The best things to do in Barcelona in 2026

💎 Verdict: Our top event in March 2026

What is it? The sixth anniversary of Time Out Barcelona’s premier food festival, bringing together ten of the city’s top chefs to create exclusive dishes using local Catalan produce.

Why go? This year, the festival "plays at home" at Time Out Market Barcelona. Beyond the unique culinary creations, you’ll enjoy a non-stop weekend of DJ sets, musical bingo, free tastings, and workshops for the whole family, all while taking in stunning sea views from the Maremagnum.

Don’t miss? The Foodie Pack. For just €35, it’s the best way to experience the fest, including fast-track entry, €30 of credit for food and drinks, priority booking for activities, a limited-edition tote bag, and a copy of the new 2026-27 Time Out Bar & Restaurant Guide.

Address: Carrer de Montcada 15-23, 08003 Barcelona

Opening hours: Friday 5pm-1am, Saturday and Sunday, 10am-midnight 

Price: €6 entrance, Free for under-12s  

💎 Verdict: Barcelona’s top thing to do this year

What is it? This year in Barcelona is a very special one for the city, as it marks the 100th anniversary of Antoni Gaudí’s death.

Why go? If you don’t know already, Gaudí was a Catalan architect who both transformed Barcelona’s landscape and came to define Modernisme in the region. He’s the guy behind Sagrada Família, Casa Batlló and Park Güell – to name just a few – and understanding his legacy is integral to experiencing Barcelona properly. If you’ve never visited the city before, this is the year. Trust us on that one. 

Don’t miss: There are an absolute ton of events throughout the year to celebrate Gaudí. Some of the highlights include a huge concert and mass on March 19, special exhibitions at MNAC and Casa Batlló Contemporary, and the centenary of his death on June 10. 

➡️ Discover all the main events on our full guide to Gaudí Year 2026

Address: Various locations across the city

💎 Verdict: The city’s best and most famous attraction

What is it? Antoni Gaudí’s unfinished masterpiece, a stunning example of Catalonia’s distinctive modernista style.

Why go? If you’ve never visited the Sagrada Familia, it simply has to be at the top of your Barcelona list. More seasoned visitors to the Catalan capital might look beyond the modernista big hitters to find some lesser-known gems. According to the city’s Institute of Urban Landscape and Quality of Life, there are up to 2,200 buildings that are 100 percent modernista or decorated in the style, so there’s lots out there for major fans of the style to discover. We recommend the Hotel Espanya, Casa Thomas and Casa Planells.

Don’t miss For a chance to visit the Sagrada Familia for free, take advantage of the Sunday Mass to access the basilica. It takes place every Sunday at 9am, with the doors on Carrer de la Marina opening from 8.30am. Make sure to arrive early, as the queue is usually very long.

➡️ Discover more of the best attractions in Barcelona

Address: Carrer de la Marina, s/n, 08013 Barcelona

Opening hours: Monday-Friday 9am-8pm, Saturday 9am-6pm, Sunday 10.30am-8pm (winter hours differ)

Price: €26 general, €36 with towers, free for under-11s and visitors with disabilities, €7 kids

💎 Verdict: Our editor’s top pick (obviously)

What is it? You’ve probably heard of our Time Out Markets (we’ve got them in Lisbon, NYC, Dubai and more), but Time Out Market Barcelona is our newest venture, opened in July 2024. Our Markets are unique global concept which brings the best food and chefs of the city under one roof – meaning you can try fabulous Catalan cuisine and a load more at the iconic Port Vell. 

Why go? The 14 restaurants you’ll find here have been carefully curated by our Barcelona editors (unless we’ve given somewhere a four or five-star rating, it doesn’t make the cut). We’ve got local dishes (like the famous paella at Can Ros, and Bar Nuri’s out-there tapas), as well as burgers, tacos, pizza and more. You can find all the deets at our full guide to the Market.

Don’t miss: A drink on the terrace at one of the Market’s two outdoor bars (including Monk, one of the city’s best cocktail bars), with spectacular views over the city and harbour. 

➡️ Plan your trip: Explore the restaurants at Time Out Market Barcelona

Address: Moll d’Espanya, 5, 2nd floor, Ciutat Vella, 08039 Barcelona

Opening hours: Daily 10am-12am

Price: Free entry

💎 Verdict: The best family-friendly activity in Barcelona

What is it? The cable car that takes you from Montjuïc to the Barceloneta neighbourhood and back again.

Why go? Think you've got a good head for heights? A ride on the port cable car will put that to the test. The adventure begins with the ascent to the Tower of Sant Sebastià, the iron giant designed by architect Carles Buïgas for the 1929 Universal Exposition. The most thrilling part is stepping into the red cabin, which holds up to 19 people, to cross the city at 70m high. After 10 minutes of swaying, feeling weightless and taking in the bird’s-eye views, some passengers will be ready to kiss the ground when they arrive at Miramar. If you still have the urge to fly, however, you can return to Barceloneta in the opposite direction.

