Exploring the centre of Barcelona: 6 unmissable places to visit
There are so many great places of interest to visit in Barcelona city centre. All the different neighbourhoods, streets, buildings and parks make the Catalan capital one of the most visited and loved cities in Europe. Its culture, varied tourist attractions and favourable climate see over 80 million tourists come from all over the world to enjoy it every year. In this post, we’ll give you a list of the top 6 unmissable places to visit in Barcelona on your next trip. All ready?
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Sagrada Familia
This modernist-style monument is true a symbol of Barcelona, attracting more than 1,000 tourists every day. The Sagrada Familia was designed by Antoni Gaudí in 1883 using all his experience and the most innovative techniques of the day in its construction.
Although still not yet finished, it was recently announced that works will be complete by 2026. By then, the cathedral will feature 18 towers and will be the tallest structure in the entire city. Currently, some of its best features are the 3 façades dedicated to the birth, passion and glory of Jesus Christ.
If you’re looking to experience some real Barcelona tourism, a visit to the Sagrada Familia simply cannot be missed. The best time to go is early. If you leave it until later in the day, you’ll find queues stretching out for miles upon miles and you may struggle to get tickets. But you can always buy tickets online in advance to save time. Remember that the Sagrada Familia is open 09.00 until 20.00, March to October, and from 09.00 to 18.00 between November and February.
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Paseo de Gracia in the centre of Barcelona
This is without doubt one of the most famous avenues in all of Barcelona, mainly known for its luxury department stores, modernist buildings and great restaurants. Paseo de Gracia connects Plaza Catalunya with the Gracia Quarter, one of the most multicultural neighbourhoods you’ll find in the centre of Barcelona.
As we mentioned, the modernist buildings on Paseo de Gracia in Barcelona, such as La Casa Batlló, La Casa Amatller, La Casa Mulleras and La Casa Lleó i Morera make it a veritable street museum, where you can stroll and admire all the stunning façades at your own pace. At number 92, you’ll find La Casa Milá, more commonly known as La Pedrera, another of Gaudí’s masterpieces that has attracted a million visitors a year since first opening to the public in 1987.
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La Rambla
Another of the main walks in Barcelona centre, this route links Plaza Catalunya with Puerto Viejo. La Rambla is a busy street any time, day or night, and along its 1.2 kilometres you’ll find newspaper kiosks, souvenir shops and flower stalls, as well as cafés and restaurants with some great terraces, shops, department stores, street artists, cartoonists and more.
If you’re not sure where to visit in Barcelona, we recommend you take a stroll along La Rambla, because very nearby you’ll find Barcelona Cathedral, the City Hall, the Generalitat Palace, the Gothic Quarter, as well as Mercado de la Boquería market. All fantastic options.
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Mercado de la Boquería
When you start to feel a little peckish, the city’s food and drink offering is enormous, but the most original and cheapest option is to head down to Mercado de la Boquería in the centre of Barcelona. Located on La Rambla, here you’ll find all kinds of fresh produce at the market, including fruits, vegetables, meat, fish and sweet treats.
With more than 2,500m2 of space, more than 300 stalls sell all manner of things, serving the city’s locals, tourists and restaurateurs alike. The biggest market in Catalonia, it also attracts the most tourists annually of them all.
And you won’t just find fresh produce here, there are several bars and kiosks serving up different types of food and drink, some specialising in Japanese, Italian, Arabic and more.
So if you don’t have time to stop off for a bite to eat, or you’re just not in the mood for a restaurant or café, the Mercado de la Boquería is well worth a visit. Somewhere you’ll find unlimited choice for a great price.
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Gothic Quarter in the centre of Barcelona
The historical centre of the city and the oldest neighbourhood in town, here you’ll find a range of amazing churches, squares and monuments. It’s also one of the most magical and charming places in the city. The Gothic Quarter is made up of several parts, but our favourite way to explore is simply getting lost in the narrow streets, time travelling back to a different age where you can discover all the city’s secrets.
If you want to visit this neighbourhood in Barcelona centre, you can get here in lots of different ways, but the easiest is usually by metro. Lines 1, 2, 3 and 4 all pass through. Remember, there are also some great accommodation options available nearby, such as the HCC Montblanc.
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Born
This neighbourhood – found near Parque de la Ciudadela and just 10 minutes from the city centre – is another treasure you simply can’t afford to miss if you’re here to enjoy some Barcelona tourism. One of the oldest parts of the city, many visitors compare it to New York’s fashionable Soho district. Restaurants, bars, shops and a variety of culture give tourists and locals alike plenty of great things to see and do.
In Born in Barcelona, you’ll find several places of interest all full of charm, including Mercado del Born, Basílica Santa María del Mar, Palacio de la Música de Catalunya and the Picasso Museum, where some of the artist’s greatest works are on display. A unique, original and vibrant part of the city that nobody should miss out on.
Remember, these are just some of the ways to make your trip to Barcelona better, but the city is so much more… take a stroll and enjoy everything the streets have in store for you, discovering all the treasure of the Catalan capital as you go. You’ll fall in love at first sight. Here, you can see all the places of interest in Barcelona for tourists.
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