Downtown Barcelona

To get a real feel for the various sights, sounds and textures of Barcelona, step out and discover nearby neighborhoods like La Rambla, Barcelona, and Poblenou.

Sagrada Familia, certainly one of Barcelona’s most iconic attractions is only 1 mile (2 kilometers) away.

To really get a feel for Barcelona, take a trip to one of its museums and theaters. There are many excellent destinations to take the family for a morning including Maritime Museum, Barcelona Pavilion and Picasso Museum. See a few of the spectacular live performances at the Tivoli Theatre, the Victoria Theatre and the Palau de la Musica Catalana. There are plenty of popular galleries to enjoy nearby including the Barcelona Museum of Contemporary Art, the Centre de Cultura Contemporania de Barcelona and the Barbier-Mueller Museum of Pre-Columbian Art.

If you’re vacationing in the Downtown Barcelona area with little ones, treat them to a visit to CEM Maritim. Explore Barcelona Zoo and Barcelona Aquarium, and learn about some of the most interesting creatures in the world.

Get your body moving in nature at the many picturesque places nearby. Relax and enjoy the fresh air. Stretch your legs and take the family to one of the local beaches, such as the Mar Bella Beach, Bogatell Beach and the Nova Icaria Beach. Nature lovers will want to check out the Parc de la Ciutadella, the Barcelona Botanic Garden and the Park of Industrial Spain, one of the places where locals come to breathe in the fresh air.

Destinations such as Casa Mila, Casa Batllo and Barcelona Cathedral are well worth visiting during your time in the area. Learn about history by visiting Torre Agbar, the Basilica de Santa Maria del Mar and the Baro de Quadras Palace.

If you like to grab a bargain, visit Las Ramblas, Maremagnum and the Santa Caterina Market.

Enjoy the FC Barcelona go head to head with rival teams by booking tickets for a home game at the nearby Camp Nou. The stadium also hosts behind the scenes tours, giving sports fans a chance to learn about the stadium’s operations and about sports heroes from the past.

For a real taste of this fascinating part of the world, think about staying close by in one of the area’s many accommodation options. Check out the rooms and rates at the Hotel Barcelona Universal, the Oriente Atiram Hotel, or the Hotel 1898.