Is Barcelona Worth Visiting In 2023? A Personal Guide to the City

If you’re planning a trip to Spain, you might wonder: Is Barcelona worth visiting? After all, major cities tend to be crowded, hectic, and, frankly, can often be somewhat overrated, especially compared to smaller, more authentic towns and villages. 

Fortunately, this isn’t the case at all for Barcelona. I had the privilege of living in the city for over 2 years, and, in my opinion, it’s one of the most exciting places to visit in Spain, if not all of Europe. 

In this article, I’ll recommend how to make the most of a trip to Barcelona. I’ll walk you through the city’s major highlights and let you know some of the lesser-known local options you must check out during your stay here. 

Getting to Know Barcelona: A Brief Overview

Found on Spain’s northeastern coast, Barcelona is, in addition to being the country’s second-largest city, a deeply historic, characterful, and colorful place to both live and visit. Facing the Mediterranean Sea and surrounded by rugged mountains, Barcelona is renowned globally for its thriving arts scene, incredible nightlife, diverse array of museums, and unique, distinctive architecture. 

With a population shy of 2 million, the city is thought to have been founded in the 3rd century BC; Barcelona, as we know it today, was essentially established by the Romans over 2,000 years ago. Now, it’s one of Spain’s most populated and significant metropolitan areas, in addition to being the capital of the autonomous region of Catalunya. 

Barcelona has acquired a status of deep philosophical, political, and historical significance for Catalan and Spanish culture. Home to some of Spain’s most prestigious universities, best-known UNESCO World Heritage Sites, and iconic landmarks and museums, it probably goes without saying that the city has plenty to offer. 

Why Barcelona Is Worth Visiting

One of the main reasons I can confidently recommend visiting Barcelona to just about anybody is because it has so much to offer, no matter what interests you or is passionate about. For instance, history buffs will be at home here, with the Gothic Quarter and castle of Montjuïc being of particular interest. 

If you’re a nature lover, then you’ll have both the beach and the national park of Montserrat on your doorstep. Barcelona’s many landmarks and its eye-catching architecture make the city a great destination for exploring Spanish and Catalan culture; however, if none of the aforementioned appeals, you’ll find that Barcelona happens to be one of Europe’s best destinations for eating out, shopping, nightlife, and entertainment more generally. 

Barcelona’s Architecture: A Unique Charm

As I mentioned above, one of Barcelona’s most distinguishing features is the stunning and highly varied architecture that can be found right across the city. 

The work of the famed architect Antoni Gaudi is of particular significance. He is recognized worldwide for his inspired approach to Modernist building. Gaudi’s major projects, the cathedral of La Sagrada Familia and Park Güell, are two of Barcelona’s best-known landmarks, and both are pretty much a must-see when visiting. 

The historic district of the Gothic Quarter is another of Barcelona’s architectural standouts. At the heart of the city’s old town, the Gothic Quarter is home to several, unsurprisingly, buildings constructed in the neo-Gothic style, including Barcelona Cathedral’s main façade.

The neighborhood also boasts some Roman ruins, such as ancient walls and the remnants of columns that once belonged to a temple.

Exploring History in Barcelona’s Museums

Barcelona has quite a reputation internationally for its selection of museums. At the same time, they vary dramatically in terms of subject matter. There’s a wide variety of world-class exhibitions here, making Barcelona a fantastic destination for culture enthusiasts. 

Art lovers will want to check out the Picasso Museum and the Museu Nacional d’Art de Catalunya, the former of which provides a unique snapshot of the life and work of Pablo Picasso, with the latter being especially noteworthy in that it’s dedicated to celebrating Catalan culture and art. 

Meanwhile, those interested in history are well catered to with the Barcelona History Museum, which outlines the city’s history since the Roman era. While perhaps somewhat niche, the Barcelona Maritime Museum focuses on shipbuilding in Barcelona in the 13th and 18th centuries, is fascinating, and is much less dry than you might expect!

