Barcelona’s Cultural Highlights
Barcelona is a city full of cultural highlights and small corners to discover. It attracts many different types of people, from sports fans and beach lovers to historians and wedding parties. In fact, the city is so popular as a wedding destination that many have got married here and fallen in love with the city, moving here in a heartbeat after seeing the pictures their Barcelona wedding photographer took of them set against the stunning city backdrop. I have been living here for two years and have put together my personal Barcelona cultural highlights for you.
Palau de la Musica Catalana
One of the most powerful live music locations of Barcelona. Here you can find the greatest artists of Spain playing typical music on stage.
The location is breathtaking and designed from two of the most important artists of the past time: Lluís Domènech and Montaner . They included new elements and colours in this building in a way that still today will take your breath away.
If you have the chance go all up the stairs, before the concert starts, you should have a look at the amazing ceiling!
The acoustics are well incorporating the sound of the artists. I was at the Palau de la Musica to listen to the great ‘Maestros de la Guitarra’ I still have in mind the movement of the artists fingers, so fast over the guitar strings, as fast as I have never seen before. Besides the outstanding performance in music, the full concert was rounded up by unexpected comical moments which made you laugh out loud without expecting it.
I must say, I can only suggest to do both at least once, visit the Palau de la Musica Catalana if you’re i nBarcelona and listen to the ‘Tribute to Paco de Lucía’ from the Maestros de la Guitarra live, when you get the chance.
- Concerts starting at 22 € , 39 € for Maestros de la Guitar
- Website
Tip: For who knows the movie ‘Vicky Cristina Barcelona’ will find some known songs during the play.
Teatro Molino
One of the oldest and smallest theatres of Barcelona. A location where sexual tension is combined with outstanding talent and a dash of fun.
Prior to the performance the girls will stay at the windows of the ‘Molino’ which means a mill wheels of a time. They perform a short dance for the passing by guests, always attracting lots of viewers around the theatre.
Upon entering you will find yourself in a very small environment where you’re going to feel being part of the spectacle. The waiting time is sweetened through short performances and the ‘mother and owner of the location’ doing her ‘talking’. Unfortunately most is hold only in Spanish or even Catalan so the funnier parts are difficult to be understood by foreigners.
That shouldn’t keep you from visiting though, the ‘mother’ of the place will make you feel comfortable anyway and the full stage performance doesn’t need understanding of the languages.
The experience is unique, sexy, powerful and interesting all at the same time.
Tip: Go and enjoy it – but don’t drink their wine which is not a good one 😉
- El Molino ‘glamour’ show starting at 33 €
Gaudi houses & park
One of the most important architects of Spain has left his foot prints all around and in Barcelona. Gaudi’s architecture is such easy to be recognised that you’ll find his signs all over the city.
His most known works are the two Gaudi houses located in the Passeo de Gracia street, ‘Casa Mila’ and ‘Casa Battló’, the ‘Parc Güell’, which surrounds the house he lived in, and of course not to forget the cathedral ‘La Sagrada Familia’ which till today is not yet finished but is continuously be worked on.
If you’re visiting Barcelona you should hop by all four of them, which are an absolute MUST SEE, but if you need to choose one of the above to enter, I’d recommend the Cathedral! In any case, which opera you choose, don’t forget to reserve prior to your visit. The queues are enormous and the prices are higher at the door.
Casa Mila / La Pedrera
- How to get there: Lila or yellow metro to ‘Passeo the Gracia’ or it is walking distance from Placa Catalunya
- Entrance fee: 20,50 € for adults
- Website
Tip: If you’d like to have a sneek peak without paying the entrance enter the house to go to the museum. Then go towards the toilets and you’ll be able to see the first part of the building.
Casa Batlló
- How to get there: Lila or yellow metro to ‘Passeo the Gracia’ or it is walking distance from Placa Catalunya
- Entrance fee: 22,50 € for adults
- Website
Parc Güell
- How to get there: this parc is located farer outside of the city centre. I’d recommend a taxi for easy travels, otherwise you can also take the bus Nr. 24 from Placa Catalunya.
- Entrance fee: 7,00 € for adults (
- Website
Tip: Be on time for your reservation, otherwise you won’t be able to enter the parc.
