Catalonia attractions

Housed in the former Municipal Theatre of Figueres, the Dalí Theatre-Museum (Teatro-Museo Dalí) was converted by Salvador Dalí himself into a museum to display his works—the building itself is considered his final great work. Of the major Dalí sites in northeastern Spain, including his former homes in Portlligat and Púbol, this is the best place to explore Dalí’s art and see some of his most famed pieces. Even the polka-dotted exterior is pure Dalí, and his final resting place is here in a crypt beneath its stage.

Emphasizing biodiversity and conservation research, the Barcelona Zoo is home to some 2,000 animals across more than 300 different species, and even more types of plant life. Look out for mammals, birds, and reptiles from different parts of the globe, all in living areas that mimic their natural habitats.

Whether you’ve managed to snag tickets for a home game or booked a behind-the-scenes tour of the legendary Camp Nou Stadium, a visit to the FC Barcelona Museum is a must for football (soccer) fans. The museum sits right next door to the stadium, and brings fans closer to the city’s favorite team through a series of interactive exhibits and galleries.

Gràcia is considered by many to be Barcelona’s hippest neighborhood, but it’s also known as the student and art quarter. Once its own village, Gràcia’s headline attraction is the UNESCO-listed Park Güell, designed by Antoni Gaudí. Many travelers also stop by to explore Plaça del Sol square, which is lined with tapas bars, terraced restaurants, flower shops, and trendy boutiques.

Hidden away in a courtyard, just a short stroll from the medieval Barcelona Cathedral, the 2,000-year-old Roman Temple of Augustus is one of the most surprising landmarks of the Gothic Quarter. Once a mighty temple about half the size of Athens’ Parthenon, only four Corinthian columns remain. It’s nonetheless an impressive sight, with the ancient columns looming nearly 30 feet (9 meters) high.

Barcelona’s La Monumental Bullring (Plaza de Toros Monumental de Barcelona) was built with a flamboyant neo-Mudéjar and Byzantine facade, and embellished with Iberian blue-and-white tiles. The bullring was the largest in Barcelona and could seat 20,000, plus another 5,000 standing. After bullfighting was banned in 2012, the ring was repurposed as a bullfighting museum and concert venue and is now better known as La Monumental.

Locals and travelers alike flock to Santa Caterina Market (Mercat de Santa Caterina), which stands out amid the historic buildings of Barcelona’s La Ribera neighborhood with its wave-like mosaic roof. The colorful redesign was added more recently, but this is one of the city’s oldest covered markets, dating back to 1848 and brimming with fresh produce and delicious gourmet foods from around Spain.

Barcelona’s rich seafaring traditions are on display at the city’s Maritime Museum of Barcelona (Museu Marítim). Located in the Barcelona Royal Shipyard at Port Vell, the cavernous, Gothic-style building holds centuries-old war and merchant ships, modern sports boats, and a collection of maps, weapons, and navigational tools. Another highlight of the permanent collection is the 14th-century Les Sorres X, which was discovered during construction work for the Olympics.

Barcelona’s Spanish Village (Poble Espanyol) is an open-air museum located on Montjuïc Hill. Built in 1929 for the Barcelona International Exposition, the village was created to resemble a traditional Spanish town and depicts replicas of Spanish buildings from around the country that showcase the country's architectural and cultural diversity. Visitors to the village can watch demonstrations of traditional Spanish glassblowing, pottery, and more, and purchase handmade products.

One of four rivers that meet in Girona, Catalonia, the Onyar River (Riu Onyar) delivers the city’s most emblematic view: stacks of rainbow-colored houses lining the narrow river. It divides the most popular areas of this historic city—the medieval old town sits on its right bank, with some top restaurants and museums on the left.

From Roman times to the present day, the city of Barcelona boasts thousands of years of history and has many stories to tell. The Museum of the History of Barcelona (Museu d'Història de Barcelona, or MUHBA) is today situated in Plaça del Rei atop the Roman ruins of Barcino. Its collection preserves and communicates the heritage of the Catalonian capital.

A historic 10th-century castle and winery situated in Catalonia, Oller del Mas has been family-owned for more than a thousand years. Set against the backdrop of the breathtaking Montserrat mountains, the winery is known for its organic vineyards and wine production. You'll find several tourist-centric activities on-site, including horseback riding, wine tours, restaurants, and overnight accommodations. It's a popular day trip from Barcelona.

Girona, one of Catalonia’s most atmospheric towns, is also home to one of the world’s best-preserved Jewish quarters, known as El Call. This neighborhood dates back to the 12th century when Girona was home to a thriving Jewish community. Its maze of medieval streets and narrow back alleys hasn’t changed much in the centuries since.

A soaring, shimmering glass and concrete edifice in El Raval, the Barcelona Museum of Contemporary Art (MACBA) spearheaded the once-dilapidated district’s revival. Its matte white interior flooded with natural light creates a backdrop for the 6,000-strong collection, which is displayed in ever-changing temporary exhibitions. Highlights include works by Pablo Picasso and Joan Miró dating from the mid-20th century.

Girona’s city walls trace their origins to Roman times, and you can step back into history on the Passeig de la Muralla (Wall Promenade). This walking route follows the restored sections of the city wall around some of the old town. Besides spectacular views of the cathedral and the Pyrenees, walking the walls is a great way to discover the old town.