Barcelona’s Cuisine: A Culinary Delight

Even compared to the other major Spanish cities known for producing fantastic food and wine, Barcelona’s food and drink scene stands out for its diversity and the quality of its offerings. 

The city is home to some of Spain’s most highly-regarded restaurants, and the local cuisine deserves plenty of attention, too. Barcelona is especially known for its paella, though many popular tapas dishes are also strongly associated with the region, including croquettes, patatas bravas, escalivada, and gazpacho. 

Barcelona is also home to many fantastic seafood restaurants thanks to its coastal location. And, as the Catalan capital, it’s a great place to sample Catalan cuisine, in addition to the select Spanish staples I mentioned above. 

Vibrant Nightlife in Barcelona

Barcelona is known for being home to some of the best nightlife in almost all of Europe. Whether you’re a fan of hitting up the clubs or enjoying more laid-back, traditional live entertainment, the city is guaranteed to have something to offer you. 

Natural Wonders: Barcelona’s Beaches, Mountains, and Parks

Regarding cities, Barcelona is pretty much heaven on earth for nature lovers. Not only is it surrounded by gorgeous mountains, many of which are easily accessed from the metropolitan area, but it’s also home to many excellent beaches, which are great for swimming, sunbathing, and exploring. 

On top of that, Barcelona is renowned for being home to an array of fantastic urban parks, the most famous of which, Park Guell, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Cultural Experiences in Barcelona: From Football to Festivals

No matter what time of year you visit Barcelona, there’s always something exciting for you to do or see. There are football matches during the season, and the world-famous Primavera Sound Festival generally takes place in May or June each year. If you’re interested in exploring more about the array of sports that captivate the hearts of locals, you might want to check out our guide on the most favored sports in Spain.

Summer is, naturally, perhaps the busiest time of year in Barcelona; there are street parties galore, festivals almost every week, and the Feast of Sant Joan, which falls on the night of the 23-24th of June every year, is plenty of fun; accompanied by fireworks and festivities on the beach, it makes for a great way to celebrate the longest day of the year.

Hidden Gems: A Local’s Guide to Barcelona

While Barcelona does get packed during the warmer months, the city hosts a wealth of lesser-known but fantastic attractions that I strongly suggest you check out if you can find the time. 

The Bunkers del Carmel, for instance, is the perfect place to take in panoramic views of the cityscape without worrying about beating the crowds. If you’re planning a beach day or two for your trip, why not head out to Castelldefels?

It’s easy to reach from downtown Barcelona, and the beach of Platja de Castelldefels tends to be far less crowded than any of Barcelona city’s stretch of coastline. The castle in Castelldefels is also stunning and worth checking out!

If you’d like a similar experience to the shopping street of La Rambla, you can head to the quieter, more refined neighborhood of Poblenou for a similar atmosphere. A bit further afield is the Horta Labyrinth, which features an intricate hedge maze set in stunning garden surroundings and makes for a lovely, relaxed afternoon. 

On the other hand, if you’re keen to explore the darker side of Barcelona’s history, you might want to check out Refugi 307. The space consists of over 400 meters’ worth of tunnels used during the Spanish Civil War as bomb shelters and has since been converted into a museum of sorts and historical site.

The Pros and Cons of Visiting Barcelona

Any travel destination has its own unique set of pros and cons. While Barcelona’s strengths far outshine its darker sides, it’s important to have a balanced conversation about both the positive and negative aspects of visiting the city, so that you can make the most informed decision possible as to whether or not it’s likely to be the right place for you to visit. 

Pros: The Distinct Allures of Barcelona

I don’t mean to sound like a broken record, but I think Barcelona’s allure speaks for itself. It has stunning architecture, world-class restaurants, bars, museums, gorgeous natural landscapes, and a vibrant arts and entertainment scene. 

Moreover, Barcelona is considerably more affordable than many other major European destinations. The cost of living in Spain is well below the mean in Western, Central, and Northern Europe, making Barcelona a far more accessible destination for many people than Paris, London, or Amsterdam. 

