Top Attractions in Barcelona

La Rambla de Sant Josep / de les Flors

This part of Las Ramblas, which goes from Carrer Carme to Carrer Hospital, is also known as La Rambla de les Flors (the Rambla of flowers) because of its profusion of floral kiosks. The tradition of these little stands harks back to the Middle Ages— where knights once fought each other (and were then regaled with flowers, of course). In the 19th century, this section of the Ramblas was a meeting point where women chatted and men read the newspaper. You'll also find the Boqueria Market here, where restaurateurs go daily to get fresh produce, as well as Virreina Palace, which is an information and exhibition center.

Casa Milà (La Pedrera)

Antoni Gaudí, the architect who built this jewel of Catalan modernism, wanted the facade to reflect his romantic and anti-classical ideas about design. It was built for the Milà family between 1906 and 1910. Neither the family nor the public were much impressed, and it was dubbed La Pedrera (stone quarry) as an insult. Only later in 1984, it won great acclaim when the UNESCO declared it a World Heritage Site. Now internationally celebrated, Casa Mila is a prime example of Gaudi's civil architecture; it is aesthetically interesting and unique as well as outstandingly practical.

Parc de la Ciutadella

A great place for a stroll away from all the traffic, this is one of the city's most popular parks, located where Felipe V's ciutadella (military citadel) was; a place used to repress Catalan nationalism during his reign. In 1870 the citadel was made into a park to house the 1888 World Fair. You will find a small lake in the centre and beside it, the Cascada, a lovely fountain built by Josep Fontserè and his assistant, Antoni Gaudí. You can visit the city zoo and the Catalan parliament building in here as well.

Parc Güell

Built between 1910 and 1914 and now a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Gaudí's original aim in this 20-hectare (50-acre) park was to create a harmonious combination of urban and natural landscapes by building houses, gardens and public institutions, but the project was never completed. However, you do get to see a great mixture of architectural styles. For instance, the columns of the Sala de las Cien Columnas (Hall of the Hundred Columns) are purely classical, while the balcony they support is an example of romantic style; plus it's covered in colored mosaic tiles.

Parc del Laberint d'Horta

Italian Dominico Bagutti designed this park in the 18th century, in the grounds around a mansion. The most important feature is the labyrinth that gives the park its name. Lose yourself amid the artistic sculptures that represent love. The garden also has a wide variety of plants and flowers. The town council also organizes classical music concerts in the park from time to time.

Sagrada Familia

Antoni Gaudí began this utterly surreal temple in 1882 and it is still being constructed. It was originally intended to be a modest, neo-Gothic church, but it has become the most famous building in Barcelona. Gaudí broke away from the reigning neo-Gothic style of the late 19th and early 20th centuries and imbued every element of the Sagrada Família with symbolic meaning. Turtles form the base of columns: the Chinese symbol of order within chaos, and the pillars are palm trees. The most outstanding feature of this building is its baroque style, and the mixture of colors and the diversity of materials used: plaster, ceramics, mosaic, iron and many types of stone.

Font Màgica

The "magic fountain" was built for the World Fair of 1888, in Ciutadella Park. Unfortunately, it was not the success story that they had hoped for. For the World Expo of 1929, they tried again. That was when they built the current fountain near Montjuïc which, with colored light playing through the water, seems to make the water dance to the rhythm of the music that accompanies the show. The shapes and colors change constantly, and the effect is entrancing, making it very popular amongst children.

Picasso and Miro Art Museums Tour

On the Picasso and Miro Art Museums Tour discover art expressions of Picasso and Miro with an expert Local Art Guide. The Barcelona Picasso Museum clearly confirms the ties that unite Pablo Picasso with the city of Barcelona. It holds the most important and exhaustive collections of the works of Pablo Picasso's youth and education. The Joan Miró Foundation Museum was set up on the initiative of Joan Miró thanks to the donations he made to his hometown. Miró conceived it as a living center where students and general public could become familiar with his work and also contemporary art trends.

Casa Batlló

Casa Batlló is one of the masterpieces by the world-renowned architect Antoni Gaudi. A mosaic of different architectural styles, colored glass and designs with a history going back to 1875, it is a culture aficionado's delight. Tour the intriguing interiors of the beautiful 20th century home of the Batlló family: the dragon-like structure has magical rooms like the elegant Piano Nobile, the sky-lit coach house, and more. The Casa is available as a magnificent venue for special events, gatherings and conferences. Don't miss your chance to explore this heritage structure, seemingly straight out of a psychedelic fairy tale. Check website for details.

Museu Futbol Club Barcelona (Museum of the Barcelona Soccer Team)

Museu Futbol Club Barcelona is a soccer fan's paradise. The focus is on Barcelona soccer, but the museum also presents a number of artistic and thoughtful reflections on the sport as a whole. A well laid-out and visually appealing museum, it displays photos and trophies, and there are even videos of FC Barcelona in action. Since 1899, Barcelona has been a force to reckon with in European soccer, and this museum takes you through the entire history, right up to the present day: you can opt for a guided tour of the stadium, which offers a visit to the press boxes, the away teams' locker room, and even the sacred field itself. Check website for visiting hours.