10 Things to Do in Barcelona Old Town

Barcelona's old town is the perfect place to soak up the history of this city. The architecture and atmosphere will make you feel like you've stepped back in time, but the cobblestone streets and narrow alleys also give way to some incredible museums and modern restaurants.

That's why I want to leave you with a list of things to see on this side of the city, in case you had any doubts that touring the old town is one of the best things you can see and do in Barcelona, no matter what time of the year you plan your trip.

The Picasso Museum is a must-see in Barcelona. It is located in the heart of the city, near the Barcelona Cathedral, so it is a good place to include in your Barcelona itinerary in 1 day, right after going to the Cathedral. Inside you'll see a collection of over 3,500 works by Picasso, plus temporary exhibitions and workshops you can participate in to learn about the artist's work.

Designed by Catalan architect Josep Lluis Sert and opened in 1963, booking tickets for the Picasso Museum (which also include a full Picasso tour) is a must for you to enjoy its avant-garde design, curved lines, bold colors and geometric shapes.

Inside there are five floors, each with a differenttheme. The first floor shows Picasso's early years, while the second floor focuses on his blue period. On the third floor you can enjoy his figurative style, inspired by classical art and pre-Romanesque sculpture.

Interesting details

• Price: the Picasso tour with entrance to the museum costs 34 euros.
• Hours: Generally open between 10:00 and 19:00 from Tuesday to Sunday. Closed on Mondays.
• Location: Calle Montcada 15-23 in the Born district of Barcelona.
• More information: In this post about tickets for the Picasso Museum you can find out all the details.

The Sagrada Familia, designed by Antoni Gaudi, is the most famous church in Barcelona, so it is clear that you should buy your tickets to the Sagrada Familia. It is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site and it is one of the most incredible temples of the city because its construction began in 1882, and it is still unfinished.

Inside this church you will be able to see 14 altars of Gothic-Renaissance styles, stained glass windows depicting scenes from the life of Jesus, as well as other religious figures such as angels or saints; there are also paintings on the walls depicting different events from the books of the Old Testament and New Testament, such as Noah's Ark or the story of the Passion of Christ.

The most famous part of the church is the roof, which is covered with colored tiles, so you can't miss to go up and see it. You will also see several statues of angels on top of the roof. Among the sculptures that you can see inside the church is "Ecce Homo", which represents Jesus carrying his cross up the hill of Calvary. Another sculpture you will love is the Mary Magdalene with her hair down her back.

Details of interest

• Price: The entrance fee is 34 euros per person.
• Hours: Vary according to the season. Generally, between 9:00 and 20:00 in summer and until 18:00 in winter.
• Location: Calle Mallorca, 401, in the center of Barcelona.
• More information: In this article about tickets to the Sagrada Familia you will find all the details.

I recommend you to sign up for a tour of the Gothic Quarter of Barcelona, which is the oldest part of the city and is also declared a World Heritage Site. It is home to many of the city's most famous landmarks:

• The **Placa de Sant Jaume -the central square in front of the City Hall.
• The Cathedral of Barcelona.
• Places like Els Quatre Gats.
• Many open-air bars.
• Restaurants where you can try traditional Catalan cuisine, such as paella or calçots.
• Stores and boutiques for shopping during the day.
• Many options of discos and pubs where locals and tourists enjoy some of the best things to do in Barcelona at night.

In any case, if you really want to know the Gothic Quarter and all it has to offer, my advice is to hire a tour of the Gothic Quarter of Barcelona where in small groups and accompanied by a local guide you will learn the history of the most emblematic monuments and buildings.

Details of interest

• Price: Touring the city on your own is free, except for the personal expenses you incur during the tour. If you want to join a guided tour, it costs 20 euros per person.
• Hours: You can tour the city of Barcelona at any time you want, although I recommend doing it during the day to better appreciate the sights.
• Location:Ciutat Vella district, in the heart of the city.
• More info: Read this post to find out everything you need to do about Barcelona's Gothic Quarter.

Casa Milà, also known as La Pedrera, is a residential building designed by Antoni Gaudí for Count Eusebi de Marimón i de Blasco, who commissioned the project in 1906 and moved in in 1910. Gaudí spent six years designing the structure before beginning construction in 1910. Since 1929 it has been open to the public, becoming one of Barcelona's most famous tourist attractions.

Before entering you should photograph its undulating facade built with Montjuïc stone. Inside the house you will be delighted to see the entrance staircase, which is decorated with floral designs and other modernist motifs.

The rooftop is another place inside the house that you can't miss, thanks to its extravagant antennas and chimneys, as well as its panoramic views of the city. Due to the influx of tourists, I recommend buying your tickets to visit La Pedrera well in advance.

Details of interest

• Price: 28 euros per person.
• Hours: From 9:00 to 18:30.
• Location: Paseo de Gracia, 92 08008 Barcelona.
• More information: In this post you will find everything you need to know about tickets to visit La Pedrera and, in this one, you will learn everything there is to see inside La Pedrera.

La Boqueria Market in Barcelona, also known as Mercat de Sant Josep de la Boqueria, is one of the most famous markets in the city, so I recommend you not to miss it, as it is a popular place for locals and tourists. Inside you can find a wide variety of fresh local products, including fruits, vegetables, meat, fish, seafood, sausages and cheeses.

