Things to do in Barcelona & Catalonia

Gaudí's Barcelona centres on the Sagrada Família, still under construction, whose forest-like nave glows with coloured glass, and on Park Güell, with the mosaic salamander of the Dragon Stairway, the Hypostyle Room and the trencadís bench. On Passeig de Gràcia, compare the wave-like Casa Batlló, which also offers night visits, with La Pedrera (Casa Milà) and its rooftop of sculpted chimneys, then walk Avinguda de Gaudí to the mosaic-domed pavilions and gardens of the Sant Pau Art Nouveau Site by Lluís Domènech i Montaner. Try capipota or snails at the counter bars of La Boqueria Market on La Rambla, and on Montjuïc see Catalonia's national art collection and rooftop viewpoint at the MNAC, or take the cable car to Montjuïc Castle for 360º views of the city, port and sea. Further afield are the Montserrat Monastery among jagged rock peaks, reached by rack railway or cable car, the Dalí Theatre-Museum in Figueres, and on the Costa Daurada PortAventura Park, with coasters such as Shambhala and Dragon Khan, and Ferrari Land right next door.

Good to knowSagrada Família tickets are sold online only, and Park Güell tickets are timed, so enter within 30 minutes of your slot; children 0–6 are free but still need a ticket. La Pedrera's rooftop closes in rain, the MNAC is closed on Mondays, and the Dalí Theatre-Museum is booked online with a reservation code. Keep valuables close in La Boqueria's crowds, wear appropriate clothing inside Montserrat's basilica, and check PortAventura's official opening calendar before you go.