Barcelona Travel Guide: Top Things To Do
If Barcelona has been on your bucket list, or you're wondering if it should be, this video is for you. We're sharing the top things to do in Barcelona that completely blew us away. Think history, architecture, culture, and moments that made us stop and say, okay, now I get it. Let's dive in.
1. Day Trip to Montserrat Monastery
Overview
Montserrat is one of those places that just feels different. Located about an hour outside Barcelona, it's tucked into dramatic, jagged mountains that don't even look real. The name Montserrat actually means "serrated mountain," and the moment you see it, you understand why.
Why It's Special
- Spiritual Significance: Home to a Benedictine monastery dating back over a thousand years, it's one of the most important spiritual sites in Spain
- Peaceful Energy: The moment you arrive, everything slows down—it's peaceful, quiet, and grounding in a way that's hard to describe
- For Everyone: Whether you're religious or not, this is a meaningful experience. People come as pilgrims seeking clarity, healing, gratitude, or perspective
What to Do
- Hiking Paths: Walk as much or as little as you want—even a short stroll gives you panoramic views that make you feel small in the best way
- Take Your Time: This isn't about checking something off a list; it's about standing still, looking out over the mountains, and just being
Who It's For
Perfect for empty nesters who've spent years in go-go-go mode. It's not flashy or loud—it's meaningful. If we ever return to Barcelona, this is the place we'd visit first.
2. Gothic Quarter, Barcelona Cathedral & La Rambla
The Gothic Quarter
This is Old World Barcelona at its best—narrow stone streets, hidden courtyards, and history literally under your feet.
Historical Significance:
- The oldest part of Barcelona with streets dating back to Roman times (over 2,000 years of history)
- Streets were designed narrow on purpose to keep the sun out and enemies confused
- Today they create an intimate, cinematic atmosphere
What to Experience:
- Every turn reveals something unexpected: hidden plazas, tiny cafes, street musicians in archways
- The Doors: Massive, heavy wooden doors with iron details everywhere—they're works of art symbolizing protection, importance, and permanence
Barcelona Cathedral
Stunning architecture that showcases the Gothic Quarter's grandeur and historical significance.
La Rambla
- One of Barcelona's most famous streets
- Full of energy with shops, street performers, cafes, and flower stalls
- Lively, crowded, touristy—but totally worth experiencing at least once
- Great connector between the old city and the waterfront
- You don't need to spend all day here, but it's part of the Barcelona experience
3. Casa Batlló (Antonio Gaudí)
About Gaudí
Barcelona would not be Barcelona without Antonio Gaudí. His work is everywhere, and once you start noticing it, you can't stop seeing it.
Casa Batlló Experience
- Less of a building, more of an experience
- Design Philosophy: Nothing is straight, nothing is ordinary—Gaudí didn't believe in straight lines because nature doesn't use them
- Flowing shapes inspired by waves, bones, plants, and sea creatures
- Some say it looks like a dragon with the roof representing its spine
Inside the Building
- The light is incredible—windows, staircases, and the way air and sunlight move through the space
- Designed long before "open concept" was a thing
- Revolutionary Features: Ventilation systems, natural lighting, and structural elements ahead of their time (early 1900s)
Gaudí's Barcelona Legacy
His influence is everywhere—lamp posts, tiles, balconies, and other buildings throughout the city. The city itself became his canvas.
Visiting Tips
- Worth it even just to stand outside and take it in
- If you go inside, give yourself time—this is not a rush-through kind of place
4. Sagrada Familia
Overview
Pictures do not prepare you for this. The scale, the detail, the light inside—it's breathtaking.
Historical Context
- Gaudí's masterpiece—construction started in 1882 and is still ongoing
- Gaudí knew he wouldn't live to see it completed, which makes it even more meaningful
- Not just a church—it's a work of art and a symbol of Barcelona
The Experience
Outside: Stunning architecture Inside: Takes your breath away
- Light pouring through stained glass creates different colors throughout the day
- Columns shaped like trees—feels like a forest made of stone
- Peaceful, powerful, and emotional all at the same time
PRO TIP: Free Entry
You can get into Sagrada Familia for free on Sunday mornings when they open it for mass.
The Catch:
- Must arrive very early (before dawn)
- Once it fills up, they turn people away
- The creators arrived early but were still about 10 people away from getting in when it shut down
Bottom Line: If trying for free entry, plan ahead and arrive extra early. Otherwise, buying a ticket is still 100% worth it.
5. Hospital de Sant Pau
The Surprise Favorite
One of Barcelona's most underrated experiences—we didn't fully know what to expect, and it ended up being one of our favorite surprises.
What It Is
- UNESCO World Heritage Site
- Designed by architect Lluís Domènech i Montaner
- Built with a revolutionary idea: beauty, light, and nature could help people heal
The Design
- Multiple pavilion-style buildings connected by underground tunnels
- Surrounded by gardens with colorful tile work, stained glass, and intricate details
- Peaceful, open, and magical
- Patients recovered here in spaces filled with sunlight and fresh air for over 100 years
Why We Loved It
- Less Crowded: You can really take your time without feeling rushed or overwhelmed
- Great Contrast: Perfect break from the busier parts of Barcelona
- Not on Every Instagram Feed: A true hidden gem for those who love architecture and history
- European Craftsmanship: Shows how beauty wasn't an extra—it was part of the purpose
Final Thoughts
Barcelona completely exceeded our expectations—the history, beauty, walkability, and unforgettable experiences are everywhere you turn.
For Empty Nesters: If you're dreaming of travel that feeds your soul and your curiosity, Barcelona should be high on your list.