The 5 Best Things to See in Barcelona in 2023
Barcelona is one of the most vibrant and cool places we’ve ever been. It’s grid like streets and great public transport make it super simple to get around and mean you’ll have a hard job getting lost. There are so many things to see and do here we had trouble narrowing our choices down, but here’s our list of the 5 best things to see in Barcelona in 2023!
5. Gothic Quarter
This is the beating heart of Barcelona. Yes, it can feel quite touristy if you are there during peak times but even then, you will always be able to find a small nook to call your own.
Barcelona’s Gothic Quarter is very different to the rest of the city. The charming, labyrinthian streets twist and wind themselves past countless historic buildings and shops before feeding into many of the area’s public squares.
We recommend spending the afternoon strolling through the Gothic Quarter’s alleyways, grabbing some delicious local food (Da Nanni have some of the best pizza in the city) and then finding a spot in a public square to people watch.
4. Casa Milà (La Pedrera) and Casa Batlló (Casa dels Ossos)
If you come to Barcelona, then it would be wise to read up a little on Antoni Gaudí.
One of Barcelona’s favourite sons, Gaudi was a renowned architect that influenced so much of the city’s landscape. We’ll come to his most famous work (La Sagrada Familia) shortly but while you are in the city you can’t miss out on seeing Casa Milà and Casa Batlló.
It would be a disservice to just call them buildings as they are clearly works of art. Gaudi’s eye-catching design choices and love of the unusual are incredibly apparent here. When the sun hits it just right, the colourful mosaics and inlaid glass of Casa Batlló sparkle brilliantly.
3. Park Güell
If you are after the iconic photo of Barcelona, then head on over to Park Güell. This sprawling park covers over 12 hectares and can be reached by public transport from anywhere else in the city.
Originally designed and lived in by none other than Antoni Gaudí, this park is now one of the most visited attractions in Barcelona. While mostly free, the areas containing Gaudi’s creation require a ticket which you can book online in advance.
2. Camp Nou and FC Barcelona
Attending a FC Barcelona football match should be on everyone’s bucket list! The Nou Camp holds 100,000 spectators making it one of the largest stadiums in the world and seeing a match here is an incredible experience. Tickets can be as cheap €30 but rise steeply if you want premier seating.
If you aren’t lucky enough to be visiting when FC Barcelona are playing, then you will still be able to tour the massive stadium. The tour takes you through the impressive football museum and allows you to go out to view the pitch from a panoramic viewpoint.
1. Sagrada Familia
It was always going to be number one, wasn’t it? Construction started on this icon of Barcelona around 140 years ago and is still going on to this day! This is one of the most unique buildings in the world and needs to be seen in real life to truly understand the design and craftsmanship that has went into it.
On our last trip to Barcelona, we decided not to visit the interior, instead, we headed across the road to the beautiful and scenic Plaça de Gaudí. This small park offers some of the best views of the Sagrada Familia and is the perfect spot to take in its beauty. Aim to get the central seat directly next to the water – it offers the perfect view and is shaded by the surrounding trees.
