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

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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

No, but I’m giving her a 10…

September 2023

Bonnie Y
The day was entirely personalized. Alan listened to what we were interested in, he was patient with all our questions. His passion and enthusiasm for history was infectious. He orientated us with the city, showed us all the local places to go away from the tourists. And as we bombarded him with history questions he was patient and not only shared his knowledge- showed us as we walked through. We took photos of where Alan suggested we go back to- the phone has then the location and easy to find (and recognize) in the myriad of confusing streets afterwards!

September 2023

Katherine B
Alan was absolutely awesome. His passion for Barcelona and Spain infected all of us. He kept myself, my husband and 2 teenage boys 13 and 15 engaged the entire time and we bombarded him with questions as we navigated the streets of Barcelona. Alan was patient and listened to our questions and placed history into context for us. He showed us some great places to eat where locals go away from the bustle, as well as where all the local hand made artisans were hiding and orientated us so we felt like we could then conquer the rest of our trip on our own. We felt like we had family taking us around to the places they loved and sharing their love and passion for their city and country. Cannot thank you enough Alan- what a fabulous day! You bought the city alive for us as well as an enthusiasm for Gaudi from his lesser known works and also signed of history to look for in the city. We are looking forward to learning more and appreciate you putting parts of the historical puzzle of Spain together! THANK YOU for an amazing time and experience.

September 2023

Katherine B
Alan’s mastery of Barcelona’s rich and exciting history was evident from the start. In a group of five, it can be easy for one or two people to feel excluded. This was not the case with Alan’s tour - he made sure that each member of the group felt included and he tailed a part of the tour to their specific interests. The group learned so much and we are going to leave Barcelona with a much deeper appreciation that we otherwise would have, without going on the tour.

September 2023

Cameron S