Even if you are a pure Barcelonian, one of those who avoids the Rambla, does not set foot in Barceloneta all year round and has never visited the Sagrada Familia, surely you have missed something typically Barcelonian and did not know it.
Surely, no matter how much of a Barcelonian you are, there has been a weekend when you’ve run out of plans and you’ve searched for: What can I do today in Barcelona? What can I visit this weekend? What activities are there? What are the best things to do in the city?
To solve these doubts, and a few more, we leave you a list of authentic Barcelona things that any citizen has to do (or not) to be able to say loud and clear that he is a full-fledged neighbor of Barcelona.
1. Experience a movie night under the stars
Arm yourself with your hammock, fill up the cooler, make popcorn and a snack and head for the summer cinema in Montjuïc. O to any of the other cinemas at that multiply in summertime in Barcelona.
2. Dive into the Catalan delicacy: calçots (spring onions)
Claiming to be from Barcelona (or Catalonia) and not having eaten calçots should be punishable by impr isonment because, in Catalonia, happiness is measured in calçots. And if you have done it, but not in a farmhouse, it should be punishable. For this reason, we leave here some farmhouses and restaurants in Barcelona for you to subvert your mistake.
3. Learn the sweet history of Chocolate Street
It is popularly known as Chocolate Street because in the XVII century, in an almost spontaneous way, different chocolate shops began to be installed. And, to this day, they are still there. The same, you can’t consider yourself a Barcelonian if you haven’t tasted chocolate in one of the stores on Petritxol Street.
4. The magic of Gràcia: the most popular festivals in Barcelona
Walking through all the streets -yes, making the Row- of Gràcia during the Fiestas de Gràcia, the most popular neighborhood festivals in the city. To be amazed by the decorations, to complain about the amount of people, to sing at night in one of its concerts, to go out among the crowds that fill its narrow streets. Repeat.
5. Don’t get lost in the Passeig de Gràcia transfer
Arriving late for an appointment and saying “I had to do something else the Passeig de Gràcia tunnel transfer”. They’ll know you’re a newbie (and you’re probably lying, any Barcelonian tries to avoid it), but at least once in your life you have to go through that tunnel.
6. Visit Miró’s mosaic without worrying about crowds (high difficulty)
We said we wouldn’t walk past La Rambla, but walking over the Miró mosaic on La Rambla, next to the memorial for the 2017 attack, and in front of the Liceu, is something that, if you do it hating the masses of tourists, is allowed in the good Barcelonian’s handbook.
7. Visit Camp Nou (even if you’re not a Barça fan)
Even if it is against Albacete: to watch a match at Camp Nou. And if not, there is always the FC Barcelona museum, the most visited museum in the city.
8. Discover the secrets of the magic fountain of Montjuïc
Go to the magic fountain of Montjuïc (surrounded by guiris) and enjoy the show. Although if what you want is to be a real expert, sign up for the visits made by the City Council to the interiors of the Font to see how it works.
9. Passing under the Arc del Triomf and the Pont del Bisbe in search of unique experiences
Passing under the Arc del Triomf. Not because it means anything per se, simply for the sake of doing it. And if not, you have the other option, the one of passing under the Pont del Bisbe and don’t look at the skull, you know what it means.
10. Books and roses in Sant Jordi
Enjoying Sant Jordi with all the fireworks: with his book and with his rose. Stroll through the literary Superilla, find the prettiest rose and your ideal book and, in short, enjoy the most beautiful day of the year in the city.
11. Buy a book at the Sant Antoni Market
Speaking of books: buy one at the Sant Antoni Sunday market. (You can buy one set in Barcelona, in this list we recommend you a few of them set in the city). On the same day, by the way, there is also an exchange of stickers.
12. Get to know the unfinished Sagrada Familia
Enter the Sagrada Familia before it is over (i.e. you have time) and check if you know everything you need to know about her. And if you are already fed up with it,you can go and visit the other Sagrada Familia more unknown, in Catalonia
13. The rest of Gaudí’s legacy
To say only the Sagrada Familia is a bit of an understatement. Actually, you should visit La Pedrera, The Batlló House and everything that went through Gaudí’s head.
