Barcelona is one of the most popular places to visit in Spain, and even in the Top 5 of European cities by the number of foreign visitors. Many people come to Barcelona as a base of beach holidays in the surrounding area of Costa Brava and Costa Dorada, some people come here for the authentic barrios (neighborhoods), some want to see the famous Sagrada Familia. Still, Barcelona has much more to offer to its visitors. That is why, I’m telling you about the interesting, but lesser-known places to visit in Barcelona.
Gracia Neighborhood
Gracia neighborhood is the best place to feel the real spirit of Barcelona. It is a place that the tourists usually don’t visit, but which is great for relaxed promenades and best for living if you prefer tranquility like in Valencia, instead of crowded center of Barcelona. Here, it may be hard to find people speaking English, but you don’t need it if you want to feel the local life of the borough. Barrio Gracia is not full of attractions, but a really cozy district of Barcelona with its own history, which was my favorite place before I started my Erasmus in Spain.
Panoramic Point on the Top of Parc Güell
Parc Güell itself is one of the most popular places to visit in Barcelona along with the Sagrada Familia and the other buildings of Gaudi. Most of the people visit only a small part of the park, where they take those nice Instagram pictures. But, I will tell you the truth. You need to pay around 10 Euros just to enter the small area, where most of the people take those pictures. You will hustle with crowds of Asians, Americans, Europeans and many other people to have 2 seconds to take your picture and go away.
Still, the rest of the park is empty. That is why I recommend you to climb up the mountain on the north of it to relax or meditate in the absolute quietness and calmness. Moreover, you will have a great view of the whole of Barcelona.
Fira Barcelona Montjuïc
Fira Barcelona is a huge exhibition center. It is centrally located in the city, easily accessible from the airport and connected to the public transport network. It is situated in a privileged setting, inside Montjuïc park, where another attraction from this list is located. Even if there are no interesting exhibitions at the time of your visit, you can just take some pictures of the building, which is interesting by itself.
Poble Espanyol
Another lesser-known attraction of Barcelona is located close to the previous one. Poble Espanyol reveals the diversity of Spain in a pleasant and peaceful stroll. Enjoy the architecture, traditions, and the art of Spain in one place.
Búnquers del Carmel
Despite the name, they are not bunkers, but it is another great viewpoint. In my opinion, the best one in Barcelona. There are no tourist attractions nearby, but some tourists that know this place come to this part of Barcelona just for the great view from the height.
Cactus Garden on Montjuïc
Mount Montjuïc is a well-known place, but not many tourists know about the cactus garden located here, a bit farther from the city center. It has about 800 cactus species! Try not to prick yourself.
Can Framis Museum
Probably, not many locals know about this museum, but it is a very interesting place to visit. Can Framis is the latest Fundació Vila Casas museum, an art center devoted to the promotion of contemporary Catalan painting. The building located in the 22 district of Barcelona has an unusual structure that you will see from afar.
Parc del Laberint d’Horta
This park is much less known than the famous Gaudi’s Parc Güell, still has not less attraction for the tourists. It is a historical garden in the Horta-Guinardó district in Barcelona and the oldest of its kind in the city.
Palau de la Música
The Palau de la Música Catalana is an architectural jewel of Catalan Art Nouveau, the only concert venue in this style to be listed as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. It is a great place to visit if you are a music or architecture lover. It will be a brilliant place for you in both cases.
Botanic Garden
The beautiful park between the Castell de Montjüic and the Olympic stadium comprises typical forests and shrubs from southern Australia, South Africa, Chile, California, the Canary Island and three Mediterranean zones. It has an area of 14 ha. Due to the fact that the Botanic Garden is a lesser-known attraction in Barcelona, you can enjoy visiting its vast area without many other people surrounding you.
It was my list of the lesser-known, yet interesting places to visit in Barcelona to avoid the crowds of tourists and find something authentic to say that you have been to some places in this Spanish city that the others haven’t visited.
Roman, unstoppable traveler from adventure and budget travel blog RomanRoams.com and Visit-Belarus.com travel website about the attractions, places to visit, as well as interesting and useful information about Belarus.
We’re visiting Barcelona and Catalonia in September and this is so helpful. Bookmarked for reference before we go! thanks so much for sharing!
Laura, Have a great time in Barcelona. Glad to have helped get you excited for your trip!
I will admit that a few of these spots are really outside of the Tourists-hordes radar, but including el Palau de la Musica, el Park Guell and Gracia there is kind of generous! In most of this places it is almost impossible to find any local (me included). You should add the Museu Miró or the Castle of Montjuic =)
Jenn, Thank you for the insight from a local!
Hi there,
I love your list of where to in Barcelona. You have some really good ideas about the city, you did a great job. If you are ever back in Barcelona I would love to show you some amazing places to eat in the city. I run a food tour company called Eye on Food Tours drop me a line some time.
all the best,
-A
Thanks. I will take you up on that. Not plans right now, but will be in Madrid in April.