Barcelona Itinerary: Must-see places for first-time visitors

Want to explore the capital of Catalonia, in Spain? This Barcelona itinerary will help you discover the best attractions and make the most of your time in one of Europe’s most vibrant destinations.

There's plenty to see and do in this exciting city, keeping you busy for days. In this guide, I’ll share the top things to do in Barcelona and some hidden gems so you can fall in love with the city like I did. Be prepared—you’ll probably want to extend your stay or come back for more!

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Must-visit places for your Barcelona itinerary

1. El Gòtic

No wonder most tourists include the Gothic Quarter (El Gòtic) in their Barcelona itinerary. After all, this is one of the most beautiful parts of the city. A simple stroll through its streets is enough to captivate you. If you're visiting during peak season, I recommend going early in the morning to avoid the crowds.

The main attraction here is the Cathedral, built in Gothic style. Keep in mind that entry is not allowed for those wearing shorts or sleeveless tops. Besides visiting the interior of the church, you can also pay an extra fee to take the elevator to the top of the Cathedral. I don’t find the view particularly impressive since the building isn’t very tall, but if you love seeing cities from above, it might be worth it.

Another highlight of the Gothic Quarter is Plaça Sant Jaume, a square that is home to the Palau de la Generalitat (the seat of the Catalan government) and the Ajuntament (City Hall). This square is often the site of protests and cultural events.

As you explore the area, you’ll find plenty of souvenir and home decor shops, cafés, snack bars, and fascinating Roman-era remnants, including ancient wall ruins and towering columns.

Other iconic sight in the neighborhood is the Pont del Bisbe (Bishop’s Bridge), a beautiful walkway connecting two buildings—the Generalitat and Casa dels Canonges—above Carrer del Bisbe (Bishop’s Street).

Other must-visit spots in the Gothic Quarter include the MUHBA (Museu d’Història de Barcelona), built over archaeological ruins, and the Frederic Marès Museum, which features a charming courtyard and a lovely café.

2. Las Ramblas

Another spot that attracts tourists year-round is Las Ramblas, the city’s most famous avenue. It’s essentially a pedestrian boulevard in between roads, featuring souvenir stalls and street performers. In my opinion it’s not particularly special nor very “authentic”, but it’s still worth checking out.

3. Mercat de La Boquería

You’ll likely pass through Las Ramblas on your way to the well-known Mercat de la Boquería. Though it’s also very touristy, this public market is quite interesting, offering food stalls with a variety of treats—from cups of fresh fruit and smoothies to tapas, chocolates, and pastries.

4. El Raval

Near the market, you’ll find a less touristy side of the city: El Raval, a lively neighborhood considered one of Barcelona’s most multicultural areas. It’s home to many immigrants, artists, and students.

Its beauty isn’t as obvious as in other parts of the city, but a casual stroll will reveal charming streets. The neighborhood is also packed with trendy shops and restaurants offering flavors from all over the world, from African cuisine to Arabic pastries.

If you’re looking for specific attractions, add to your Barcelona itinerary Rambla del Raval—a long plaza lined with bars and featuring a famous Botero sculpture—and the Barcelona Museum of Contemporary Art (MACBA).

5. Port Vell & Barceloneta Beach

If you're wondering why this itinerary hasn’t mentioned the beach yet—don’t worry! Following Las Ramblas will take you straight to Port Vell, the city’s old port district, where you’ll find a monument to Christopher Columbus (Monument a Colom).

One of my favorite things to do in Barcelona is sitting on a bench in this pier and soaking in the view. Here, you’ll also find a shopping mall and an aquarium. Walk a little further, and you’ll reach Barceloneta Beach.

It’s worth stopping by to see what it’s like or even taking a dip if it’s hot out, but keep in mind that Barceloneta tends to get very crowded. If you’re looking for a better beach experience, I recommend a day trip to Sitges, a charming coastal town nearby.

6. Carrer Blai

Don't leave Barcelona without going "de tapas" at least once. This tradition of hopping from bar to bar, sipping drinks, and enjoying traditional tapas (small snacks meant to be enjoyed with drinks) is one of my favorite things to do in Spain.

One of the best places for this in Barcelona is Carrer Blai, a street packed with tapas bars popular among both locals and tourists. Most bars here display their tapas on the counter, so you can pick whatever catches your eye. At the end, the waiter tallies up your bill based on the toothpicks stuck in each bite-sized snack.

7. Sant Antoni

Another great option for Barcelona’s nightlife is Sant Antoni, a neighborhood filled with trendy bars, cafes and restaurants. Some cool spots to check out include Federal, Calders, Cometa, and Sirvent.

8. Vila de Gràcia

This is my favorite area for happy hour in Barcelona. The Vila de Gràcia neighborhood has a more relaxed vibe compared to the city’s more touristy areas and is home to plenty of great bars.

The heart of the neighborhood, at least when it comes to nightlife, is Plaça del Sol. When the weather is nice, you’ll find a crowd of young people hanging out with a beer in hand before heading out to explore the nearby bars.

