Barcelona’s top attractions range from fan favourites like Camp Nou to a quirky museum perfect for families. Check out these top things to do in Barcelona and find out how to skip the queues and score exclusive discounts on admission.
Heading to Spain’s most-visited city? If you can’t decide where to start, these Barcelona attractions are the top five experiences not to miss. Get a better view of the city from an open-air boat on Las Golondrinas, or let your inner child shine at the Big Fun Museum. These activities are the perfect combination of ultra-popular (for good reason) and lesser-known but can’t-miss sights.
All of the following attractions allow you to purchase tickets in advance to save yourself time waiting in the queue. It’s especially important to reserve many of Barcelona’s popular attractions in advance, as same-day tickets are frequently sold out.
Our partners at Tiqets are offering Skyscanner readers an exclusive 7.5%-10% discount (applied at checkout) on the most popular Barcelona attractions when they book via the links in this article.
Top 5 things to do in Barcelona
Best thing to do in Barcelona outdoors: Las Golondrinas
Price with exclusive discount for Skyscanner readers (applied at checkout): From £6.52*
Las Golondrinas are wooden, double-decker boats with open-air top decks that have been taking passengers on tours of Barcelona’s port and coast since 1888. During the cruise, you’ll see the most popular sights along Barcelona’s coastline, including the Port Olímpic, the W Hotel (aka Hotel Vela), the beaches of Barceloneta, and PortVell’s luxurious yachts.
Get your discounted tickets and choose to stay on the water for either one hour or 40 minutes. There are multiple departure times each day, so you can easily fit this cruise into your itinerary.
Just around the corner from the Port of Barcelona and Las Golondrinas is Andante Hotel, the perfect option for a trendy, affordable hotel with a rooftop pool.
Photos courtesy of Tiqets
Barcelona’s most memorable attraction: La Sagrada Família
Price with exclusive discount for Skyscanner readers (applied at checkout): From £27.57
La Sagrada Familia is a perpetually work-in-progress church that has been under construction since 1882. One of the most popular Barcelona attractions, La Sagrada Família is the work of Antoni Gaudí, a world-famous Catalan architect. The church, located in the Eixample district, offers incredible city views from its top.
As a must-see in Barcelona, tickets are frequently sold out to day-of visitors, making this one of the most important attractions to purchase tickets for in advance. By purchasing via Tiqets, you’ll secure an exclusive 7.5% off admission to La Sagrada Família, access to its museum, and a downloadable app with an audio guide. The church is open Monday through Saturday, from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m., and Sundays from 10:30 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Want the best views of La Sagrada Família? Get them by staying at the Radisson Blue 1882 Hotel, a modern, 4-star hotel with a stellar view of La Sagrada Família from its rooftop pool and garden area.
Photos courtesy of Tiqets
Best thing to do in Barcelona for sports fans: Camp Nou
Price with exclusive discount for Skyscanner readers (applied at checkout): From £24.47
Camp Nou, the home stadium of FC Barcelona, is the ultimate attraction for football fans visiting Barcelona. It’s the largest football stadium in Europe, with a seating capacity of 99,354, and is located about five kilometres to the east of Barcelona’s centre.
Tickets to visit Camp Nou include entrance to the stadium and the FC Barcelona Museum at an exclusive 7.5% discount. You’ll also gain access to the trophy room, multimedia area, visitor’s dressing room, player tunnel, and press room. Entry times are from 9:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily. The tour is closed on (and sometimes before) match days.
Ultimate football fans will want to stay at the NH Barcelona Stadium hotel, located less than a 5-minute walk from Camp Nou.
Photos courtesy of Tiqets
Top Barcelona attraction for architecture lovers: Mies van der Rohe Pavilion
Price with exclusive discount for Skyscanner readers (applied at checkout): From £6.52
The Mies van der Rohe Pavilion was the opening point for the German section of the 1929 International Exposition in Barcelona. One of Barcelona’s most peaceful attractions, the pavilion is a revered example of modern architecture made predominantly of glass, steel, and different types of marble. Make a day of exploring this section of town by also visiting the adjacent Magic Fountain, exquisite National Palace, and historic Botanical Gardens — the perfect respite from the bustling energy of the city.
Get an exclusive 7.5% discount on access to the Mies van der Rohe Pavilion, the gardens, and a specialized bookstore.
In need of accommodation? Roll out of bed and stroll for just five minutes to reach the Mies van der Rohe Pavilion when you stay at InterContinetal Barcelona. Luxury accommodations come complete with a spa, fitness centre, and outdoor pool. But don’t miss the unbeatable view — and delicious Mediterranean fare — from 173 Rooftop restaurant.
Photos courtesy of Tiqets
Best thing to do in Barcelona for families: Big Fun Museum
Price with exclusive discount for Skyscanner readers (applied at checkout): From £15.87
Are you travelling with young kids who need a break from sightseeing? Barcelona’s Big Fun Museum will entertain not only little ones but will surely bring out your inner child. You’ll find multiple attractions under one roof, such as a Topsy-Turvy House, Sweets Museum, Museum of Illusions, and a timeout zone with a ball pool. There’s also a permanent exhibition of Food Art with “paintings,” like the Mona Lisa recreated from seafood items like kelp, oysters, and squid. The museum is located on the popular pedestrian street La Rambla in the heart of Barcelona.
Your exclusive 10% off admission when you purchase via Tiqets includes access to all areas of the Big Fun Museum, plus admission to the Museum of Illusions (if the Combo Ticket is selected).
Want to stay in the middle of the action? The well-reviewed HCC Montblanc in the Gothic Quarter has modern rooms with plenty of space for the kids, plus an outdoor pool for them and an adjacent bar for you.
Photos courtesy of Tiqets
*Please note that ticket prices to Barcelona attractions may change due to demand and availability. Prices are accurate at the time of publication, 21 April 2023. Also, when you purchase a ticket for a Tiqets attraction through our site, we earn a commission. But rest assured, this does not affect our views on the quality of these activities!
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