7 Best Things to Do in Barcelona When Traveling with Friends

Straddling Spain's northeastern coast, beautiful Barcelona is threaded with plenty of things to do and see. What is Barcelona known for? Where do I start: from the city’s bustling boulevards, majestic monuments, and mouthwatering tapas, to its turquoise beaches and wild nightlife; There's no doubt that your visit will be full of exciting adventures. 

Look no further because I've got you covered, whether you're looking for Picasso's masterpieces, historic sites, a football-fueled trip, or a simple taste of local life. Here are the 7 best things to do in Barcelona, Spain.

What is Barcelona Famous for and Why Should You Travel There with Friends?

Barcelona is the perfect place to visit with your besties. Why, you ask? There are so many reasons: from architectural masterpieces like the Sagrada Família, Park Güell, and more, to an amazing gastronomic scene.

The Mediterranean coastline offers a range of beaches to visit where you can soak up the sun, swim, and enjoy beach sports and activities with your friends. Once the sun has set, there’s Barcelona’s vibrant nightlife to explore, as well as numerous festivals and events celebrating music, food, art, and culture.

And if all that’s not enough, it’s also one of the easier places to get to from throughout the world. Barcelona is well-connected by air, road, and rail, so you can even meet up with international friends and make it a holiday of a lifetime. Below are some of the best things to do together in Barcelona that you can start with when planning your trip:

Best things to do in Barcelona, Spain

1. Soak up the views from Bunkers del Carmel. 

Bask in all of Barcelona's beauty from one of the city's top lookout points, Bunkers del Carmel. 

This Barcelona sightseeing spot is locally known as 'Turó de la Rovira.' Not only does it boast panoramic views overlooking every single side of the city, but it also upholds a rich history. Serving as former anti-aircraft bunkers from the Spanish Civil War, this is one of the top things to see in Barcelona as it lets you dive into the city's extensive history. 

This hot spot is easily one of the best free things to do in Barcelona – perfect for when you’re traveling on a budget. It gets even better by night: Head here for sunset, when the Sagrada Familia, Montjuic Castle, and the entire city light up. Bunkers are something you simply shouldn't miss! 

Top tip: The Carmel neighborhood is known for its traditional local cafés and bakeries. Feast on some Spanish croquettes or empanadas and have a picnic while you enjoy the sites.

2. Take a Day Trip to Nearby Montserrat

Montserrat is a breathtaking mountain range just a short train ride from Barcelona. It offers some of the most beautiful views of the surrounding countryside and is also home to an ancient Benedictine monastery.

Head to Montserrat to enjoy some of the numerous hiking trails, which cater to all skill levels whether you’re a casual hiker or experienced in rock climbing. Just make sure you pack your essential hiking gear. Speaking of the latter, Montserrat is also ideal when it comes to scaling its vertical cliffs while being surrounded by some of Spain’s most stunning natural landscapes.

You may enjoy a visit to the Santa Maria de Montserrat Abbey as well, which is a major tourist attraction in the area. Visitors may explore the complex, including the Black Madonna shrine, the basilica, the museum, and more. Because of Montserrat Barcelona is also known for being an important place of pilgrimage for Catholics.

And if none of the above sounds right for you, head there to enjoy a picnic, relax, and take some photos of the stunning countryside.

3. Get lost in Park Güell. 

This urban utopia is nothing short of a giant playground. It was commissioned by wealthy Catalan industrialist Eusebi Güell and designed by none other than famous architect Antoni Gaudí. It’s unsurprising that this spot is frequently mentioned on travel sites, as it’s one of the reasons Barcelona is one of the coolest cities in Spain to visit.

The Park Güell garden complex, constructed back in the early 20th century, is one of the best things to do in Barcelona. Climb up the iconic Escalera Monumental, take a picture at the mosaic-tiled Serpentine Bench, and go on a sightseeing tour to the Pink Tower, Casa Larrard, or La Casa Trias. If you're going there, I'd recommend joining a walking tour!