Don’t miss: It’s hard to avoid the queues, but the best times to go are around midday or early in the morning.

➡️ Discover more of the best things to do with kids in Barcelona

Address: Torre Sant Sebastià (Paseo Juan de Borbón s/n, Barceloneta, 08039 Barcelona) / Miramar Station (Avinguda de Miramar s/n, 08038 Barcelona)

Opening hours: Varies by season, but typically runs from 10.30am-7pm. In winter last trip is at 5.30pm

Price: One-way €12.50, return €20. Kids under six go free

💎 Verdict: The one thing you can’t miss

What is it? Tapas is probably what we’re best known for here in Barcelona (other than Gaudí, and maybe festivals), and you’ll find tapas absolutely everywhere – but Bodega Solera takes our top spot for 2026. 

Why go? This spot is a Cádiz-style tavern crossed with a French wine bar, serving up Catalan fricandó, Spanish regañao and more. The menu is broad and the vibes are always high, whether you’re dropping by for one or settling in at the bar for a few very fun hours. Here’s a tip from a local: typically, you can have tapas from 1.30-3.30pm, and around 7.30pm onwards. Get your siesta in in between.

Don’t miss: A proper tapas crawl at our very own Time Out Market Barcelona – home to long-time faves Casa Guinart, Bar Nuri and Can Ros Barceloneta.

➡️ Discover more of the best tapas bars in Barcelona

Address: Carrer de Còrsega, 339, 08037 Barcelona

Opening hours: Monday-Thursday 6pm-12am, Friday-Saturday 12pm-1am, Sunday 12pm-12am

Price: Expect to pay around €20-30 per person

💎 Verdict: The city’s best market for bargains

What is it? Barcelona is well known for its fantastic flea markets, but there’s none more iconic than Mercat dels Encants. 

Why go? This colossal rummage sale is one of the oldest flea markets in Europe, with origins dating back to the 14th century. It’s found in a shiny, modern building that looks like it’s a full-blown art gallery, but inside you’ll find 300-or-so stalls selling everything from vintage clothes to vinyl and antique furniture.

Don’t miss: Hungry? You’ll find nine restaurants here too, serving up excellent street food. 

➡️ Discover more of the best flea markets in Barcelona

Address: Plaça de les Glòries 

Opening hours: Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays, 9am-9pm

Price: Free to enter

💎 Verdict: The best beach near Barcelona

What is it? Barcelona ain’t all tapas and shady streets, you heard? There’s some 4.5km of coastline within Barcelona’s city limits, meaning you can be stretched out on golden sand in no time – and make it back in time for dinner. 

Why go? There are plenty of beachy options nearby, but we’d always recommend starting with Sant Sebastià, the closest and probably the most iconic beach around, marked by the beauty that is the W Hotel as the backdrop. You’ll find beach sports, swimming clubs and an unofficial nudist beach. 

Don’t miss: It’s a direct bus from the city centre to get there – take the D20, 47, 59, V15, or V19. 

➡️ Discover more of the best beaches in Barcelona

Address: Passeig Marítim de la Barceloneta, Oriol Bohigas 2, 08003 

Price: Free to visit

💎 Verdict: Best for foodies

What is it? Bar El Tomàs de Sarrià, a tapas bar in Sarrià, known by many for serving the best patatas bravas in Barcelona.

Why go? Popular opinion has awarded it this honour, but several bars in Barcelona deserve to top the list. Head along, try their bravas with a beer, and decide for yourself if they’re as good as people say.

Don’t miss: It would be a sin to leave without trying the ensaladilla rusa (a kind of potato salad with tuna), croquettes, and anchovies.

➡️ Discover more of the best restaurants in Barcelona

Address: Carrer Major de Sarrià 49, Sarrià-Sant Gervasi, 08017 Barcelona

Opening hours: Monday-Saturday 12.30pm-4pm and 6.30pm-10pm, closed Sundays (and all of August)

Price: Typically around €15 per head without drinks. Patatas bravas are €2.40 

💎 Verdict: Best for young adults and couples

What is it? A rooftop bar like you’ve never seen one before, inspired by the romantic garden of the palace built by Francesc Cambó and the paintings of modernist artist Ramon Casas and packed with history. 

Why go? Well, for starters, for the incredible views you get over Barcelona. Secondly, for somewhere to drink with a view that isn’t an overly stuffy hotel bar. Thirdly, because the drinks are great. Is that enough reasons?

Don’t miss: Throughout the week, they put on a fantastic lineup of activities, from outdoor movie nights (with all-you-can-eat popcorn) to yoga, pilates and brunch. Check out their schedule to book online.

