The writer Carlos Ruiz Zafón as soon as explained Barcelona as being a city that's 'exceptionally vain'. This self-love isn't without factor, and you can see why in this list of the sights and destinations in Barcelona that are just unmissable. From the inexpressible beauty of the Sagrada Família and other Gaudí wonders to the city's selection of popular beaches and parks where you can soak up the sun, Barcelona has it all. In between stops for tapas and beverages, you can check out concealed attractions or immerse yourself in Catalan culture and art at the city's best museums. So whether you live in Barcelona or are simply visiting for a couple of days, this supreme sightseeing struck list is for you.

1. Sagrada Família

Overlooking Barcelona's cityscape, the Sagrada Família will be the world's highest church upon completion (approximated for 2026). This 130-year labour of love, thought up by Antoni Gaudí, is one of the world's most questionable basilicas, however also one of the most checked out. Three million travelers flock here each year to glare at the architectural accomplishment that has brought nature, light and faith together into one stunning ensemble. The interior resembles a huge jigsaw puzzle, with each new architect's design mixing into the rest of Gaudí's visionary design. 3 million check outs a year for something that hasn't even been ended up, okay is it. Arguably, you're better off seeing it before it's completed.

2. Barceloneta

Barcelona has more than 4.5 miles of beaches, from Sant Sebastià to Llevant. Numerous can be discovered in Barceloneta, the historical maritime and employees' neighbourhood that sprung up on the island of Maians from the 17th century. It's well worth wandering through the streets of Barceloneta to appreciate its modest yet lovely two-storey houses. Another draw is the area's excellent and varied food, ranging from tapas and vermouth to paella and seafood. You can likewise invest a few good hours taking a look at the flashy yachts lining the marinas such as Port Olympic complex.

3. Barcelona Cathedral

It's always worth checking out the cathedral of the city you're visiting, and Barcelona is no exception. Its cathedral is an outstanding example of Gothic architecture that's now a Cultural Heritage Site and, given that 1929, a National Historic Monolith. It's dedicated to the Holy Cross and to Saint Eulalia, patron saint of Barcelona, who was martyred by the Romans and whose remains lie in the crypt. Aside from the artistic and architectural riches of the interior, you should likewise check out the cloister with its 13 white geese (one for each year of Saint Eulalia's life) and the well-worn engravings on the flooring that detail which guild paid for each part of the chapel. If you visit on Saturday or Sunday morning, you may even witness another Catalan tradition, the Sardana dance, carried out in the square in front of the cathedral. The huge holy gaff was built across the thirteenth to fifteenth centuries, so if you consider yourself a bit of a head of the old gothic buildings, this is a good one.

4. Camp Nou

FC Barcelona's house ground, or rather Lionel Messi's former stomping ground, as it's now (un) officially understood. It is among the most visited places in the city, and high up the bucket list of any big football fan (or fan of arenas)-- sure catching a video game here and hearing the 99,354 capability crowd roaring with passion-- however it's still unbelievable excellent. And tall. Standing at the top and looking down in something else. attractions in barcelona The pitch looks like FIFA 2004. Anyhow, die-hard fans will wish to check out the Camp Nou Experience, which offers a peek inside various players-only locations. Tickets start at EUR26 and increase to around EUR119, so there's something for most footballing spending plans, there's also a virtual trip. Camp Nou, by the method, is Catalan for 'new field'.

5. La Boqueria Market

Its stallholders have needed to discover languages and indulge in public relations, because along with being the main food market in Barcelona, La Boqueria is now a significant tourist location. Simply off La Rambla, it's the biggest market in Catalonia with more than 300 stalls and an area of 2,583 square metres. That's a lot of people offering bits, lots of canvas roofing systems. Think of some unknown special and you're almost guaranteed to find it here. And artisanal produce is in abundance. After walking around, you can always get a bite to eat at Quim de la Boqueria, that's if you haven't equipped yourself with treats from the marketplace itself.

6. Illa de la Discòrdia

It was named the 'Block of Discord' because of the competitions in between the five architects. Excellent juicy architecture drama right here then.

7. Casa Milà

Casa Milà (widely understood as La Pedrera, 'the stone quarry') is a daring example of Gaudí's use of stone. When La Pedrera, his last civic job, was very first commissioned in 1906, the building became a laughing stock for its undulating façade, wrought-iron terraces and huge windows. Today, of course, it's viewed rather differently, and Gaudí's innovative, self-supporting stone outside has actually won it an area on Unesco's World Heritage Site list.

8. Park Güell

Up in Barcelona's Horta-Guinardó area, this maze of walls and walkways consisting of a bunch of gardens, little architectural screens and more, all boasting spectacular hillside views of the whole city. Emphasizes when visiting include the Hall of One Hundred Columns (though it really has 86); the mosaic serpent bench; and the salamander on the main actions.

9. Picasso Museum

If the quality of a museum is measured by the number of people queuing to get in, the Picasso Museum takes initially location. The museum was developed by the artist himself and his good friend and secretary, Jaime Sabartès, who contributed his collection to the cause.

10. La Rambla

This is undoubtedly the most famous street in Barcelona. It's a straight one and a bit kilometers of excellent things.

11. Sant Pau Art Nouveau Website

Not far from the Sagrada Família is another modernista gem, the incredible health center by Domènech i Montaner. The designer was inspired by health suitables and modern hospitals in Europe at the time, so created a centre with isolation wards (each for a specific speciality), surrounded by gardens and linked by underground passages. Domènech i Montaner believed that aesthetic harmony and a welcoming environment were good for health. After more than 80 years of service, the hospital moved to another, more modern-day, structure and restoration on the old building started. You can now check out with or without a tour guide to discover the history of among the oldest health centers in Europe. It is, and was, a city within a city. The world's biggest Art Nouveau complex, which sounds specific niche, but it does not matter. It's the largest, something, in the world. You may as well pop over and get them worldly-travels boasting rights. You know. There's a tonne of underground galleries too.

12. Montjuïc Magic Fountain

Most locals will just see this light, music and water show when they're little kids or when they have to act as tour guides for visitors. Whether you've got your own offspring in tow or not, the program brings out childish marvel in us all. Created by Carles Buïgas, it's one of the last staying destinations made for the 1929 International Exposition.