Aquarium de Barcelona

The sharks are the stars at this Mediterranean-themed aquarium, but you'll be able to see almost all different kinds of marine species here. The aquarium is situated at the end of Las Ramblas and is very close to the city centre. When here, make sure not to miss the tunnel where you can spot stingrays, sharks and many kinds of fish swimming around and above you.

• Web:

  www.aquariumbcn.com/en

• E-mail:

  info@aquariumbcn.com

• Address:

  Moll d’Espanya del Port Vell, Barcelona

• Phone:

  +34 932 21 74 74

• Opening hours:

  Mon–Fri 10am–7pm, Sat & Sun 10am–8pm

Barcelona City Tour Hop-On Hop-Off

Hop on the Barcelona City Tour Bus and discover all the highlights that make this Mediterranean city so special. From the modernist buildings and the great cuisine to the Olympic city and the Mediterranean sea: it's all Barcelona! The air-conditioned double-decker open coaches travel all around the city, stopping at the most famous attractions including the Sagrada Familia and the Arc du Triomf. There is a multilingual audio guide system and individual headphones as well as free Wi-Fi onboard. Hop on or off wherever you choose from one route to another. Because it can be very busy at the ticket offices, buy your ticket online now and hop on at the location of your choice!

Barcelona Museum of Contemporary Art – MACBA

Escape the hustle and bustle of Barcelona and check out the fascinating MACBA - a museum of contemporary art featuring Spanish and Catalonian art from the 20th century. It's a must-see for anyone interested in local art and culture, as well as international works on display in rotating exhibitions.

• Web:

  www.macba.cat/en

• E-mail:

  macba@macba.cat

• Address:

  Plaça dels Àngels 1, Barcelona

• Phone:

  +34 934 12 08 10

• Opening hours:

  Mon & Wed–Fri 11am–7:30pm; Sat 10am–8pm; Sun 10am–3pm

Barcelona Segway Tour

Are you ready for an adventure to remember for a lifetime? Go on a private Segway tour of Barcelona and explore the beautiful city in style. Never tried a Segway? Don't worry, it is as safe and easy as walking!

Barcelona Zoo

In the beautiful Parc de la Ciutadella, you'll find this well-maintained zoo with over 7,000 animals representing 400 different species. Spend a perfect day here with your family and see up close lions, leopards, hippopotami, red pandas, and gorillas – just to mention a few.

• Web:

  www.zoobarcelona.cat/en

• E-mail:

  zoobarcelona@bsmsa.cat

• Address:

  Parc de la Ciutadella, Barcelona

• Phone:

  +34 937 06 56 56

• Opening hours:

  Mon–Fri 10am–4:30pm, Sat & Sun 10am–5:30pm

Beaches: Barceloneta, Mar Bella & Bogatell

Two of Barcelona's most popular beaches, Mar Bella & Bogatell are just a few minutes apart. Mar Bella is a naturist and gay-friendly beach, while Bogatell is known for volleyball and sunbathing. Both are located within walking distance of trendy bars and restaurants. However, the most popular beach in Barcelona is Barceloneta, mainly for its proximity to the city centre. Visited by tourists and locals, particularly as an after-work spot, Barceloneta Beach stretches from the Hotel Vela on the harbour-side for around 2 kilometres up to the Hotel Arts on the Puerto Olimpíco. Between these two landmarks, the fine sands and the beach promenade are particularly inviting for cyclists, joggers, and inline skaters.

Basilica de Santa Maria del Mar

One of Barcelona's most beautiful churches is probably the best existing example of Catalonian Gothic, with a cleaner style than what is normally associated with Gothic architecture. Construction of the Basilica of Santa Maria del Mar began in 1329 and finished in 1383, a record time considering this type of construction. The church has an incredible feeling of spaciousness and weightlessness emphasized by slender pillars and very sparsely decorated chapels. Three naves of the same height, supported by very tall pillars, are the main features of the structure. The splendid rose window on the main façade allows for the illumination of the church together with the beautiful stained glass windows.

