Must-Do Plans for an Amazing Summer in Barcelona

If there’s one cultural stop to add to your Barcelona summer, make it Moco Museum Barcelona. Tucked away on the city’s museum street in the heart of El Born, this vibrant space has become a favourite among locals and visitors alike thanks to its bold and refreshing approach to art.

Inside, expect an energetic mix of modern, contemporary and digital works by some of the most influential artists of the last century and beyond. Think Banksy, Warhol, Basquiat, Haring, Hirst and Dalí — alongside immersive installations and digital experiences that turn a classic museum visit into something far more unexpected.

One of the highlights this season is Moco’s remarkable collection of authenticated Banksy works, including pieces that have never previously been exhibited in a museum setting. Through irony, sharp social commentary and instantly recognisable imagery, the exhibition explores themes of power, resistance and control — offering a closer look at why Banksy remains one of contemporary art’s most influential voices.

Founded in Amsterdam in 2016 and arriving in Barcelona in 2021, Moco was created with a simple mission: to make art more accessible and engaging for everyone. Since then, it has welcomed millions of visitors worldwide and earned a reputation as one of Europe’s most loved museum experiences.

Whether you're escaping the midday heat, looking for a plan that feels inspiring without trying too hard, or simply want to experience a different side of the city, this is the kind of place that stays with you long after you leave.

Montcada, 25. M: Jaume I (L4)
@mocomuseum

Some summer plans are easy to forget. An evening of live flamenco in the heart of Barcelona isn’t one of them. Right on Las Ramblas, Tablao Flamenco Cordobes has been bringing audiences closer to this iconic art form since 1970. Founded by a family of artists and recognised as the Best Flamenco Venue in the World in 2025, it has become one of the city’s most distinctive cultural experiences — a place where every guitar note, movement and moment of emotion unfolds just a few steps away from the audience.

Set inside spaces inspired by Nazarí architecture and handcrafted by restorers from the Alhambra of Granada, this is more than a night out — it’s a chance to experience one of Spain’s most powerful cultural traditions from up close.

Looking for something with a more contemporary feel? El Duende Flamenco Bar & Cocktails offers a more intimate take on the experience while keeping the same passion for authenticity. Expect live performances, cocktails and a programme that mixes established artists with emerging talent — making every evening feel slightly different from the last.

And because some of the best summer plans always involve good food, the experience can go beyond the stage. Guests can choose between different dining options inspired by Spanish and Catalan cuisine, from premium tapas to tasting experiences made with local ingredients and adapted to different dietary preferences.

La Rambla, 35. M: Liceu (L3)
@tablaocordobes
@elduendebarcelona

Looking for a plan that keeps everyone entertained? L’Aquàrium de Barcelona has long been one of the city’s favourite family outings — and now there’s even more reason to visit.

The experience begins with The Underwater City, a new digital welcome installation inspired by Gaudí, the Mediterranean and the organic shapes of nature. Light, movement and underwater landscapes transform the start of the visit into an immersive moment that feels playful, imaginative and unmistakably Barcelona.

From there, the journey continues through more than 80 aquariums, home to over 11,000 marine organisms and 600 species. Mediterranean habitats, tropical worlds, colourful fish, jellyfish, penguins, seahorses and rays create a route designed to surprise visitors of every age.

One of the moments everyone waits for? Crossing the iconic 80-metre underwater tunnel while sharks and marine life glide all around you — an experience that still manages to impress no matter how many times you’ve seen it in photos.

Looking for something even more interactive? New spaces invite children to learn through play, including Aqua Protectors, an augmented reality activity where they can create their own fish and release it into a digital ocean. Families wanting to make the day even more memorable can also discover experiences like Sleeping with Sharks and the Shark Cage Experience.

Immersive, refreshing and full of discoveries, this is one of those family plans that turns an ordinary day in Barcelona into something unforgettable.

Moll d’Espanya, s/n (Port Vell). M: Drassanes (L3)
@aquariumbarcelona

There’s something about seeing Barcelona from the water that instantly changes the pace of the city. The skyline feels different, the air feels cooler and suddenly a few hours can feel like a proper escape.

That’s the idea behind This is Med, a Barcelona-based nautical company that has spent more than a decade creating experiences designed to enjoy the Mediterranean beyond the typical boat ride. Departing from Moll de les Drassanes, beside the Columbus Monument, their experiences combine sailing, music, local flavours and thoughtful details — with options for every kind of plan and budget.

Looking for something relaxed? Hop aboard the Wooden Sailing Tour with a local tapa included and enjoy a slower way to discover the coastline. More in the mood for golden hour? The Sunset Sailing Experience combines live music — from jazz and blues to rumba — with one of the city’s best views.

