Quirky Things to do in Barcelona

quirky barcelona

Are you a bit different from others? Do you lean on the eccentric side? You're welcome here, friend. Gather round, and we'll tell you exactly you can unleash the quirky beast inside you. Barcelona, of course! If you're looking for fun things to do in the Catalan capital that err on the strange side, then you've come to the right place. Here, we'll let you know which are our favorite quirky things to do in Barcelona!

Including:

  • Moco Museum Barcelona
  • Segway tour
  • Gaudí Experiència 4D
  • Museum of Illusions and Big Fun Museum
  • Escape Hunt Barcelona
  • and more!

 

Moco Mayhem

Let's kick off our quirky escapades with some leftfield artworks! At the Moco Museum Barcelona, you can find weird and wonderful works from artists past and present.

You'll find this modern art marvel at a rather historic place, as it's located in Palacio Cervelló - the former residence of the noble Cervelló family. But step inside its history-soaked walls, and you'll be transported to a world of experimental art, mind-boggling displays, and works that challenge your beliefs and ideology.

Soak up pieces from the likes of Banksy, Dali, Warhol, and LaChapelle, which take center stage beside other brilliant works from lesser-known artists.

 

Segway Sliding

Say what you want about Segways, but they're nothing if not quirky. So, why not take one for a spin and let your quirky side shine at Parc de la Ciutadella with a guided tour on two wheels?

And don't worry if you're not a Segway pro; every attendee gets a brief introduction to the art of zooming before you set off around the park, soaking up the beautiful green space and seeing the sights.

Highlights of the tour include Barcelona zoo, the park's Cascada fountain, and the city's own Arc de Triomf. But really, the star of the show is you, aboard your own personal electronic chariot, embracing your quirky ancestors in all your glory. Easily one of the most quirky things to do in Barcelona, so put your silliest sunglasses on and get to it!

 

4D Fun

If you're visiting Barcelona, you probably have some idea who Gaudí is. For those who don't, let's do a quick recap: one of the world's most famous architects, worked almost exclusively in Barcelona (his hometown), and you'll see his weird and wonderful creations everywhere. There, lesson over.

Gaudí's been gone for nearly 100 years at this point, so for the past century, all you could really do was visit his exquisite buildings to get a better idea of the man himself. But not anymore, because now, you can revisit the man, the legend, and his many works in four dimensions!

At the Gaudí Experience 4D, you'll get hands-on with digital interpretations of his work, and then plant your bum in a cinema seat as you're transported into his mind. Learn how the world shaped his creations as your seat moves and you feel the wind in your face. It's a truly breathtaking experience, and one we'd highly recommend even if you know nothing about him.

 

Illusions and confusion

What's better than entering one weird and wonderful museum? Well, that would be entering two for the same price! And that deal can be yours if you head to the Museum of Illusions and the adjoining Big Fun Museum! These perspective-defying museums are easily one of the most quirky things to do in Barcelona.

At the Big Fun Museum, you'll be shrunk to the size of an ant as you explore the Giant's House. As the name would suggest, everything is comically large, including a shoe, and giant-sized donuts. Very cool.

At the Museum of Illusions, you'll walk through 3D paintings by some of Barcelona's most prominent painters. You may feel you can reach out and touch elements of the display, but it's an illusion. You can touch nothing. Look out for dinosaurs, spaceships, and other weird and wonderful things as you fumble your way through this fantastic museum. Great for kids (and bigger kids).

 

Escape for your life

What could be quirkier than being stuck in a room, time ticking away, as you attempt to solve riddles, find clues, and escape? Nothing, really, which is why we owe it to ourselves to include Escape Hunt Barcelona on our list of quirky things to do in Barcelona!

This massive escape complex can fit up to 34 people inside (across the facility's 6 rooms), so if you're somehow traveling with nearly three-dozen people, it's the perfect place to get quirky.

If you're feeling daring, you can even challenge another team in another room to see who will escape first. And, with stories including Gaudi, Vampiresses, and thieves schools, you're more than likely to have a wail of a time.

