Barcelona’s top tourist attractions are diverse and wide-reaching. There really is something for everyone! If you are looking for a cultural experience, then there are countless museums, galleries, and examples of wonderful architecture to enjoy. Take a look at our blog on the top Gaudi sights for ideas of some amazing modernist treasures to visit.
If you are looking for something a little less artistic, then this is the blog for you. This time we will look at Barcelona’s top tourist attractions that show a different side of the city. A side that focuses on sport, wildlife, and general entertainment.
FC Barcelona Camp Nou
The mighty FC Barcelona is renowned worldwide for the team’s amazing achievements in football. The club has a rich history, and a roll call of players, past and present, which sounds like a who’s who of football. FC Barcelona has won many trophies which are kept at the stadium in the Camp Nou Museum. This leads us on nicely to point out that you can book a tour of Camp Nou Stadium and Museum, this is definitely one of Barcelona’s top tourist attractions so it can get very busy, we recommend booking tickets beforehand. During the tour, you’ll have the chance to feel like a real insider, with a visit to the changing rooms, press room, and you can even touch the grass on FC Barcelona’s sacred football pitch!
For a really special experience check out the small group tour with a sports journalist!
Barcelona Aquarium
The aquarium is a great family day out and conveniently located in Port Vell. From here you can also easily access two other important tourist attractions in Barcelona, La Barceloneta, and Las Ramblas. Both are within walking distance of the aquarium. The main attraction at the aquarium is the unique Oceanarium. This is a transparent tunnel, over 80 meters long, which allows you to take a ‘walk underwater’. It feels like walking along the sea bed while creatures of the Mediterranean, including sharks, swim around you. The aquarium has a lot more to offer, with different themed areas from sea horses to tropical coral.
We recommend that you allow a couple of hours for your visit. To avoid long queues during peak season, we suggest booking tickets in advance. You can find these on our Tickets and Attractions page.
Barcelona Zoo
The zoo is a great day out for both families and animal lovers alike. The zoo houses around 300 species of animals, plus rich flora and parkland that has about 320 botanical species. It sits within the city park (Parque de la Ciutadella), we recommend spending some time in the park before or after your visit. The zoo is committed to conservation programs and its mission; ‘to actively intervene in the conservation, scientific research, and dissemination of wild fauna and its natural habitats.’
There is much to see at Barcelona zoo, from the ‘land of dragons’ to the ‘aviarium’, plus all the other exotic animals we normally only see on wildlife documentaries.
The facilities on site are good with picnic tables and restaurants. So you can take your time and enjoy the day at leisure.
The Olympics! Stadium and Olympic Museum
The 1992 Olympics were a pivotal event for Barcelona city. The games propelled Barcelona onto the world stage. In preparation for this, the city underwent a major transformation which left a positive legacy on the now world-famous Spanish tourist destination.
The hill of Montjuic was the main hub for the games, more specifically the area known as the Olympic Ring. The ring is home to the Olympic Stadium, Palau Sant Jordi (sports hall), and the Olympic Esplanade. There is also the very impressive telecommunications tower (built for transmission of the games) and is said to represent an athlete holding the Olympic Flame. Montjuic is also home to the Olympic pools and diving pools.
The diving pools also have another claim to fame, they were the location for one of Kylie Minogue’s videos! For the music nerds out there (we fall into that bracket) take a look at these other famous videos that were filmed in Barcelona
We recommend a full tour of this area and for the real sports enthusiasts, there is the Olympic Museum. The museum will take you on a journey through the history of sport. There are also interactive challenges to enjoy, plus the opportunity to learn about the 1992 Olympics and view some great pieces of sporting memorabilia.
Comments