14. More modernism
And modernism does not live by Gaudí alone. Also a visit to the Casa de las Punxes, the Casa de las Punxes, is a must Amatller House or the Hospital de la Santa Cruz y San Pablo. Or any of the most unknown modernist buildings in the city.
15. Get wet on the beach in Barcelona
Barcelona is a city of the sea, and very often we forget to relate something more with the sea. Lately, surprising marine animals are appearing all the time along the coast. From dolphins to whales o sharks barcelona’s sea is very much alive, and it is a good idea not only to get to know it, but also to visit it with some of the companies that do sustainable sailing with animal sightings.
16. Order a kebab before (or after) going out to party
Eating a battle kebab on the Rambla del Raval to start or end the night or enjoy some good kebabs that by now abound in the city. And if not, go to the Barcelona branch of the best kebab in Berlin (city of origin of durum) and try it as well.
17. Get dressed up and visit the Liceu
Dress up to go, at least one night, at the Liceu and enjoy a performance. And not only of the show but also of one of the most impressive buildings in the city.
18. Tibidabo and its attractions
Riding on the Tibidabo Park airplane, a century-old attraction that has already flown around the world several times and enjoy from your seats, or from any other attraction, of the beautiful views over the city.
19. A beer in the bunkers of Carmel
Climb the Carmel bunkers in good company and have a beer while enjoying the sunset. Or well, now that they have been closed down perhaps look for another viewpoint.
20. The fascinating tradition of l’ou com balla
Delicacy, wit and absurdity: these three factors -or, as the case may be, adjectives- could be used to define one of the most traditional religious traditions in Barcelona. We talk about l’ou com balla a curious tradition that is of obligatory viewing.
21. Catalan Gothic architecture in Barcelona Cathedral
Visiting the Cathedral of Barcelona, being entertained by its thirteen geese and remember the legend that explains the presence of these birds in the cloister of an urban cathedral.
22. Beer at Plaza del Sol
Drinking a beer on a Friday night sitting on the floor of the plaza del Sol (and wait for the police to expel you).
23. Learn about the history of Plaça Sant Felip Neri
Visit the Plaça de Sant Felip Neri, one of the most beautiful squares in the city, being aware of its history and letting the school children who have in that square their playground to play quietly.
24. Make a bookstore route
Become this route of bookstores in Barcelona. You can also visit these second-hand bookstores .
25. Run the 13.1 kilometers of Gran Via de les Corts Catalanes
To walk the entire Gran Via de les Corts Catalanes from Hospitalet to Badalona and vice versa to boast of having traveled through the longest street in Barcelona.
26. Buy an Easter monkey
Buy a monkey for your godchild on one of these sites or ask them to buy it from you if you’re still that lucky.
27. Rowing at the Ciutadella Park
Riding on the boats with oars of the ciutadella Park and, although the lake is tiny, imagine you are in the Retiro. And while you’re at it, take the opportunity to see it when it’s finished, the refurbished Greenhouse. And if not, to the Mammoth.
28. Visit the botanical gardens of Mossèn Costa i Llobera
Visit the gardens of Mossèn Costa i Llobera, considered one of the ten best gardens in the world
29. Take the cable car up to Montjuïc
Climb the mountain of Montjuïc on the cable car (well, if we’re being purists, on the cable car) and then walk down to discover every corner of the mountain.
30. Razz and Apollo: the once-in-a-lifetime must-party
Go to Razzmatazz and Apolo to break up the night. Or discover some of the other great records that open in the moonlight. Not necessarily on the same night (if you do it on the same night you get the Charly Sheen medal).
31. But if you’re looking for something more underground…
Speaking of nightclubs, is a must go to the Moog, the sordid benchmark of electronic music in Barcelona.
32. For movie buffs: go to the Sitges Film Festival
Go to the Sitges Film Festival. Not only to see the atmosphere, but also to enjoy some of the movies that are broadcasted here.
33. Celebrate in Canaletes
Even if you are an Espanyol or Madrid fan, enjoying (albeit from afar) the celebration of a Barcelona title in Canaletes and read this article to be able to explain to everyone why the culés celebrate here.
34. Be one more modern at MACBA
Enjoy the Olympic sporting spectacle that is the Plaza del MACBA. And while we’re at it, learn to skateboard (or at least try). And if not, take a can sitting and looking at the view.