As a UNESCO World Heritage Site, you can expect nothing short of perfection in Park Güell. It’s one of the most frequently visited landmarks in Barcelona and attracts millions of tourists from around the world every year.

Local's tip: If you want to ditch the bigger crowds, head to Park Güell in the late afternoon. You can also access the paid areas of the park if you arrive earlier than 8am or after 7pm! 

4. Wander Around the Historic Gothic Quarter

The Gothic Quarter or Barri Gòtic is Barcelona’s historic heart… it also boasts some of Barcelona’s finest cafés and small restaurants, AND some of the best places to stay in Barcelona. Try Arcano Restaurant for some incredible Catalan tapas in a historic setting.

The Barri Gòtic is a formidable labyrinth of narrow medieval streets with charming squares to sit in, historic buildings to marvel at, and more.

Visit the famed Catedral de Barcelona, a breathtaking Gothic cathedral that’s also known locally as La Seu. Climb up to the rooftop for views across the city of Barcelona or visit the cloister and watch the local colony of geese (unusual, I know!)

Head to the Plaça Reial, an elegant Gaudí-designed square which is known for its ornate street lamps and palm trees. Relax, watch the people around you, and perhaps grab dinner outdoors on a nice warm night. Fun fact: The square is also known for the Roman ruins beneath it. Explore Barcelona’s ancient past and remnants of old city walls, buildings, and streets.

Enjoy the many, many boutique shops, quaint cafes and restaurants, and artisan workshops local to the area. It’s the ideal place to pick up some unique souvenirs or to enjoy a delicious coffee.

5. Explore the Picasso Museum

Pablo Picasso was one of the world’s most famous artists and created paintings, sketches, and more for over seven decades. Here, you can view some of his best-known artworks, showcasing his evolution as a local artist throughout his life. The museum includes an Early Years Gallery, where you may enjoy some of his earliest works during his youth.

Learn about Picasso’s life, his work, and his revolutionary contributions to modern art, most notably Cubism. Discover his intimate connection to the city of Barcelona, including his early years spent at the School of Fine Arts of La Llotja in the city.

The museum frequently hosts workshops, where you can participate in hands-on arts activities — totally worth it if you’re an art fan or budding artist yourself. This makes for a great day out with kids, too.

Lastly, the courtyard is well-visiting for a post-museum debrief and relax. It’s surrounded by beautiful architecture and filled with the most serene atmosphere.

6. Visit the Sagrada Familia 

If you're traveling to Barcelona, this UNESCO World Heritage Site should be at the top of your bucket list. The Sagrada Familia is a sublime basilica that features Gaudi's famed Modernist architecture. Catalonia's famous architect, Antoni Gaudi, spent more than 10 years of his life developing this masterpiece.

To this day, it's still not finished. The Sagrada Familia has, in fact, been in construction for over a century, meaning that when it is fully completed, it will have taken longer to build than the Egyptian Pyramids! 

As it’s one of the best things to see in Barcelona, make sure you follow this top tip to enjoy it in all its glory: Visit in the early morning so you can marvel at the sunlight shining through the stained-glass windows! If you're interested in this monument's rich history and captivating design, book the audio guide to find out more. Just bear in mind that it’s not the cheapest at a 26 Euro base price.

Local's tip: Visit in the early morning so you can see the sunlight shining through the stained-glass windows! If you're interested in this monument's rich history and captivating design, book the audio guide to find out more. 

7. Go swimming at a Barcelona beach.

There's one thing both locals and tourists can agree on, and it's that one of the top things to do in Barcelona, Spain, in the summer is to head down to the beach! 

Bursting with wild beach bars, passionate volleyball matches, and crowds aplenty, this city's beaches are fun. Marbella, San Sebastian, and La Barceloneta are the most popular. However, they are not necessarily the best.

Barcelona boasts some seriously spectacular beachfronts – the only catch is that they're located just outside the city. With that said, when you do get to them they make for some of the most fun things to do in Barcelona.

Top tip: If you’re into football, you’ll want to head to Barceloneta Beach. Pickup games of football frequently happen along the shoreline, with both locals and tourists joining in the fun.