Things to do in Barcelona for a Birthday

Not sure how to spend your birthday in Barcelona? Check out our suggestions.

By Jo Cooke
Published: July 18, 2024
barcelona

In Spain it’s traditional to pull on the ears of someone on their birthday! One tug of the ear for every year of age, plus an extra one for luck! If you’re all ears for what to do In Barcelona on your birthday then you’re in the right place. The Catalan capital combines culture, cool and big city vibes, all bathed in Mediterranean sunshine. So Feliz Cumpleaños! (that’s Happy Birthday in Spanish!) and here’s our gift to you - a parcel of ideas for a fabulous birthday in Barcelona.

Breakfast in Barcelona

things to do in barcelona for a birthday

For traditional Catalan food and possibly the best breakfast in Barcelona, stay authentic, get up early and perch on a bar stool at Pinotxo, in the heart of the bustling Boqueria (food market). Ordering a ‘cafe amb llet’ (coffee with milk) will make you feel like a local; Catalans accompany theirs with a croissant, doughnut or bocadillo (sandwich). You can’t go wrong with a delicious Spanish omelette (tortilla de patata) or, if you’re feeling adventurous, try their famous dish of chickpeas and blood sausage.

If you’d rather sleep late on your birthday perhaps you’ll prefer to head to Milk, a bar and bistro that serves a famous Recovery Brunch from 9am til 4.30 pm. You can also choose from an English fried breakfast, A US-style pancake stack or even Mexican chilaquiles.

 

Climb the towers of the Sagrada Familia

things to do in barcelona for a birthday

Who doesn’t love a treat on their birthday? And there’s no doubt that the biggest treat of all in Barcelona is Gaudi’s breathtaking unfinished masterpiece, the Sagrada Familia. Don’t just stand outside admiring the amazing facades and soaring spires - steal a march on the crowds and book early to take a Sagrada Familia guided tour. You can’t fail to be open-mouthed as you marvel at the amazing natural forms of its vaulted ceiling, watch the light dance in the huge stained-glass windows and hear about its history. Construction began in 1882, was taken over by Gaudi in 1923, it became a UNESCO world heritage site in 1984 and work is forecast to be complete by 2026!


Since it’s a special day and you want to do it right, add the ticket that allows you to climb to the very top. See the very best view of Barcelona and get up close to the intricate imagined details of those famous cathedral towers.

Get your Gaudi fix

things to do in barcelona for a birthday

If that’s fired your imagination and architecture is where you’re at, you may want to embark on a Gaudi tour and go in search of more of his modernist legacy? Of Barcelona’s nine UNESCO World Heritage sites, seven of them were designed by Antoni Gaudi! Hit the streets, or hop on (and hop off) a bus, to check out the brightly coloured tiled exterior of Casa Vicens and the undulating facade and twisted chimneys of La Pedrera (sometimes known as Casa Milá). Perhaps most famous is Casa Battló where the exterior appears to be made of bones and the unconventional interior is inspired by marine landscapes and natural forms. Finish off your Art Nouveau birthday tour at Parc Guell for picturesque views of the city and photo opps with Gaudi’s mosaic dragon, ‘El Drac’, one of the most photographed sights in Barcelona.

Try some Catalan cuisine

things to do in barcelona for a birthday

When it’s time for your birthday lunch, perhaps drop into La Boqueria or another of Barcelona’s famous markets to pick up the ingredients for a picnic? It’s no wonder it’s known as one of the best food markets in Europe, thronged with tourists and locals alike. Choose from brightly coloured fruit and veg, delicious smoothies, chocolate dipped strawberries and churros, olives, cheese or paper cones full of Iberico ham... then find somewhere to relax and enjoy it all, perhaps on Barceloneta beach or in Ciutadella Park?
If you’d prefer to sit tight rather than takeaway, there’s no shortage of restaurants within the market area in which to enjoy an authentic lunch. Typical food in Barcelona includes patatas bravas, traditional Catalan croquettes and steaming pans of saffron-scented paella. Char-grilled octopus and salt cod are other local favorites.

Fun things to do in Barcelona

things to do in barcelona for a birthday

The beauty of a big city is that there’s something for everyone, even a large group of birthday buddies. When you’re all cultured-out, one original spot for a fun group activity in Barcelona is Escape Hunt Barcelona. Choose from three stories, all available in Spanish, Catalan, English or French - The Mystery of Gaudi, the Vampiress of Barcelona or the School of Thieves - then solve the clues to escape before the clock ticks down.

Meanwhile, the Big Fun Museum even has fun in the title and happily it’s suitable for big kids as well as little kids! A giant ball-pit is surely irresistible to all ages so dive right on into the enormous ‘dry pool’. Admire portraits formed from fruit and veg, meet talking flowers in ‘Wonderland’ and grab some quirky pics of you and your friends relaxing in the sink or perched on a spoon in the quirky ‘Giant’s House’. Fun, fun and more birthday fun!

