Unique things to do in Barcelona
Barcelona is a city that is always changing and exciting to visit over and over again with so many new projects, venues and events that occur year-round. It’s easy to find unique things to do in Barcelona and I share many of my favorite things to do that are popular, off the beaten path and definitely unique. You’ll find a different perspective of the city visiting these old and new venues and appreciate the hip, fun and cool places to explore and hang out in the city.
I hope that this post inspires you to try some of these activities and visit some of these unique landmarks and places around the city. Try something different or out of the ordinary – that’s what makes this city alive and exciting to visit again and again.
Ride the cable car to the castle
One of my favorite things to do is take the cable car up to Montjuic. It offers stunning views and a unique experience getting up to Montjuic and the castle on top. Montjuic is filled with many attractions, museums and landmarkets to include: The Olympic Statium, Joan Miro Foundation, the Botanical Gardens, Montjuic Castle and so many other important sites to visit.
The entire ride is visually stimulating and a photo op moment from the start to the end of the ride and I definitely enjoy doing this in both directions.
Book a Cable car ride to Montjuic here
Check out my posts to visiting various Montjuic sites below
Montjuic botanical gardens and parks
Have a night out at La Pedrera
You’ll see lines all day visiting Gaudi’s popular La Pedrera definitely is a must and the visit worthwhile. Despite the long lines to visit this cultural site, the La Pedrera Night Experience is unique and a one of a kind experience. The evening tour of the site lets you sit it lit up with the beautiful interiors up to the gorgeous rooftop with its chimney pots above. There’s also a fantastic audiovisual show that is projected on the terrace with the undulating forms and colorful chimney pots.
You’ll also enjoy a wonderful glass of Catalan cava and snacks on this evening tour for a truly unique experience.
Tickets available via Get Your Guide. to do a fun tour of the music hall
Check out my posts to visiting La Pedrera here for more inspiration
Experience Palau de la Musica
A unique Unesco World Heritage site on its own, the Palau de la Musica located in the historic central district of Barcelona is a stunning architectural structure and enjoying an evening out experience at the concert hall is a must do experience. The Palau de la Musica is stunning to see both inside and out and participating in a show is one of the best ways to also experience the interior and the magic of a show in this amazing space. If you cannot watch a performance, the next best thing is to just take a guided tour of the hall and you can make a reservation below.
Check out my post on visiting Palau de la Musica here for more inspiration
Tickets available via Get Your Guide. to do a fun tour of the music hall
Visit to Umbracle
A unique modernist styled building filled with gorgeous botanical plants in this cast-iron turn of the century building that was originally build for the Universal Exhibition of Barcelona and is more of a greenhouse located in Park Ciutadella.
A building featuring cast-iron structure that is off the beaten path. Built in 1883 to 1887 by creator Josep Fontsere for the Universal Exhibition and converted into a dance hall. Now the structure is a beautiful, quiet and hidden spot in the city that is a botanical retreat filled with exotic tropical plants and flowers along with exotic specimens from around the world including jasmines, palms and blooming hydrangeas and bromeliads. The space is open on weekdays in the morning to spend and enjoy this lush space considered a cultural asset and local interest.
Loctation – Park Ciutadella
- Address – Passeig Picasso, 13, Ciutat Vella. Barcelona 08003
Take a walking tour of Barcelona
You can sign up for a free walking tour as a first-time visitor to Barcelona to get initial bearinngs of the city and the main districts of the city including the Gothic Quarter which makes up the Old Town.. With a rich history including Roman ruins , you’ll enjoy hearing the history, rich culture and stories of the Catalan capital, an autonomous region of Spain. While these are initially free walking tours, the guides work on a basis of tipping for their efforts and a reservation has to be made and a meeting point assigned for the tours.
One of the most consistent operators is Guru Walks compares all the best tours. which offers a variety of walking tours.
