Over 30 million people pour into Barcelona as tourists each year. Many of them come through on day trips during shore excursions as part of their broader cruise.
If you’re one of those people who is visiting Barcelona with a limited amount of time, the sheer volume of things to do in the city can seem overwhelming. To help you better plan the perfect day in your short window of time, our team has put together this article.
In it, we go over the 10 most important things to do in Barcelona that can reasonably get accomplished over the course a day!
1. La Sagrada Familia
At the top of most Barcelona to-do lists is La Sagrada Familia. This magnificent church was designed by Antoni Gaudi and has been undergoing design and construction for over a century!
Immediately, when you set eyes on La Sagrada Familia, you’ll get taken aback by its Gothic inspiration and psychedelic approach to church architecture. Once you get inside, you’ll continue to be moved by its breathtaking stained glass and seemingly endless halls.
Taking the elevator up to the top of the church is a must so be sure to add that onto your ticket!
2. Picasso Museum
Picasso, a Spanish native, has a massive collection of some 4000 of his art pieces located right in the Gothic quarter of Barcelona! All of them can be seen with a single ticket to the Picasso Museum.
The art in this museum gives you a real sense of Picasso’s development as an artist. Be sure to splurge on the audio tour for great insight into each of his works!
3. Las Ramblas
You would have a difficult time missing Barcelona’s most flooded tourist area, Las Ramblas. Las Ramblas is a street that is teeming with shops, outdoor eating opportunities, and infinite people-watching possibilities.
Have a seat, buy a paella and some wine and enjoy the show!
4. Camp Nou Stadium
If you have a little extra time during your shore excursions in Barcelona and are a futbol fan, consider stopping into Camp Nou Stadium. Camp Nou houses one of the most popular f?tbol teams in the world, FC Barcelona.
Even if there isn’t a game going on, you can still stop by the onsite museum which offers a ton of fun experiences!
5. The Gothic Quarter (Barrio Gotico)
Tight on time and love admiring beautiful architecture and interesting people? Then consider grabbing a snack and strolling through the Gothic quarter, one of the top things to do in Barcelona!
The Gothic quarter is a medieval portion of Barcelona where beautiful plazas, markets, and churches litter the streets. You can’t walk far in this area without finding a great photo opportunity!
6. Casa Batllo
If you thought that La Sagrada Familia was the only Gaudi inspired “things to do in Barcelona”, think again. Casa Batllo was a house that Gaudi used that is overflowing with interesting stone, iron and ceramic construction pieces.
Once hated by locals because of its radical design, Casa Batllo now attracts tourists from cruise ships and beyond with its unique charm!
7. Parc de la Ciutadella
Looking for an oasis in the midst of all of the urban hustle and bustle of Barcelona? Look no further than Parc de la Ciutadella.
This central park in Barcelona is massive and complete with a ton of activities! Take pictures by the fountains where locals create giant bubbles, take a paddle boat out on a pond, play ping pong or just relax with a sandwich under a shady tree.
Whatever your park fix is, Parc de la Ciutadella will have you covered for the day!
8. Park Guell
Yet another one of the Gaudi inspired things to do in Barcelona options – Park Guell. Park Guell costs about 8 euros to get into and is well worth the price of admission given that you’ll be hard pressed to find a more whimsical masterpiece in all of Spain.
This attraction was originally intended to be a high-end housing community that Gaudi got hired to help design. The project eventually ceased due to area restrictions but despite that, Gaudi kept designing.
What he left the world with is 42 acres of space that feels like you’re existing in a living piece of art.
9. The Beach
This is probably one of the last things to do in Barcelona you’ll want to hear if you are on a shore excursion. Still, Barcelona beaches are excellent so we felt they were worth the mention.
The waters in Barcelona are beautiful to look at (but cold to dip in) and the people at the beach are interesting to admire. Many international tourists take to the beaches topless and soak up the sun on Barcelona’s feathery sand while watching clouds blow by.
If all of that sounds good to you, grab a towel and join in on the fun!
10. Food and Drink
Any of the above things to do in Barcelona are made better with a beverage and snack. If you are the kind of person who isn’t looking to run from attraction to attraction however and instead, want to relax in the shade and be blown away by world-class eating, know that eating and drinking are two of the things to do in Barcelona that stand on their own!
Head to central Barcelona and pop into any one of the covered, outdoor eateries that line the sidewalks. Upon sitting down, order a coke, beer, glass of wine or whatever else tickles your fancy. Then, prepare to be treated to some of the best tapas the world has to offer!
Wrapping Up Things to do in Barcelona on During a Shore Excursion
There is no shortage of things to do in Barcelona. When you are on a shore excursion however and are consequently pressed for time, picking which activity to tackle can be tough.
Our recommendation is to go with any one or combination of activities we’ve suggested above. We guarantee that, if you appreciate art, culture, uniqueness and delicious tastes, you’ll appreciate our suggestions!
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