El Clásico Trips Guide to Barcelona

You have your El Clásico package! What else will you do in Barcelona?

🇪🇸 Barcelona Guide

A city of fútbol, art, tapas, and timeless streets.
Barcelona is one of Europe’s most exciting destinations — a place where Gaudí’s wild imagination meets Messi’s legacy, and where food, beaches, and world-class culture collide. Below are our favorite places and recommendations to help you make the most of your stay.

⚽ Camp Nou

Former home of FC Barcelona (until the Espai Barça project finishes in 2026), Camp Nou has long been the cathedral of Catalan football.

• Opened: September 24, 1957

• Originally intended name: “Estadi del FC Barcelona” — but Camp Nou (meaning “New Ground”) is what fans embraced

• Seating: 99,354 — the largest stadium in Spain and Europe

Optional:
📍 Barça Café — Located inside the revamped Camp Nou project. A sleek, FC Barcelona-branded space for a quick drink or Barça-themed snack before/after your tour.

🎨 Antoni Gaudí & Architectural Icons

Gaudí’s distinctive Catalan Modernism shaped the soul of Barcelona. Seven of his works are now UNESCO World Heritage Sites:

• Parque Güell

• Palacio Güell

• Colonia Güell

• Casa Milà (La Pedrera)

• Casa Vicens

• Casa Batlló

• La Sagrada Família (still under construction and mesmerizing)

🖼️ Museums Worth Visiting

• Picasso Museum – Over 4,000 works by the master himself. Tip: Book online — lines can be 2+ hours.

• Fundació Joan Miró – Dreamlike modern art on Montjuïc Hill

• Moco Museum – Modern & contemporary legends like Banksy, Basquiat, and Kusama

• IDEAL Digital Arts Center – Immersive, high-tech art experiences

• Museu Nacional d’Art de Catalunya (MNAC) – A sweeping collection from Romanesque to Modernista Catalan art

🍷 Food Markets

• La Boquería – The most famous; lively, colorful, and full of tapas spots

• Santa Caterina Market – More local, with a colorful roof and fresh products

• Mercat de Sant Antoni – An authentic, less-touristy market with excellent options

🍽️ Restaurants & Tapas Bars

- Classic & Crowd Favorites:

• Can Solé – Excellent paella & seafood (Est. 1903) $$$

• Ciudad Condal – Popular, always busy, worth the wait $$

• El Xampanyet – Cava and traditional tapas near the Picasso Museum $$

• Restaurante Salamanca – Mediterranean dishes by the beach $$

• Bar Alegría – Tapas with a twist in a modernist setting $$

• Tapeo – Famous for quality small plates and cozy vibes $$

• Bodega La Puntual – Warm, authentic, slightly hidden $$

• Bodega Biarritz 1881 – Rustic, intimate, no frills (cash only) $$

• El Nacional – Beautiful “food court” concept with multiple restaurants $$–$$$

✨ Insider Favorites (Added for flavor):

• Bar del Pla – Loved by locals in El Born. Tucked away, totally worth it $$

• El Asador de Aranda – Castilian-style slow-roasted meats $$

🌇 Sights & Strolling

• Parc de la Ciutadella – Lake, fountains, and the city zoo (free)

• Las Ramblas – Iconic pedestrian street. Tourist-heavy but still a must

• Gothic Quarter – Maze-like streets, medieval buildings, charming squares

• Barcelona Cathedral – A spiritual and architectural marvel

• Poble Espanyol – Open-air “Spanish village” museum

• Arc de Triomf – 19th-century gateway to Ciutadella Park

• La Barceloneta Beach – Great for sun, seafood, and people-watching