➡️ Discover more of the best rooftop bars in Barcelona

Address: Gran Via de les Corts Catalanes, 668, 08010 Barcelona, Spain

Opening hours: Monday to Sunday, 10am-12am

Price: Cocktails start at €15, wine from around €10 and small plates between €8–€12

💎 Verdict: The best free thing to do in Barcelona

What is it? Barcelona’s most famous fountain – a riot of water, colour and music at the foot of Montjuïc. Built for the 1929 International Exhibition, it’s part grand urban set piece, part open-air stage.

Why go? It’s pure spectacle, gloriously over-the-top and a lot of fun when one of the evening shows takes off, with jets, pulsing lights and often huge crowds gathering for it – especially during big city moments like La Mercè or New Year’s Eve.

Don’t miss: The Mercè pyromusical, when fireworks join the water-and-light show for a full-blown finale. For the best view, grab a spot on the steps up to MNAC and watch the whole scene unfold.

➡️ Discover more of the best free things to do in Barcelona

Address: Magic Fountain of Montjuïc – Plaça de Carles Buïgas, Sants-Montjuïc, 08038 Barcelona, Spain

Opening hours: Shows are typically Thursday-Saturday from about 8pm-10pm (summer shows start later, around 9–9.30pm). 

Price: Totally free, no ticket needed

💎 Verdict: Best for art lovers

What is it? Casa Batlló is one of two Gaudí wonders, originally built to house apartments, on Passeig de Gràcia in the city centre. The building itself underwent extensive renovations and re-opened in July 2025, and in January 2026, it got an all-new exhibition space just for Gaudí Year: the Casa Batlló Contemporary.

Why go? Not only to see the space in its sparkling, renovated glory, but because the new Casa Batlló Contemporary is a wonder in and of itself. The new exhibition space promises glimmering silver ceilings, rippling shapes and textures and an all-new inaugural show, ‘Beyond the Façade’, which will run until May 17. 

Don’t miss: One of our favourite times to visit this architectural marvel is at night – there’s a number of night time tours to book onto, and even live music nights hosted on the terrace. 

➡️ Discover more of our favourite art galleries in Barcelona

Address: Passeig de Gràcia 43, 08007 Barcelona

Opening hours: Every day 9am-10.30pm

Price: General visit from €29 (online), kids go free. Tours extra

💎 Verdict: The city’s best park

What is it? If you want to escape the chaos and noise of the city without leaving Barcelona, this is the place for you. This viewpoint at the back of Montjuïc Castle is one of the most wooded areas in the city. The area is full of zigzagging paths that go up and down the slope, offering fabulous views of the Port of Barcelona, the Mediterranean Sea, and El Prat de Llobregat. It’s an ideal space for walking and taking in the surroundings of the castle.

Why go? After strolling around the castle and exploring the forest, make a stop at La Caseta del Migdia, a small house that’s been converted into an outdoor bar, for a drink and a bite to eat under the shade of the pine trees.

Don’t miss: On Wednesday nights, La Caseta comes alive with rumba during the Sardinas & Rumba event, and it also has an extended programme throughout the week during the summer months.

➡️ Discover more of the best parks and gardens in Barcelona

Address: Passeig del Migdia, s/n, Sants-Montjuïc, 08038 Barcelona

Opening hours: Open 24 hours daily

Price: Free

💎 Verdict: The city’s best museum

What is it? Catalonia’s national art museum.

Why go? Get a complete overview of Catalan art from the 12th to the 20th centuries. The highlight is its Romanesque collection, featuring one of the biggest collections of paintings on wood in Europe. The museum’s modern art floor boasts sculpture, painting, photography, posters, video pieces, and decorative arts, going up to the 1950s.

Don’t miss: The climb from Plaça d’Espanya up to the museum is worthwhile, as this side of Montjüic offers one of the most impressive views of the city (and the MNAC is pretty striking in itself, too).

➡️ Discover more of the best museums in Barcelona

Address: Palau Nacional, Parc de Montjuïc s/n, 08038 Barcelona

Opening hours: Summer hours Tuesday-Saturday 10am-8pm, Sundays 10am-3pm. Winter hours Tuesday-Saturday 10am-6pm, Sundays 10am-3pm

Price: €12 general admission, €2 building and rooftop only, free for under 16s and over 65s. Also free on Saturdays from 3pm and the first Sunday of each month

💎 Verdict: The best view of Barcelona

What is it? The Torre Glòries, formerly known as Torre Agbar, is one of Barcelona’s architectural icons. Plus, it’s easy to spot from various points in the city and helps us all get our bearings.

Why go? The Torre Glòries viewpoint, located more than 125m high, offers panoramic views of the city. Beyond admiring Barcelona from above, the tower is a cultural space offering an innovative and multidisciplinary experience that blends art, science, and technology on its lower ground floor.  

