Why visit Barcelona. 9 important reasons

Barcelona is a modern, cultural and artistic city. Attributes that make it easy to fall in love with it and almost impossible to leave. If we add to that its beaches, its bars and delicious Catalan cuisine, Barcelona becomes a dynamic and multifaceted destination.

Barcelona is a cosmopolitan city that caters to different types of tastes: cultural visits for those with a thirst for knowledge, walks through the different parks for nature lovers, markets and squares for the more social, bars and clubs for the more party-loving…

In 2024, 15.5 million people have visited the Catalan capital. Visitors from the United States are the ones who have grown the most compared to last year and already represent 14.7% of tourists who travel to the Catalan capital, only behind those from the rest of Spain, which are 16.3% of the total. The United Kingdom, France and Italy follow them in the ranking, in which visitors of Chinese origin also stand out, although they represent 2.3% of the total.

The levels of satisfaction of tourists when visiting the city are reflected in the Barcelona Tourism report, with scores ranging between 7.5 and 9 for culture, architecture and gastronomy as the most valued elements.

If you still lack reasons to choose Barcelona as a destination for your end-of-year trip, read on and you will see that there is no better option.

Why is Barcelona so touristy?

For family tourism

Barcelona is a perfect city for family tourism.You have at your fingertips many possibilities and plans for all ages and for all tastes, from touring the city in Bus Turísticto living the thrilling experience in the Tibidabo Amusement Parkor seeing the city from one of its viewpoints.

Thanks to its privileged geographical location, children can enjoy both the sea and its beaches as well as its parks.

It also has a large number of museums and places of interest that have in its program with activities directed to stimulate the senses of children or turn the visit to the city into an adventure.

For luxury lovers

In Barcelona, you will enjoy the pleasant Mediterranean climate and all the advantages of a capital city: numerous cultural activities (museums, opera, art galleries, etc.), delicious gourmet restaurants(31 Michelin starsthroughout the city), premium shoppingand a multitude of unique experiences.

The most demanding travelers can enjoy our concierge service in barcelona. We program everything from tailor-made toursto accommodation in unique hotels, through singular gastronomic tastings, a wide range of quality commercial offerings that combine innovation and local production, as well as exclusive transportation, among others.
We work closely with Barcelona’s luxury travel sector guaranteeing an exceptional personalized experienceto high-end travelers.

For cruisers

Barcelona is the leading port in Europeand the Mediterranean base for the main cruise companies, with 7 cruise terminals that receive 3 million passengers annually, including those who choose the city as the start or end of their cruise and others who visit Barcelona for a few hours.

Both have a wide range of tours and experiences. Barcelona offers lifestyle, artistic and architectural heritage, cultural dynamism, gastronomy, shopping, sporting events…

For the LGTBI collective

Barcelona is the LGTBI capital of the Mediterranean.Since the beginnings of the movement, the city has positioned itself as a reference destinationfor diversity and values associated with tolerance, dialogue and coexistence.

You can enjoy a wide range of leisure and culture in an atmosphere of total freedom. Much of this offer is concentrated in the Gaixample area, the area of the Eixample district bounded by the streets of Balmes, Gran Via, Urgell and Aragó. In this area, with an eminently LGTBI personality, the traveler will find everything from travel agencies and hotels to hairdressers, fashion stores, restaurants and gay and lesbian-friendly clubs.

In its beaches, the Mar Bella and Sant Sebastià beaches are famous, both with the option to practice nudism, with a lively and very respectful atmosphere. A few kilometers away, following the south coast, is Sitges, a charming coastal town with a variety of local atmosphere.

During the summer, in addition to enjoying the sun and sea, Barcelona hosts major festivals such as the Pride, famous for its colorful and vindictive parade on the Paral-lel avenue, or the Circuit Festival, of a more festive nature. Before, in March, the city also hosts the Bear Pride, another good experience to remember.