Want something even more laid-back? The Eco Tour offers a shorter, sustainable route with onboard drinks, while the Golden Sunset Catamaran turns the evening into a floating chill-out session with DJs and sea views. And if your ideal plan includes a swim, cocktails and a smaller group atmosphere, there’s also a catamaran experience with tapas, drinks and time to jump into the Mediterranean.

Whether you’re planning something affordable, romantic or simply want to switch city streets for open water, this is one of those Barcelona experiences that makes you feel like you’ve gone much further than you actually have.

Passeig de Joan de Borbó / Ronda del Port, 103. M: Barceloneta (L4)
Moll de Drassanes S/N. M: Drassanes (L3)
@thisis_med

Waves in sight, a terrace and proper paella. Traveller or local who’s somehow overlooked it until now: this is where you come for seriously good rice dishes (and the kitchen is open all day from Monday to Sunday!).

Set right by the water, Tejada Mar feels made for those meals that start with just one drink and somehow turn into a full afternoon. With Mediterranean flavours, sea views and a menu that moves between classic favourites and more unexpected combinations, this is the kind of place that becomes dangerously easy to return to.

Start with something to share: pan de coca with tomato, Iberian ham or crab salad with lemon mayonnaise are all strong opening moves. There’s also tomato tartare with crispy carasau bread, confit tomato with buffalo mozzarella and fresh salads that feel particularly right when the sun’s out.

More in the mood for something warm? Crispy calamari with lemon mayo, spicy bravas, mussels and delicate croquetas make it very easy to keep ordering one more plate for the table.

But let’s talk about what really steals the spotlight: the rice dishes. Tejada Mar is the kind of place people come back to for its paellas, although there’s plenty more to explore — from charcoal-baked sea bass and Mediterranean red tuna with black pepper to grilled octopus served with pico de gallo and hummus. Not feeling fish? There are quality cuts of meat, steak tartare and comforting mains that hold their own.

Finish with espresso tiramisu, passionfruit brownie or something cold and refreshing, order another cocktail and enjoy the fact that you’re exactly where you’re supposed to be. Don’t be surprised if Tejada Mar quietly becomes your second home once the warmer months arrive.

Passeig del Mare Nostrum, 19–21. M: Barceloneta (L4)
@tejadamarbarcelona

Some plans don’t need much explaining: good food, live music and the excuse to spend hours outdoors with nowhere else to be. That’s exactly the feeling at Palo Market Fest.

Hidden inside its leafy oasis in Poblenou, this much-loved market keeps returning throughout the year with a carefully curated mix of independent design, gastronomy and music. Expect stalls filled with fashion, objects, beauty and wellness brands created by young designers, local artists and emerging businesses — all selected with creativity and responsible production in mind.

Come for a quick browse and don’t be surprised if you end up staying all day. Around vermouth time and into the evening, DJs take over with sets that move between modern jazz, disco and Latin rhythms, giving the whole market that impossible-to-leave atmosphere.

And once the sun starts to go down, the Street Music Experience brings another layer of energy, with live performances inspired by the street bands that transformed dance music in the 1960s.

Looking for something more hands-on? Creative workshops invite visitors to switch off and try new things, while the food area makes deciding what to eat the hardest part of the day. Think Asian gyozas, wood-fired Italian pizza, Argentine choripán, Venezuelan arepas and Mexican tacos — ideal whether you’re stopping for vermouth, lunch or dinner.

Already planning ahead? Upcoming editions take place on 6–7 June, 4–5 July, 5–6 September, 3–4 October, 7–8 and 21–22 November, and 5–6 December — plenty of chances to make a day of it.

Pellaires, 30. M: Selva de Mar (L4)
@palomarketfest

There are rooftops you visit for the view — and then there are rooftops where you accidentally stay for lunch, sunset and one more cocktail.

Azul Rooftop Barceloneta has all the ingredients to become your new favourite escape: 360º views across Barcelona and the Mediterranean, lunches and dinners overlooking the sea, sunset cocktails and DJs every Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

The menu, created by chef Romain Fornell, celebrates fresh Mediterranean flavours through dishes designed for sharing. Start with pan con tomate and 100% acorn-fed Iberian ham, or lighter plates like bluefin tuna carpaccio and sea bream ceviche. Looking for something more substantial? There’s creamy lobster pasta, grilled sea bass to share, Mediterranean red tuna and rice dishes packed with seafood from the coast.

And if you’re after the full experience, Sundays come with one more reason to stay longer: the rooftop’s classic buffet brunch from 1PM. With indoor and outdoor spaces, sea views in every direction and the kind of atmosphere that makes leaving unnecessarily difficult, Azul Rooftop Barceloneta might become your new favourite excuse to spend a day by the Mediterranean.

