Top Rated Attractions in Barcelona

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, 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.

An eye-catching fixture of downtown Barcelona, the Palau de la Música Catalana boasts a striking modernist design. It was built in the early-20th century by architect Lluís Domènech i Montaner, who designed the now-iconic exterior to feature intricate carvings, red brick arches, and exquisite Spanish and Arabic architectural details. Inside, the concert hall is even more breathtaking with its gold accents, floral patterns, and exceptional stained-glass elements. Visitors to the Palau de la Música Catalana will be awed by the kaleidoscopic skylight whether they take in a show or simply tour this breathtaking UNESCO World Heritage Site. In the past, the Palau de la Música Catalana has hosted such quality performers as Ella Fitzgerald, Paco de Lucía, Woody Allen, Ángel Corella, and Duke Ellington.

Featuring an air of striking regality that can be attributed to its historic dull rose facade, the Gran Teatre del Liceu is a longstanding symbol of Barcelona's prized culture. Perhaps the most important theater in Barcelona, the Gran Teatre del Liceu was built in 1847 as a venue for opera performances. The original building showcased a modern aesthetic designed by architects Miquel Garriga i Roca and Josep Oriol Mestres, and while the theater was rebuilt after a fire in 1994, a handful of cherished artifacts from the first structure remain. The main façade, the Hall of Mirrors, and staircase notably represent the historic Gran Teatre del Liceu as it was originally conceived. As important as ever, the new theater stays true to its roots by staging an exciting program of operas, concerts, and ballets performed by some of the most reputable companies in the world. It even houses a symphony orchestra and choir that perform throughout the year. With 2,292 seats, the Gran Teatre del Liceu is certainly grand, and it has one of the largest opera auditoriums in Europe.

Teatre Lliure belongs to the Union of European Theatres. It has its own resident theater company and a chamber orchestra, which plays jazz, classical chamber music and contemporary music. State-of-the-art technology allows the stage and the seating arrangements to be transformed from one performance to another. The program features theater, musical concerts and dance, specializing in experimental theater productions.

Barcelona with the students and the tourists has scores of nightclubs, pubs and bars that rock the night life. Harlem Jazz Club is one such place that attracts one and all. The locals frequent this place to enjoy the melange of music. Be it professional or an amateur, the crowd enthusiastically cheers the artists. Jazz, funk and blues groups, the variety of the genres of music played here is amazing. Though a very modest club, the extra-ordinary performances rock the house.

Architect Ricard Boffil designed the Teatre Nacional de Catalunya , the largest theater in the region, it was completed in 1997. The aim was to create a permanent public theater with a resident company. Nowadays, you can come and see performances by prestigious foreign and national companies, productions by the resident company and collaborations between resident and visiting companies. In addition, you can attend regular play-reading sessions. The institution organizes competitions and awards grants to new and up-and-coming playwrights to assist their development. There are three auditoriums equipped with state-of-the-art technology. The film library is open to the public and there's a spacious restaurant too. It is attractively situated beside the L' Auditori.