Indoor Activities in Barcelona

UPDATED JULY 2024
By Robert Heaney
Las Arenas de Barcelona lit up colorfully in the evening

Barcelona may be known for its idyllic summertime weather, often offering peak conditions for relaxing on its renowned beaches or taking a dip in the Mediterranean, but nowhere can be perfect all the time. The summer sunshine is often accompanied by high humidity and occasionally overbearing temperatures, while visiting off-season may introduce you to the springtime showers.

Should you find yourself at odds with the weather during your trip, there are as many fantastic indoor activities in Barcelona as there are famous outdoor landmarks. From its world-renowned architecture to its fortune of cultural exhibitions to its great retail therapy spots, there’s no shortage of things to do indoors while visiting the Catalan capital.

Architectural Marvels

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Famous for their unique blend of architectural styles, Barcelona’s top attractions may be best known for their photogenic exteriors, but many also offer a great deal more for you to explore inside. The city’s many religious sites and the works of its most celebrated local architects offer stunning interiors for you to discover.

Sagrada Familia – Easily Barcelona’s most famous attraction, this yet unfinished basilica is best known for its unique combination of Neo-Gothic and Modernist architecture. Most notably designed by celebrated Catalan architect Antoni Gaudí, the church offers an almost otherworldly interior.

Everything from its towering columns to its rising vaults comprises abstract and evolving geometric shapes, leaving no single surface of the interior entirely flat. Look just a little further and you’ll find various examples of Catholic symbolism layered throughout just about every aspect of the building.

Illa de la Discòrdia – Located on Passeig de Gràcia in the Eixample district of Barcelona, this striking block of buildings stands in commemoration of some of the city’s most celebrated Modernist architects. The name can be translated literally as the ‘Block of Discord’ and most famously includes Casa Lleó Morera, Casa Amatller and Casa Batlló.

Although the block is most famous for the contrasting façades of its buildings, the interior of the latter two residences are open for anybody with an interest in eccentric architecture to explore. Casa Lleó Morera has long been home to luxury fashion boutique Loewe, whose collections you can also explore while visiting the renowned city block.

Casa Milà – Nicknamed La Pedrera, or ‘the Stone Quarry’, for its rough-hewn limestone façade reminiscent of an open quarry, this prominent residence is another example of the famed Works of Antoni Gaudí. With a towering eight stories of apartments spread across two blocks constructed around two large, interconnected courtyards, this building is mesmerizing both inside and out.

Everything from the site’s exterior façade to the halls within and their accompanying furniture were all designed in harmony in the architect’s renowned Modernist style. Visitors can explore everything from its original apartments to the ‘garden of warriors’ rooftop terrace, offering stellar views over the city.

Cultural Sites

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A city with as much a wealth of culture and history as Barcelona would be incomplete without any means to exhibit them. Throughout the city, you’ll find a plethora of museums and galleries dedicated to various perspectives of history, art and culture.

Museu Nacional d'Art de Catalunya (MNAC) – Housed within the impressive halls of the Palau Nacional in Montjuïc, this museum boasts a collection exhibiting a thousand years of visual art from throughout the Catalonia region. Standing as one of the largest museums in Spain, the MNAC features exhibits covering everything from religious art to civil war propaganda to the region’s celebrated architects.

Museu Picasso – Located within the popular Gothic Quarter of Barcelona, the Museu Picasso houses over 4,000 of Pablo Picasso’s pieces, amounting to one of the world’s most complete collections of the famous Spanish painter’s works. The museum prides itself on offering a key insight into the artist’s early career, with Picasso having lived and studied in Barcelona throughout his formative years.

FC Barcelona Museum – Soccer fans need no introduction to Barcelona’s sporting fame. Home to the globally celebrated Futbol Club Barcelona, one of the city’s top attractions is the iconic Camp Nou stadium. Alongside offering an opportunity to explore the stadium grounds, Camp Nou also houses the FC Barcelona Museum, complete with a comprehensive history of the team’s most notable matches, players and trophies.

