30 Best Things To Do In Barcelona Right Now

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Photograph: ShutterstockThe best things to do in Barcelona

From modernista masterpieces to truly outstanding cuisine, these are the very best things to do in brilliant Barcelona

Monday 1 September 2025ShareCopy LinkFacebookTwitterPinterestEmailWhatsAppEdited by María José GómezDirectora, Time Out BarcelonaTranslated by: Olivia SimpsonAdvertising

Everyone should visit Barcelona at least once. Everyone. No excuses. The Catalan capital is a bustling city that lives up to its reputation, a thriving cultural centre with brilliant museums, magnificent restaurants and a club scene that goes all night long.

Barcelona is brilliant, bombastic, and bloomin’ marvellous. But what are the best things to do while you’re here? We’re glad you asked. We’ve done the hard yards and put together the ultimate Barna bucket list – which includes, of course, our very own Time Out Market Barcelona, showcasing the city’s best chefs, restaurants and bars. You can’t go wrong with this place. Here are the best things to do in Barcelona right now.

🏨 The very best hotels to book in Barcelona

How we curate our lists

Headed up by editor Maria Jose Gomez, the team over at Time Out Barcelona spend their days sampling the best things to do on offer in this marvellous city, from brand-new restaurants to cutting-edge exhibitions and all-time attractions. Everything on this list has been reviewed and selected for a reason: we’ve been there (sometimes twice), we think it’s great and we’d genuinely recommend it. For more about how we curate, see our editorial guidelines. By the way, this article includes affiliate links. These links have no influence on our editorial content. For more information, see our affiliate guidelines.

🍴 Everything you need to know about Time Out Market Barcelona📍 Free things to do in Barcelona

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Time Out Market Barcelona

Time Out Market Barcelona is our restaurant list come to life. Everything you’ll eat (and drink) here is curated by our local editors, who’ve scoured the city for the very best chefs, bars, dishes and more to bring you a true taste of Catalan food, from Darvaza’s flame-grilled steak to Xuba’s five-star tacos.

You’ll find the Market at Port Vell, on the terrace-viewpoint of Maremagnum. And if the food wasn’t enough, you’ll probably be tempted by the Market’s terrace, home to one of the city’s best viewpoints – and one of its best bars, Monk, serving up cocktails all day and all night. There’s a whole 14 food spots and four bars to try, so you better get moving.

Best things to do in Barcelona

1. Spend an evening at the Picasso Museum (for free)

• Museums
• Ciutat Vella

What is it? Barcelona’s very own collection of nearly 4,000 works by Pablo Picasso – usually €14, but now free to visit for three evenings of the week.

Why go? The fabulous Picasso Museum was always free every Sunday of the month, but these free hours were extended in April 2025 to include Thursday, Friday and Saturday evenings between 7-9pm. This open-door policy will run until October 12, so you’ve got plenty of time to take advantage of it! Here, you’ll find everything from Picasso’s early sketches as a young student to his rough landscapes, right through to his early forays into cubism.

Don’t miss: Once you’ve spent a few hours at the museum, grab a glass of wine at Can Cisa/Bar Brutal a few minutes away – it’s your Saturday night, after all.

Address: Carrer de Montcada 15-23, 08003 Barcelona

Opening hours: Tuesday-Sunday 9am-8pm, Thursday-Saturday 9am-9pm, closed Mondays

Price: €14 online, €15 at ticket desk. Concession €7–7.50 (ages 18–25 and over 65). Free for under-18s, first Sunday of the month, and weekend evenings until October

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2. Gaze at the newly-renovated Casa Batlló

• Attractions
• Dreta de l'Eixample
• Recommended

What is it? One of two Gaudí wonders, originally built to house apartments, on Passeig de Gràcia in the city centre, that’s just completed a major renovation project.

Why go? To see it in its brand-new, sparkling glory. Previously, this major landmark was in dire need of some TLC, with faded colours and tired ornate features. Over the last year, it’s had €3.5 million pumped into it, with high-tech detailing by master artisans. This work was finally completed in July 2025, so you can now admire the dazzling colours, wavy architecture, eye-catching balconies and gorgeous rooftop in HD.

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.

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

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3. See Catalan modernista architecture at the Sagrada Família

• Attractions
• Religious buildings and sites
• Sagrada Família
• price 2 of 4
• Recommended

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 (think La Pedrera, Casa Batlló and Park Güell, other popular examples of the architec’'s work) 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.

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

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4. Bag bargains at a vintage market

What is it? Simply the best markets you can find in the city for vintage clothes, furniture and other bargains.

Why go? Barcelona has the second-highest number of vintage stores in Spain, and this is also down to its fantastic weekend markets. We’ve done the work for you, and rounded up the very best weekend markets happening in September, from our favourite ‘Bargain Garden’ to vintage kilo sales. Click ‘read more’ for our full list.

Don’t miss: On September 20 and 21, there’s an extra-special vintage fair at the historic Maritime Museum.

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5. Get stuffed at Time Out Market Barcelona

• Things to do
• El Gòtic
• Recommended

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.

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

Opening hours: Daily 10am-12am

Price: Free entry

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6. Find peace at Mirador del Migdia Park

• Attractions
• El Poble-sec

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.

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

Opening hours: Open 24 hours daily

Price: Free

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7. Eat your bodyweight in tapas

What is it? Probably what we’re best known for (other than Gaudí, and maybe festivals).

Why go? Here in Barcelona, we take tapas very seriously –everyone from the very top chefs in the city to local families running tiny tapas bars is at it. Typically, you can have tapas from 1.30-3.30pm, and around 7.30pm onwards. Get your siesta in in between. Our top spot for it in the city is Bodega Solera, a Cádiz-style tavern crossed with a French wine bar, serving up Catalan fricandó, Spanish regañao and more.

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.

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8. Ride the port cable car for bird's-eye views of the city

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.

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

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9. Visit Barcelona’s museums, from world renowned to weird

What is it? Uncover the best of the city’s weird and wonderful museums.

Why go? Barcelona is home to major museums, including the Picasso Museum, the Fundació Miró, the MACBA, CaixaForum and the Tàpies, but the Catalan capital has plenty to offer those who want something a little more under the radar. Some of them are not technically museums, but they do bring together collections of great interest across a range of different specialities: from perfumes to sewing machines, from prehistoric fossils to objects from African and Amazonian tribes, from the history of hairdressing to the Mossos d’Esquadra, the autonomous police force in Catalonia.

Don’t miss: If you’re planning a trip to the Picasso Museum, visit at lunch or shortly before the last entry, as queues can be punishingly long. Buying tickets online can also help.

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10. Lose yourself in the maze in Parc del Laberint d’Horta

• Attractions
• Horta - Guinardó

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 Chinese gate, a relic from a former oriental garden.

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

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More essentials and insider tips for visiting Barcelona

🥘 The best restaurants in Barcelona🍸 The best bars in Barcelona🎟️ The best attractions in Barcelona🏘️ Where to stay in Barcelona📍 Ultimate guide to what to do in Barcelona

More great things to do in Barcelona

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