don't know about. Especially if they don't live in the city or have only visited it a few times. Are you curious to know what these places are?
Scroll down, and you'll see the 25 best places to visit in Barcelona during your holiday.
We have split the sights list in Barcelona into two parts:
Part 1: Barcelona's most famous sights
Part 2: The lesser-known attractions in Barcelona.
If this is your first time in the Catalan capital, we recommend that you go straight to the most iconic sites. But if you want to get to know Barcelona better and have the time, you must not miss the second part of the list.
Let's begin! These are the most famous and impressive tourist attractions of Barcelona: don't miss them!
1. Barcelona Cathedral
One of the most important places in Barcelona is the Cathedral. It is located in the heart of the Gothic Quarter, opposite one of the largest and busiest squares in the historic city centre. So even if you're not specifically looking for it, you'll find it by strolling around.
You can be content to get to know it from the outside and spend some time watching everything that goes on around it, which is no small thing (sometimes there's even a Sardana dance). You can also get to know it from the inside and see the Santa Eulalia crypt, where Barcelona's patron saint is buried.
The best time to visit is in the morning, when it's still lightly populated.
Entrance fee: €3.
Visiting the terrace: €3.
Opening hours
Monday - Friday: 8:30am - 12:30 pm and 6 pm - 7:30pm
Saturday: 12:30 pm - 5:30 pm
Sunday: 2 pm - 5:30 pm
2. The famous La Boqueria market
This is one of the most beautiful markets in Barcelona, and one of the most visited tourist attractions in the city. La Boqueria is located on Las Ramblas. So any point of interest in Barcelona can be reached on foot from here if you choose to start your day there.
La Boqueria used to be a traditional market where locals did their daily shopping, but nowadays most of the stalls are geared towards tourism, especially those dedicated to restaurants. Although there are still kiosks selling local produce at local prices.
Despite this, you can still find local ladies shopping in the early morning hours and observe this historic market in a more relaxed local atmosphere.
Want to know what's for sale at Boquería?
Here is a map of the Boquería market with all the stalls and products they sell.
Entrance fee: Free of charge.
Opening hours: Friday to Saturday: 8 a.m. to 8:30 p.m.
3. La Rambla Street
When it comes to tourist attractions in Barcelona, La Rambla has to be at the top of the pedestal. This street is one of the favourites of the locals themselves, with the Olympic Port being accessible from the city centre.
Las Ramblas connects Plaça de Catalunya to the sea but what makes it special is the atmosphere and all that is encountered along the way:
The Liceu of the Barcelona Opera House
The Colón viewpoint
Barcelona's Maritime Museum
Numerous boutiques
Restaurants and much more.
But be warned! Although La Rambla is full of gastronomic offerings advertising typical Catalan food, the reality is that this is not one of the best places to eat in Barcelona. We'll be publishing a list of the best places to eat Catalan food in Barcelona soon.
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4. Church of Santa Maria del Mar
Another place worth visiting in Barcelona is the Church (Basilica) of Santa Maria del Mar. Ildelfonso Falcones' book La Catedral del Mar made it popular with Catalans and foreigners alike. Although even before this explosion of fame, this basilica had its reasons to visit...
It is one of the city's examples of Gothic architecture, and its terrace offers one of the best views of the historic city centre.
Admission fee: free of charge
Guided tour of the terraces: €8.50
Full guided tour: €10.
Opening hours
Friday to Saturday: 8 am - 8:30 pm.
Sunday: 10 am - 2 pm, 17 pm - 20 pm.
5. Santa Caterina Market
The markets are the best places to visit in Barcelona, you might ask why?
Firstly, each market is unique, with its own historical architecture.
Secondly, they are delicious!
And thirdly, they are free. :)
The Mercat de Santa Caterina is close to the Barcelona Cathedral and is easily recognizable with its amazing rooftop.
It might not be as famous as the Boquería among tourists, but it's worth stopping by and leaving a souvenir of its flowers. Among Santa Caterina's stalls you'll find a large selection of Catalan products and a much more local offer than at its Boquería counterpart.
Entrance fee: free of charge.
Opening hours
Monday, Wednesday, Saturday: 7:30 am - 3:30 pm.
Tuesday, Thursday, Friday: 7.30 am - 8.30 pm
6. Palace of Catalan Music
Palace of Catalan Music (Palau de la Música Catalana). This is one of the must-see places in Barcelona. And for many architecture lovers, one of the most beautiful buildings in the city, especially inside. The concert hall of the Palau de la Música Catalana is impressive.
A World Heritage building, it is one of the representatives of Catalan modernism and home to Orfeó Català. Its architect, Lluís Domènech i Muntaner, was Gaudí's teacher and one of the geniuses of the time.
This building doesn't look particularly impressive from the outside, but give it a chance and let it surprise you from the inside.
Cost of admission
For foreigners: €20
For residents of Catalonia: €10.
Opening hours
Monday - Friday: 10 am - 3:30 pm.
How? Is the article already finished? There are still 24 points of interest missing!
That's right, there's no mistake. We are already preparing them and will publish them soon. To make sure you don't miss them, just subscribe to this post bellow, in the footer!