35. Beers and pinchos here
Have a few beers in Carrer Blai (probably next to Parlament, the only bar street in Barcelona) and eat some pinchos for one euro. That, or look for some of the best tortillas in town which is over there.
36. Cycling in the Ciutadella
Skating or cycling around the Ciutadella (and, consequently, exposing yourself to the risk of fractures and different types of injuries) and going around the park, which is not that big either.
37. Visit the Güell for free (and without tourists)
Visit the Park Güell but in the afternoon, when the tourists start to leave and the tickets start to be free.
38. Live the correfocs
Go to some of the multiple correfocs that are held in Barcelona throughout the year. The curious Catalan link with the devils and the fires is something worthy of study.
39. things to do in Barcelona? Escape
Escape from Barcelona to any of the beautiful places in Barcelona that are nearby to Volver with a renewed spirit.
40. Exercise in front of the Mediterráneo
Discover the free gym you have in front of the sea and do not leave the outdoor sport in something pandemic. And if not, discover the paid (but public) gym where, apart from machines, there are also windsurf boards.
41. Visit its air-raid shelters
Remembering Barcelona’s mournful past y visit one of its air raid shelters[/trackLink] (there were about 4000 in the city during the Civil War), or [trackLink link_url="https://barcelonasecreta.com/visita-refugios-antiaereos-barcelona-3d/"]visit online and in 3D some of the ones without an open door.
42. Get to know the castle that looks like a boat
The castle of Castellcir the monument is also known as the Stern Castle because of its obvious and manifest resemblance to a naval vessel.
43. Eat chestnuts in October
Take chestnuts during all saints’ day long weekend and keep alive a tradition that fills the streets of the city with an incredible smell.
44. See the Sagrada Familia, but the secret one
Even if it is in Tarragona, you have to go to see the other and secret Sagrada Familia. In other words, the Santuari de la mare de Deu de Montserrat.
45. The gardens of Tamarit
Visit the tamarit gardens a, a secret garden, with tremendous biodiversity and very quiet in the middle of the city.
46. Photograph yourself next to the Ciutadella mammoth
Take a photo with al mammoth of the Ciutadella an icon of Barcelona.
47. To know the best beach in Barcelona (outside Barcelona)
Go to spend a day at one of the beaches of Maresme[/trackLink] and discover that the best beach in Barcelona is outside Barcelona.
48. Feeding a myth
Cover the Tió de Nadal with a blanket, feed him and see if there is any luck.
49. Visit VideoInstan
Rent a movie at VideoInstan, the oldest videoclub in Spain and enjoy the VHS revival festival that they celebrate to recover this format.
50. Visit the biggest pastiche of the city and, if you wish, go out to party
Visit for a tour of [trackLink link_url="https://www.google.com/search?q=poble+espanyol+site:barcelonasecreta.com"]poble Espanyol the cathedral of kitsch in Barcelona, and wonder how it is possible that this place exists (and then get into one of the nightclubs that are housed here).
51. A snack at the Boquería
Have a drink at the Boqueria Market, hating tourists y miss the Pinotxo bar.
52. Or in any other classic market
Or in any of these other large markets[/trackLink] in the city.
53. Having a vermouth
Have a vermouth at Parlament Street( or wherever, but take it).
54. Freeze at an Icebar (while you have a drink)
[trackLink link_url="https://barcelonasecreta.com/icebarcelona/"]Icebarcelona is the only place in Barcelona where you can stay at 15º below zero and, at the same time, it has the necessary cubic meters to be able to socialize. That is to say, it is not a freezer. It is a bar.
55. Swim with your dog in Europe’s first (and only) water park for dogs
Bringing your dog to the only water park for dogs in Europe (yes, it is in Barcelona). And if you still feel like going out, you can go to one of the bars for dogs (and people) in the city.
56. Treat yourself to a Michelin-starred restaurant
Give you a tribute in some of the michelin-starred restaurants in the city. And if you want to aim for the top, at Disfrutar, the third best restaurant in the world. But make sure to book in advance.
57. Find real treasures in thrift stores
Take a stroll around one of the second hand flea markets in the city to look for your most colorful clothes.
58. Going to Primavera Sound once in a lifetime
Go to Primavera Sound walk miles through the esplanades, wait for hours in the beer line and end up assuring that you would do it all over again to see such great bands again.