This place is also a good place to try traditional Spanish sweets and desserts and European cuisine in general. I recommend visiting the market in the morning, when the vendors are preparing their stalls and the fruits and vegetables are fresher.

A good way to get to this place is to book a seat on the Barcelona tourist bus, an excellent idea to get around Barcelona in a comfortable way while enjoying the best places in the Catalan capital.

Interesting details

• Price: Entering the market is free, but once inside you will want to buy many things.
• Hours: Between 8:00 and 20:30, every day.
• Location: Las Ramblas Street.
• More information: In this post you will find out everything you need to know about the best tourist buses in Barcelona.

If there is one place you should go and see in Barcelona, it is the famous Las Ramblas street, which stretches from Plaça de Catalunya to the promenade, leaving in between some of the city's squares. You will find many stores, restaurants and cafes along this street, so it is a good place to see and meet people, go shopping or dine out.

Among the highlights you can visit on this street are La Boqueria market or Passeig de Gràcia, with its luxury boutiques and art galleries. You're sure to find good entertainment on this street thanks to the street performers who perform acrobatics and set up with music.

Details of interest

• Price: Going on your own to visit this street will be free, but taking a bike tour that includes a visit to this street will cost you from 27 euros per person.
• Time: You can go at any time to this street, although during the night is a good time to know this place.
• Location: This street is located in the heart of the city of Barcelona.
• More information: In this article you will learn everything you need to know about bike tours in Barcelona.

If what you want is a place to rest your feet and get away from the hustle and bustle of Barcelona's old town, you should consider buying a ticket to Barcelona's Park Güell. Designed by Antoni Gaudi between 1900 and 1914, this public park is one of the most important works in Barcelona and inside it has an amphitheater overlooking the entire city.

Inside Park Güell you will also have the opportunity to see different mosaics made with broken tiles, an art that gets its inspiration from Islamic art. You'll see palm trees planted in circles around a central fountain and benches carved into stone walls, as well as multiple paths to gardens of cacti and exotic plants.

Details of interest

• Price: 16 euros per person.
• Hours: 9:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. daily.
• Location: It is located on a high hill in the District of Gràcia in the heart of the city of Barcelona.
• More information: In this post you will find out everything you need to know about tickets to visit Park Güell.

A good plan to do in Barcelona in 2 days or less, is to go to the Mercat Santa Caterina, where you can do some souvenir shopping for your trip. This place is located in the Raval neighborhood, which is popular for its vibrant artistic community and stores. I recommend you to visit this place in the morning to take the opportunity to have a coffee in one of its cafes before entering.

Inside you can find different stalls selling fresh fruits and vegetables, places offering gourmet food, snacks such as chocolates or cheeses, and drinks of all kinds, but also handmade jewelry and clothing.

If you like gastronomy, you should not miss the opportunity to book a private gastronomic tour in Barcelona, where you will taste different recipes from sea, mountain and countryside.

Interesting details

• Price: Admission is free, you will pay for the drinks.
• Hours: From 8:00 to 13:00 every day.
• Location: District of La Ribera in Ciutat Vella in Barcelona.
• More info: In this post you will find details about the different gastronomic tours in Barcelona.

Much of what you have to know in Barcelona is signed with the pen of Antoni Gaudí, so a couple of buildings of his work that you have to visit are Casa Batlló and Casa Amatller.

Casa Batlló was going to be a private home, but later it was transformed into an apartment building with stores and now it is definitely one of the favorite tourist places for visitors, so I recommend you to buy tickets to visit Casa Batlló and do not miss this experience.

The Casa Amatller is a gothic style building that originally served as a textile factory, and then became apartments after the cessation of World War II. I also recommend that you purchase tickets for the Casa Amatller in advance.

Details of interest

• Price: Tickets for Casa Batlló cost 35 €, while premium tickets (without queues or waiting) cost 45 €. Tickets for Casa Amatller cost 20 €.
• Opening hours: Casa Batlló is open from 9:00 to 20:00 every day. Casa Amatller is open from 10:00 to 19:00.
• Location: Both are located on Paseo de Gracia.
• More information: In this post you will find all the information regarding tickets to visit Casa Batlló.

The Barcelona Cathedral is one of the most important religious monuments in Spain, and therefore one of the best places to visit in Barcelona, so you definitely can't miss it. It is located in the Pla de la Seu and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2000.

If the outside view is not to be missed and you have to take lots of pictures, the inside is even more interesting, as it contains many works by Gaudí, including stained glass windows depicting saints such as Santa Eulalia, a character who gave her name to Barcelona; San Pedro Nolasco, who is known for being the founder of the Church of Our Lady and San Raimundo Nonato, who is the patron saint of pregnant women.

You can also see sculptures by Josep Llimona i Casasayas depicting scenes from the Passion of Christ. You can take a guided tour inside the Cathedral of Barcelona, and the best thing about them is that they can be done without paying anything extra. By taking one of these guided tours you will be able to see parts of the cathedral that are not available to general visitors.

Interesting details

• Price: Free of charge.
• Hours: Monday to Friday, from 10:00 to 18:30. Saturdays, from 9:30 to 17:15. On Sundays and holidays is open from 14:00 and 17:00.
• Location: Pla de la Seu, 3.