Retail Therapy

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Europe as a whole is widely known for its shopping cities, and Barcelona is no stranger to the trend. While the center may not boast much in terms of retail hubs, you’ll come across a host of unique shopping malls and outlets throughout the wider city. Why not pick yourself up some traditional Catalan souvenirs along the way?

Mercat de la Boqueria – Often considered one of the best markets in the world, Mercat de la Boqueria has stood in one form or another for many centuries. Accessible from La Rambla, the market offers a wide selection of produce, from fresh fruit and vegetables to baked goods to local artisan crafts.

El Triangle Centre Comercial – Located at the heart of Barcelona, El Triangle is a large shopping complex offering some of the best boutiques and retailers in the city. The mall sits right alongside Plaça de Catalunya, combining to offer a fantastic social space both inside and out.

Las Arenas de Barcelona – Built into a former bullfighting arena, this commercial center can be found within the popular Plaça España. It offers an impressive selection of stores and restaurants, along with 360-degree views of Barcelona from the rooftop.

Getting Around

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If you’re looking to escape the weather in Barcelona but still want to see as much of what the city has to offer as possible, then a Bus Turístic could be your best bet. Take a seat on its lower deck for a whirlwind tour along one of three iconic routes, accompanied by audio commentary for additional expert insights into each key location.

Robert Heaney
Go City Travel Expert

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Quirky Things to do in 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
Wide view of La Rambla Barcelona - tree lined street, shoppers and stalls
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Things to do on La Rambla Barcelona

