Barcelona is one of the most popular destinations on the planet. The epicenter of Catalan culture is located on the eastern coast of Spain, packed with stunning architecture, world class cuisine and plenty of tourist destinations. It’s therefore no surprise that it continues to be a top tourist hotspot.
Every year at the end of February, the city also plays host to Mobile World Congress (also known as MWC) – a trade show dedicated to the mobile communications industry. Attended primarily by device manufacturers, network equipment providers, representatives of wireless carriers, and the press – MWC brings in thousands of visitors to the city every year.
If you’re heading to Barcelona this year for the conference, then don’t miss out on the opportunity to explore what the city has to offer outside of the Fira centre.
We’ve compiled our top five must-see attractions:
Sagrada Família
Watching over Barcelona’s skyline, the Sagrada Família is set to be the world’s tallest church when completed in 2026. Three million tourists flock to visit the 130-year-old building designed by Antoni Gaudi every year. Inside, visitors can take in the beauty of the stain glass windows
which flood the church with different colours depending on the position of the sun. At the top of the church, you will be able to admire the breath-taking view of the city and the Mediterranean Sea.
Camp Nou
Barcelona is synonymous with one of the most famous football teams in the world – FC Barcelona. The home stadium, Camp Nou, is the largest football stadium in Europe and has been open since 1957. With a capacity of 100,000, it is a must-see attraction for tourists coming to Barcelona.
There are opportunities to go on the ‘Camp Nou experience’, a tour of the famous stadium, visiting the pitch, player’s changing rooms and opportunity to learn about the history of the club.
Picasso Museum
The Picasso Museum is one of the most iconic art museums in Spain and hosts an extensive collection of artworks by world-renowned Spanish artist Pablo Picasso.
More than 4,200 pieces made by the famous artist including paintings, drawings, sculptures, and pieces of jewelry reside in the museum – including his first large-scale painting the ‘First Communion’ that he painted as a teenager.
La Boqueria Market
La Boqueria is one of Europe’s largest food markets. The market is set up on the busy street La Ramba, and has grown in size and popularity over the years. Hundreds of tourists go to the market in hopes of finding a bite that best represents the freshness of Barcelona. The best visiting hours are the early morning as it has the best produce, prices tend to be lower and is less crowded.
Barceloneta Beach
Barceloneta is the most well-known beach in the city. Located in the Ciutat Vella district, it is a popular spot not only for tourists but locals who spend their time enjoying a range of cuisines from tapas to paella.
Activities include strolling around Port Olímpic which was formed for the 1992 Summer Olympics and now serves as a harbour to enjoy the views of the sea. The seaside allows you to combine a city holiday with a beach vacation, one of few cities that present tourists with a combined experience.
Attending Mobile World Congress?
Be sure to check out our MWC survival guide to stay up-to-date and well prepared for the big event later this month!
