Barcelona is an outstanding city, where medieval buildings live in harmony with the genius and modernist Gaudi architecture, which created fairy tale sceneries all over the city.

This is naturally one of the most visited cities in Europe. Filled with life and joy, Barcelona has an offer capable of pleasing any kind of tourist: art, culture, the best and most charismatic shops, wonderful architecture, delicious cuisine, and a vibrant ambiance, where people from all over the world meet.

This is a city in which you want to get lost, taking your time to appreciate each square and each street, discovering charismatic places and mysterious corners at random. For this reason, we recommend that you save at least one day to explore Barcelona on your own. As for the other days, we suggest 10 spots that you really won’t want to miss.

1- Sagrada Familia (Basilica and Expiatory Church of the Holy Family)
It is the main tourist attraction in the city and one of the most famous monuments in the world. It is considered one of the most impressive works created by Gaudí. Construction began in 1882 and is still unfinished, with finalization scheduled for 2026. It receives around 3 million visitors a year.

2- Park Güell
It was designed by Gaudí to be a commercial district and a residential area, but that goal failed and, in 1922, it became a public park. The park is located in an elevated area, providing a fantastic view over Barcelona. It’s an impressive place that we recommend you visit and experience for yourself.

3- La Boqueria Market
With a modernist structure and a wide range of excellent local and exotic products, it is a true festival of smells and flavors. Let yourself be enchanted by the bright colors of this market and enjoy a meal with products of excellent quality.

4- Casa Batlló
It results from the reconstruction of a building and is considered one of the most artistic and poetic buildings in the world, inspired by the organic forms of nature, a reflection of a more naturalist phase of Gaudí. It is yet another symbol of the genius of the Catalan architect, having been declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 2005.

5- Ramblas
Filled with street artists, musicians and tourists, this avenue is known for the hectic and lively atmosphere created by the people who are enjoying it. The avenue stretches from Plaza de Catalunya to the monument to Christopher Columbus, located on the edge of the beach.

6- Casa Milá
Better known as “La Pedrera”, and a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1984, it is one of the most emblematic works of architect Antoni Gaudí. It was the last residential house built by Gaudí and is marked by curved lines and organic shapes, in the very unique style of Gaudí’s genius. In its time, the modernity of this work was not understood and came to be the target of negative criticism, having later been recognized as a work very “ahead of its time”.

7- Gothic Quarter
It is the oldest part of Barcelona and one of the most beautiful and charismatic places in the city. Here it is possible to take a trip to the past, in the heart of the city, and find Roman ruins and buildings from the 19th century. It is worth visiting the Cathedral of Barcelona, one of the most important buildings in the Gothic Quarter, built in the 14th century.

8- Barceloneta Beach
It is the most famous beach in Barcelona and the closest to the center, which is why it is visited by tourists and locals alike. It is the perfect place for anyone wanting to take a break from the cultural circuits and go for a swim, stroll along the waterfront or have a drink and a lighter meal in one of the many bars.

9- Camp Nou Stadium
The stadium of Barcelona, one of the most beloved teams in the world, is one of the favorite places to visit with the family. The stadium is a significant point of the city and received 120,000 spectators.

10- Montjuïc Hill
On this mountain, you will find the Magic Fountain, where you can see magnificent light, music, and water shows, throughout the year. It is also worth visiting the Poble Espanyol, the Caixaforum Museum, the Olympic complex, the National Museum of Art of Catalonia (MNAC) and the Castle, which has a magnificent view over the city.

From June 2nd to September 29th, Azores Airlines offers three weekly flights, on Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays, from Ponta Delgada to Barcelona. Book your trip now!