Top Things To Do In Barcelona

Tailoring each tour to your wishes by locals who love their city

Local guide and tourists having fun while exploring the top sights in Barcelona

Top things to do in Barcelona

From exploring cool neighborhoods to eating with the locals to seeing iconic sites, these are some of our favorite experiences

When in Osaka
make sure to try
“kushikatsu”!

See the city like
you would with a friend who lives there

See all

When in Osaka
make sure to try
“kushikatsu”!

See the city like
you would with a friend who lives there

Wondering what to do in Barcelona?

The most beguiling of Spain’s cities, Barcelona gently slopes up from the sparkling sea to leafy wooded hills. The city is a masterpiece of both natural beauty and urban wonder, with art and architecture at its creative core. The things to do in Barcelona range from the medieval to the modern. You could soak up centuries-old architecture in the ancient Gothic Quarter, or shop up a storm at trendy boutiques and cool markets in the sun-dappled city center. But even though your days will be packed with activity, some of the most exciting things to do in Barcelona emerge as the sun sets and locals gather at rooftop bars for tapas and a glass of vermouth.

Meet some of our Barcelona local hosts

Like the people who travel with us, they have different backgrounds and interests – but they’re all so passionate about the place they call home, they choose to spend their free time sharing it with the like-minded travelers matched to them.

We’ve handpicked them and we’ll match you to your perfect one!

Tourists enjoying the beautiful views of Barcelona below from Bunkers del Carmel

Highlights and hidden gems

Whether you want to marvel at beautiful buildings, eat the finest Spanish cuisine, or spend most of your time outdoors, everyone’s Barcelona bucket list looks a little different. Luckily, the things to do in Barcelona appeal to every type of traveler no matter what your interests are. The city certainly has its unmissable must-sees, from the iconic Sagrada Familia to ancient Roman temples. But between boisterous backstreet cava bars, brassy jazz basements, upmarket boutiques, and 2000 years of architectural triumphs, the city is brimming with a variety of unique, exciting things to do.

Tourists enjoy fresh produce at a local market during a food tour of Barcelona

The best of Barcelonian cuisine

The Barcelona food scene is fueled by both tradition and modern influences – but it’s the city’s creativity that makes its cuisine truly memorable. Of all the things to do in Barcelona, exploring authentic bodega, humble markets, tiny tapa bars, futuristic fusion restaurants, and hole-in-the-wall pintxo bars are some of the very best. Each local dish – a riot of texture, taste, and color – reveals something unique about the city. Classic dishes showcase its culinary heritage, while upmarket, experimental restaurants manage to make 5-star dining in Barcelona a warm, welcoming affair.

Tourists exploring the quiet streets of Barcelona with a local at night

Barcelona by night

When darkness falls, the things to do in Barcelona become even more exhilarating. You might start your evening with a glass of vermouth on a sprawling terrace as the last of the sun’s rays disappear, or grab a quick bite at a snack bar to line your stomach. From there, the night is yours. The list of things to do in Barcelona by night is as varied as the city’s visitors. Wander through cobbled streets, stopping at tapas bars with tables spilling out onto the sidewalk, dance the night away at an electrifying club, catch some live music, or bar-hop through an eclectic neighborhood.

Barcelona travel tips and inspiration from our Travel Magazine

Find essential city info, travel tips and the best things to do in Barcelona and around the world recommended by our local hosts

Latest reviews from our guests

I love using City Unscripted for a private tour when I travel to Europe and Alan was absolutely fantastic! He customized the itinerary based on what I wanted to do (and got tickets for us in advance so we could go up the tower at the Sagrada). It was so nice not to have to think about where I was going and just followed him around the whole day. Alan is very personable and easy to talk to (as evident by him making conversations with the taxi drivers and hotel bellhop) and most importantly, he is an amazing photographer so definitely a plus for a personal tour guide that can take you around and take amazing pictures! Definitely highly recommend Alan (and I appreciate that he came prepared with a Gaudi book in case there are hard questions haha!)

November 2022

Joanna H
Alan did a great job showing us the highlights of Barcelona on our 4 hour tour. He is very knowledgeable about the history and architecture in Barcelona!

November 2022

Lynn D
We really enjoyed our time with Ivanna. She was a great guide to help us see the sites of Barcelona. She reached out in advance of our trip and tailored our tour around our interests. Bonus - Ivanna is a professional photographer, so we didn't have to worry about taking photos while enjoying the city.

October 2022

Nick N
We had a wonderful tour with Ivanna in Barcelona. She planned the day to include Moco Museum, Casa Batilo, and several additional stops. Ivanna was fun, knowledgeable and capable guide for a full day tour. She is fluent in English making it easy to communicate. Ivanna is one of those rare guides who you want to stay in contact with as a friend.

October 2022

Steven L