Barcelona is a city of diverse culture with numerous different options for great summer activities. The city has an incredible variety of fun things to do in the summer, from going to the beaches to going on a culinary adventure. The summer is the best time to take advantage of the city’s great opportunities, so follow this guide to find some of the best things to do this summer in Barcelona.
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5 best activities and things to do this summer 2023
Barcelona is bustling with tourists during the summer for a reason! Each corner of the city offers a completely unique experience. Barcelona has many great locations, activities, and foods you will not want to miss out on. To make the most of the summer, check out these 5 things that you’ll love.
1. Visit Sagrada Família
The Sagrada Família is an icon of Catalonia and one of the architectural marvels of the world. Sagrada Família has been in construction for 140 years, and there are still many more years of construction in sight before it’s over. By the end of its construction, the basilica will be the tallest building in Barcelona. It is incredibly detailed, and seeing it in person is a totally different experience from seeing pictures online. An absolute must-see, and the building is sure to amaze you.
2. Take a day at the beach
Barcelona has several beautiful beaches that can fit anyone. Barceloneta beach is right at the heart of the city next to several major restaurants, while beaches like Mar Bella and Bogatell are a little further out closer to walkable streets in areas like Poblenou. Barcelona’s beaches are a great place to listen to music, sunbathe, grab a drink, or play beach sports. On top of that, the Mediterranean Sea is much warmer and easier to swim in as temperatures rise during the summer.
3. Go on a tapas tour
From pa amb tomàquet (tomato on bread) to pernil ibèric to patates braves, Barcelona has a huge variety of delicious tapas. The city’s combines a rich infusion of Catalan and Spanish culture. In Barcelona, fresh ingredients are prioritized, with incredible cheeses, seafood, fruits, and bread being something you can take for granted. Tapas come in an array of different flavors and sizes, so it’s best to try several to get a better idea of what the culture is like. There are so many delicious appetizers that it can be overwhelming, but luckily, Barcelona offers many tapas tasting tours and even a few culinary classes to learn how many of the city’s famous appetizers are made authentically.
🍽️ 6 best tapas in Barcelona to try for an authentic Catalan experience (with recommendations from locals)
4. Explore the city’s architecture
One of the hallmarks of Barcelona is the continued influence of famous Catalan architect Antoni Gaudí. Gaudí is most famously responsible for the early construction of the Sagrada Familia, but he is also known for his lavish and otherworldly houses, such as Casa Batlló on Passeig de Gràcia. However, beyond Barcelona’s most famous individual buildings, Passeig de Gràcia and La Rambla open into a beautiful lattice work of restaurants and vintage shops to explore. La Rambla in particular is easily walkable and especially gorgeous at nighttime. If something a bit quieter is your style, La Rambla de Poblenou goes from the city all the way to the beach, with delicious restaurants and stores all along the way.
5. Visit Park Güell
Park Güell is a park system that has a little bit of everything for everyone. It has a Greek Theater right at the center of the park, the Hypostyle Hall with 86 columns and a mosaic ceiling, and El Drac, a mosaic lizard that represents the guardian of the park. The park was declared a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1984. The park features some of the best views in Barcelona, and a ton of mosaic work done by Gaudí. The park perfectly symbolizes Barcelona’s beauty and connection with nature, and it’s one of the best places to see a lush green environment in the center of the city.
