Bright and bold in every way, Barcelona is the perfect blend of city and beach, with cobbled streets full of history and tempting beachfront eateries lining the coast.

Destination Highlights

• Ideal city/beach ratio

• Amazing architecture

• Lively and exciting

• Plenty to do for all ages

Barcelona holidays 2024 - must-visit beaches

Barcelona enjoys an impressive 4.5km stretch of sandy bays along its shoreline, making it perfect for city breaks with a side of beach. From lively to peaceful; family to nudist, Barcelona has a beach to suit you - no matter how last-minute you're planning to jet off. Here are a few of our faves:

• Barceloneta Beach: The OG of Barcelona beaches, this one's popping off with lively vibes, bangin' beach bars, and plenty of room for activities.

• Nova Icaria Beach: A top-tier spot for families and foodies, with a whopping selection of delish restaurants and calm waters perfect for the kiddos.

• Bogatell Beach: For the sporty types, Bogatell is where it's at. Think volleyball, windsurfing, and a proper good workout, all while soaking up the sun.

• Mar Bella Beach: Fancy a bit of a cheeky, swanky vibe? Mar Bella's got a nudist section and a laid-back atmosphere that's perfect for a more chilled-out day.

• Ocata Beach: Just a short train ride away, Ocata offers mahoosive stretches of golden sand and crystal-clear waters, ideal for a top-notch escape from the city buzz.

• Castelldefels Beach: This mega beach boasts miles of sand and is scorchio for windsurfing and kitesurfing, with a backdrop of stunning hills.

Why not go all-out this time? Or all-in. Take a look at some of our top all-inclusive properties in Barcelona.

What are the top hotels in Barcelona?

Looking for the perfect place to stay in Barcelona? Whether you’re after a beachfront beauty, a family-friendly apartment, or a super-cool spot in the Gothic Quarter, we’ve got you covered. Here are some top-notch hotels to consider for your next holibob:

• Occidenal Atenea Mar: Adults-only paradise with a rooftop infinity pool, just 500m from the beach. Perfect for a romantic escape.

• Axel Hotel Barcelona Urban Spa: Lively LGBTQ+ haven with stylish rooms, an on-site spa and pool, plus a fab rooftop bar. Ideal for a couples' getaway.

• Iberostar Paseo de Gracia: A hotel that ticks all the boxes with a rooftop infinity pool, central location, and gorgeous modern rooms. Perfect for everyone.

• Barcelona House: Family-friendly gem less than 100m from La Rambla. Spacious apartment-style accommodation right in the city’s heart.

• Catalonia Park Guell: Quiet family retreat with a rooftop pool and on-site snack bar. A great option for a more peaceful stay.

Can't decide where to stay in Barcelona? We got you! Make sure to check out our top things to do in Barcelona too!

Barcelona City Breaks 2024 - The Travel Guide

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Things to do in Barcelona with the kids

Taking the kids on holiday means planning those day trips and excursions to suit a range of different ages, tastes and interests. If Barcelona could guarantee one thing, it’s that you’ll never hear those dreaded two words – ‘I’m bored’.

No trip to Barcelona would be complete without a slow meander down the famous street of Las Ramblas. Lined with trees, this one-of-a-kind street is a green oasis, and the beating heart of Barcelona. From quirky record shops to unique fashion boutiques: large tapas restaurants and quaint little tavernas, you could easily spend a full day exploring this kilometre long stretch. Not to mention, the kids will love the street performers and magicians dotted along the way.

Got a football fanatic in your family (yes that includes the big kids too)? Then, a trip to Nou Camp is an absolute must. The stadium doesn’t look all that big from the outside. But, renovated to hold just shy of 100,000 people, the stadium actually descends lower than ground level once inside. Offering stadium tours and behind the scenes access, this experience is truly magical for those who love the sport. Because, who doesn’t want to stand where Maradona once did? Or Messi? Or Guardiola? Or Ronaldinho? You get the idea.

