Explore Barcelona

Best Places to Visit in Barcelona and Dosrius

Barcelona is one of the most visited cities in Europe, attracting millions of visitors each year with its famous sights, cultural landmarks, and breathtaking coastal beauty.

While the city centre is home to world-renowned Barcelona tourist attractions such as the Sagrada Família, Park Güell, and Casa Batlló, the surrounding areas, including Dosrius, offer a tranquil escape filled with nature, food experiences, and adventure.

Barcelona Highlights

Explore Dosrius

At a glance

What's inside this guide.

Places in this guide: 32
In Barcelona: 23 places
In and around Dosrius: 9 places
UNESCO World Heritage: 7 sites
Free to visit: 13 places

On this page: Quick guide Barcelona Dosrius Getting around Learn Spanish

Quick Guide to Every Place

All the places in this guide at a glance. Tap a name to jump to the details.

Place	Area	Type	Region	Entry
Sagrada Família UNESCO	Eixample	Gaudí	Barcelona	Tickets
Park Güell UNESCO	Gràcia	Gaudí	Barcelona	Tickets
Casa Batlló and La Pedrera UNESCO	Passeig de Gràcia	Gaudí	Barcelona	Tickets
La Rambla and Plaça de Catalunya	Ciutat Vella	Landmark	Barcelona	Free
FC Barcelona Museum and Spotify Camp Nou	Les Corts	Sport	Barcelona	Tickets
Gothic Quarter and Plaça Sant Jaume	Ciutat Vella	Landmark	Barcelona	Free
Montjuïc, Magic Fountain and Olympic Stadium	Montjuïc	Viewpoint	Barcelona	Free
Maritime Museum and CosmoCaixa Science Museum	Drassanes and Sant Gervasi	Museum	Barcelona	Tickets
Casa Vicens UNESCO	Gràcia	Gaudí	Barcelona	Tickets
Palau Güell UNESCO	El Raval	Gaudí	Barcelona	Tickets
Palau de la Música Catalana UNESCO	Sant Pere	Modernisme	Barcelona	Tickets
Sant Pau Recinte Modernista UNESCO	Guinardó	Modernisme	Barcelona	Tickets
Barcelona Cathedral	Gothic Quarter	Landmark	Barcelona	Tickets
Santa Maria del Mar and El Born	El Born	Landmark	Barcelona	Free
Picasso Museum	El Born	Museum	Barcelona	Tickets
Parc de la Ciutadella and Arc de Triomf	El Born	Park	Barcelona	Free
Barceloneta Beach	Barceloneta	Beach	Barcelona	Free
Bunkers del Carmel	Turó de la Rovira	Viewpoint	Barcelona	Free
Tibidabo	Collserola	Viewpoint	Barcelona	Tickets
Mercat de Sant Antoni	Sant Antoni	Market	Barcelona	Free
Monastery of Pedralbes	Pedralbes	Museum	Barcelona	Tickets
Laberint d'Horta	Horta	Park	Barcelona	Tickets
Poble Espanyol	Montjuïc	Landmark	Barcelona	Tickets
Beaches Near Dosrius	Mataró and Cabrera de Mar	Beach	Dosrius area	Free
Montnegre i el Corredor Natural Park	Dosrius	Nature	Dosrius area	Free
Santuari del Corredor	Dosrius	Heritage	Dosrius area	Free
Castell de Burriac	Cabrera de Mar	Heritage	Dosrius area	Free
Local Gastronomy and Food Points	Dosrius, Mataró, Barcelona	Food	Dosrius area	Tickets
Adventure Activities in Dosrius	Dosrius	Activities	Dosrius area	Tickets
Nau Gaudí, Mataró	Mataró	Gaudí	Dosrius area	Tickets
Argentona and the Museu del Càntir	Argentona	Heritage	Dosrius area	Tickets
Montseny Natural Park	Montseny	Nature	Dosrius area	Free

Best Places to Visit in Barcelona

From Gaudí's masterpieces to hilltop viewpoints and city beaches, these are the sights that make Barcelona unforgettable.

Sagrada Família

EixampleGaudíUNESCO

Designed by Antoni Gaudí, the Sagrada Família is one of the most impressive Barcelona tourist attractions and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The basilica's intricate details and towering spires make it an essential stop for anyone visiting Barcelona.