9. Parc de la Ciutadella

Located near Barcelona’s Arc de Triomf, Parc de la Ciutadella was the city’s first public park. The most beautiful part is right at the entrance: the Cascada Monumental, an impressive fountain.

It’s worth strolling through the park to check out the Castell dels Tres Dragons, the greenhouses, and the Catalan Parliament building, or just to relax and people-watch.

10. El Born

Nearby, you’ll find my favorite neighborhood in Barcelona: El Born. Personally, I find it just as charming as the Gothic Quarter, but a little less crowded, making it a more pleasant place to wander around.

One of the area’s highlights is Mercado del Born, right next to Parc de la Ciutadella. This modernist-style building houses archaeological remains, a cultural center, a restaurant, and a shop.

I also recommend stopping by Basílica de Santa María del Mar, a beautiful Gothic church located in a lovely square with cozy cafés. But the best thing to do in El Born is simply get lost in its narrow streets, discovering your own favorite spots.

11. Plaça de Catalunya

Considered the main square of Barcelona, Plaça de Catalunya was once surrounded by theaters, hotels, and bars. Today, you’ll find chain stores like Hard Rock Café and El Corte Inglés, as well as plenty of tourists.

12. Casa Batlló & La Pedrera

Passeig de Gràcia is often compared to Barcelona’s Champs-Élysées. This wide, elegant avenue is lined with luxury stores and stunning buildings. Among them, two of Gaudí’s masterpieces stand out: Casa Batlló and La Pedrera (Casa Milà).

Tickets to both attractions aren’t cheap, but if you’re looking to save money, just admiring their incredible facades from the outside is already worth it.

13. Sagrada Família

Speaking of Gaudí, of course no Barcelona itinerary is complete without the Sagrada Família. This church, which is still under construction, is truly impressive, both outside and inside. If you want to go in, however, I recommend buying tickets online with a scheduled time to avoid wasting time in long lines.

14. Plaça d’Espanya

The highlight of Plaça d’Espanya, which is present in many lists of things to do in Barcelona, is a shopping mall. But even if shopping isn’t your thing, don’t skip this paragraph: the Arenas Barcelona shopping mall is quite beautiful since it was built in place of an old bullring and has a terrace with a 360-degree view of this part of the city.

15. Montjuïc Castle

From Plaça d’Espanya, you can catch a bus to Montjuïc Castle. You can either ride it to the last stop or get off at the funicular and cable car station, which is an interesting way to reach the castle. If the weather isn’t too hot, you can also walk up for part of the way and stop at some viewpoints and gardens.

Castell de Montjuïc is a large fortress with a lot of history. My favorite part is the panoramic view from the structure, which stands about 170 meters above sea level.

16. Montjuïc Park

Near the castle, another popular tourist attraction in Barcelona is Montjuïc Park. Here, you’ll find the Font Màgica, where a light and music show is synchronized with the water jets (check the schedule beforehand). The park is also home to the Fundació Joan Miró, a museum dedicated to this famous Catalan artist.

17. Park Güell

Another staple in any Barcelona itinerary is Park Güell. This space is indeed quite interesting, showcasing Gaudí’s tendency to draw inspiration from nature’s organic shapes. A large portion of the park is free to visit, and this area offers great city views.

However, the section known as the Monumental Zone, where you’ll find the famous square with its colorful, winding bench and the iconic mosaic salamander, requires a paid ticket. I recommend buying your ticket online in advance since the number of visitors is limited.

18. Bunkers del Carmel

Finally, the place where you’ll find what many (including myself!) consider the most beautiful view of Barcelona: the Bunkers del Carmel.

This site is an anti-aircraft bunker built during the Spanish Civil War in the 1930s to protect the region from fascist attacks. After the war, it became an informal settlement, but the area was revitalized between the 1980s and 1990s. I recommend going there in the late afternoon and bringing a snack to enjoy the atmosphere.

19. Day Trips from Barcelona

Checked off everything on this list and still have time left in your Barcelona itinerary? Take the opportunity to explore other interesting destinations nearby. The beach town of Sitges, which I’ve already mentioned, is just a short train ride away and well worth a visit. Other great day trip options include Montserrat, Girona, and Tibidabo.

Bonus tip: How to enjoy Barcelona like a local

If you want to experience Barcelona beyond the typical tourist route and do plenty of day trips around the city while saving a lot of money, consider joining a work exchange or volunteer program with Worldpackers. This platform connects travelers with hosts worldwide, offering opportunities to exchange skills for free accommodation.

Beyond budget-friendly travel, a Worldpackers experience gives you the chance to connect with locals, improve your Spanish, and see a different side of Barcelona. Whether you're helping at a hostel’s front desk or caring for animals, you'll gain valuable skills while having plenty of free time to explore its attractions and nightlife. It's a unique way to make your Barcelona adventure more meaningful.

Click here to see all the positions currently available for volunteering in Barcelona. You might also like to check out all the opportunities in different parts of Catalunya.

I hope you enjoyed this Barcelona itinerary! For more travel tips and inspiration, follow Worldpackers on social media: we’re on Instagram and TikTok.