Legend has it when you take a sip from the Font de Canaletes fountain at the top of La Rambla, you’ll fall in love with Barcelona and be bound to return! We’re not sure if it really is something in the water or the sensational shopping, delicious tapas treats and awe-inspiring Gaudi buildings that make us want to come back again and again. But there’s no doubt that the heart of the city is La Rambla, the busy, buzzy, tree-lined street which connects Barcelona’s main square to its vibrant waterfront. Looking for the best things to do on La Rambla? Let us take you for a roam - or ramble - around its highlights.   What is La Rambla? One of the main routes through the city for both locals and visitors, its name comes from the Arabic word ramla – for sand – referring to the sandy river bed of the stream that, until the 15th century, ran from the mountains to the sea on the site of this now throbbing thoroughfare. You’ll notice that the paving underfoot is patterned like waves to reflect these watery origins. Now it flows with people day and night - both locals and tourists strolling past souvenir stalls, street traders, human statues, performers, pavement cafes and bustling bars. Is it La Rambla or Las Ramblas? Not everyone realises this most famous of boulevards is one of several ‘Ramblas’ in the city. It is often also known in the plural, as Las Ramblas, because it’s made up of a series of shorter streets. At its top end you’ll find Placa de Catalunya, Barcelona’s main square, where the old city and the 19th century Eixample district meet. To the west is the bohemian El Raval quarter and to the east the Gothic Quarter, with its tempting labyrinth of small squares and streets. La Rambla meanders down to Port Vell where a wooden boardwalk leads to more shops, eating places and the Barcelona Aquarium   Barcelona Flower Market Back in the 19th century the part of La Rambla known as La Rambla de las Flores was the only place in the city where flowers were sold. Today it’s still a riot of colourful blooms, with some of the stalls over one hundred years old. In April the flower stands are painted red to celebrate the tradition of buying roses on La Rambla for the festival of Sant Jordi.   Mercat Boqueria Through the wrought-iron gates on La Rambla, don’t miss La Boqueria one of Europe’s most famous food markets. It’s popular with tourists but it’s also where shoppers and chefs alike buy their produce, from specialist stalls with amazing displays of fruit and vegetables, cured meats, fish, cheese, olives, spices and more. Pick up some picnic ingredients, choose a brightly coloured fruit smoothie, or snack on a ‘cone de jamon’. Or make like the locals who chow down on churros dipped in thick hot chocolate or linger with a glass of cava at one of the tapas bars whilst watching the world go by.   Liceu Opera House Get your culture fix at this majestic 19th century building where you can take in everything from opera to ballet to pop gigs. Despite being gutted by fire not once but twice, in 1861 and again in 1994, the Gran Teatre del Liceu reopened in 1999 and since then has welcomed some of the most famous classical singers of recent years. Marvel at the magnificent foyer, the dazzling hall of mirrors, not to mention the state-of-the-art auditorium, on one of the daily guided tours.   La Rambla street performers Is that statue looking at you? It probably is. La Rambla is famous for its street performers, in particular living statues who, with the help of elaborate makeup, spend hours frozen in place then occasionally surprise an unsuspecting passer-by. Outside the Teatre Principal you’ll also find portrait artists penning caricatures of famous characters – yourself included!   Where to eat on La Rambla? When it’s time to taste some tapas there’s no shortage of places to eat on La Rambla. Plump for patatas bravas, salty Padron peppers, traditional Catalan croquettes or get adventurous with typical Barcelona dishes like char-grilled octopus, and bunuelos de bacalao (salt cod). Take time to people watch from the pretty terraces with a cafe con leche (milky coffee). Coffee has clearly stood the test of time since the popular coffee house and chocolateria Cafe de l’Opera first opened its doors (and pretty stained glass windows) on La Rambla in 1929. Perhaps you’ll duck into Pasteleria Escriba - the most famous patisserie in town - for a sweet treat, or kick back with a cocktail at one of the many bars frequented by tourists and locals alike.   Miró mosaic Don’t miss the Miró! Not everyone realises there’s an enormous mosaic by one of Barcelona’s most famous artists, Joan Miró, right under their feet, just outside La Boquería. Constructed in 1976, the circular creation, around 8m in diameter, uses the bright primary colours and thick black lines for which Miro is best known. Look carefully for the single tile that carries his signature. 2017 Memorial Tragedy struck the city in 2017 when 15 people lost their lives and dozens more were injured in a terrorist attack right in the heart of La Rambla. To honour them the City of Barcelona placed a 12 metre long memorial next to the Miro mosaic. Pay your respects as you read the message denouncing violence, in Arabic, English, Spanish and Catalan – ‘Peace come upon you, oh city of peace’. Musee de l’Erotica Cool or controversial? You decide. This quirky museum based on the theme of eroticism throughout history claims to have been set up for educational purposes. Home to more than 800 pieces, it’s your chance to explore how different cultures have been titillated by raunchy and even religious objects dating back to Roman times. If you’re still not sure, it’s worth remembering that the museum also serves Cava to its visitors!   Christopher Columbus Monument At the bottom of La Rambla, this 197ft tall Corinthian column, topped by a bronze statue, marks the spot where the famous explorer first set foot back into Catalonia after his trip to the New World. Why not take the lift up to his lofty pedestal for a breathtaking view of the city and the sparkling Mediterranean - and decide where you’re going to explore next? An Explorer or All-Inclusive pass means you can mix your pre-booked activities with flexible drop-ins. Choose Go City® and enjoy your adventures!
Jo Cooke
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Things to do in Barcelona for Sant Joan's Night