Passeig Joan de Borbó, 101 (planta 8). M: Barceloneta (L4)
@azul_rooftop_barceloneta

Perched on the eighth floor of the Renaissance Barcelona Hotel, Goja Rooftop turns summer evenings into something a little more memorable. With open views across the city, a relaxed atmosphere and Summer DJ Sessions every Thursday and Sunday, this rooftop is made for stretching golden hour as long as possible.

As the sun starts to set and the city lights slowly take over, the mood shifts with it: music, warm air and one of those views that somehow makes you want to stay for one more round.

But the real highlight? The cocktails. The latest menu brings a fresher, more contemporary approach, combining Mediterranean influences with bold, seasonal flavours. Expect signature serves full of personality, from the spicy and vibrant Gardel — with Patrón tequila, salted honey mate cordial, ginger and lime — to the refined White Negroni, a lighter twist on the classic with rosemary-infused gin and white bitter. Tropical and refreshing options like Hibiscus Cooler complete the rooftop experience.

Prefer to keep it classic? There’s also a strong selection of signature favourites and alcohol-free mocktails, making it easy to find something that matches your mood, or sip on to their selection of exquisitely crafted spritz—light, vibrant, and perfectly attuned to the spirit of summer.

Music, skyline views and a cocktail that feels like summer in a glass — Goja Rooftop might just become your new favourite way to end the day.

Pau Claris, 122. M: Passeig de Gràcia (L2, L3, L4)
@goja_rooftop

Feel like swapping city streets for roller coasters, water rides and a full day of adrenaline? Then ending the day by a chilled swimming pool or unwinding on a sun-soaked restaurant terrace? PortAventura World makes a very convincing case.

Located just over an hour from Barcelona, this is one of Europe’s biggest theme park resorts and the kind of place where one day somehow never feels enough. Its most iconic park, PortAventura Park, takes visitors across six themed worlds — from Polynesia and Mexico to China — with more than 40 attractions ranging from family favourites to legendary rides like Dragon Khan, Shambhala and Furius Baco.

But there’s more than rides. Throughout the day, performances bring each world to life, while evenings feature shows like FiestAventura, combining water effects, music and drones, or Aloha Tahití, inspired by traditional Polynesian dances. But the park also reveals a different side — one made for slowing down, whether that means watching the shows, enjoying its restaurants or simply relaxing by the swimming pools.

Looking for something new? This season introduces Makamanu Jungle, The Adventure Trek, a new outdoor family experience with elevated walkways, rope tunnels and treehouse-style cabins designed for younger adventurers. Over at Caribe Aquatic Park, the new Coral Bay, La Leyenda Perdida expands the water fun with family attractions including Cyclone, Europe’s first family water coaster, and Bahía Pirata, a multi-adventure pool made for cooling off.

And for speed lovers, Ferrari Land adds another reason to visit. Alongside Red Force — Europe’s tallest and fastest vertical accelerator — the GP Festival (running from 5 June to 19 July) brings fan zones, live entertainment, a new show and racing simulators.

Not ready to leave? The resort’s themed hotels, complete with pools and top-tier dining experiences, make staying overnight feel like a very good idea — especially since your stay includes unlimited access to PortAventura Park.

Av. Pere Molas, s/n, Vila-seca (Tarragona). Tren: PortAventura (R17 / Regionals)
@portaventuraworld

This season, InterContinental Barcelona welcomes summer with the opening of 173 Rooftop Terrace and a carefully curated programme of experiences designed to turn long days into even longer evenings.

Set against views of Montjuïc and the city skyline, the rooftop brings together everything a Barcelona summer plan should include: open-air dining, cocktails, live music and the kind of atmosphere that makes staying for one more round feel inevitable. Throughout the week, sunset sessions take over the terrace with live rumba on Tuesdays, jazz and soul on Thursdays and international covers on Saturdays — all accompanied by food and drinks designed to match the setting.

The experience extends beyond music. 173 Rooftop Terrace also becomes home to an infinity pool area with Balinese beds and the exclusive Moët & Chandon Experience, pairing champagne with oysters, Iberian ham, caviar and desserts.

Elsewhere in the hotel, the new Montjuïc Summer Pop-Up Restaurant serves candlelit dinners outdoors overlooking the MNAC, while Gebre Bar focuses on elevated mixology with cocktails created through ageing techniques and a menu backed by more than 250 whiskies. Family cinema nights, wellness sessions and additional experiences complete a programme designed to enjoy Barcelona from a different perspective.

Available throughout the season, from Sant Joan — Barcelona’s midsummer celebration in late June — to La Mercè, the city’s biggest annual festival in September, this might just become one of Barcelona’s most complete summer addresses. Be one of the first to set foot on it! 

Rius i Taulet, 1–3. M: Espanya (L1, L3)
@intercontinental_barcelona

Which plan do you like the most?