The Cathedral of the Holy Cross and Saint Eulalia – the cathedral of Barcelona, founded in the 13th century, a masterpiece of Gothic architecture. The cathedral was under construction for 6 centuries. The building of the church was erected on the site of an early Christian church destroyed by Al-Mansur. Only the baptistery has survived from the ancient structure. The main facade and bell tower were completed in the late 19th century in the Neo-Gothic style. The interior of the cathedral is very impressive, from the magnificent choir and pulpit to the crypt where the remains of Saint Eulalia rest.
Santa Maria del Pi – a beautiful 14th-century Gothic basilica. Its ribbed ceiling is one of the highest in Spain, and its four stained glass windows are original works by Josep Rovira. The cathedral features a tall 54-meter tower, which is the tallest medieval structure in the Old Town.
City Hall – located on Plaça de Sant Jaume, founded in the 14th century. It stands on the site of the ancient Roman Forum. The City Hall has a Neoclassical facade, concealing its Gothic past.
Barchino – a sculpture composition of 7 giant letters located opposite the Roman wall. It depicts the ancient name of the capital of Catalonia.
Church of San Felipe Neri – a small religious building hidden in a small square with a romantic atmosphere.
Roman Wall and Ancient Aqueduct (Casa de l’Ardiaca) – adjacent to Plaça Nova. It housed the residence of the church diocese since the 12th century.
Sant Just i Pastor – considered the oldest church in Barcelona. It was founded in the 9th century after the Frankish conquest. Unfortunately, very little remains of the Romanesque and Gothic church.
Ramón Berenguer el Gran Square and Laietana Street – a section of the Roman wall with the Gothic chapel of Santa Agata. This area represents a majestic blend of two different eras: Roman and medieval. The city’s fortifications originally had 74 towers and were 16 meters high. The Royal Chapel of Santa Agata was built in the 14th century.
Plaça del Rei – one of the most charming squares in Barcelona, a true ensemble of Gothic architecture. It houses the majestic Royal Palace, which was the residence of Catalonia’s rulers from the 13th to the 15th century, and the King Marti Watchtower.
La Rambla – a famous pedestrian boulevard that divides the historic center into two parts. It’s the liveliest street in Barcelona. It was laid out in the 18th century following the contours of the medieval walls. La Rambla is lined with impressive historical buildings, numerous shops, Barcelona’s grandest theater, and the impressive Boqueria Market.
La Ribera – a charming district favored by the bohemian crowd. In the past, the wealthiest residents of Barcelona lived here. Nowadays, it’s home to museums, art galleries, restaurants, and wine bars.
Port Vell – a medieval shipyard and port. It’s the starting point for leisure boats. The red brick Palau de Mar building houses one of Barcelona’s most interesting museums – the Museum of Catalan History.
Parc de la Ciutadella – built in the 19th century on the site of a military fortress for the World Exhibition.
Sagrada Família (Basilica of the Holy Family) – a symbol of Barcelona and Gaudi’s masterpiece, an impressive basilica and one of the most unusual churches in Europe. It’s included in the UNESCO World Heritage List. It’s one of the most famous ongoing construction projects in Europe. The church was started by Gaudi in the late 19th century but remains unfinished to this day.
Located in the northern part of Barcelona in the Eixample district, Sagrada Família is a magnificent example of surrealistic architecture in the Art Nouveau style. Gaudi didn’t have a clear idea or project when he started its construction. He altered the basilica’s appearance during the process. The renowned Catalan architect planned to finish the work within 10-15 years.
Park Güell – another hallmark of Barcelona. This cheerful and colorful park was created by Gaudi and is included in the UNESCO World Heritage List. Viaducts, caves, a colonnaded hall, winding staircases, and other charming spots are scattered throughout the space. These creative structures are adorned with colorful ceramic fragments. The park’s terrace offers a beautiful view of the city and the sea. Gaudi himself greatly cherished this area. His house was also located here.
Casa Milà (La Pedrera) – an avant-garde residential building in the Eixample district, built in the early 20th century. It’s Gaudi’s most famous secular building and is included in the UNESCO World Heritage List. Every line of the facade of this amazing building made of natural stone is curved, with rounded windows and metal balconies that twist in the shape of plants. Even the roof has a wavy shape, adorned with decorative chimneys.
Casa Batlló – another Gaudi masterpiece and one of the most beautiful buildings in Barcelona. It’s a remarkable example of Modernisme architecture and is included in the UNESCO World Heritage List. This fantastic mansion was designed as a private residence for the prominent textile manufacturer Josep Batlló. With freely sweeping forms and a decorative facade, this fairy-tale building looks like a castle from a surrealistic story. Most details of its design deviate from any architectural trends.
Montjuïc – a hill near the port with Barcelona’s largest park – Tibidabo, and an old Jewish cemetery. The beautiful palace houses the National Art Museum of Catalonia with art collections from the 10th to the 20th century.
Monestir de Pedralbes – a 14th-century monastery, a splendid example of Catalan Gothic architecture. It’s located in a picturesque small park. The monastery museum hosts a magnificent collection of medieval art from the 14th century.
Camp Nou – one of the greatest football stadiums in the world, the home ground of FC Barcelona.