Curator’s statement
Barcelona has a multilayered past. From the early Phoenician and Carthaginian settlers to the Visigoth, Roman, and Moorish conquerors, every group that passed through has left traces that can still be detected today in the city’s architecture, food, and culture. Local identity and pride run strong here; look around just about anywhere in the city and you’ll easily spot a Catalan flag. A more modern layer comes from the work of influential architect and local hero Antoni Gaudí, who left a mark on the city with his unique style. Despite the headlines in recent years about anti-tourism protests, I have personally found the locals to be very welcoming of visitors interested in learning about their city. In contrast to some cruise ports that feel like soulless theme parks, Barcelona’s heart beats close to the surface—a gritty, vibrant city that is part of Spain but has an energy all its own.
The Fora Difference
Book with Elizabeth to access exclusive perks and experiences on your trip.
Killer perks
Free upgrades, spa credits and more—we got you
Personalized recs
Customized travel planning for your style
Insider knowledge
Expert advice from people who’ve actually been there
Where to stay in Barcelona
Unlock perks by contacting Elizabeth to book your trip.
Things to do in Barcelona
Antoni Gaudí tour
The beloved architect’s creations include the Basilica de la Sagrada Familia (still being completed according to Gaudí’s plans, even though he died in 1926), known for its imaginative blend of Gothic, Modernist, and Art Nouveau styles; Parc Güell, which was initially developed as a gated community but was converted to a public park when the houses didn’t sell; Casa Batlló, whose construction weaves metaphors of the sea throughout the interior and exterior; and Casa Vicens, an early work of Gaudí that combines Art Nouveau with Moorish, Gothic, and naturalistic styles. Book a tour that includes one, two, three, or all four depending on your schedule and interest level.
Montjuïc Castle
Take a guided tour or make your own way up to the castle, which offers sweeping views down to the sea and out over the surrounding area. During the cable car ride up the mountain, keep an eye out for the 1992 Olympic Games stadium. The botanical gardens are also nearby if you wish to build in a visit there. At the castle, you will need a special ticket (in addition to castle entry) if you want to enter the dungeons where political prisoners were held, including notable figures in the Catalan independence movement.
Picasso Museum
Housed in a series of interconnected medieval buildings, the museum focuses on Picasso’s early work, tracing his development as an artist. The audio tour includes fascinating information about his creative process and the people and forces that influenced his work.
Boqueria Market
A market has existed in this area since the 13th century, and the current building dates to 1840, when it replaced a former monastery on the site that was destroyed by fire. You can find just about anything here, but most remarkable are the fresh fruit and seafood. Grabbing a meal here can be an affordable alternative to restaurant fare; you can also take a cooking class preceded by a guide market visit where you’ll get to shop with a local to pick up the ingredients for tonight’s dinner.
Places to eat & drink in Barcelona
Taller de Tapas
This local chain with three locations hits the sweet spot of moderate pricing and reliably outstanding food. On the menu you’ll find standard tapas (garlic bread with tomato, deep-fried meat and cheese croquetas) exceptionally executed—but also innovative spins on traditional dishes that incorporate ingredients from Asia or the Americas.
Bar Papitu
For an authentic tapas experience, head around the corner from Boqueria Market to this local favorite (it’s where a lot of the market vendors themselves eat lunch). It might look like a dive bar from the outside, but it serves a limited menu with the essentials—fresh seafood, high-quality meats and cheeses—impeccably prepared and plated.
Time Out Market
This multi-stall food hall near the aquarium—which, by the way, is also worth a visit if you’re traveling with kids—features restaurant concepts from several beloved local chefs, including tacos, pizza, burgers, and sushi, as well as Galician and Catalan cuisine.
Tablao Cordobes
This flamenco dancing venue offers a combined dinner and show ticket that just might turn out to be one of the best meals you eat in Barcelona. Come early (and hungry!) to try a variety of inventive dishes from various world cuisines (as well as local favorites), served tapas-style in small portions so you can maximize sampling. With almost as many sweet as savory choices, you’ll want to leave room for dessert.
Need to know
If you have extra time in the area, consider a day trip to:
Montserrat
This tranquil monastery is situated amid arresting pillars of rock with pillowy-soft shapes, at a spot where shepherds saw an apparition of the Virgin Mary in the ninth century AD. The monastery’s fascinating history includes chapters involving Napoleon, the Spanish Civil War, and Franco’s dictatorship. Take a day trip from Barcelona to visit the monastery and museum, or spend the night at a hotel on site for a more immersive experience in this serene and sacred place.
Salvador Dalí Museum
Dalí is an artist whose work is polarizing. There’s no denying he was a tormented genius, but for some, his neurotic nature and outsized ego take away from enjoyment of his art. If you’re among those who feel the artistic genius outweighs the character flaws, you’re sure to find this museum in Figueres (an hour and a half from Barcelona) a colorful journey through the artist’s psyche. You might find yourself laughing out loud or touched to the point of tears at various points on the journey—all the while feeling like you’re in a fever dream with each new glimpse of what’s around the next corner.
Girona
Winding medieval streets and remnants of one of the oldest Jewish neighborhoods in Europe—plus the world’s largest Gothic cathedral—await you in this city just over an hour from Barcelona. Day tours often combine this with a visit to the Dalí Museum.
Andorra
If you are itching to check more European countries off your “visited” list, here’s a chance to visit a rare one! Catalan is the official language of this landlocked country (population 87,000) located two and a half hours from Barcelona. Winding mountain roads with jaw-dropping views await you on the drive to this destination known for skiing and shopping. Full-day bus tours take you through a small corner of France for a short stop in Andorra before heading back to Spain; if you want to spend more time, you can stay overnight here (or combine with a stay in Montserrat on the way there or back). Either way, you’re in for a fascinating trip as you observe what these Pyrenees villages have in common despite the linguistic and political boundaries that separate them.
Travel Advisor
Elizabeth Gudrais
Get in touch with Elizabeth
Did you like this guide? Reach out to customize and book your own experience. Or, just to chat about travel in general.
You can expect a response from Elizabeth within 1–2 business days. You’ll also be subscribed to our traveler newsletter (you can unsubscribe at any time).
For more inspiration and insider recommendations, visit our Barcelona page.