Barcelona Weekend Break
Things to see in Barcelona
Barcelona is a magnificent city full of every kind of visitor attraction you could ask for.
It boasts an historic district, the modernist architecture of Gaudi, Flamenco shows, the famous "las Ramblas" boulevard, a wealth of museums, stunning nightlife, mouth watering cuisine, and the list goes on. In short, a Barcelona weekend break makes a perfect city escape for anyone interested in exploring a city, seeing its sights and experiencing its culture.
On this page you will find a series summaries linking to full page pictorial reviews of Barcelona's top sightseeing attractions, tourist spots and places of interest.
Click on the orange link at the end of each summary to see the full page pictorial review of over 30 different Barcelona tourist attractions.
Montserrat Mountain and basilica
If you want an excursion outside of Barcelona city, then the Montserrat mountain and a basilica that sits part of the way up it is a great way to spend a few hours. The mountain summit (San Jerome) ascends to over 4,000 feet in height and is.......
For more details and some photos see our Montserrat Mountain page.
Cathedral la Seu
With Gaudi's Barcelona connection it is sometimes easy to neglect the other great buildings that the city has to offer and none are more impressive then the Cathedral la Seu, located in the Barri Gotic (Gothic centre) district of the city
For more details and some photos see our Cathedral la Seu page.
Parc de la Ciutadella
The 75 acre Parc de la Ciutadella is situated right in the middle of Barcelona city and, aside from containing attractive gardens, fountains and even a lake, also has a zoo as well as being the location of a number of museums and galleries.
For more details and some photos see our Parc de la Ciutadella page.
Monument a Colon
The name may appear slightly odd (it is Columbus' name in Spain), but this monument commemorates the discovery of the New World by sailor and explorer Christopher Columbus. The "Monument a Colon" is at one end of.......
For more details and some photos see our Monument a Colon page.
Things to see that are connected with artist Joan Miro
Joan Miro was an artist and sculptor and for those who are artistically inclined (to whatever degree), Barcelona has a number of his works and a gallery come museum dedicated to him.
For more details and some photos see our Joan Miro page.
Museu Picasso
The Museu Picasso is on Montcada street and occupies five interconnected medieval manor houses in one of the oldest remaining parts of the city. It was first opened in 1963.
For more details and some photos see our Museu Picasso page.
Montjuic park
This is one of the "big three" parks in Barcelona and, as far as most peoples' description of a park is concerned, probably the best. (I think that the name translates to "Jewish" park.) The park of Montjuic lies on.........
For more details and some photos see our Montjuic park page.
Nou Camp Stadium
Camp Nou stadium is the football and sporting stadium for FC Barcelona and it has the biggest supporter capacity of any football ground in Spain (and considerably bigger than anything in the UK). It was originally constructed in 1958 and in theory holds a staggering......
For more details and some photos see our Nou Camp Stadium page.
Plaza de Cataluna
Spelt in Catalan as "placa d' Cataluna", this large square is in the centre of Barcelona and the locals see it as the heart of the city. It is also a perfect point from which to start a tour or exploration of Barcelona.........
For more details and some photos see our Plaza de Cataluna page.
Mercat Boqueria
The Mercat San Josep (market) was built in 1840 and is the big fresh produce market in Barcelona city. It is a quite spectacular sight with stalls and displays that really do make the eyes boggle.
For more details and some photos see our Mercat Boqueria page.
Port Vell area
The Port Vell district is an area that you reach if you walk to the end of las Ramblas, past the statue of Christopher Columbus and continue to the waters edge – the Rambla de Mar.
For more details and some photos see our Port Vell area page.
Arc de Triomf
There is no confusion - this is the Arc de Triomf (or Triumf) in Barcelona and not the one in Paris. Like a number of other buildings and structures in Barcelona, the Arc de Triomf was built for the 1888 World Exposition and..........
For more details and some photos see our Arc de Triomf page.
