La Sagrada Familia
Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain
Gaudi’s extraordinary, iconic masterpiece – and the most spectacular church of the 21st century.
Best for ages: 8+ | £23 | Any
Recommended itinerary:
Where to go and what to see in Barcelona – a 3-day itinerary from destination expert and travel writer Dana Facaros.
Editor note – Dana has not included specific recommendations of where to stay each day unless it’s necessary. Instead, see the ‘Where to stay’ section in her Barcelona destination guide.
Start with the biggie: La Sagrada Familia. Book weeks, if not months, in advance, otherwise you likely won’t get in. Next, take a cab to the Passeig de Gracia, then stroll southwards taking in Gaudi’s Casa Batllo. Continue down through Las Ramblas to the sea and have dinner at the waterfront, followed by a Flamenco show.
Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain
Gaudi’s extraordinary, iconic masterpiece – and the most spectacular church of the 21st century.
Best for ages: 8+ | £23 | Any
Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain
The former home of the Batllo family, Gaudí’s shimmering, colour-drenched townhouse is a Modernista masterpiece.
Best for ages: 8+ | £32
Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain
A thrumming, lively street running through the heart of Barcelona towards the sea, is a magnet for outlandish street performers – and tourists.
Best for ages: 4+ | Free
Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain
Barcelona’s beautiful, palm-lined shore, from the 18th-century Barceloneta district to the ex-Olympic village, is a two-mile sweep of beach and boardwalk packed with trendy cafés and clubs, great for walking, cycling and rollerblading.
Best for ages: Any | Free | Any
Start early (before it gets hot) and spend the morning wandering Gaudi’s surreal Guell Park (again, book well in advance). Then take a taxi to the Picasso Museum, before getting lost amidst the boutique and cafe-filled medieval streets of the gorgeous El Born district. Stop by and admire the 14th-century Santa Maria del Mar. In the evening, opt for the night tour of Gaudi’s La Pedrera before dining with locals on tapas in the Eixample district.
Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain
Gaudi’s endlessly playful, imaginative garden is a lyrical delight, with majestic views over Barcelona.
Best for ages: 4+ | £6
Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain
Absorbing collection of early and late works by Picasso, in a beautiful Gothic palace. The collection includes Picasso’s 58 paintings inspired by Velazquez’s Las Meninas.
Best for ages: 18+ | £11
Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain
Barcelona’s Gothic jewel was built in the 14th century by the sea-faring community in only 50 years – hence its rare stylistic harmony. During the Spanish Civil War, its accumulated Baroque decorations burned, leaving behind the bare bones of its sublime interior.
Best for ages: 18+ | Free
Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain
Marking the culmination of his experimentation with natural forms, Gaudi’s landmark apartment building resembles a giant cliff face battered by the sea. Inside, a remarkable Gaudi-style apartment, an attic filled with architectural exhibits, and the extraordinary roof and chimneys.
Best for ages: 8+ | £25
Visit the Barcelona FC museum if you love football, or the Catalan National Art Museum at Monjuic if you love art. After lunch, pay homage to Barcelona’s great surrealist artist at the Joan Miro Foundation, then take the breathtaking cable car ride over the port back to the city. Spend your final few hours at the beach or walking the promenade, with dinner by the sea.
Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain
In Europe’s biggest stadium, FC Barcelona’s museum is the third most visited attraction in Spain, and a must for sports fans.
Best for ages: 4+ | £22
Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain
Showcases a thousand years of Catalan art history, with rich Romanesque, Gothic and Modernista sections and plenty of Grand Masters in between.
Best for ages: 18+ | £10
Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain
Luminous museum of modern and contemporary art, housing the world’s top collection of works by Joan Miro. Set in a striking rationalist-style building, designed by Josep Lluis Sert.
Best for ages: 13+ | £10
Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain
Take to the top of the Montjuic hill for spectacular city views (there’s also a stop for Montjuic Castle). Go in the other direction over the port to the San Sebastian tower.
Best for ages: 10+ | £10 | 7 mins one way