AreaEixample
Opening hoursVary by season
TicketsOnline booking recommended

Park Güell

GràciaGaudíUNESCO

Another masterpiece by Antoni Gaudí, Park Güell is an enchanting public park filled with colorful mosaics, the famous serpentine bench, and stunning city views. It is one of the most visited attractions in Barcelona, Spain.

AreaGràcia
Opening hoursDaily, longer hours in summer
TicketsEntry fee for the Monumental Zone, book online

Casa Batlló and La Pedrera

Passeig de GràciaGaudíUNESCO

Both located on Passeig de Gràcia, Casa Batlló and La Pedrera (Casa Milà) showcase Catalan Modernism at its finest. Their organic shapes and imaginative designs make them must-visit famous sights.

AreaPasseig de Gràcia, Eixample
Opening hoursDaily from 9 AM, closing times vary
TicketsAvailable online

La Rambla and Plaça de Catalunya

Ciutat VellaLandmarkFree

This famous street is the heart of the city, connecting Plaça de Catalunya to the waterfront. It's lined with shops, restaurants, and cultural sites like the Gran Teatre del Liceu and the Mercat de la Boqueria, with the Palau de la Música Catalana a short walk away.

AreaCiutat Vella
HighlightsLiceu opera house, Boqueria market
EntryFree to explore

FC Barcelona Museum and Spotify Camp Nou

Les CortsSport

Football fans should not miss the FC Barcelona Museum at Spotify Camp Nou, the largest stadium in Europe. The stadium is being rebuilt to hold around 105,000 fans, and while works continue the classic pitchside tour is paused. Visitors can still enjoy the museum and the Immersive Tour, with interactive exhibits, a 360 degree show and a viewpoint over the new stadium.

AreaLes Corts
Opening hoursDaily, check the official site
TicketsMuseum and Immersive Tour packages

Gothic Quarter and Plaça Sant Jaume

Ciutat VellaLandmarkFree

Step into history in the Gothic Quarter, where medieval streets lead to Plaça Sant Jaume, home to the Catalan government and Barcelona City Hall. The area is rich in Catalan Gothic buildings and charming hidden plazas.

AreaCiutat Vella
HighlightsMedieval streets, Roman remains, hidden squares
EntryFree to explore

Montjuïc, Magic Fountain and Olympic Stadium

MontjuïcViewpointFree

For spectacular views, visit Montjuïc, home to the Palau Nacional (which houses the National Art Museum of Catalonia), the Olympic Stadium from the 1992 Games, and the Magic Fountain, which offers breathtaking light and music shows on selected evenings.

AreaMontjuïc
HighlightsCity views, museums, fountain shows
EntryFree outdoors, museums charge entry

Maritime Museum and CosmoCaixa Science Museum

Drassanes and Sant GervasiMuseum

Explore Barcelona's seafaring history at the Maritime Museum, set in the medieval Royal Shipyards, or dive into innovation at CosmoCaixa, the city's science museum, perfect for those interested in interactive learning experiences.

AreaDrassanes and Sant Gervasi
HighlightsHistoric ships, hands-on science
TicketsEntry fees apply

Casa Vicens

GràciaGaudíUNESCO

Gaudí's very first house, completed in 1885, is a colourful mix of tiles, brick and Moorish-inspired details hidden on a quiet street in Gràcia. It is less crowded than his more famous works and a great way to see where his style began.

AreaGràcia
HighlightsGaudí's first house, tiled facades, garden
TicketsEntry fee, book online

Palau Güell

El RavalGaudíUNESCO

Just off La Rambla, this mansion was built by Gaudí for his patron Eusebi Güell. Inside you'll find a dramatic central hall, and on the roof a forest of colourful mosaic chimneys.

AreaEl Raval, off La Rambla
HighlightsCentral hall, mosaic chimneys
TicketsEntry fee applies

Palau de la Música Catalana

Sant PereModernismeUNESCO

Designed by Lluís Domènech i Montaner, this concert hall is one of the jewels of Catalan Modernism, famous for its stained glass skylight and sculpted stage. Visit on a guided tour or, even better, see a concert.

AreaSant Pere, near the Gothic Quarter
HighlightsStained glass skylight, concerts
TicketsGuided tours and concert tickets

Sant Pau Recinte Modernista

GuinardóModernismeUNESCO

Another Domènech i Montaner masterpiece, this former hospital is one of the largest Art Nouveau complexes in Europe, with pavilions covered in mosaics and set among gardens, just a short walk from the Sagrada Família.