59. And if not, to Sonar
Obviously you also have to go to the Sónar and become an electronic music expert for a weekend.
60. Play takata
Playing the takatà, the only sport in the world created in Barcelona.
61. Snack as if it were the last snack of your life
And after the sport, snacking as if tomorrow it will all be over we need to recover our strength.
62. Attend the Grec Festival
See for a play at the grec festival and marvel at all the forms the performing arts can take in a single festival.
63. Visit the Palau de la Música
Going to a concert at the Palau de la Música one of the most beautiful concert halls in the world.
64. Passes underneath the Pont del Bisbe
Pass under the Pont del Bisbe and to think <shortcode data-tag=”trackLink” 0=”link_url=”https://barcelonasecreta.com/barrio-gotico-noche-haran-redescubras-la-ciudad/”“>how real the word “gothic” is to refer to the neighborhood in which it is.
65. Walking through the city in search of Roman ruins
You come across <shortcode data-tag=”trackLink” 0=”link_url=”https://barcelonasecreta.com/templo-augusto/”“”>the Roman columns of the Temple of Augustus[/trackLink] and freak out. It is already known that Barcelona even hides Roman human remains very close to our feet.
66. Bathing on the beaches of the Catalan coast
Obviously bathing in the Mediterráneo. And if the beaches of the city don’t suit you, you can always go to the Costa Brava, the beach of the authentic Barcelonians, to look for the best beaches in Barcelona [trackLink link_url="https://barcelonasecreta.com/7-playas-imprescindibles-de-la-costa-brava/"]some of its best beaches.
67. Visiting the cemeteries of the city
Go to montjuïc cemetery… and be envious of the views enjoyed by the departed in one of the most aesthetically pleasing (and spooky) things to do in the city.
68. Stroll through the Eixample admiring its modernist facades
One of the best things to do in Barcelona, as free as it is simple, is to walk around l’Eixample with your neck 180 degrees from the ground to enjoy the facades that make up the neighborhood and set out to discover some of the most beautiful and unknown buildings of the Zone.
69. Visit the biggest Christmas store in town
Don’t wait until Christmas to discover the Barcelona headquarters of the world’s largest Christmas store.
70. Learn to dance the sardana, “la millor de les danses que es fan i es desfan”
Seeing someone dance a sardana and join… or at least try to.
71. Soak up art in the city’s art galleries
Take a classic tour through all the art galleries of Enric Granados or go mainstream in the poblenou art galleries. Or look for the one that most appeals to you young galleries around the city. By art it will not be in Barcelona.
72. Remembering the great people who have passed through this city
To get the book dedicated to Monica del Raval, may she rest in peace, and to remember all the characters that have one day made this city a special place.
73. Find out why the statue of Columbus does not point to America
Disclose to a friend that <shortcode data-tag=”trackLink” 0=”link_url=”https://barcelonasecreta.com/dedo-no-apunta-america-otras-7-curiosidades-del-monumento-a-colon/”“”>the Columbus statue does not point to America[/trackLink].
74. Visit (free of charge) one of the most impressive open-air museums in the city
75. Have one of the tapas born in the city
Take a bomb in Barceloneta, and not just anywhere, but in the [trackLink link_url="https://barcelonasecreta.com/cova-fumada-bomba-barceloneta/"]the Cova Fumada, its authentic place of origin.
76. Visit all the beautiful gardens in the city
Visit the spectacular gardens of the Palau de les Heures. Or any of the other beautiful gardens in the city.
77. Become a nocturnal cat of Raval
Caress to Botero’s Cat (which is on the Rambla del Raval), boast that you know its history and consider yourself a real night cat of the Raval.
78. Visiting the darkest part of the city’s history
Feel chills when passes in front of the church Sants Màrtirs Just i Pastor and remember that in that same zone there was a well where Christians were sacrificed and that today there are still some catacombs and one of the oldest fountains in the city.
79. Find the most beautiful square in Barcelona
The plaça de Sant Gaietà also known by many as El Rinconet, is for many the most beautiful square in Barcelona. And, well, precisely because of the boldness of the statement it is best left to the visitor’s discretion.
