Top Rated Attractions in Barcelona

Towering over the city at 173 meters (570 feet) is this scenic hill overlooking the sea. Montjuïc remained uninhabited until after the Middle Ages despite the fact that the Jewish quarter in Barcelona had already extended to the nearby Miramar area. The first path to the summit opened in 1607, and in 1640, a fortress was built to resist Spanish invasions during the Catalan Revolt. For centuries now, the Montjuïc park area has been a popular place for locals to pick wild herbs during leisure time, as well as an enjoyable attraction for visitors. Please note that while the park is free to visit, Montjuïc Castle charges an admission fee of EUR5 per person.

Barcelona is known for its grand architecture, and this museum is the place to see it all. Poble Espanyol is an open-air museum that was built in 1929 as part of the International Exhibition. It was created as an entire village using architectural styles from all over Spain. Originally, it was supposed to have been torn down after six months, but it has survived much longer than that because of its cultural value. Although no one lives in this village, it is populated during the day by artisans who show visitors how to make handicrafts. A variety of tapestries, ceramics and jewelry can be purchased, or you can learn about the art of glass blowing and hand embroidery. On-site restaurants and cafes complete the experience.

This historic castle is perched atop the Montjuïc hill not far from the Barcelona port. The original structure was built in the mid-17th Century during the Catalan Revolt, at which time armies under King Philip IV sieged much of what is today eastern Spain, though the landmark saw significant expansion and improvement from 1751 to 1779. The building that protects the harbor today has become a symbol of centralist repression and the abolition of Catalan liberties, reminding visitors of Barcelona's complex history. Visitors can reach Montjuïc Castle by cable car and enjoy breathtaking ocean views from its scenic vantage point as well as tours of the landscaped grounds.

El Tablao de Carmen at the Poble Espanyol takes its name from the famous Flamenco dancer Carmen Amaya. The tablao presents nightly shows where passionate artists and Flamenco dancers entertain the crowd with a varied style of singing, dancing and live music. It's like witnessing traditional Spanish art and music in its purest form. With a host of performances that are unique in nature, this serves as a family entertainment center. Tourists can spend the day exploring the Spanish arts town and then head here for a night of fun and marvelous food. However, do not forget to make advance reservations since most of the shows are sold out days ahead.

Architectural icon Antoni Gaudí designed this sprawling park to create harmony among urban and natural landscapes. He began building the park system on Carmen Hill in 1910, creating an eye-catching tapestry of structures, gardens, and public institutions for citizens of and visitors to Barcelona to enjoy. Gaudí finished working on the project in 1914, and although it was never completed, Park Güell stands proudly today as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Experience varied architectural styles in intriguing features like the columns of the Sala de las Cien Columnas, or Hall of the Hundred Column, which support a Romantic-style balcony covered in mosaic tiles.

An impressive sight and the crowning glory of the football community in Spain, Camp Nou is one of the largest stadiums in Europe. Home ground of the beloved FC Barcelona soccer club, known simply as Barça to locals, this spectacular stadium was constructed in 1957 on a separate piece of land when the expansion of the Camp de Les Corts stadium was deemed impossible due to lack of space. The stadium is sometimes referred to as the 'house that Kubala built', in reference to the great Slovak-Hungarian goal scorer who played for Barça through the 1950s. Kubala was so popular with spectators that the stadium was even unable to accommodate the extraordinary masses that flocked to watch him play on more than one occasion. Camp Nou can accommodate more than a whopping 99,000 spectators at a time, and is profoundly iconic for its vibrant bleachers, painted in the club's royal blue and red colors.