• Address:

  Plaça de Santa Maria 1, Barcelona

• Phone:

  +34 933 10 23 90

• Opening hours:

  Mon–Sat 9am–1pm / 5pm–8:30pm, Sun 10am–2pm / 5pm–8pm

• More info:

  Near the Picasso Museum

Casa Batlló

Once Gaudi got his hands on this previously unremarkable building in Passeig de Gràcia, it was never to be simply passed by again. Fascinatingly idiosyncratic and almost beast-like on the outside, it continues to amaze from within, with twisted lines and elements that could only be thought up by the genius of Gaudi.

• Web:

  www.casabatllo.es/en

• E-mail:

  info@casabatllo.cat

• Address:

  Passeig de Gràcia 43, Barcelona

• Phone:

  +34 932 16 03 06

• Opening hours:

  Daily 9am–8pm

Casa Milà — La Pedrera

Built between 1906 and 1912, Casa Milà, commonly known as La Pedrera ("The stone quarry") is a modernist building in Passeig de Gràcia and the last private residence designed by Catalan architect Antoni Gaudí. Its interior is even more striking than its wrought-iron, stone-carved facade, especially the rooms displaying where people actually lived. So get inside Casa Milà to discover another one of Gaudí's unconventional architectural creations.

• Web:

  www.lapedrera.com/en

• E-mail:

  web@fcatalunyalapedrera.com

• Address:

  Passeig de Gràcia 92, Barcelona

• Phone:

  +34 932 14 25 76

• Opening hours:

  Mon–Wed 9am–6:30pm; Thu–Sun 9am–6:30pm / 9pm–11pm

Casa Vicens

The more recent of Gaudí's many projects to be opened to the public is the Casa Vicens. Built between 1883 and 1885 and declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 2005, Casa Vicens was the first house designed by Catalan architect Antoni Gaudí. Situated in the bohemian district of Gràcia, this bold project, commissioned as a summer house, combines elements of nature into a chaotic yet peaceful retreat.

• Web:

  casavicens.org

• E-mail:

  reserves@casavicens.org

• Address:

  Carrer de les Carolines 20-26, Barcelona

• Phone:

  +34 932 71 10 64

• Opening hours:

  Sat–Mon 10am–7pm, Tue 10am–4pm, Wed 10am–7pm, Thu 3pm–7pm, Fri 10am–3pm

Cathedral of Barcelona

The Cathedral of the Holy Cross and Santa Eulàlia, or simply the Barcelona Cathedral, is the Gothic cathedral and seat of the Archbishop of Barcelona. Its construction began in 1298 on the site of an ancient Roman temple and took more than 150 years to be completed. Located in the centre of the historic Gothic Quarter of Barcelona, the cathedral is dedicated to the martyr Santa Eulàlia – the patron saint of Barcelona – who was tortured to death in late Roman times. Her corpse is buried under the main altar. Be sure to climb to the roof for a nice view of the city, and don't forget to visit the serene and beautiful courtyard, which is occupied by thirteen white geese representing the years of Saint Eulalia's life before she was martyred.

• Web:

  www.catedralbcn.org/index.php?lang=en

• E-mail:

  info@catedralbcn.org

• Address:

  Pla de la Seu s/n, Barcelona

• Phone:

  +34 933 15 15 54

• Opening hours:

  Mon–Fri 8am–12:45pm / 1pm–5:30pm / 5:45–7:30pm; Sat 8am–12:45pm / 1pm–5pm / 5:15pm–8pm; Sun 8am–1:45pm / 2pm–5pm / 5:15pm–8pm

• Subway:

  Metro stop: Jaume I

La Sagrada Família

Antoni Gaudi's ambitious project remains, as of today, unfinished, which by no means takes away its massive popularity, receiving nearly 4.5 million visitors every year. The Basílica de la Sagrada Família, or simply La Sagrada Família, is a large unfinished Roman Catholic minor basilica, considered the best example of Modernist architecture. Meticulously crafted to embody the Christian faith through composition, sculpture, and individualistic, offbeat design, this masterpiece is the kind of attraction that has to be experienced to be believed. Guided and audio tours are available in several languages.

• Web:

  sagradafamilia.org/en/home

• E-mail:

  informacio@sagradafamilia.org

• Address:

  Carrer de Mallorca 401, Barcelona

• Phone:

  +34 932 08 04 14

• Opening hours:

  Daily 9am–6pm

• Subway:

  Metro stop: Sagrada Familia, lines 2 and 5