Barcelona Activities

As one of Spain’s most renowned figures and a globally celebrated architect, a trip to Barcelona is not complete until you see some of Gaudí’s incredible work in person. Admittedly, touring Gaudí’s famed church, Sagrada Familia, can feel daunting—if you’re only in town for a few days, the idea of spending hours in a queue isn’t super appealing. (That said, there is good reason for the long line.) You can also just do a stroll-by—the exterior is impressive despite ongoing construction. And there are other worthy Gaudí creations to see throughout the city, like: Palau Güell (an early commissioned home palace in El Raval), Casa Battló (the remarkably mystical house on Passeig de Gràcia), Casa Milà (commonly referred to as La Pedrera, a near optical illusion of curved stone), and Park Güell (Gaudí’s enchantingly imagined landscape).

Although there is plenty to do in Barcelona, Montserrat makes a good day trip outside of the city. About 50 kilometers northwest of the city, you can get there via train in a little over an hour. The mountain is home to the Benedictine monastery of Santa Maria de Montserrat, which can feel overrun with tourists at times, particularly near the statue of Catalonia's iconic saint, La Morenetta (the Black Virgin). For outdoors lovers, the real draw is Montserrat's hiking trails, which unwind above the monastery, and afford stunning views of the jagged, rocky cliff faces—and, as you climb higher—Catalonia sprawled out below.

Watching this storied club play at their home stadium is a bucket list item for fútbol aficionados. But seeing a game there is really an incredibly cool experience even if you don't know who Lionel Messi is. The stadium, which was originally constructed in the mid-1950's, now seats a staggering 99,000+ people, many of whom are die-hard fans, meaning the collective energy of the crowd can be insane. If you're planning a trip to Barcelona during season, check the team's schedule to see if they're at home while you're in town. Although the games can get rowdy, this can also make a really fun outing for kids (who are old enough to sit for a couple hours) and teen travelers.