Barcelona Attractions

The Sagrada Familia is Barcelona's most famous landmark. The modernist church is far from completed though, it will take several more decades before the building and its 18 towers will be finished.

Casa Milà is one of Antoni Gaudí's many unconventional buildings in Barcelona. It was his last work before devoting his life to the construction of the Sagrada Familia.

The Rambla is Barcelona's most famous street, always crowded with both locals and tourists. The partly pedestrianized boulevard connects the Plaça de Catalunya with Port Vell.

This unconventional park is one of Gaudí's most famous works and a must for any visitor to Barcelona. The park is a UNESCO world heritage site since 1984.

Barcelona's Cathedral is located in the heart of the Barri Gòtic, the gothic district. The cathedral was mainly built between 1298 and 1460. The gothic façade was completed at the end of the 19th century.

The colorful Casa Batlló, a remodeled 19th century building, is one of Gaudí's many masterpieces in Barcelona. Its unique modernist interior is as fascinating as its surreal exterior.

Montjuïc is a hill located near the center of Barcelona. The area boasts many attractions such as Poble Espanyol and the Calatrava Tower, a legacy of the 1929 Exhibition and the 1992 Olympics.

Barcelona's centrally located Parc de la Ciutadella was created at the end of the 19th century, replacing a large citadel. It is home to a zoo, museums and the Catalan Parliament.

The Magic fountain was built for the 1929 Universal Exhibition as part of a large series of cascades and fountains. During summer evenings, this large fountain is animated with colored light.

The Plaça de Catalunya is Barcelona's busiest square, located between the old city and the modernist Eixample district. It is also the start of the Rambla, the city's famous boulevard.

The Arc de Triomf is a triumphal arch with colorful brickwork in mudéjar style. The arch was originally built as the entrance gate for the 1888 Universal Exposition.

In 2011 the Arenas de Barcelona, originally built in 1900 as a bullring, was converted into a modern shopping and recreational complex. Its rooftop terrace offers great views over the area.

The Plaça d'Espanya is a large square located at the foot of the Monjuïc hill. From here you can walk up the hill to the Palau National along the cascade of waterfalls.

At 142 meters, the Torre Agbar is one of Barcelona's tallest buildings. Its colorful cladding and unorthodox shape make it a remarkable sight, especially at night.

Poble Espanyol is a mock village built for the 1929 International Exhibition. It is now a popular tourist attraction with bars, restaurants and shops. The houses showcase the diversity of Spanish architecture.

The Mercat de la Boqueria is the most popular of the many food markets in Barcelona. The market's iron and glass hall was built in the early 20th century.

Formerly an obsolete harbor, the Port Vell was turned into a modern yacht-basin and entertainment center. The precinct features the largest aquarium in Europe.

The Palau Nacional is a grand building on the Montjuïc Hill built for the 1929 International Exhibition. It is home to the National Art Museum of Catalonia.

The Monument a Colom or Columbus Monument is a 60m tall column built in 1888 in honor of the famous explorer who arrived in Barcelona after his discovery of America.

This park was created in the 1980s as a homage to one of Barcelona's favorite sons, the surrealist artist Joan Miró. The park features one of his modern sculptures.

The Monestir de Pedralbes is a former monastery in the northern part of the city. The medieval complex is one of the best preserved examples of Gothic architecture in Catalonia.

The MNAC is Barcelona's most important museum with collections covering art from Romanesque to modern. The collection is housed in the monumental Palau Nacional.

Locally known as Peix, the Barcelona Fish is one of the city's most eye catching pieces of public art. The sculpture was designed by the renowned architect Frank O. Gehry.

Eixample is a district developed in the second half of the 19th century. The area is renowned for its wonderful modernist architecture; several of Gaudi's buildings can be found here.

This masterpiece by Mies van der Rohe is considered a milestone in 20th century architecture. It was originally built as the German pavilion for the 1929 International Exhibition.

The Aquarium de Barcelona is a popular attraction in Port Vell, a waterfront area. The aquarium's top attraction is a large oceanarium with an 80 meters long tunnel.

The Parc de l'Espanya Industrial is a modernist park created in 1985. There are several sculptures in the park, as well as a series of futuristic-looking watchtowers.

Tibidabo is the highest point in the city of Barcelona. Its top is crowned with the church of the Sacred Heart, but the big draw here is the Parc d'Attractions, a historic funfair.

The Plaça del Rei is a historic square in the Gothic Quarter of Barcelona. It is bordered by the Palau Reial Major, once the seat of the counts of Barcelona and kings of Aragon.

This iconic tower was built as the telecommunications tower for the olympics of 1992. The slender design was created by the renowned Spanish architect Santiago Calatrava.

The Santa Maria del Mar is one of Barcelona's most important churches. Built in the 14th century in a span of just over 50 years, it is a magnificent example of Catalan Gothic architecture.

The Botanic Garden of Barcelona was laid out in the 1990s on a sloping terrain that was formerly used as a landfill. Here you find plants from various areas of the world with Mediterranean climates.

Palau Reial de Pedralbes was built in the early 20th century as the local residence for king Alfonso XIII. Today the building also houses two museums: a ceramics museum and a museum of decorative art.

The Santa Maria del Pi is a 14th century church in Catalan Gothic style. It has a magnificent, 12 sided rose window, thought to be one of the largest in the world.

The Museu d'Historia de la Ciutat (City History Museum) traces the history of the city from its early beginnings until the late Middle Ages. Here you can walk through the underground ruins of the Roman city Barcino.

The Museu d'Art Contemporani opened in 1995 in the El Raval Neighborhood. Its collection of contemporary art is centered around Catalonian artists and art movements.

CosmoCaixa is a modern Science Museum where the evolution and physical phenomenons are explained through interactive exhibits. Highlights include a recreated rainforest and a geological wall.

The Torre de Collserola is a telecommunications tower that was built in 1991 in preparation for the 1992 Olympics. The modern tower boasts an observation deck 560 meters above sea level.

This historic complex was built in the early 15th century and served as a hospital for more than 500 years. Today it is home to cultural institutions; its beautiful inner courtyard is now a public park.