AreaGuinardó, near Sagrada Família
HighlightsMosaic pavilions, gardens
TicketsEntry fee applies

Barcelona Cathedral

Gothic QuarterLandmark

The Gothic Cathedral of the Holy Cross and Saint Eulàlia is the spiritual heart of the old town. Don't miss the cloister, home to 13 white geese, one for each year of Santa Eulàlia's life, and the rooftop views.

AreaGothic Quarter
HighlightsGothic cloister, geese, rooftop
TicketsFree at worship times, fee for tourist visits

Santa Maria del Mar and El Born

El BornLandmarkFree

Built in the 14th century by the people of the neighbourhood, this basilica is one of the finest examples of Catalan Gothic. Around it, El Born is full of boutiques, tapas bars and narrow medieval lanes.

AreaEl Born
HighlightsCatalan Gothic basilica, boutiques, tapas
EntryFree at set times, fee for rooftop tours

Picasso Museum

El BornMuseum

Spread across five medieval palaces on Carrer de Montcada, the museum holds more than 4,000 works and shows how Picasso developed as an artist, especially during his early years in Barcelona.

AreaEl Born
HighlightsPicasso's early works, medieval palaces
TicketsEntry fee, free at certain times

Parc de la Ciutadella and Arc de Triomf

El BornParkFree

Barcelona's central park has a boating lake, palm-lined paths and the monumental Cascada fountain. Walk in from the red-brick Arc de Triomf, built for the 1888 Universal Exhibition.

AreaNext to El Born
HighlightsCascada fountain, boating lake, Arc de Triomf
EntryFree

Barceloneta Beach

BarcelonetaBeachFree

The city beach closest to the old town is perfect for a swim, a stroll along the promenade or fresh seafood in one of the many restaurants of the old fishing neighbourhood.

AreaBarceloneta
HighlightsPromenade, seafood, sunset
EntryFree

Bunkers del Carmel

Turó de la RoviraViewpointFree

These Spanish Civil War anti-aircraft batteries on the Turó de la Rovira hill offer one of the best 360 degree views of Barcelona, especially at sunset.

AreaTuró de la Rovira, El Carmel
Highlights360 degree city views, Civil War history
EntryFree

Tibidabo

CollserolaViewpoint

The highest peak of the Collserola hills is crowned by the Sagrat Cor church and an amusement park that opened in 1901, one of the oldest in the world. On a clear day, the views stretch over the whole city and the sea.

AreaCollserola hills
HighlightsHistoric rides, Sagrat Cor church, views
TicketsAmusement park ticket, church is free

Mercat de Sant Antoni

Sant AntoniMarketFree

A beautifully restored 19th century market where locals shop for fresh produce. On Sundays, the area around it hosts a popular book, coin and collectibles market.

AreaSant Antoni
HighlightsFresh food stalls, Sunday book market
EntryFree

Monastery of Pedralbes

PedralbesMuseum

Founded in 1327 by Queen Elisenda, this peaceful Gothic monastery has one of the most beautiful three-storey cloisters in Europe, far from the crowds of the city centre.

AreaPedralbes
HighlightsGothic cloister, medieval murals
TicketsEntry fee, free at certain times

Laberint d'Horta

HortaPark

The oldest garden in Barcelona, created in the late 18th century, is famous for its cypress hedge maze, romantic pavilions and statues. A lovely, quiet escape on the edge of the city.

AreaHorta
HighlightsHedge maze, neoclassical gardens
TicketsSmall entry fee, free on some days

Poble Espanyol

MontjuïcLandmark

Built for the 1929 International Exhibition, this open-air museum recreates buildings from all over Spain, with craft workshops, restaurants and a busy calendar of concerts and festivals.

AreaMontjuïc
HighlightsSpanish architecture, craft workshops
TicketsEntry fee applies

Exploring Dosrius and Surrounding Areas

While Barcelona is packed with attractions, the nearby town of Dosrius provides a peaceful escape with nature, adventure, and culinary delights.

Beaches Near Dosrius

Mataró and Cabrera de MarBeachFree

Enjoy the scenic coastline at Mataró Beach and Cabrera de Mar Beach, where golden sands meet the crystal-clear sea. These locations offer great dining options with fresh seafood and local Catalan cuisine.