 

Get wet and wild at Illa Fantasia Waterpark

There are more good times to be had, whatever your age, at Illa Fantasia waterpark, just a short train ride from the city. Soak up the sunshine in and around three giant pools or bob around the lazy river. Twirl down the 10m high ‘Spiral’, slide above the park’s restaurants in Bitour or race your family and friends down Aquamania’s three tubes. With more than 22 water attractions to choose from, you’re guaranteed a splashing time!

 

Enjoy a day in Montjuïc

things to do in barcelona for a birthday

For a more chilled day to the south of the city centre, why not visit the majestic hill of Montjuïc where there’s loads to see and do? From Parallel Metro station take the Funicular de Montjuïc halfway up the hill to the base station for the Montjuïc cable car (Telefèric de Montjuic). From the base station at Parc de Montjuïc it’s an easy walk to the Olympic stadium, which hosted the 1992 Barcelona Olympics and museums including the Joan Miró Foundation, showcasing the works of the famous Catalan artist.

Or maybe you’ll stop off at Poble Espanyol, a recreated Spanish village that combines history and culture with workshops, shops and places to eat.

The next cable car stop is at Mirador d’Alcalde, a ‘belvedere’, or series of terraces, that provide an impressive panoramic view and a chance to explore the beautiful public gardens. Montjuic Castle tops the hill; a former fortress and prison, it is now a Military Museum.

After so many new experiences it’s maybe time to raise a birthday toast on the terrace of the Terraz Martinez and enjoy the birds-eye view of the port and the Mediterranean. Their seafood platters and paella are said to be among the best in town.


Then soar - or stroll - back down again. Time it right and you can end up back at the bottom of Montjuïc in time for one of Barcelona’s most famous attractions, the Magic Fountain show, a popular sound-and-light spectacular that wows audiences every half hour after dark.

Barcelona’s best rooftop bars

things to do in barcelona for a birthday

As evening falls you’ll be spoiled for choice for bars, restaurants and nightlife, whatever your favourite cuisine - or music scene. Or, why not take your celebrations to new heights at one of Barcelona’s many rooftop bars?

The stylish Sky Bar at Grand Hotel Central is open to non-residents after 8pm for food and cocktails and boasts an infinity pool that appears to cascade towards a view of the whole city. For a magical 360° panorama, treat yourself to Terrat at the Mandarin Oriental, which serves amazing Peruvian food, or take the lift to the 360° terrace at the Barcelo Raval Hotel for classic cocktails, tapas and live DJs on summer weekends.

 

As you make memories and muse over the highlights of your day, raise your glass to the best birthday in Barcelona - and to a whole new year of adventures ahead - with Go City. Grab a Barcelona attraction pass and have the best birthday ever! Yay!

Jo Cooke
Go City Travel Expert

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Art at the Picasso Museum in Barcelona (Image credit: Museu Picasso)
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Museu Picasso vs Museu Nacional d'Art de Catalunya - (MNAC) Comparison