Tablao Flamenco Cordobes combines high-energy flamenco shows with Spanish and Catalan specialties in the adjacent restaurant, which is inspired by Granada’s Nasrid-style architecture. An award-winning venue founded in 1970, Tablao Flamenco Cordobes is one of the few spaces of its kind on La Rambla, and it attracts some of the country’s top flamenco performers.

Located in the Poblenou neighborhood of Barcelona, the Torre Glòries is a modern architectural landmark and one of the tallest buildings in the city. Designed by French architect Jean Nouvel, the structure is said to have been inspired by Montserrat, Antoni Gaudí’s iconic Sagrada Familia, and the bubbling form of a geyser. The 38-story building also has a popular observation deck offering 360° city views.

Located just off the Passeig de Gràcia, the Egyptian Museum of Barcelona contains one of the leading private collections of Egyptian art and artifacts in Europe. Dive into Egyptian life and culture as you browse the permanent collection, which includes more than 1,000 pieces from the collection of its founder, Catalan Jordi Clos, including jewelry, sarcophagi, amulets, mummies, and ancient artwork.

The Barcelona Aquarium (L’Aquarium de Barcelona) sits right on the harbor in the heart of the old city and is one of Europe’s largest aquariums. The exhibits within provide a habitat for some 11,000 sea creatures representing 450 different species, and feature one of the world’s most comprehensive collections of sea life from the Mediterranean. Little wonder that the aquarium is among Barcelona’s top family-friendly attractions.

Don’t call it a hill; while this 568-foot (173-meter) mountain in southwest Barcelona is small in stature, it packs some major attractions. A cable car and funicular whisk visitors to the military fortifications of Montjuïc Castle (Castell de Montjuïc) at the summit, which is perched above a wooded park, Olympic sports facilities, the Magic Fountain (Font Màgica), the Joan Miró Museum (Fundació Joan Miró), and the National Art Museum of Catalonia (Museu Nacional d’Art de Catalunya).

If there’s one sight that will successfully peel you away from Tarragona’s beach, it will be the neighboring Tarragona Amphitheatre (Amfiteatre de Tarragona). This ancient seaside stadium, constructed in the 2nd century AD, once fit up to 15,000 spectators to cheer on everything from gladiatorial battles to public executions.

Initially built in the 12th century, before being partially destroyed and then rebuilt, the Girona Arab Baths (Banys Àrabs de Girona) were inspired by Roman-style baths. Today, the small complex is a well-preserved example of medieval public baths, and features Romanesque elements, plus a series of four rooms where residents would bathe and socialize.

The museum occupies the old Casaramona factory building, a modernist building that was constructed from 1909 and 1912 and was later adapted and expanded for artistic use. Today, the CaixaForum contains more than 800 works of art representing a range of styles and movements. Pieces are displayed across three sections and showcase ancient, modern, and contemporary art, photography from the 20th century, and avant-garde expressionism.

Housed inside the Palau de Mar, the History Museum of Catalonia (Museu d’Història de Catalunya) opened in 1996 with the goal of focusing on the region’s cultural and political development from prehistory through to the present day. It’s a great place to learn how the Romans, Moors, and others each left their mark on Catalonia. The exhibits focused on the Spanish Civil War and Franco’s rule are particularly well done.

Trains from França Railway Station whisk travelers to cities across Catalonia—and Europe—but that’s not the only reason to visit. This 1929 landmark features elegant, Noucentista architecture, from its iron-and-glass canopy spanning its 12-track train shed to a lobby in marble and bronze. Even its cafeteria is a destination in its own right; it serves affordable, 3-course menus featuring seasonal, Mediterranean cuisine.

Located in the Plaça de Sant Jaume, the Catalan Regional Government Building (Palau de la Generalitat de Catalunya) is the seat of the Government of Catalonia and the Presidency of the Generalitat. Built between the 15th and 17th centuries, this magnificent structure includes a variety of architectural elements, with neoclassical, Gothic, Renaissance, and baroque features.

The little town of Palamós is a popular Costa Brava vacation choice for independent travelers, and the small cruise port makes it a jump-off point for shore excursions to the Costa Brava and historic Girona. Palamós’ pretty fishing harbor is known for its prawns, but the town offers more than just good seafood. Relax on golden sand beaches, visit rocky coves, and stroll the historic town center.

Surrounded by walls and marked with winding cobblestone streets, medieval Pals still has many of its aged stone arches, walkways, and balconies. A Romanesque tower dates back to the 11th century, while the Mirador del Pedró provides a lookout over the sea and surrounding Catalonian landscape dotted with citrus groves and rice fields.

The picturesque mountain town of Besalú is well-known for its ancient Catholic monasteries and iconic Romanesque architecture, particularly a photogenic 12th-century bridge that has become the symbol of the town. In the Middle Ages, Besalú was a regional capital, overseeing this scenic section of Catalonia.

Since its opening on La Rambla in 1847, the Gran Teatre del Liceu has been a cultural, artistic, and political hub for Catalonia, as well as one of the most impressive opera houses in all of Europe. After fire damaged the theater on several occasions, the Gran Teatre was completely restored in 1999, complete with new technology for contemporary productions.