Famous for its spring carnival and summer nightlife, the seaside town of Sitges, 36 km south of Barcelona, is one of the highlights of this coastal strip. Out of season, it is a place to enjoy walks that will make you feel at home.

Why does Barcelona have so much tourism?

1º For its modernist architecture

Between the end of the 19th century and the beginning of the 20th century it was the cradle of the so-called Catalan modernism, an architectural, plastic, design and decoration style. The source of inspiration of this movement was the idea of nature: all the elements that surround us should be integrated into the buildings in the form of architectural elements: birds, flowers, leaves and lots of color.
In addition to Gaudí, you can also visit the Fundació Joan Miró and the Museu Picasso. Located in the fascinating medieval center of Barcelona, its permanent collection exhibits 4,000 fundamental works.

Modernist architecture is undoubtedly one of the main reasons to visit Barcelona on your school trip. Some of the buildings you can visit on your modernist route are:

Sagrada Familia
Casa Milà
Casa Batlló
Park Güell
The Palau de la Música Catalana
Casa Vicenç

See La Pedrera. Barcelona’s most famous building. Discover why

2º For its historic center

In addition to all the modernist heritage of the city you can visit the oldest districts, such as the Born or the Gothic Quarter to know the historic and medieval Barcelona with its grandiose churches, palaces and old buildings.
The life that is breathed in every corner, street and commerce of the Ciutat Vella is the true essence of this city of nuances, so be sure to visit:

La Boqueria
La Rambla
Plaça Sant Jaume
Museu Picasso
Centre Cultural del Born
Palau de la Música Catalana
Catedral de Santa Eulalia in Barcelona
Basilica de Santa Maria del Mar
Esglesia del Pí
Mercat de Santa Catalina

See 12 Must-Visit Places in the Gothic Quarter and El Born of Barcelona

3º Through its emblematic streets and avenues

No visit to Barcelona is complete without a stroll along Las Ramblas, a tree-lined promenade that connects the Plaza de Cataluña with the port, and has become an icon of the city filled with places to shop and stroll and enjoy the hustle and bustle.

Tip: pickpockets roam the crowded city center (hello again, Las Ramblas!). So, before you risk having your bag stolen, get the best insurance . If you’re unlucky, having comprehensive coverage will save you a lot of stress, not to mention money.

The city’s urban planning favors strolling: streets and avenues with wide sidewalks in historic and attractive environments, full of stores that have recovered the architectural heritage, surrounded by cultural and gastronomic offerings.

Shopaholics will find in Barcelona a perfect combination of luxury boutiques and local stores. The Barcelona Shopping Line offers everything from international brands to unique designs by local artists. If you are looking for a more authentic experience, markets like La Boqueria or Santa Catalina are a real delight.
More than 25 commercial hubs, each with its own style.
Shopping malls and department stores such as La Maquinista or Diagonal Mar.
Outlets such as La Roca Village or Outlet Viladecans, open-air shopping centers with pedestrian streets, chic atmosphere and fashion stores with discounts.
Remember that non-EU residents can apply for a VAT refund in the heart of the city center.

See Barcelona Shopping Guide: Where to shop in Barcelona.

4º For its first-class nightlife and culture.

From traditional tapas spots and hipster hangouts to palaces of culture and energetic nightclubs, Barcelona is brimming with nighttime entertainment venues.

If it’s classical Catalan culture you’re after, catch a concert at the Palau de la Música Catalana de Sant Pere. Considered a masterpiece of Catalan modernism, the building has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

You can also enjoy opera at the Gran Teatre del Liceu or concerts at the Palau de la Música Catalana.

And if you like festivals the Sónar or the Privamera Sound are held every year in Barcelona and attract thousands of tourists who love electronic music.

5º For its magnificent urban beaches

If you like the beach, along the 4.5 kilometers of Barcelona’s coastline there is a magnificent promenade that runs along all the beaches and beach bars along the coast.