Barcelona has quite the pedigree when it comes to art. Not to put too fine a point on it, we’re talking about the self-same region that nurtured Pablo Picasso, Salvador Dalí and Joan Miró. Heck, this part of Spain is about as central to the development of European art as just about anywhere else on the continent. Nowhere is this more apparent than in the city’s fine art museums, among which the extraordinary Museu Nacional d'Art de Catalunya and epic Museu Picasso are among the very best. We took a closer look at these two titans of the Barça art scene, including a little bit of history and the treasures you can expect to find within… Museu Picasso: The Lowdown Vital Statistics: Opened in 1963, Barcelona’s Museu Picasso was the world’s first museum dedicated entirely to the maestro’s work, and the only one to open in his lifetime. Even today, the museum’s collection of 4,000+ pieces, located in the very neighborhood where Picasso lived and studied as a teenager, makes it one of the three largest Picasso collections on the planet, alongside the Picasso Museum in Paris, and the mighty Prado in Madrid. The museum attracts over a million visitors annually. Picasso Museum in Brief: Picasso’s fledgling art career first took wing in the medieval streets of the medieval Gothic Quarter. Here’s where he lived with his family, studied at the School of Fine Arts, and found inspiration for his celebrated ‘Les Demoiselles d'Avignon’ at a Carrer d'Avinyó brothel. It’s appropriate then that this extensive collection of his work – and particularly his earlier, pre-Cubist work – should be exhibited here, close to the very neighborhood Picasso once called home. This is no ordinary museum either. Art of this quality deserves a setting just as impressive, and the series of five adjoining medieval palaces in Le Ribera, in which the collection is housed, more than delivers. The mind-boggling number of exhibits (some 4,251 at last count) is helpfully organized into sections that primarily cover Picasso’s early years, training period and celebrated Blue Period, taking in a fairly substantial hoard of sketches and paintings from those eras, as well as a much smaller collection of pieces from his Cubist period and beyond. Museu Nacional d’Art de Catalunya: The Lowdown Vital Statistics: A stalwart of the Barcelona art scene since 1934, MNAC is *the* go-to for anyone with even a passing interest in Catalan art from the last 1,000 years. Set high on Montjuïc hill, this majestic collection is displayed within the historic Palau Nacional, a jaw-dropping confection that marries elements of St Peter's Basilica, Santiago de Compostela Cathedral, and other major masterpieces of European architecture. Something of a work of art in its own right then, this palatial Italian-style confection also just happens to command some of the best Barcelona panoramas in town. No wonder then that it draws in a similar number of tourists to the Picasso Museum – around a million – every year. MNAC in Brief: Go for the art and stay for the sweeping city views: visitors to the museum enjoy access to the roof terrace for unrivaled panoramas of the skyline, taking in everything from the Montjuïc Magic Fountain below to the familiar lines and angles of the Sagrada Família, and the Mediterranean beyond. It’s worth taking a peek inside too, of course. For here’s where you can marvel at Romanesque religious murals par excellence, lovingly transported here from crumbling medieval churches in the Pyrenees, as well as key pieces from the Gothic and Renaissance eras, and some of the modern masterworks that inspired Dalí, Picasso, Gaudí and Miró. In summary, MNAC boasts what is quite possibly (nay, almost certainly) the finest collection of Catalan art, ancient and modern, on this planet we call Earth. Museu Picasso: Highlights & What to Expect The Museu Picasso works hard to convey the artist’s relationship with Barcelona, from the formative years spent learning his craft in this very district to his continuing connection with the city in death. Guided tours of the local neighborhood flesh this out, revealing Picasso’s family homes, teenage hangouts and more. One such tour is included with a Barcelona pass from Go City, which also includes entry to the museum, as well as other Barcelona attractions including Gaudí’s Casa Batlló and the Sagrada Família. Find out more about the Barcelona pass and buy yours here. Cool fact: during renovations in 1960, the Mural paintings of the Conquest of Majorca were discovered concealed beneath plaster in Palau Aguilar, one of the five medieval palaces in which Museu Picasso is housed. Considered a masterpiece of 13th-century Catalan art, these magnificent murals now form the focal point of the Gothic galleries at MNAC. Back to the present day Museu Picasso now, where highlights include: ‘The First Communion’ and ‘Science and Charity’. Some of his earliest major works, these oil paintings date from 1896-1897, when Picasso was still a teenager. Must-see Blue Period works at the museum include ‘The Dead Woman’, a striking portrait of a recently deceased subject, rendered in the trademark sickly blues and greens Picasso favored between 1901 and 1904. In 1957, Picasso set about re-imagining Velazquez’s iconic 17th-century royal portrait ‘Las Meninas’, bringing his own inimitable style to the project across 58 (count ‘em) separate paintings. The resulting collection, displayed in its entirety here is, quite frankly, unmissable. MNAC: Highlights & What to Expect  For an overview of Catalan art across the centuries, the Museu Nacional d'Art de Catalunya is second-to-none, taking in everything from medieval Romanesque and Gothic murals to Renaissance masterpieces and modern art. Highlights of this 300,000-strong collection are many, but here are a few you absolutely must not miss: Baroque and Renaissance Spanish art provides some of the museum’s undisputed highlights. We’re talking masterpieces from the likes of El Greco, Velázquez, Zurbarán and more. Don’t miss one of the collection’s signature pieces: the unsettling ‘Martyrdom of Saint Bartholomew’ by José de Ribera’, in which the titular Bart’s desperate, pleading eyes seem to meet the gaze of the unsuspecting viewer (i.e. you). Murals including the Master of Taull’s majestic ‘Apse of St Taull’ and the epic Linear Gothic Catalan masterpiece that is the Mural paintings of the Conquest of Majorca, are among some of the finest examples of early medieval Romanesque art anywhere on the planet. The modern art collection covers around 150 years from the early 19th century onwards, with Romantic, realist and neoclassical pieces that preempt the work of Gaudí, Miró, Picasso et al. Check out sculptures by Campeny and the Vallmitjana brothers, and paintings by Flaugier and Fortuny, for the win. Top tip: admission to MNAC is free after 3PM on Saturdays and on the first Sunday of each month. You can book tickets for these as well as paid entry slots here. Save on Attractions, Tours and Activities in Barcelona Save money on Barcelona attractions, tours and activities with a pass from Go City. Check out @GoCity on Instagram for the latest top tips and attraction info.
Stuart Bak
Stuart Bak
View over Park Güell at sunset
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Barcelona in February