Cementiri de Montjuïc – Cemetery of Montjuic
This fascinating cemetery was designed by Leandro Albareda in 1880 and set up into four sections: for Catholics, Protestants, non-Christians and last for aborted fetus. Filled with family tombs that are stacked up for to five stories along with very colorful gypsy community tombs, a Holocaust memorial, the Fossar de la Pedrera Memorial commemorating the International Brigades and other Catalan martyrs from the Spanish Civil War.
You’ll find this cemetery to be fascinating and eerie at the same time and a unique experience to see how Barcelona celebrated the dead and commemorated their ancestors.
- Address – Mare de Déu del Port, 56-58, Sants-Montjuïc
- Barcelona, 08038
Enjoy the night life in Barcelona
If you are looking to enjoy the night life of Barcelona, you can sign up for a tour that covers Old Town and El Borm district, the latter which was the red light district. Now you’ll get to visit trendy bars with an expert guide. You’ll get to sample local Spanish style drinks and an inside look at the socializing and history of these areas
Tickets available via Get Your Guide. to do a fun
Visit Monserrat Abbey
You can do an easy day trip outside of Barcelona to Monserrat Abbey to enjoy a day out to see this impressive Abbey, check out the Black Madonna (a black medieval statuette that graces the altar) and admire the jagged peaks of the Montserrat Mountain range. You can even do some fun hiking trails in the immediate area to get different perspective of the abbey and stunning landscape that it sits in
You can get there by public transport, or you can book with several tour providers will take you here.
Tickets available via Get Your Guide here for an easy guided tour of the abbey of Monserrat.
Flamenco Show with Drink at La Rambla
Enjoy this traditional flamenco show at Tablao Flamenco Cordobes which is on of the most historic Flamenco Tablsoas in the city and attracting Flamenco legends. The new venue of El Duende is more intimate and supporting new talented artists and music styles with fresh nightly performances. You’ll also get a drink to enjoy while watching the exceptional perfomances.
Tickets available via Get Your Guide here. to do a fun night out with this Flamenco show at La Rambla
Enjoy an artisanal meal at Time Out Market
Just like the other popular Time Out eating venues, this Time out is located in the waterfront area at Port Veil and hosts over 14 food venues and four bars that are curated with artisanal foods featuring traditional to innovative Catalan food at its best. With terrace viewpoints of the Maremagnum with some of the city’s best viewpoints, you’ll enjoy the fantastic food and bar scene here. It’s a great space to sample some amazing food and drinks in this marketplace.
Explore Barcelona by bike
Enjoy a helicopter flight around Barcelona
A view from above Barcelona gives a different feel and experience to the city with amazing views over the city and coastline. Barcelona is stunning from above and you’ll be able to see significant attractions, architecture and key landmarks. You’ll get to enjoy a fast and scenic helicopter flight that will give you highlights to seeing key parts of the city and coastline area.
Enjoy a Paella cooking class
If you are looking for a unique and fun cooking experience in Barcelona, why not try a Paella cooking class which is one of Spain’s most iconic dishes to eat and make. A savory dish with rice, meat, seafood and vegetables is a great activity and skill to learn, master and share with new friends participating for making this delectable dish.
You can book this Paella cooking class via Get Your Guide.for a fantastic experience.
Visit the beaches of Barcelona
When its hot in Barcelona, nothing beats the experience to hit the public beaches here. With over 4.5 kilometres of coastline around Barcelona to enjoy, you’ll have your pick of these fantastic beaches to enjoy and relax. Easy public transportation or an easy drive to the beach areas along the waterfront areas. Here’s some of our favorite places to hang out around Barcelona’s best beaches below to the north and southern parts from Barceloneta to San Sebastia.
Check out my post on Visiting the beaches of Barcelona
Check out these posts on things to do in Barcelona
If you are planning on visiting Barcelona and looking for more inspiration? Check out these posts below on attractions and local sites to explore around the city.
Day trips from Barcelona by train
Palau de la Musica Catalana, Barcelona
Mossen Costa i Llobera garden in Barcelona
Conclusion on Unique things to do in Barcelona
There are so many unique things to do in Barcelona and hopefully you are inspired to doing any of these fun and cool activities and places to visit around the city.
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