Museu Nacional d'Art de Cataluna
The museum of Catalona is housed in the grandiose Palau Nacional building with its domes, towers, ornamental fountains and decorative stairways. The building alone is a spectacular sight and...........
For more details and some photos see our Museu Nacional d'Art de Cataluna page.
Tibidabo
Tibidabo is somewhat hard to describe, or at least hard to describe in a manner which does it justice. Tibidabo is really just a hill or mini mountain that rises approximately........
For more details and some photos see our Tibidabo page.
Placa Reial
The Placa Reial (or Royal Square) lies just off the main street of las Ramblas and is considered to be the most beautiful plaza in Barcelona. It has a regal air and.......
For more details and some photos see our Placa Reial page.
Mancana de Discordia
The Mancana de Discordia (translating to "apple of discord") is probably the most famous block of modernist buildings in Spain. It contains Gaudi's Casa Batllo, Josep Puig i Cadafalch's Casa Amatller and.......
For more details and some photos see our Mancana de Discordia page.
Poble Espanyol de Montjuic
Poble Espanyol de Montjuic is a model village on a hill suburb of Barcelona city, but it is different to any other village that you are ever likely to encounter. The village lies to........
For more details and some photos see our Poble Espanyol de Montjuic page.
Modernist architecture, architects and their Barcelona buildings
This is a small section dedicated to Gaudi's contemporaries in the field of modernist architecture and including, Josep Puig i Cadafalch and Lluis Domenech i Montaner.
For more details and some photos see our Modernist architecture page.
Gaudi buildings
Follow the "Gaudi buildings" link below for a full section describing all of Gaudi's main buildings and works in Barcelona city.
For more details and some photos see our Gaudi buildings page.
Barcelona sightseeing tours and excursions
One of the best ways to see Barcelona is by taking an organized tour or excursion and there are a great many companies that offer these guided trips around the city, or a specific part or theme of it.
For more details and some photos see our Barcelona sightseeing tours page.
l'Aquarium
l'Aquarium" is Europes largest aquarium visitor centre and you find it next to the Mare Magnum building in the popular and tourist frequented shore side district of Port Vell (at the end of las Ramblas).
For more details and some photos see our l'Aquarium page.
Passeig de Garcia
Although las Ramblas is probably the most famous street in Barcelona, the Passeig de Garcia is the avenue with the best buildings, boutiques, restaurants and cafes - although it should be added that.......
For more details and some photos see our Passeig de Garcia page.
Water parks in Barcelona
Barcelona city does not have its own water park, but a relatively short bus journey will take you to a number of water theme parks a little way down the coast. Here are some summaries of some of them......
For more details and some photos see our Water parks in Barcelona page.
Barcelona Bull Ring
Barcelona has a large bull ring built in 1899 and designed by architect Lluis Domenech Montaner. Plans are currently a foot to redevelop this ring into a shopping and entertainment centre with a British architect rumoured to be involved in the project.
For more details and some photos see our Barcelona Bull Ring page.
Barcelona museum of erotica
This is something for those looking for a break from culture, history, beaches and gastronomy. It is educational, interesting and for many very amusing.
For more details and some photos see our Barcelona museum of erotica page.
Shopping in Barcelona
Every visitor to Barcelona spends some time looking through store windows, so here is a guide to a few of the popular stores and boutiques and some advice on refunds.
For more details see our Shopping in Barcelona page.
Hen and stag breaks in Barcelona
With cheap flights, masses of entertainment and night life, Barcelona makes a perfect hen or stag escape
For more details see our Stag and Hen weekend page.
Sitges
A quaint town and pretty beach resort just 30 minutes from Barcelona.
For more details see our Sitges page.
Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys
The venue of the 1992 Olympic Games and many subsequent major sports and athletics events. See this page for more information Olympic Stadium.
Christmas in Barcelona can make a different holiday break at this festive time of year
see this link for more Christmas