What to do in Barcelona

Advice on what to do in Barcelona, including culture, relaxation, nightlife, sport and food.

Cultural attractions in Barcelona

The influence of the renowned architect and designer Gaudi is there to see all over the city of Barcelona, and is a big draw for many tourists. Since 2002 several of Gaudi's buildings have been opened to the public, such as the Casa Batllo. Other Gaudi works worth a visit include the Sagrada Familia and the Palau Guell.

It is not all about Gaudi, however, as the Museu Nacional d'Art de Catalunya is home to one of the world's best collections of Romanesque art.

Adventure can also be found at the Museum of the City of Barcelona, which includes access to underground Roman remains beneath the city.

Relaxation in Barcelona

Sitges is a popular beach destination for visitors and locals alike, while the sky-high monastery at Montserrat is the perfect place to get away from it all and take in some spectacular views.

Nightlife in Barcelona

Barcelona's party culture is based largely around street festivals and bar-crawling (known as la marcha). Some bars to look out for include Maumau and RiBborn. Well-known nightclubs include the Sidecar Factory Club for live music, the hip hop oriented beachfront club, Shoko, and La Paloma.

Sport in Barcelona

Football rules in most of Spain, and Barcelona is possibly where the beautiful game is followed most fiercely, with Barcelona Football Club. Based at the intimidating Nou Camp stadium, a match there offers a cauldron-esque experience like no other. If you can pick up a ticket for the fixture of the season, Barcelona vs Real Madrid, then it is especially worth checking out. Other popular sports include the traditional Spanish bullfight, which pulls in annual crowds of around 30 million spectators.

Recommended restaurants in Barcelona

For sea-food delicacies, it is best to follow those in the know – the locals – and head to Barcolneta. Traditional cuisine can be found in Barri Gotic, while larger, more mainstream restaurants are located on the La Rambla and Passeig de Gracia.