Cons: What to Be Prepared for When Visiting Barcelona

While I love Barcelona, I think it’s important to highlight some cons of visiting the city you’ll want to be aware of – no place is perfect. 

Something especially relevant during the summer is just how busy Barcelona can get. The city isn’t massive, and, being one of the most popular tourist destinations in Europe, it sees a considerable influx of travelers in the warmer months. This can make booking accommodation and visiting the more popular attractions more of a logistical challenge than in a smaller, less popular city. 

Barcelona’s other major con is that it has an issue with pickpockets. This isn’t really significantly worse than what you’d encounter in most major European cities and is unlikely to be a real problem if you exercise common sense, but it’s still worth noting; after all, it’s something you’re far less likely to experience if you chose to travel to, say, Scandinavia or Switzerland instead. 

When Is The Best Time To Visit Barcelona?

The time of year you visit Barcelona can significantly impact your trip. The best time for you to travel here will depend somewhat on your preferences regarding weather; Barcelona’s winters are fairly mild, while the summertime tends to get pretty hot. 

Summer is also the peak of Spain’s tourist season; July and August are the busiest months. Naturally, this is the best time of year to visit if you want to soak up as much sun as possible, but be aware that the city is pretty packed over the summer. Accommodation can be considerably more expensive, and restaurants, clubs, and bars tend to get booked out far in advance. 

Spring and autumn are quieter times of the year and will generally still boast fairly mild temperatures, for the most part. However, I find that Barcelona can be pretty rainy in the springtime, with the weather being, at times, somewhat unpredictable. 

On the other hand, winter is a low season in Barcelona, and accommodation prices will generally be considerably lower than they might be during the warmer months. This makes visiting over winter a great option for those traveling on a budget; however, do keep in mind that some attractions and activities are seasonal and may be closed at this time of year (and, naturally, you can expect less sunshine than you would in the warmer months). 

Christmas and New Year are a big deal in Barcelona, with many shops and attractions closed over this period. So, if you’re planning your trip to coincide with the festive season, you’ll want to double-check in advance that everything you’re planning on seeing will be open during your stay. 

Where To Stay In Barcelona

With so many cool, unique districts to explore, deciding where to stay in Barcelona can be tricky. While finding a hotel in the heart of the city is convenient for several reasons, it’s far from being essential to enjoying your stay there; there are plenty of fantastic hotels to choose from near the sea, or in quieter, more residential areas, where you’ll generally get far more bang for your buck. 

Tours and Activities in Barcelona

With so much to do and see in Barcelona, planning a trip here can feel overwhelming. Below are some of my recommendations for activities and tours to take here; with a Montserrat day trip, visit to Casa Batlló, and walking tour all included, this list should, hopefully, cater to visitors with all kinds of interests. 

FAQ: Questions About Visiting Barcelona Answered

I’ve shared much about Barcelona, but you might still have some questions. That’s why I’ve put together this FAQ section. I’m drawing from my own experiences of living in this fantastic city to give you all the answers you want. We will discuss safety, how much things cost, and how to make the most of your visit. Ready? Let’s jump right in!

Final Thoughts: My Verdict on Barcelona

I had an incredible 2 years living in Barcelona and honestly can’t recommend visiting highly enough. As I’ve already mentioned, I feel that the city has something to offer for just about everybody, and this, combined with its incredible beauty and charm, will make just about any traveler fall in love during a stay here.

I will reiterate that summers here can get incredibly crowded; if possible, I recommend visiting outside of the high season. Also, the local metro service is reliable, comprehensive, and affordable, so I would suggest using it wherever possible to get from point A to point B – this will save you both time and money. 

Finally, I think too many people forget that Barcelona is not just a Spanish city; it’s also the seat of Catalan culture and society. During your visit, I strongly encourage you to learn about Catalan history and culture and try to pick up a few words in the language, if you can. The locals will appreciate it!