AreaMataró and Cabrera de Mar
HighlightsSandy beaches, seafood restaurants
EntryFree

Montnegre i el Corredor Natural Park

DosriusNatureFree

Nature lovers will enjoy Montnegre i el Corredor, a vast park ideal for hiking, cycling, and exploring wildlife. It's a great place to discover the natural beauty of Spain.

AreaDosrius and the Maresme hills
HighlightsHiking, cycling, wildlife
EntryFree

Santuari del Corredor

DosriusHeritageFree

High in the Corredor hills, this 16th century hermitage is part of Dosrius and a favourite goal for hikers. Every May Day, the people of Canyamars walk up to it to remember the end of a 17th century epidemic in their village.

AreaCorredor hills, Dosrius
HighlightsHilltop hermitage, hiking trails
EntryFree

Castell de Burriac

Cabrera de MarHeritageFree

This historic castle near Dosrius offers panoramic views of the coast. A rewarding hike leads visitors to the ruins, making it a perfect spot for sightseeing and photography.

AreaCabrera de Mar
HighlightsCastle ruins, coastal views
EntryFree

Local Gastronomy and Food Points

Dosrius, Mataró, BarcelonaFood

The region around Dosrius is known for its traditional Catalan cuisine. Popular food spots include:

Masia Can Carreras (Dosrius)A traditional country restaurant known for Catalan dishes, grilled meats and calçotadas in season.
El Nou-Cents (Mataró)Creative signature cooking with local produce and an excellent wine list.
Mercat de la Boqueria (Barcelona)A must-visit for food lovers wanting to experience fresh local produce.

Adventure Activities in Dosrius

DosriusActivities

Both of these family favourites are on the road between Dosrius and Canyamars, inside the Montnegre i el Corredor Natural Park.

Rukimon, Rucs del CorredorA donkey reserve with around fifty donkeys, where families can walk the pastures, feed and groom the animals and take short rides. An interactive experience perfect for families.
El Bosc VerticalA treetop adventure park with zip lines and rope courses, with up to four circuits for children and adults, plus segway and laser tag in the forest.

Nau Gaudí, Mataró

MataróGaudí

Few visitors know that Gaudí's first built work is in Mataró: an industrial hall for a workers' cooperative with elegant wooden arches. Today it houses contemporary art from the Bassat Collection.

AreaMataró
HighlightsGaudí's first building, contemporary art
TicketsEntry fee applies

Argentona and the Museu del Càntir

ArgentonaHeritage

Dosrius's neighbour Argentona is known for its museum of traditional water jugs, the Museu del Càntir, and for its pottery fair every summer. Its old centre is perfect for a relaxed afternoon.

AreaArgentona
HighlightsPottery museum, summer pottery fair
TicketsSmall museum fee

Montseny Natural Park

MontsenyNatureFree

A short drive inland, Montseny is a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve with beech and oak forests, waterfalls and some of the best hiking in Catalonia.

AreaInland from the Maresme
HighlightsForests, waterfalls, hiking
EntryFree

Opening hours and prices change during the year. Always check the official website before you visit.

Public Transport and Travel Tips

Getting around Barcelona, Spain, and its surroundings is easy with public transport.

Buses connect Dosrius with nearby Mataró, and from Mataró the Rodalies R1 train runs along the coast to central Barcelona, making day trips convenient.

Staying with a host family in the area? Our Spanish immersion programs combine daily lessons with trips to many of the places in this guide.

Unlimited travel cards

The Hola Barcelona Travel Card gives tourists unlimited metro, bus and tram travel for 2 to 5 days.

Well connected centre

The city centre is well connected with metro lines, making it easy to reach the main attractions.

Book Gaudí sites early

Sagrada Família, Park Güell and Casa Batlló often sell out, so reserve timed tickets online.

Practise your Spanish

Order at markets, ask for directions and chat with locals. Every visit is a free lesson.

Discover the Best of Barcelona and Dosrius

From iconic landmarks like the Sagrada Família and Park Güell to the natural beauty of Dosrius, there is no shortage of incredible places to visit in and around Barcelona.

Whether you're a culture enthusiast, a foodie, or an adventure seeker, this city and its surroundings have something for everyone. Plan your itinerary and discover the best of Barcelona, Spain!