❤️ Things to do in Barcelona for couples

A holiday with your partner is definitely one of the finer things in life. Enjoying each other’s company, exploring somewhere new and taking the time to just relax without a care in the world. Sounds good right? Queue your perfect holiday destination for a couples holiday… Blissful sunny days, gorgeous Gothic architecture and getting lost in the maze of picture-perfect cobbles streets, Barcelona offers romance by the bucket load. Here are a couple of things you can’t miss.

Notably Barcelona’s most famous cathedral and landmark, La Sagrada Familia is an architectural wonder and one of Antoni Gaudi’s most famous works. Commissioned in 1882 and – unbelievably – still largely unfinished, this amazing feat of engineering is both intricate and stunning. Whether you choose to take a guided tour or simply marvel from the roadside, the beauty of La Sagrada Familia is sure to entrance you.

So, we’ve all got to stop for lunch, and what better place to grab a bite to eat than La Boqueria? Dating back to the 13th century, this bustling marketplace is now the site of hundreds of amazing stalls, street food kiosks and even a central bar. Maybe just leave an extra hour spare to explore the labyrinth of stalls after lunch.

🥳 Things to do in Barcelona for groups

Organising a trip for a group of people can be time consuming. Someone wants to see the sights, someone wants to hit the beach and another just fancies a bar crawl in slightly warmer climes. The answer to this problem? Barcelona. Old to young, lively to quiet – there’s something for every member of the group in this city.

So, you have a group that want to visit different parts of town? Check out the Barcelona bus tours! With two lines (red and blue), this hop-on-hop-off service means you can take in the sights and culture of the city with the added ability of hopping off wherever you fancy to check out the different neighbourhoods.

Keeping a group happy on a night out is like an extreme sport. To cater for everyone you need a variety of bars, music and vibes. So, picking a club to end the night in can be tricky. That’s where Razzmatazz comes in. With five rooms, big-name DJs and top performing artists, Razzmatazz is an experience that should not be missed.

💰 Things to do in Barcelona on a budget

So far you’ve already paid for your flights, your hotel, transfers, the obligatory airport beers… the list goes on. The last thing you want to do is fork out a lot of money on excursions when you could be saving those spends for important things, like food! It’s cool, we get you.

First stop: the beach. Grab your towels (maybe a Frisbee too) and hit the sands. With a choice of beaches and plenty of facilities, a beach day in Barcelona is the perfect way to relax under the gorgeous Spanish sun. Laze the day away, challenge the gang to a game of beach rounders, enjoy a beach picnic and soak up that sun.

Now, you can’t visit Barcelona without popping to see at least one of the infamous Antoni Gaudi buildings and monuments throughout the city. Why not see them all, on your very own Antoni Gaudi tour of Barcelona? A whistle-stop tour (with no entrance fees) should include La Sagrada Familia, Park Güell, Casa Batlló and Cascada Fountain at Parc de la Ciutadella.

🌆 Things to do in Barcelona at night

You’ve spent the days exploring the streets of Barcelona, lazing on the beaches and discovering true Catalan culture. But what do you do when night falls? A good holiday needs to have a good nightlife, and something that will suit you and your squad (whoever that may be). Whether you want to enjoy a top-notch meal, take in a show or hit the bars, Barcelona has something for you.

First thing’s first, you’re in Barcelona – a place where traditional Spanish food is fused with authentic Catalan tastes. The best way to try it all? Tapas! If you’re anything like us and you want to order everything from a menu, here’s your chance to do it. Enjoy your tapas on Las Ramblas and you’ll be in for a meal you’ll never forget.

Once you’re sufficiently stuffed, it’s time to leave the restaurant and explore the bars of the Gothic Quarter. Whilst there’s amazing nightlife in all areas of Barcelona such as the big clubs of El Pobelnou and the chic cocktail bars of Eixample, the Gothic Quarter offers something different. From traditional tavernas to hidden gems that hold only 15 people, bars around here are quirky and unique.