You can go to La Barceloneta or if you want more tranquility enjoy the beaches of Bogatell or Nova Icaria, both offer sports on the sand and the sea, paying admirable attention to the needs of accessibility.

See 11 must-see places to visit in Barcelona’s La Barceloneta neighborhood

6º For its world-class nightlife and culture.

From traditional tapas spots and hipster hangouts to palaces of culture and energetic nightclubs, Barcelona is brimming with nightlife entertainment venues.

You can also enjoy the opera at the Gran Teatre del Liceu or the concerts at the Palau de la Música Catalana.

And if you like festivals the Sónar or the Privamera Sound are held every year in Barcelona and attract thousands of tourists who love electronic music.

See Montserrat: a visit with 1000 years of history in the heart of Catalonia

7º For its nature walks.

Besides being surrounded by beautiful beaches, Barcelona is surrounded by hills full of attractions for the whole family and hiking trails such as Tibidabo, with 550 meters high located at the northeast end of the city, offers spectacular views and an amusement park to enjoy with the family.

The mountain of Montjuic, where you can visit its castle, a former military fortress, see the Art Museum of Catalonia or the Miró Foundation, walk through magnificent gardens, visit the Pueblo Español and the old Olympic city. In addition, the Magic Fountain of Montjuic has a light and music show on high season nights or enjoy its views of the city and the Port of Barcelona.

Parc Güell, another UNESCO World Heritage Site and Gaudí’s most ambitious project after the Sagrada Familia. In addition to its brilliant architecture it allows you to enjoy breathtaking views of the city.

A good tip: since only 400 visitors are allowed access to the monumental area of Parc Güell every half hour, it is best to book your ticket in advance.

Parc de la Ciutadella is another magnificent natural space to enjoy with the family. Take the opportunity to visit the Barcelona Zoo, the Arc de Triomphe, the Cascada fountain and the Castell dels Tres Dragons.

See Exploring Montjuïc: A Guide to the Montjuïc Cable Car

8º For tourist safety

Don’t worry about security. Barcelona is a safe city for tourists. As in any other big tourist city, you only have to worry about pickpockets, watch stealers and some small street hustlers that you can find in the most touristic areas such as Las Ramblas.

As you can see Barcelona offers you a lot of reasons to visit it. Its history, its climate, its gastronomy, the friendliness of its inhabitants will make your stay a great experience.

If you want to make the most of your stay in this magnificent city Barcelona Local Experience offers you a selection of tours with local guides that will allow you to enjoy the main monuments of the city without queues and learn all the secrets they hold in small groups or with one of the great private tours.

See Safety in Barcelona : A Guide for Travelers

9º For the Catalan Cuisine

No trip to Barcelona is complete without enjoying the local food. Gastronomy in Barcelona is based on the Mediterranean diet, declared Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO.
Young chefs with new restaurant projects take over from great chefs who revolutionized our cuisine, such as Ferran Adrià, Carme Ruscalleda or Santi Santamaria are an example.
Innovation and creativity are combined with tradition, betting more and more on the consumption of 0 km products.

Tip: If you are looking for trendy bars and restaurants at an affordable price, head to Gràcia or La Barceloneta. They’re full of bars, tapas terraces and great food.

To see the source of much of the city’s culinary magic, head to the Boqueria Market, a dazzling spectacle of color, fragrances and flavors. Fresh fish and fruit compete for space with countless types of vegetables, not to mention mountains of mushrooms, breads, cheeses, sausages and hams. It is a real sensory feast for those with a sweet tooth.

If you want to make the most of your stay in this magnificent city Barcelona Local Experience offers you a selection of tours with local guides that will allow you to enjoy without queues the main monuments of the city and learn all the secrets they hold in small groups or with one of the great private tours. Since 2015 we organize guided tours in Barcelona, in small groups and private tours to visit without queues or waste of time the most important places in Barcelona.