Plaça del Pi

This square is famous for the nightlife and the uniform architecture, and features fountains and palm trees. It was built during the 19th century on the site of a monastery, after the Mendizábal law expelled the monks. After some years Antoni Gaudí designed the streetlights which are still there. It has lots of activity during the day, thanks to the many terraces of the bars and restaurants.

The main Gothic church in Barcelona. The cloister is maybe the most interesting part.

Connecting many of the major streets in the city, the Plaça is a central location and a hub of activity. It is a favourite meeting spot for locals and a transit hub for the tourist buses. There are many fountains, statues and gardens around the plaza, and a number of benches to just sit and take it all in.

Formerly known as Torre Agbar. Distinctively-shaped office tower which stands out in the Barcelona skyline. It stands out even more Friday, Saturday and Sunday nights when it is lighted in several colours. The viewing platform on the 30th floor has views in all directions. Tickets start at €15 and come with a complimentary glass of cava and access to Hyperview Barcelona, an exhibit of the city’s real-time environmental data as an audiovisual installation, which is hosted in the tower’s lowest floor.

Barcelona's most popular and famous attraction, the Sagrada Família is a testament to Antonio Gaudi's modernist style and unlike any other church in the world. The texture and detail on the façades are intricate and incorporate forms seen in nature as much of Gaudi's work does. The inside is huge — it's estimated that it can hold 13,000 people — with vaulted ceilings and columns designed to be reminiscent of trees. The church is still under construction, but the central nave, apse and crypt are open. Seeing the Sagrada Família at night with lights on is impressive — this is the time when you understand why people say that it is built of bones.

This street has the biggest collection of Gothic houses in Barcelona. In amongst these houses is the Picasso Museum, which is definitely worth a visit. There are also smaller museums along the street, and many tapas restaurants though they may be more expensive on this street.

Museum dedicated to the FC Barcelona. It occupies 3,500 m² and attracts 1.2 million visitors a year, ranking it second to the Museu Picasso, which attracts 1.3 million visitors, as the most visited museum in the city of Barcelona. All of the Barcas trophies and jerseys of many famous players of the team are exhibited. The museum can be visited by booking the Camp Nou Experience package, which includes also a stadium tour. The stadium tour is not fantastic and the audio guide is not really worth it either, but for a quick recent history of matches played there, consult the backs of the doors in the cubicles. Most have a lot of graffiti championing the team that played there. It is also unfortunate that the home team changing rooms are not open to the public, only the somewhat dated guest's team dressing rooms, which are not that impressive.

This former hospital is an architectural masterpiece that is now open for visitors. Inpatient wards (and most outpatient facilities) have been moved to a new building of Nou Hospital, but in terms of touring the area, that makes it all the easier. One of "small hidden features" is a network of underground passages where small carriages can be seen, you can get there near WCs on a central square, between Banc de Sang and Quiròfans.

One of the most representative examples of Catalan Gothic architecture, it features a sombre but beautiful interior. The upsweeping verticality and lightness of the interior are especially surprising considering the blocky exterior surfaces. Built between 1329 and 1383, it was once was home to a Christian cult in the late 3rd century. The church is dedicated to Saint Mary of the Sea, since the quarter was dedicated to the jobs related to the sea, from sailors to harbor works, commerce, even coin exchange. The inside was burned during the civil war, but it is still very interesting. Next to the church, you can see a monument, called Fossar de les Moreres, which is the place where many fighters where buried after the Barcelona defeat in 1714, so it is an important monument for Catalan nationalism.

Situated on the Montjuic, it exhibits archaeological findings from Catalunia from different periods. Under 16 and 65+ free. €3 for others. Special discounts for other groups.

This museum mainly exhibits exponents, which were imported by Catalan sailors as they explored the new world. Free on the first Sunday each month (11:00 to 15:00)

Distinctive pink house that Gaudi lived in for nearly 20 years (although not designed by him). It features furniture designed by Gaudi and other objects relating to Gaudi's life. The gift shop has a large selection of Gaudi-themed souvenirs that are generally better quality than what's available in the normal tourist shops.

The university has many interesting buildings, libraries and courtyards.

If you're a football fanatic, then you can't miss a visit to this football temple, the home ground for Barcelona's biggest and most popular team and one of Europe's greatest footballing 'cathedrals'. During the Franco era, FCB was the only way that oppressed Catalans could vent their anger against his dictatorship. Because of that, it became and still is a symbol of Catalan identity. Camp Nou is the biggest stadium in Europe with a capacity of 98,600 people, with shops and a museum of the club's history. Match tickets start at about €42 and games hardly ever completely sell out, unless it is a match against the hated rivals Real Madrid (a match commonly dubbed El Clásico), one of the other top teams (Atlético Madrid, Valencia or Sevilla) or in the Champions League. With the quality in the current team, there are always a few goals, and it is nearly always a resounding win for Barça. For stadium tours check the entry below.