When planning your trip to Barcelona, you’d be forgiven for not considering visiting in winter. With the city seeing its peak levels of tourism in the summer months, it only seems right to follow suit and experience the city in its warmest and most bustling period. But should you happen to take a chance on Barcelona in February and brave the slightly cooler and possibly wetter weather, you may find yourself pleasantly surprised by what the city has to offer. Not only will you be able to experience a more authentic side to the Catalan metropolis without having to fight the summer crowds, but you’ll also get the chance to observe some of the region’s most hotly-anticipated cultural events. Tourism in February If you happen to visit Barcelona any time outside of the summer period, you’ll very quickly notice a huge difference in the overall feel of the city. In the wake of or lead-up to the peak tourist season, the city sees far lower numbers of visitors. This is especially true in the late winter months, when even the additional mini waves of Christmas have all run dry. In the absence of peak visitor numbers, you’ll find Barcelona far less crowded, and that can make a whole lot of difference for your trip. You’ll have the opportunity to visit just about any of the city’s key attractions without having to battle crowds, and most of the time you should even be able to book admission the very same day. What’s more, you’re likely to get the pick of the litter in terms of flights and accommodation, along with some pretty hefty discounts to boot. While it may not be the perfect weather for taking a dip in the Mediterranean, with temperatures typically falling between the low-40s and high-50s, this could be the prime time to plan your dream Barcelona itinerary. Explore the likes of the Sagrada Familia, Park Güell, Montjuïc and the Barcelona Zoo in their quietest and most authentic state. Barcelona Carnival We promised you near-zero crowds throughout Barcelona in February. Well, that may not be strictly true for the whole month. While most tourists may indeed be waiting for the summer months to pay a visit, the locals come out in force for a week in mid-February to celebrate Carnival. In the lead-up to lent, when families would traditionally begin fasting to tribute the final sacrifice of Jesus Christ, the city indulges in a week of lavish eating, drinking and partying. The celebration begins with Dijous Gras, or Fat Thursday. As per its double-entendre name, this is a day full of indulgence in mighty communal feasts filled with greasy, fatty foods. Head to any independent bakery or café, and you’ll likely find traditional treats such as coca de llardons (a flat wheat pastry) and botifarra d’ou (pork and egg sausage). Sometime over the weekend, often on the Saturday, the Carnival King will then arrive among the traditional carnival parade before making his grand speech to commence the rest of the festivities. This is a huge event in which many locals and tourists alike will gather to hear the King poke fun at the year’s most poignant events. Throughout the Carnival period, you’ll find countless street parties and events to join where you’ll be able to indulge in your fill of festive foods and alcohol. Most attendees typically dress up in costume, often as celebrities, famous characters or animals. If you’re really looking to party, you can easily grab yourself a costume from a number of stores in the city center. Llum Festival February also offers up one of the most highly anticipated events on Barcelona’s cultural calendar. For three nights a year, the Poblenou district offers up an almost unparalleled light show for the Llum Festival, using many of the district’s most iconic buildings as a canvas on which to project various different stunning art displays. Should you find yourself exploring the trendy bars, cafés and retailers throughout this district in the evening, you’ll be treated by all manner of spectacles. Highlighting the skills of both local and A-list artists, installations can be anything from neon walkways to immersive 3D illusions to entire buildings animated by light. Chinese New Year While the Lunar New Year may occasionally fall in January, it most often takes place in February. Just about every major European city will offer some form of celebration, but some go above and beyond to offer something truly special. Barcelona is one such location, as it has adapted its Chinese New Year celebrations to incorporate both traditional Chinese and Catalan symbolism and culture. A procession of dancers, musicians, martial artists, human towers, Chinese dragons and Catalan giants typically makes its way through some of the city’s major streets, eventually ending in a grand performance at its final destination. To accompany the celebration, you’ll also find a number of smaller events and displays taking place throughout the city. Many streets are taken over by vendors selling all manner of traditional treats and gifts, and you can often find a number of cultural workshops offering everything from language classes to art to cookery. Wrapping Up Whether you’re a more budget-minded traveler looking for the cheapest and quietest time to experience the heart of Catalonia or a fiend for parties and festivities, visiting Barcelona in February can be incredibly rewarding. Minimal crowds, cheaper accommodation rates and some of Catalonia’s most exciting cultural events are but a few of the treats you can expect from a visit throughout this period. Grab yourself a plane ticket and make sure to pack for the weather, and see what Barcelona’s winter really has to offer.
Robert Heaney
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

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