Don’t miss: The cherry on top is the Cloud Cities Barcelona sculpture by Tomás Saraceno, which can be found on the top floor.

➡️ Discover more of the best viewpoints in Barcelona

Address: Avinguda Diagonal 209-211, Sant Martí, 08018 Barcelona

Opening hours: Summer hours daily 10am-9pm, winter hours Wednesday-Monday 10am-6.30pm. Closed Tuesdays

Price: €18 general admission, €22 with immersive sculpture, €6 children 8-12, free for children under 8, ticket-office surcharge €3

💎 Verdict: The city’s most unusual activity 

What is it? A cypress tree maze in the city’s oldest garden

Why go? Swap the figurative maze of the Gothic Quarter’s winding streets for a literal labyrinth. This park can be found in Horta, near the Collserola mountain range and in addition to the maze, it has a Neoclassical garden from the eighteenth century and a Romantic garden from the nineteenth century, as well as the mansion of the Desvalls family, the land’s former owners.

Don’t miss: Start your tour at the beautiful Chinese gate (and make sure to get a photo). 

Address: Passeig dels Castanyers, 1, 08035 Barcelona

Opening hours: April-October 10am-8pm, November-March 10am-6pm

Price: €2.23 general, €1.42 reduced, free on Wednesdays and Sundays

💎 Verdict: Barcelona’s best outdoor activity

What is it? Designed by Leandro Albareda in 1880, this enormous necropolis sits at the side of the motorway, with family tombs stacked five or six storeys high.

Why go? Pay respects to the numerous notable figures buried in the city and admire the works of art to be found here. Montjuïc Cemetary is one of the largest in Barcelona, and you’ll find numerous examples of different architectural styles and works by renowned artists.

Don’t miss: In addition to free guided tours, you can also visit by following a QR code.

Address: Carrer de la Mare de Déu de Port 54-58, 08038 Barcelona

Price: Free to enter

Opening hours: Both cemetaries open daily 8am-6pm

💎 Verdict: Best for escaping the city

What is it? A building featuring cast-iron beams and pillars, declared a Cultural Asset of Local Interest.

Why go? Josep Fontseré's project was built at the end of the nineteenth century in the predominant style of the time; hence the cast-iron pillars, the iron beams and the exposed brickwork. Later, for the Universal Exhibition, it was converted into a dance hall. Today, it more closely resembles its original form: a shady, silent space which is home to vegetation of all kinds and from all over the world. You’ll find hydrangeas, kentias, small ficus trees, Swiss cheese plants, Indian rubber trees, wax palms, winter jasmine and more.

Don't miss: A fantastic botanical display that only opens on weekdays and in the morning, you can spend your time discovering (and coveting) plants, or enjoying the peace and quiet in this tropical oasis by finding a bench to read on.

Address: Passeig Picasso 13, Ciutat Vella, 08003 Barcelona

Opening hours: Summer hours daily 10am-10.30pm, winter 10am-5.30pm

Price: Free

💎 Verdict: Barcelona’s most beautiful church

What is it? The most famous basilica in the city (and our favourite). 

Why go? One of the most perfect surviving examples of the Catalan Gothic style, this graceful basilica stands out for its characteristic horizontal lines, plain surfaces, square buttresses and flat-topped octagonal towers. Its superb unity of style is down to the fact that it was built relatively quickly, with construction taking just 55 years (1329 to 1384).

Don’t miss: If you’re here in December, the Song of the Sibyl before the Midnight Mass on December 24th is bucket list worthy stuff. 

Address: Plaça de Santa Maria 1, Ciutat Vella, 08003 Barcelona

Opening hours: Monday-Sunday 10am-8.30pm. Ticketed visiting hours may vary

Price: Free access to the nave at certain times, €5 cultural visit (interior, crypt, museum), €8.50-10 guided tours and roof/tower access

💎 Verdict: The city’s best hidden gem

What is it? A Romanesque church associated with the Order of the Holy Sepulchre which was declared a Cultural Asset of Local Interest.

Why go? If you want to escape the hustle and bustle of Plaça de Catalunya and the traffic of Carrer d'Aragó, you'll find tranquility in the cloister of Santa Anna, as well as in the cloister of La Concepción, recovered from the former temple of Santa Maria de les Jonqueres. Time stands still, and the silence invites you to disconnect.

Don’t miss: Also visit the Chapel of the Pardons, which housed a sculptural ensemble of the Holy Burial, and visitors were granted the same pardons as those who went to the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem.

Address: Carrer de Santa Anna 29, 08002 Barcelona

Opening hours: Monday-Saturday 11am-2pm, 4pm-7pm, Sundays 11am-2pm

Price: €2 

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