Barcelona city guide: What to do and where to stay in the Catalonian capital
With the imminent opening of Sagrada Família, there’s never been a better time to visit one of Spain’s most historic cities
It’s proving to be a big year for Barcelona. The city is about to celebrate the long-awaited opening of the Sagrada Família, soon-to-be the largest catholic church in the world, and has been officially named UNESCO World Capital of Architecture 2026, in recognition of the city’s historic global influence in architecture, urban design and culture. Throughout the year, Barcelona will host a series of celebrations marking its architectural heritage and creative spirit – so there’s never been a better time to visit the sun-drenched city.
Having originated as the Roman colony Barcino in the 1st century BC, it evolved from a medieval maritime power to a 19th-century industrial hub for textiles and the Catalan cotton industry, before transforming into the cosmopolitan city we know and love today. From electrifying festivals and landmark contemporary art exhibitions to world-class opera and a high concentration of UNESCO sites by Modernisme’s founding father, Antoni Gaudí, the city offers a vibrant escape – with plenty of sun, sea and sangria to boot. Discover our city guide to the best of Barcelona below.
The hotels: Serras Barcelona and El Palace Barcelona
Serras Barcelona
Serras Barcelona
Tucked away in Barcelona’s Gothic Quarter and flanked by a striking 19th-century façade, Serras Barcelona blends historic charm with modern minimalism. Its art-led interiors nod to the building’s former life as Picasso’s studio, featuring geometric patterns and abstract art across 26 rooms and two suites. Overlooking Port Vell, the five-star boutique hotel also offers a rooftop pool and lounger-fringed terrace, which also doubles as a sundowner spot for yacht-watching with a cocktail in hand.
The restaurants at Serras Barcelona certainly live up to the city’s gastronomic reputation, ranging from fine-dining fare at Michelin-starred Agreste Mar, where chef Fabio Gambirasi blends Italian and Catalan cuisine to create stand-out menus. Elsewhere, the Informal Restaurant is exactly what its name suggests and serves casual cocktails and tapas, and it’s worth noting you can also order buckets of fresh oysters and champagne to the rooftop terrace, too. For those bargain hunters among us, make sure you sign up to the I Prefer Hotel Rewards programme. Every stay at participating hotels earns points to use towards future travel and access to benefits such as discounted nights and complimentary upgrades – simply click here to sign up for free.
From £295 per night.
El Palace Barcelona
Those looking to experience the height of Catalonian luxury should book El Palace Barcelona. Formerly known as the Ritz of Barcelona, and having first opened its doors in 1919, the city’s first five-star luxury hotel has been part of many significant moments in the city’s history, from hosting Rolling Stone guitarist, Ronnie Wood, who was also actively involved in designing his eponymous suite, to Salvador Dalí who stayed for extended periods.
Its 120 rooms and suites are designed with the hotel’s characteristic neoclassical-inspired style, while each of the six exclusive Art Suites is inspired by an artistic discipline, including painting, dance, architecture, literature, sculpture and music. Head to the expansive rooftop garden with its pool and panoramic views to make the most of the Spanish sun, before sundowners at the Bluesman Cocktail Bar with live music, as well as dining at Amar Barcelona, run by esteemed chef Rafa Zafra.
From £335 per night.
The sights: Sagrada Família, Park Güell, Barceloneta Beach and Las Ramblas
Inside Sagrada Família. Image: Shutterstock/Elysionns
Image: Shutterstock/Dennis MacDonald
In June 2026, Barcelona will witness a historic milestone as the main structural work of the Sagrada Família, including its iconic towers, is finally completed making it the tallest church in the world. One of the most recognisable landmarks in Europe, it has been 140 years in the making, initially envisioned by artist and architect Antoni Gaudí, who saw less than a quarter built before he died in 1926. Progress has been slow due to the project having to rely solely on donations, despite being part of the Catholic church, and because a fire during the Spanish Civil War in 1936 destroyed Gaudí's workshop and therefore his plans for the church. It took decades for architects to piece together his vision.
In 2014, it was declared the church would be finished by the centenary of Gaudí’s death in 2026, but some decorative elements, sculptures, and a controversial stairway (which would see the demolition of two city blocks) won’t be open until at least 2034. However, to commemorate the milestone opening, Barcelona will host Gaudí Centennial 2026 on 10 June with a special mass inside the Sagrada Família’s newly completed central tower. This centenary makes 2026 a powerful moment to celebrate Gaudí’s legacy, from the Sagrada Família to his other iconic works across the city, including Casa Batlló, Casa Vicens, and Park Güell.