 

Crypt compadres

And finally, let's end this list on something a little different. This one's on the macabre side, but we'd still color it quirky. Venture just outside of the city to Colonia Güell, and you'll find a strange village with a secret. Not only is this weird and wonderful throwback founded by the very same Eusebio Güell, responsible for the eponymous Park Güell, but it's also the final resting place of the late, great Gaudi himself, whose works are all over the park!

Created back in the late 1800s, Colonia Güell is something of an oddity itself. It's an entirely manufactured town, built by Güell and a hoard of architects with modernism in mind. Then, once you've explored this megalithic art piece slash town, head down to Gaudi's tomb, which is a work of art in itself.

Made up of anti-geometric shapes and vibrant colors, Gaudi professed it would have been a monument dedicated to Sagrada Familia, if he'd lived long enough to see it complete.

And that's our list of the most quirky things to do in Barcelona! Looking for more fun things to fill your vacation days in the city? Stretch your legs and your mind with Barcelona's best walking tours. Want to soak up some sun, lounge in some sand by the sea, and take a load off? Browse the city's best beaches. Need a bite to eat, or some fresh food in a pinch? Head to one of Barcelona's excellent markets.

Dom Bewley
Go City Travel Expert

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The Palau Nacional viewed from the Magic Fountain
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Free Things to do in Barcelona

Any trip to Barcelona is bound to be jam-packed with sightseeing, cultural activities and all the fresh Catalan cuisine you can stomach. While that’s exactly what many consider to be the best way to experience the city, it isn’t always too kind on the wallet. For those that are more budget-minded or would simply like to complete their itinerary with some cheaper and more laid-back activities, the city can still deliver. There are plenty of free things to do in Barcelona for just about every type of visitor. Parks Galore For a city as metropolitan and bustling as Barcelona, it’s surprising just how many open green spaces it manages to sneak in. Well over a dozen parks are dotted throughout, ranging from small dog parks to many-hectares-large social spots. Park Güell By far the most renowned and popular of Barcelona’s attractions is Park Güell. Second only to the Sagrada Familia in terms of the sheer volume of visitors it receives each day, Park Güell is most well known for its interior Monumental Zone designed by modernist architect Antoni Gaudi. While you will need to pay to book a visit to the Monumental Zone, this area constitutes just a tiny portion of the park as a whole. If you don’t mind missing it, you can very easily sink a couple of hours of your day into exploring or relaxing in the rest of the park. Ciutadella Park Offering over 17 hectares of green space, Ciutadella Park is the largest park in Barcelona, and it does plenty with that space. It’s so large, in fact, that it houses not only the Barcelona Zoo and its more than 2,000 resident animals, but also the Parliament of Catalonia. A number of street performers, dancers and musicians are often dotted throughout the park, adding to its relaxed and jovial atmosphere. Take a chance to sit back and relax, watch the rowboats go by on the lake, explore the space’s many monuments and take a selfie with the park’s very own wooly mammoth. Montjuïc Park For the very best views over the city, get yourself over to Montjuïc Park. This hill to the south of the city is jam-packed with some of Barcelona’s best attractions, and is also simply a fantastic place to relax with a panoramic view of the Catalan capital. Entry to the park by foot is entirely free, and you’ll be able to take all the time you need to explore the likes of Montjuïc Castle, the Magic Fountain and the Olympic Ring. There is also a cable car to take you directly to the top of the hill by the castle, but you will of course need to pay for this. Museums Barcelona is a city brimming with culture, and it’s no coincidence that it also hosts a great many museums for visitors to explore. While it’s no secret that many of Barcelona’s museums charge fairly hefty admission, many offer free entry on the first Sunday of each month, and often at select times throughout the week. The Museu Nacional d’Art de Catalunya is housed within the beautiful Palau Nacional and exhibits hundreds of thousands of visual art pieces from throughout the Catalonia region, dating back as far as a thousand years. As the biggest and most important museum in Barcelona, the MNAC typically charges admission, but can be visited for free on Saturday afternoons. The Museu Picasso offers the most complete collection of the surrealist Spanish artist’s paintings in the world. Thursday evenings will allow you to view the more than 4,000 pieces free of charge. Montjuïc Castle sits atop Montjuïc Mountain and originally served as a military fortress, dating back to 1640. The castle is now open for visitors to explore its halls, and offers free entry every Sunday evening. Gothic Quarter The Gothic Quarter of Barcelona offers a labyrinth of medieval streets in which you’ll find all manner of attractions, quaint restaurants and local retailers. While this area may house some of the pricier pastimes of the city, it also offers many of the best free things to do in Barcelona. Perhaps one of the biggest selling points of the Barri Gòtic is its wide selection of charming squares. The likes of Plaça Reial, Plaça Prim and Plaça Sant Felip Neri offer relaxed and open spaces to sit and socialize, often along with a handful of cafés and restaurants to grab a coffee or a bite to eat. These cobbled alleyways also house some of Barcelona’s most notable historic sites. You can visit the Barcelona Cathedral and Basílica de Santa Maria for free between certain times each day. The Jewish Quarter at the heart of the Gothic Quarter is an entire fragment of history in itself, offering some of the most gorgeous architecture in the area. If that isn’t quite enough to sate your historical hunger, then you can also retrace Barcelona’s ancient Roman past. Walk the perimeter of the old city wall, visit the remains of the Roman aqueduct and necropolis and explore the impressive remaining columns of the Temple of Augustus. Wrapping Up While the aforementioned attractions may be considered some of the best budget-friendly ways to pass your time, they are by no means the only free things to do in Barcelona. Throughout the year, there are always a number of events, workshops, gigs, exhibitions and tours on offer free of charge for any who may be interested. As bustling and metropolitan as Barcelona may be, it doesn’t have to be reserved only for those with the cash to splash on every single attraction. The more savvy, budget-minded traveler can fill their itinerary with all manner of rewarding activities without having to spend a penny more than their flights, accommodation and meal costs.
Robert Heaney
Guell
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Top 10 things to do in Barcelona: our must-see sights

