Barcelona needs little introduction: the Sagrada Família, the Gothic Quarter, Park Güell, beaches within the city, and a food scene that runs from market counters to experimental tasting menus.
It is also a hard city to find a flat in. Rents rose sharply after 2020 and the city has set strict limits on tourist apartments, aiming to end licensed holiday flats by 2028.
Climate: Mild winters (around 14 °C by day in January), warm and humid summers.
Visiting Barcelona
How long: 3 to 4 days
Don’t miss
- Sagrada Família (book timed tickets)
- Gothic Quarter and El Born
- Park Güell and Casa Batlló
- Montjuïc and the Fundació Miró
- Boqueria and Sant Antoni markets
- Bunkers del Carmel viewpoint
What to eat
- Pa amb tomàquet
- Bombas in Barceloneta
- Seafood rice (arròs negre)
- Vermouth on Sunday at noon
- Crema catalana
Classic places to eat
- La Boqueria: Market counters for breakfast and seafood. The famous market on La Rambla. Go early, before the crowds, and eat at a counter bar.
- El Xampanyet: Cava and anchovies. A tiled bar in El Born open since 1929, usually packed.
- Can Culleretes: Catalan home cooking. Open since 1786 in the Gothic Quarter, one of the oldest restaurants in the city.
Tip: Pickpocketing is common on the metro and Las Ramblas: keep phones out of back pockets and bags closed.
Plan a visit
Things to do in Barcelona Where to stay
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A perfect first day
- Morning: the Sagrada Família with a timed ticket, then Gaudí’s Casa Batlló or Casa Milà on Passeig de Gràcia.
- Afternoon: lunch at the Boqueria or in the Born, then the Gothic Quarter’s lanes.
- Evening: sunset at Barceloneta beach or the Bunkers del Carmel viewpoint.
Easy day trips
Where to stay as a visitor
For central, grid-street calm.
For squares and a village feel.
For being in the middle of everything.
More of Barcelona
Fiestas
Living in Barcelona
Best for: Professionals with international jobs, creatives and families who want a big Mediterranean city.
Neighbourhoods and areas
Village feel, squares, independent shops; popular and pricey.
Grid of grand blocks, central, practical.
Tech district near the beach, newer flats.
Upper, quieter, near international schools.
Market neighbourhood with cafés, younger crowd.
Pros
- Huge range of jobs and culture
- Beaches in the city
- Excellent public transport
- Very international
Cons
- High rents and competition for flats
- Tourist crowds
- Petty theft
Cost tiers compare places within Spain (€ = among the cheapest, €€€€ = among the most expensive). Rents change quickly: check current listings for the exact area before you decide.
Thinking of moving?
Get your personal paperwork list for visas, NIE, padrón and more.
Frequently asked questions
How many days do you need in Barcelona?
3 to 4 days is enough for the main sights: sagrada família (book timed tickets), gothic quarter and el born, park güell and casa batlló. Pickpocketing is common on the metro and Las Ramblas: keep phones out of back pockets and bags closed.
Is Barcelona expensive to live in?
On our scale it is very high (€€€€). It is among the most expensive places in Spain, mostly because of housing.
How do I get to Barcelona?
By air: Barcelona El Prat (BCN), 25 to 35 minutes by train, metro or bus. By rail: AVE to Madrid in about 2h30 to 3h; Paris about 6h30.
Have you been to Barcelona?
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