Best Tours in Barcelona
Enjoy self-guided audio tours with included attraction tickets in one appTop sights in Barcelona
All self-guided activities
Give the sands of time a shake, and travel back to the glory days of ancient Egypt on a self-guided expedition around the Egyptian Museum of Barcelona. Marvel at age-old artifacts, mummies, cursed tombs, sculptures, jewelry, weapons, and statues of ancient gods, while a captivating audio guide takes your imagination time-traveling 5,000 years into the past, placing each item in its historical context in fascinating detail.
A perfect activity for friends, family, and art lovers of all ages, the MEAM lets visitors discover a type of contemporary art that's difficult to find in other museums. Located in El Born, wander through the historic streets in the center of Barcelona and discover this artistic oasis where you can recharge yourself and see some spectacular works of art.
Uncover Picasso's sexier side with samples of the artist's raunchier works inspired by the female form, and admire reproductions of some of history's more graphic works – from _shunga_ to classical pieces by Goya and Velázquez. From classical to kinky, find out more about sadomasochism and bondage, and see the 'Chair of Pleasure' with its shackles and accessories. Alongside exhibitions and art, there are also tons of fascinating facts about some of the world's sexual record breakers.
With more than 70 amazing exhibitions inspired by paradoxes, Paradox Museum Barcelona combines the world of science, art and human perception, bringing us one of the most innovative spaces in the entire city! This is a great place to take anyone who thinks they've seen it all - nothing makes sense here, and yet everything is totally real. From holographic images and Ames rooms to impossible objects and gravity-defying sculptures, the Paradox Museum is an immersive and mind-bending experience! You'll come away with photos and videos so spectacular that no one will believe they're not made up.
Experience Barcelona like never before with Montjuïc Cable Car tickets! This exciting journey will take you on a scenic 750-meter ride from Parc de Montjuic to the top of Montjuïc Hill. Along the way, you'll enjoy breathtaking panoramic views of the city and its surroundings, making for a truly unforgettable experience. Mount Montjuïc has a special significance for the city of Barcelona. With an elevation of 173 meters, it is slightly higher than any building constructed in the city. Even Gaudi’s Sagrada Familia will stay just below this. The hill is a home for several famous museums including Museu Nacional d'Art de Catalunya and Fundació Joan Miró. Taking a cable car, you will arrive at the stunning Castell de Montjuïc, the famous 17th-century fortress and former prison. From here, you can spot famous landmarks like the Sagrada Familia and Torre Glòries, as well as take in the beautiful harbor views and start your exploration of Montjuïc highlights.
Discover the highlights of the Picasso Museum in Barcelona and the charming El Born neighbourhood with this self-guided audio tour, which includes an entrance ticket. The museum hosts the world’s most complete collection of his early works, offering a rare perspective on the artist’s formation. Trace Picasso’s evolution from earnest, realistic canvases created at just 15 years old to the poetic beauty of the Blue and Rose Periods, and finally to the radiant freedom of his later masterpieces. PLEASE NOTE! The tour covers the main exhibition only and does not include narration for temporary displays. It is not affiliated with the Picasso Museum but created independently. The ticket is included for your convenience at no extra cost. After immersing yourself in Picasso’s world, the tour continues through El Born, one of Barcelona’s most artistic neighbourhoods, where the painter lived and worked. Visit the magnificent Santa Maria del Mar Basilica, stroll along the vibrant Passeig del Born, and explore the El Born Centre de Cultura i Memòria with its fascinating archaeological site. Relax in the leafy Parc de la Ciutadella by the Cascade Fountain, then end with a look at the spectacular Palau de la Música, a jewel of Catalan Art Nouveau. Explore the treasures of the Picasso Museum and the lively streets of El Born at your own pace!
