Things To Do In Barcelona

If you find yourself in Spain, you can rest easily knowing there are many things to do in Barcelona, one of nation’s biggest cities. Originally founded as a Roman city, Barcelona has had many cultural influences throughout its colorful history, making it one of Europe’s most popular tourist destinations. Boasting a number of museums, parks, beaches, nightclubs, and restaurants, there is much to see and do in the Spanish city, so make sure you give yourself as much time as possible to explore Barcelona.

1. Landmarks and Architecture: One of Barcelona’s most popular landmarks is the Font Magica. Though quite impressive by day, the real show at this beautiful fountain is at night. Built for Barcelona's 1929 World Expo, the fountain puts on a colorful light show after the sun goes down. The watery rainbow lasts for about fifteen minutes. You can also check out the cathedrals of Barcelona, as they are some of the more breathtaking in the world. The Sagrada Família is a large Roman Catholic church that has been under construction since 1882. The Cathedral of Santa Eulalia is dedicated to Eulalia of Barcelona, co-patron saint of Barcelona. The city is also home to FC Barcelona, one of Europe’s most prestigious football clubs. The Spanish giants call Camp Nou, the largest stadium in Europe, with a capacity of 100,000, their home. The stadium is quite an impressive sight to behold. Tours are available year round.

2. Arts and Entertainment: With such a rich history, Barcelona offers some of the most beautiful pieces of art and culture in the world. At the National Art Museum of Catalonia, you can view a stunning collection of Romanesque art. Enjoy a world class opera at Gran Teatre del Liceu, one of Barcelona’s more famous opera houses on La Rambla. If the theater is more your style, the Teatre Lliure features Spanish plays, as well as classics like Shakespeare’s “Othello”.

3. Dining: One of the more popular dishes in Barcelona is tapas. Tapas are small dishes of food, like appetizers or finger foods, usually paired with wine or other alcoholic drinks. The restaurant Coure, in the St. Gervasi-Santalo area of Barcelona, is one of many that offer tapas tasting menus. For a set price, you can sample a variety of delicious tapas. For fresh seafood, exquisite Mediterranean dishes, and mouthwatering authentic Spanish dishes, you will want to check out Cal Pep. Because they use only the freshest and best ingredients, the menu is constantly changing. For parties of four or more, the restaurant requires reservations, otherwise walk-ins are welcome.

4. Festivals and Events: If you are a fan of electronic music, you will want to plan your trip to Barcelona around the third Thursday in June. Sónar is an annual three-day music festival featuring some of Europe’s best house, techno, trance and electro artists. San Miguel Primavera Sound, also known as Primavera, is another popular festival that features a range of musical genres, including alternative, indie, hip hop, metal, jazz and electronic. The White Stripes, Portishead, Neil Young and Lou Reed have all performed at this festival.

5. Recreation: Barcelona has a number of parks and beaches for you to enjoy the beautiful weather outdoors. Montjuic is one of Barcelona’s largest parks. The park is home to Font Majica, the Venetian Towers, and Castillo de Montjuïc, a castle built in 1022. For sand and sun, check out Sant Sebastia and Barceloneta, a couple of Barcelona’s premier beaches. Barceloneta is, by far, the most popular of Barcelona’s beaches, offering a host of bars and clubs along its boardwalk.