The latter is also a sight to behold. A UNESCO World Heritage Site and deemed one of Gaudí’s greatest works, the vast and manicured park features architectural masterpieces, mosaic terraces and panoramic views of the city. It is open year-round and visitors are recommended to spend at least two hours getting lost in Gaudí’s world before heading to Barceloneta Beach. As one of Barcelona’s most popular beaches, it is located in the fishing district and, as a result, the laidback restaurants here specialise in seafood tapas. Stretching approximately three miles, saunter along to witness beach volleyball competitions, discover plenty of sunbathing spots, and more bars than you can shake a cobbler at.
Finally, Las Ramblas is a famous tree-lined boulevard in the heart of Barcelona that is fringed by street performances, food stalls and plenty of the city’s main attractions. Refuel at the famous La Boqueria market, where you can dine on fresh tapas, before enjoying a sweep of cultural sights, such as Miro's mosaic, Plaça Reial and Columbus Monument.
The restaurants: Bar Nuri, Caelis and Disfrutar
Images: Bar Nuri
Much is said about over-tourism in Barcelona, but stay away from the chains to discover the city’s plethora of gastronomic gems and local restaurants. For classic tapas, head to Bar Nuri in the heart of Poblenou. Dating back to 1962, it began its life when Nuri, together with her husband Jordi, opened their first neighbourhood tapas bar having learned how to cook from her mother and grandmother. Their legacy lives on in Bar Nuri which, six decades and three generations later, was reopened in 2022 by Nuri’s family to celebrate traditional, honest cuisine. Expect plates of Iberian ham croquettes, grilled mussels with garlic and parsley, and meat cannelloni.
If you’re looking for fine-dining fare, you’re in luck. Barcelona is home to roughly 30 Michelin-starred restaurants across the Eixample, Sant Antoni, and Sant Gervasi-Galvany neighbourhoods, ranging from the sleek and modern Caelis to the three-star Disfrutar. The former is helmed by chef Romain Fornell and offers three tasting menus as well as an a la carte selection, featuring Palamós red prawns in bouillabaisse, and pâté en croûte with duck, pistachio and ceps in vinegar.
Images: Disfrutar
Elsewhere, Disfrutar, meaning joy in Spanish, is the brainchild of El Bulli (the now-closed three Michelin-starred Barcelona restaurant that was once deemed the best in the world) protégés Mateu Casañas, Oriol Castro and Eduard Xatruch, who have carried on the starry touch to achieve three stars. A tasting menu here will set you back €315, but if you’re looking to try some of the most acclaimed food in Europe, it’s well worth it.
The culture: Palau de la Música Catalana, Museu d'Art Contemporani de Barcelona, Moco Museum and Primavera Sound Barcelona
Rather unsurprisingly given its history, there’s plenty to entertain culture vultures in Barcelona. The city's reputation for musical excellence shines in 2026 at the iconic and storied concert hall, Palau de la Música Catalana. On 28 April 2026, an Opera Arias Concert featuring internationally renowned soprano Sondra Radvanovsky and tenor Anthony Manoli promises one of the season’s most high-profile vocal evenings. For those seeking something a little different, the Palau’s celebrated Symphonic Pop-Rock Concert takes place on 12 April, offering orchestral renditions of classic hits from legendary bands, including Queen, The Beatles, Pink Floyd, Bruce Springsteen and Abba.
This year also marks the 30th anniversary of Museu d'Art Contemporani de Barcelona (MACBA). To celebrate, the museum has conceived a special anniversary programme of exhibitions and events running throughout the year, reflecting three decades of bold contemporary programming in the heart of El Raval. At Moco Museum Barcelona, new works by the elusive street artist Banksy are now on view, adding another compelling reason for art enthusiasts to visit a gallery that regularly hosts works by Warhol and Dalí, alongside rising and boundary-pushing talents.
From 3-7 June 2026, the internationally acclaimed Primavera Sound Barcelona returns, drawing global audiences for five days of cutting-edge music. Known for its genre-spanning line-ups and seaside setting, Primavera Sound has become one of Europe’s most influential festivals. Headline acts for this summer include Doja Cat, The Cure, Addison Rae, Skrillex, Gorillaz, and more.
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