Everyone has a Sagrada selfie from Barcelona – but not everyone has a T-Rex selfie! Add some spicy photos to your Barcelona itinerary at the Museum of Illusions, and strike a pose next to some of the quirkiest backdrops in town. From famous paintings to UFO abductions, and world-leader toilet humor, this fun attraction will give you some truly unique snaps. Speaking of fun attractions, you can double up with access to the Big Fun Museum, where even more wacky shenanigans await.
One of Spain's most important 20th-century artists, Tàpies was known for his experimental style and mixed media pieces that brought non-artistic materials into his paintings. The Tàpies Museum, set up by Tàpies himself, not only houses an array of his work but also hosts up-and-comers in the art scene. It features an ever-changing display. You can also enjoy the beauty of the Modernista building itself – the first of its kind in Barcelona. It was designed by master architect Lluís Domènech.
Strum your way into the Rock Museum Barcelona - Guitar Legends Hall, a 1200 m2 odyssey through rock history. The journey kicks off in an old blues bar setting, symbolic of rock's roots, then escalates to stadium shows, a nostalgic 1960s TV studio, and a lively festival meadow designed to immerse visitors in the world of rock. Become a part of the melody as vintage jukeboxes spring to life at your touch, interactive record stores allow you to sample iconic tracks, and screens connect you with immersive music videos. Stand before the legendary guitars that shaped the sound of generations and take the chance to showcase your own rock talent by strumming on real guitars. Watch as the legendary icons materialize before you appearing as life-like holograms to perform the rock concert of your wildest dreams!
The Sagrada Família wasn't the only thing Gaudí didn't finish. There are other works that never got to see the light of day. In this exciting exhibition you'll learn all about them - plus dive into a 4D experience. The Gaudí Experience is a thrilling introduction to his ideas, his designs, and his architectural masterpieces.
Cities in Spain
About Barcelona
The best walking tours to do in Barcelona are:
- Barcelona: Fundació Joan Miró Skip The Line Ticket and an Audio Tour of Montjuïc Park
- Mini Walking Tour of Barcelona: Legends and Hidden Gems of Historic Downtown
- Barcelona: Poble Espanyol Ticket and City Discovery Audio Tour
- Barcelona: Aquarium Ticket and a Self-Guided Audio Walk Through the City
- Barcelona: Zoo Skip The Line Ticket & Self-Guided City Walk
The must-see attractions in Barcelona for a first visit are:
The best tours in Barcelona are:
- Barcelona's Architectural Marvels with Güell Palace Ticket
- Barcelona: Picasso Museum Ticket & Audio Tour with El Born Walk
- Barcelona: Montjuic Entry & Cable Car Audio Tour
- Barcelona: Fundació Joan Miró Skip The Line Ticket and an Audio Tour of Montjuïc Park
- Barcelona: Casa Mila Skip-the-Line Access Ticket & Audio Guide-Quizz
The best tours to do in Barcelona with kids are:
The best indoor tours in Barcelona for rainy days are:
- Barcelona's Architectural Marvels with Güell Palace Ticket
- Barcelona: Picasso Museum Ticket & Audio Tour with El Born Walk
- Barcelona: Montjuic Entry & Cable Car Audio Tour
- Barcelona: Fundació Joan Miró Skip The Line Ticket and an Audio Tour of Montjuïc Park
- Barcelona: Casa Mila Skip-the-Line Access Ticket & Audio Guide-Quizz
Insider tips for visiting Barcelona
Sergio Clementini is a local guide who has been publishing tours since 2020 for your discovery of hidden gems and local specialities of Barcelona on their personal guide page (view profile). Explore their expert tips planning trip to Barcelona.
When I’m in Barcelona, I always balance the big sights with the city’s quieter corners. For classic attractions in Barcelona, I’d start early at Santa Maria del Mar in El Born, then wander through the old traders’ streets before the crowds build. If friends ask me what to see in Barcelona beyond Gaudí, I send them to the Bunkers del Carmel at sunset and to the gardens around Palau de Pedralbes for a calmer afternoon. I also love joining small tours in Barcelona focused on local markets—Sant Antoni is my favorite for vermouth and people-watching. Barcelona feels richest when you slow down between neighborhoods.