Barcelona is a city blessed with having it all. From blissed-out beaches and otherworldly architecture to great food and a pumping cultural scene overflowing with parties, festivals and events. If you need a city break that will impress on every level, you have just found the ultimate destination. But with so much to keep you occupied in this world-class city, it helps to have a few insider tips to help you pin down the absolute essentials – places you simply cannot miss from your Barcelona bucket list. Which is why we’ve knocked up our ultimate list of things to do in Barcelona. Use it wisely, and you’ll be on the road to a perfect adventure in the stunning Catalan capital. Make sure you don’t miss... La Sagrada Familia – Antoni Gaudi’s iconic basilica La Pedrera – a masterpiece of Art Nouveau architecture Casa Vicens – a psychedelic mansion Park Güell – Gaudi’s serene public park The Old Town and Gothic Quarter – the city’s historic cultural heart Museum of Contemporary Art – home to world-renowned contemporary artworks Barceloneta Beach – a fine slice of city sun, sea and sand Parc de la Ciutadella – park perfection Aire de Barcelona Ancient Baths – a hidden refuge Castle Montjuïc – breathtaking skyline views Antoni Gaudi’s Architecture Barcelona owes a lot of its good looks to Antoni Gaudi, the famed Catalan architect who designed some of its most spectacular and stylish landmarks. Perhaps the most famous of these is La Sagrada Familia, a towering unfinished basilica that must be seen to be believed. View the building’s elaborate neo-Gothic towers before stepping inside to view the gob-smacking geometric ceiling, which feels like you’re looking into a colorful kaleidoscope. La Pedrera Next up on your Gaudi architecture to-do list is the lavish La Pedrera, a striking UNESCO World Heritage Site built between 1906 and 1912. As another fine example of Gaudi’s unique Modernisme style, you’ll experience a fascinating façade that twists and turns its way upwards towards a fine roof-top terrace featuring striking city-wide views. You won’t forget the roof’s 28 radically designed chimneys that look more like chess pieces than air vents. Casa Vicens This magical multicolored mansion is one of Gaudi’s more overlooked creations, but certainly shouldn’t be missed thanks to its ornate orientalist designs. One of the first-ever houses that Gaudi designed, you’ll be overwhelmed when you see how vibrant it is. The outside looks like a fortress from some sci-fi fantasy film, whilst inside, you’ll be faced with palm-tree painted walls and ceilings that could have easily been transplanted straight from a Marrakech riad. Getting in: tickets for La Pedrera and Casa Vicens are included on a Go Barcelona pass. Park Güell Round off your Gaudi galavant with a walk in his picturesque park, created in 1900 and filled with his typically extravagant designs. First, take a well-earned breather in the landscaped gardens, before weaving your way through a maze of mesmerizing buildings, decorated in colorful mosaics and fine tilework. Don’t miss the cheeky dragon sculpture at the park’s entrance. City Living Hitting the Old Town and Gothic Quarter Take a break from Gaudi’s gorgeous designs by delving into the old town and checking out some local haunts. Head to the city’s history-drenched Gothic Quarter, where you could easily get lost down one of the quaint alleyways, filled with Medieval architecture. A great way to prevent this from happening is opting for a fascinating walking tour, where a knowledgeable guide can help explain the importance of some of the area’s notable attractions, like the ruins of the Roman Forum in Plaza de Sant