Tip: Just go there without paying the entrance fee. You can see most of the creations of Gaudi and the waiting time and growth of people is just not worth the entrance.
La Sagrada Familia
- How to get there: Lila metro to ‘Sagrada Familia’
- Entrance fee: starting at 15,00 € for adults
- Website
The city itself
Barcelona is a cultural highlight itself. Take your time to just walk through the small streets in the areas ‘Born’ and ‘Gothic’ you will find lots of powerful churches, small idyllic streets, tapas bars and architectonical reminders of the past.
Tibidabo Amusement Park
If you’re a fan of the movie ‘Vicky Cristina Barcelona’ from Woody Allen like I am, then this is a MUST SEE location in Barcelona. However, also if you’re not crazy about his movies this is a spot you shouldn’t miss.
Up the hill on the west side of Barcelona you can find the old amusement park ‘Tibidabo’ where you’ll think time has stopped already some years ago. You’ll have some of the most beautiful Barcelona views too!
Tip: It is a beautiful and peaceful stop especially during the winter time, when the park is not yet open and view people travel up here.
You’ll find old school amusement attractions such as a chain carousel or a rollercoaster. Trust me, you’ll love this place it combines the views with art, fun and combines it with a vintage design 😉
Travelling to Barcelona soon? There are also blog posts about General travel Tips for Barcelona, the best beach alternatives, Barcelona’s main areas, Best Clubs, The best Spas, City Escapes, Best Restaurants and best Pizza Places.
I hope you’ll enjoy your trip!
Best, Be-Sparkling!
16 comments
This is a lovely guide for anyone traveling to Barcelona. I loved it every time we went there. Next time, I will be sure to visit the Amusement Park.
This is a great guide. I’ve been to Barcelona before but apparently I’ve missed some of the best places! I’ll keep this in mind for a future visit.
Every time I tell someone I went to Spain and only visited Madrid and not Barcelona, they look at me with disgust haha. From the images I’ve seen, the Gaudi houses alone are enough reason to check the city out..but by the sounds of the performances at Teatro Molino, that seems like it’s definitely a cultural scene worth checking out as well.
I think since I was a child, Barcelona is the one place that has been constant on my bucket list. It is such a beautiful place to be in. I have obviously seen the place in movies and read about it a few Times. This post is a great guide for future reference.
Lovely guide! I’ve always wanted to visit Barcelona! Everything seems quite moderately priced. I just added a few of these into my future itinerary!
Loved the little tips you added for these places, its always great to get local opinion on places! 🙂 I would definitely like to visit the theatre and the amusement park, those sound like fun!
I have been to Barcelona last year for the first time and loved the vibe of the city and all the Gaudi’s creations around it. I would have loved to see a play at Teatro Molino but there is always next time. If I had more days I would have loved to visit the Tibidabo park, I kept looking at it and imagine how beautiful the views are from up there. And I loved Vicky Christina Barcelona by the way 🙂
Ohh Barcelona, another place I would like to visit someday with my Dada. Because I find this place more romantic for us.
I have read so much about the sights in Spain. Your post is the first that highlights the cultural aspects of Spain. Will be sure to look up at least one of these theatres when I get there. Thanks for sharing such useful and unusual information
I really wish I’d had more time in Barcelona to immerse myself in their interesting culture. It truly is different from any other country
Spent 3 days in Barcelona and enjoyed the sights there very much. Especially the Gaudi houses. But couldn’t do the musical concerts or locations.
These are some fantastic tips that go beyond the top-10 lists that you can find easily everywhere – great job 😀 WIsh I had this before my last trip to Barcelona 😉 But at least I know what to send to friends when they ask for tips!
I am currently living in Madrid and have been dying to get to Barcelona! This is an amazing guide for when I do make me way there. Thanks for the tips.
I agree with Laveena. Since I was a kid, Barcelona has been that place I keep on hearing about. Someday, I will set foot on this place. Of course, well-informed because of travel guides like this. Thank you! 😀
I am from Alghero, a small Catalan town in Sardinia (Italy) and we have many things in common with Barcelona, even the local language!! I have visited almost every place you mentioned here; Barcelona is stunning and deserves a visit, a must-see in Spain! thanks for sharing it, 😀
Barcelona is indeed a beautiful destination to visit once in a lifetime! Thanks for sharing the lovely guide! Have pinned your post!