I recommend at least 3 full days, though 4 or 5 lets Barcelona breathe. In my travel guide Barcelona notes, I usually suggest one day for the Gothic Quarter and El Born, one for Gaudí and Gràcia, and another for the beach side from Barceloneta to Poblenou. When I visit Barcelona, I like having extra time for the slower rituals locals enjoy: a morning coffee at Sant Antoni, sunset on the Carretera de les Aigües, or a long lunch in Poble-sec. If you want to really visit Barcelona rather than rush through the main things to do in Barcelona, stay long enough to move neighborhood by neighborhood.
When I visit Barcelona for a night out, I usually choose by mood rather than chasing one “best” area. For late tapas and packed bars, I go to Poble-sec around Carrer de Blai, where locals drift between vermouth spots before heading uphill. If I want something more stylish, El Born works well, especially the lanes near Passeig del Born. In any travel guide Barcelona section on nightlife, I’d also mention Gràcia for smaller plazas and a more neighborhood feel. If you plan to visit Barcelona and want nightlife woven into real local life, those are the corners I’d pick over the flashier beachfront clubs.
I usually recommend spending a relaxed morning in Parc de la Ciutadella, because it combines some of the easiest things to do in Barcelona with space for kids to actually enjoy themselves. Families can row little boats on the lake, watch street musicians near the cascade fountain, and then walk over to the beach if energy allows. When friends ask me what to see in Barcelona with children, I often pair the park with the nearby Chocolate Museum in El Born. Among the classic attractions in Barcelona, this area feels least stressful. Even compared with many tours in Barcelona, it gives families more freedom to move at their own pace.
When friends ask me about lesser-known attractions in Barcelona, I usually send them to places that locals fold into everyday life. I love the gardens of Laribal on Montjuïc, especially the shady stairways and fountains above the city, and the tiny Plaça de Sant Felip Neri in the Gothic Quarter, where the Civil War scars are still visible on the church walls. If you’re wondering what to see in Barcelona beyond the obvious, the old book market under Mercat de Sant Antoni on Sundays is a favorite of mine. Even among themed tours in Barcelona, these corners feel more intimate. Barcelona reveals itself best in these quieter layers.
In my travel guide Barcelona notes, I usually steer people toward late April to early June or September into mid-October. That’s when Barcelona feels most comfortable for long walks through Gràcia, market mornings in Sant Antoni, and sunset views from the Bunkers without the heavy summer heat. When I visit Barcelona in August, I notice how many locals leave the city and some neighborhood spots close, even if the beach stays lively. If you want to visit Barcelona for food, architecture, and slower evenings outdoors, those shoulder-season weeks are ideal for fitting in many of the best things to do in Barcelona without feeling squeezed by crowds.
When I visit Barcelona for food, I split my time between Sant Antoni, Poble-sec, and Gràcia. Sant Antoni is where I go for market energy, good coffee, and modern Catalan spots that still feel rooted in the neighborhood. In Poble-sec, I like the side streets off Carrer de Blai, where locals move from vermouth to small plates before dinner. Gràcia is my pick when I want slower evenings and places filled with Barcelona residents rather than passing crowds. In any travel guide Barcelona chapter on eating well, I’d include these areas first. If you visit Barcelona to taste the city properly, these are some of the most rewarding things to do in Barcelona.
When I’m helping someone narrow down the most popular things to do in Barcelona, I usually point them toward experiences that truly shape the city: seeing the Sagrada Família in the morning light, walking the Modernist stretch of Passeig de Gràcia, and getting lost in the Gothic Quarter’s medieval lanes. For what to see in Barcelona beyond architecture, I’d add a market stop at La Boqueria early in the day and a sunset walk along the seafront from Barceloneta toward Port Olímpic. Many tours in Barcelona revolve around these same areas because they hold the classic attractions in Barcelona, but timing matters if you want Barcelona at its best.