Top 10 Barcelona Sights - What to see in Barcelona
1. SAGRADA FAMILIA
Largely seen as Antoni Gaudí's ultimate masterpiece and the culmination of his architectural style and theories, the Sagrada Familia is an astonishing Catholic church designed and still being constructed in Gaudí's signature Art Nouveau style. Truly unique in every way, its structure and decoration are laden with Catholic symbolism combined with unique forms, vibrant colors and creative incorporation of nature motifs.
2. LAS RAMBLAS
As Spain's liveliest and most famous boulevard, Las Ramblas is the city's top place to stroll, people-watch, catch street performances, poke around shops and grab a drink or snack. Spanning from Plaça de Catalunya to the port, Las Ramblas is conveniently also right up against the beautiful Gothic Quarter, another must-see!
3. LA PEDRERA
La Pedrera - technically called Casa Milá - is one of the most visited stops on the Gaudí architecture route and it's easy to see why. The building, with its characteristic undulating façade, was originally built as an apartment building for Barcelona's bourgeois society and has been decorated within to recreate early 20th century flats typical of the class. The top floor covers Gaudí's life and work, while the roof deck is home to a sculpture garden filled with curvy, funky forms.
4. PICASSO MUSEUM
Before he became Cubism's most prolific proponent, Pablo Picasso was an expert artist with an incredible grasp on precision and capturing realism, creating artwork that went largely unknown until the opening of this fantastic museum. The Picasso Museum today is Barcelona's most popular and takes an in-depth and well-deserved look at the trajectory of Picasso's earlier works. You will be able to peruse pieces from his so-called "Blue Period" as well as his unique reinterpretations of " Las Meninas", Diego Velázquez's most heralded painting.
5. PARK GÜELL
Looking out over the Barcelona skyline is Park Güell, a spectacular park complex that combines lush gardens with colorful mosaics, fountains, curvy forms and creative Art Nouveau architectural elements. Originally designed to be a private community of homes for affluent families, the project had a few hiccups and screeched to a halt; the city then bought the half-finished product and turned it into a public park for all to enjoy.
6. CIUTAT VELLA
Composed of a handful of neighborhoods - Gothic Quarter, El Raval, La Ribera, El Born, Port Vell - the Ciutat Vella, or Old City, is the cultural and historical heart of Barcelona. Barcelona's top attractions are largely grouped into this part of town: the Roman ruins, the Gothic cathedral, the MACBA, Las Ramblas, the PIcasso Museum and much more! While modern neighborhoods like L'Eixample are famous for their wide avenues and Art Nouveau architecture, here you'll find winding - and largely pedestrian - alleys, historical buildings and plenty of historical charm.
7. FONT MÀGICA
Taking place almost nightly in front of the Palau Nacional on Montjuïc, Font Màgica is a spectular extravaganza of music, lights and fountains. It's extremely entertaining, visually stunning and best of all, free!
8. MACBA (MUSEU D'ART CONTEMPORANI DE BARCELONA)
Barcelona's excellent contemporary art museum, a large and sleek white building in the Ciutat Vella, contains primarily Spanish and Catalonian art from 1945 up through today. The three periods represented are the 1940's through 1960's, the 1960's and 1970's and contemporary.
9. MNAC (MUSEU NACIONAL D'ART DE CATALUNYA)
Housed in the spectacular Palau Nacional, this museum features Catalan art spanning all artistic periods (Romanesque, Gothic, Renaissance, Baroque, modern, etc.) and genres (painting, drawing, sculpture, photography, etc.) for a comprehensive look at the trajectory of Catalan artwork.
10. PORT VELL
Las Ramblas runs from Plaça Catalunya down to Port Vell, Barcelona's Old Port looks anything but old. Over the past couple of decades the area has been totally modernized and revamped with sculptures, one of Europe's largest aquariums, shopping and more. Plus, just a short stroll along the water will take to you the Barceloneta, the city's most popular beach.