It has some of the best shopping, art and architecture in Europe, but those aren’t the only reasons to make a beeline for Barcelona in June. Sure, the Catalonian capital is beautiful in spring, but summer is party season, and what better way to kick it off than with the annual Sant Joan’s Night celebrations, held on the 23rd of June every year. It’s actually kind of a double whammy, marking both the birthday of Saint John the Baptist *and* the recent summer solstice. But you know Barcelona: any excuse for a party, right? We took a deep dive to discover what the fiesta is all about and all the best things to do in Barcelona for Sant Joan’s Night. What is Sant Joan’s Night? The feast of Sant Joan is a sort-of Catholic church cut-and-shut of a couple of significant calendrical events. The first is the summer solstice aka midsummer aka the astronomical start of the summer season, which usually falls on the 20th or 21st of June in the northern hemisphere. The second, John the Baptist’s birthday, falls on the 24th and is marked by a public holiday, perhaps to allow reveling Catalans to recover after all that cava, sangria and wild partying. Said partying kicks off on the evening of the 23rd, often carrying on well into the wee small hours of the 24th as families across Spain celebrate the San Juan Festival with beach fires, bar crawls and banquets. Those epic bonfires and firework displays? Well, it’s all part of an ancient pagan ritual. You see, the fires are said to feed and strengthen the sun – a symbol of wealth and fertility – as well as purifying, protecting, and warding off those pesky evil spirits. Meanwhile the traditional act of fire-jumping (exactly what it sounds like, health-and-safety fans) is said to bring luck to the leaper. Assuming, of course, you don’t accidentally end up feet first in the flames. Three fire leaps is the norm, but some brave and hardy souls jump up to nine times, to be sure to appease the ancient pagan gods. Just remember, kids: fires and cava don’t mix. Traditional Sant Joan’s Night Fun in Barcelona Not to put too fine a point on it, the biggest draws *wherever you are in Spain* on Sant Joan’s Night, are the bacchanalian bonfire parties. Those held on the Barcelona’s Nova Icària and Barceloneta beaches are particularly special, as friends and family gather to welcome in the summer over good food, great wine and fine entertainment.  The fun kicks off on the afternoon of the 23rd, when the Canigó Flame, carried here from a great blaze on the easterly Pyrenean mountain peak of Canigó, lights the central bonfire on Barcelona’s Plaça de Sant Jaume to wild cheering, music and general fanfare. Representatives of each district of Barcelona then light torches and carry them to their respective neighborhoods and beaches to start the evening revelries. Get to the beaches early if you want to stake your claim to a prime spot on the sand, and be aware that it can get *incredibly* busy and lively as the evening progresses and the 'Night of Fire’ gets into full swing. The atmosphere begins to build at sunset as bonfires are lit along the sand. There will be live music, lots of excited chatter and a fair bit of grape-based revelry before the aforementioned rituals get underway in earnest.  Having purified yourself by making the traditional fire-jump, you can relax and enjoy one of the most spectacular firework displays in all Spain, as the skies light up in a kaleidoscope of color, beautifully mirrored on the sea below. Bring a swimming costume and a towel if you plan to join your new friends for a moonlit dip, but be aware that evenings on the coast can get chilly. Yes, even in Barcelona in June. More Things to do in Barcelona on Sant Joan’s Night You can’t properly celebrate Sant Joan’s Night in Barcelona without indulging in the festival’s traditional twin delicacies. We’re talking about cava and, yes, the frankly unmissable coca de Sant Joan – a Catalonian speciality. This sweet bread, topped with candied fruit and sometimes stuffed with custard, cream or marzipan, is a great snack at any time of day, but perhaps particularly as a restorative late-night treat once the serious business of appeasing the pagan gods is taken care of. Barcelona’s main beaches are also lined with bars, many of which set up special outdoor serving areas that operate throughout the afternoon and evening. Don’t fancy the chaos and crowds of the beach? Fear not, you can also hit up the main plazas and squares around town for your Sant Joan festivities fix. Here’s where to catch exciting live shows and pyrotechnic performances as locals dress up in outlandish costumes – devils, sprites, spirits and the like – and race around setting off fireworks, crackers, sparklers and more. Of course, you don’t absolutely have to join in the Sant Joan revelries if you don’t want to. With locals crowding the beach and plazas, this is a great time to take advantage of the rest of the city’s relative solitude and explore some of Barcelona’s best backstreet tapas bars. Take an evening stroll around the colorful Eixample barrio, crammed with picture-perfect art nouveau-style buildings and several Gaudí architectural masterpieces. Don’t miss the maestro’s curvaceous Casa Batlló on Passeig de Gràcia if creepy bone-like facades complete with skull-mask balconies and dragon-scale tiling is your thang. Or lose yourself in the Gothic Quarter’s labyrinthine lanes, where blind alleys, hidden courtyards, and much adventure awaits. Spot the ghostly white geese that haunt Barcelona Cathedral’s cloisters, and the gruesome gargoyles that leer from its walls, and seek artistic inspiration on atmospheric Carrer d'Avinyó, where some dude called Pablo Picasso got his first break. Wonder whatever happened to him? Save on Tours, Attractions and Activities in Barcelona Save on admission to Barcelona attractions with Go City. Check out @GoCity on Instagram for the latest top tips and attraction info.
Stuart Bak
Stuart Bak

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