Jaume, or the saintly Cathedral of Santa Maria del Mar. A Go Barcelona pass gives you access to a great one that covers all of the area’s major attractions. Museum of Contemporary Art Next up, get your creative fix at Barcelona’s massive Museum of Contemporary Art, a futuristic artistic haven in the heart of the city’s ancient Chinatown district. See a vast collection of over 5,000 artworks from heavyweights like Jean-Michel Basquait, Alexander Calder and Juan Muñoz. It’s the perfect place for some peaceful reflection, and if you head outside afterward, you can take a coffee in one of the cute cafés along the side streets while dodging the skateboarders who love hanging out in the area. All in all, it’s a pretty cool place to chill. Getting in: tickets to the museum are included on a Go Barcelona pass. Barceloneta Beach Spain wouldn’t be Spain without its sensational coastline, and Barcelona offers a surprisingly slick patch of it at Barceloneta Beach, a beautiful 4.5km stretch of sweeping sands backed by busy restaurants, sunbathers, roller-blading locals and palm trees. The huge sail-shaped W Hotel stands proudly at the end of the beach and sparkles like magic when the sun is shining on it. Don’t miss a cocktail at its slick rooftop sun-terrace. Alternative Barcelona Once you’ve covered all of Barcelona’s big hitters, from beaches and bars to the Gaudi buildings, why not uncover some of the city’s hidden gems and adventurous activities? A great starting point is a visit to the Ciutadella Park, with its grand fountains, tropical palm trees and fanciful follies. A great way to explore this 19th-century jewel is by hopping on a snappy Segway scooter, where you can scoot around the park’s scenic sites in speed and style. A Go Barcelona pass gives you free access to a one-hour Segway tour, where a guide will show you everything you need to see, including the Barcelona Zoo and the striking red-colored Arc de Triomf, which was designed for the Barcelona World Fair in 1888. Aire de Barcelona After whizzing around the park, you might need a lie-down, or perhaps even a relaxing massage, so head straight across the road from the park into the tranquil refuge of Aire de Barcelona and forget that you’re in one of Europe’s most action-packed cities. These ancient thermal baths will transport you to a world of total relaxation as you dip yourself in the spa’s warming pools. The atmosphere is truly dreamy and will remind you of being in a traditional Turkish bath – think flickering candles, aromatic scents and endless helpings of mint tea. Book a botanical oil massage and you’ll be good to go for another round of city sightseeing. Montjuïc Castle Top off your Barcelona top ten with some wonderful panoramic views of the city from the hilltop military fortress of Montjuïc Castle. This imposing building offers the perfect vantage point to enjoy spectacular views out to the sea and across the city’s rooftops as you stand on the castle’s rustic ramparts. Don’t miss the manicured gardens around the fortress, which only add to its charm. Save on admission to top Barcelona attractions Explore the best things to do in Barcelona with the Go Barcelona pass. Select from top attractions with our All-Inclusive and Explorer passes, where you’ll enjoy access to must-see museums, exciting river cruises, fun tours and much more. Share Your Adventure with Us Tag @GoCity in your vacation photos and we'll feature you on our page. Follow the Go City Instagram and Facebook channels for exclusive competitions, special offers and events to help you make the most from your travels.
Lee Dales

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