80.Volver a los cementerios a buscar el beso de la muerte (Volver a los cementerios a buscar el beso de la muerte)
The kiss of death is the petrification of sadness. Of the funereal. It is the story of claws digging into young flesh for nearly a century. A heartbreaking statue in the Poblenou Cemetery and a must-see for sure.
81. Take a curious urbanistic walk through the city
Stepping on the Reloj on the Via Laietana floor (which I’m sure you’ve stepped on it a few times) and be aware of its jinxed status. Or search for the mythical thermometer of Portal de l’Àngel which has been giving the temperature of the city for half a century. Or else, the owl of Passeig Sant Joan and thus end a walk through icons of the city’s urban planning.
82. Selfie in front of the most beautiful facade of the city (and it is not La Pedrera, nor Sagrada Familia or any other Gaudi building)
Take a picture on the most famous and beloved non-modernist façade of Barcelona: we are talking about the the facade of carrer d’Allada Vermell. And if not go nearby, to kiss the most photographed wall of Barcelona.
83. Swimming in the natural pools surrounding the city
Visit (any) of the natural pools that are in the province of Barcelona.
84. Take the ultimate gastronomic route by visiting the 50 bars and restaurants you have to try before you die
Visit (and eat at) the <shortcode data-tag=”trackLink” 0=”link_url=”https://barcelonasecreta.com/restaurantes-bares-probar-antes-morir/”“>50 bars and restaurants in Barcelona that you must try before he died.
85. Have a picnic in the Ciutadella and walk through its history
Walking around the Ciutadella and power boast that you know its Inception dark and military.
86. Try the best pizzas in Barcelona(the pizza capital outside of Italy)
Eat you one of the best pizzas in Barcelona for only 3 euros. Or directly, eat you the best pizza in Europe, which is made in Barcelona.
87. Viewing the city from the heights
Looking out over Barcelona from the best views the city has to offer.
88. See why Barcelona is one of the specialty coffee capitals of the world
Try the best coffee in town and start hating the burnt industrial coffee from any other bar. Because Barcelona, in case you didn’t know it, is the city in Spain with the largest offer of specialty coffee in the country so taking one of these is one of the best things you can do in the city.
89. Taste the bravas del Tomás and evaluate
If you wonder what to eat in the city an authentic barcelonxs will always have the answer: bravas. To check if the fame of Bar Tomás’ bravas is justified. And if you are not convinced, you can try these other ones, which are still available third in the Bravas World Championship.
90.Go get all the other bravas
And if you have been left wanting to discover more bravas, here is our route through the best bravas in Barcelona.
91. Discover the largest second-hand bookstore in Spain
To discover that on the other side of the mountain, in Sant Cugat, you can find El Siglo, Spain’s largest second-hand bookstore. And, in general, take a look at the vast world of second-hand in the city .
92.Climb to one of the best viewpoints in the city
Contemplate the Agbar Tower, make some joke about its phallic shape and then climb up to its recently inaugurated lookout point to enjoy of one of the best views of the city. Or else, to any other of those in town.
93. Kissing you in the street of kisses
Go to the street of kisses, kiss you (even if it’s only to yourself) and think about whether or not the legends that explain the origin of its name will be true.
94. Going down a toboggan slide almost one kilometer long
Slide your buttocks along this 700-meter slide.
95. Daring to go underground in Barcelona
Visiting Barcelona through its underground by the sewerage system and to hallucinate with the city that hides under our feet.
96. Visiting the only cafeteria where they let you take a nap.
97. Visit the old prison in the middle of the city
Visit the former prison of The Model and hallucinate with some of the stories that are kept in it.
98. A dark adventure in the abandoned sites around the city
Have a blast at <shortcode data-tag=”trackLink” 0=”link_url=”https://barcelonasecreta.com/lugares-abandonados-barcelona/”””>these abandoned sites.
99. Eating food from all over the world
To honor the abundant Venezuelan community in the city with this arepa route or any of the other great migrant restaurants in the city.
100. Visit one of the 7 magnificent libraries in Barcelona
We recommend the Arús, a library founded in 1895, which is a jewel of Barcelona for its aesthetics and history.
101. Eat seafood and fish as in any good Mediterráneo city
The sea bathes the coast of Barcelona and in the city there are several points of interest where you can enjoy seafood and fish cooked from the simplest to the most sophisticated form.