13 Exciting & Unusual Things to Do in Barcelona 2024
Last updated on May 1st, 2024
Visiting Barcelona and don’t know what to put on your itinerary? Here are 13 exciting & unusual things to do in Barcelona in 2024.
Barcelona is one of Spain’s most thriving cities, so as you’d expect, there is plenty to do. But what about if you’ve been before and want to check out some non-touristy things to do in Barcelona?
Well, my friend, I’ve got you covered!
As someone who used to live in Barcelona, I’ve compiled a list of the best unusual things to do in Barcelona. You’ll discover unique ways to explore the city beyond the typical tourist experience.
After reading this post, you’ll have more than a few cool activities to add to your Barcelona travel itinerary.
This post is all about unusual things to do in Barcelona.
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Unusual Things to Do in Barcelona
1. Attend a Street Festival
There’s nothing like a good festival to immerse in a city’s culture. And Barcelona definitely knows how to put on a festival – heck, all of Spain does! So, if you’re looking for unusual things to do in Barcelona, find yourself a street festival to attend & join in the festivities.
Festa Major de Sant Antoni is the first (of many) event to start the festival season. This festival usually takes place during mid-to-late January. It is full of free activities for the whole family to enjoy.
More festivals in Barcelona include:
- Festa Major del Raval – usually happens during mid-July
- Festa Major de Poble Sec – takes place during mid-July as well
- Festa Major de Sants – usually happens in August
2. Rent a Vespa
I must confess that I haven’t ventured out on this brave quest, as driving in Barcelona frightens me a bit. One day, though, I’ll give it a shot. However, if you’re feeling adventurous, rent a Vespa and drive around the city.
Several companies offer Vespa or scooter rentals (I list some below), and they even have pre-recorded routes saved to the GPS! So, this is a huge plus if you can get lost simply driving in your hometown like me. You don’t have to put much thought into where you’re going; just sit back & enjoy the drive.
Or you can book a guided Vespa tour if you want the comfort of having a guide.
Note: You will need a valid passport AND driving license to drive a Vespa. Some companies may be able to translate your US or Canadian driver’s license, and this will suffice. Or you’ll have to obtain an international driving license.
Here are a few excellent Vespa rental companies to choose from:
3. View the city from the top of a Helicopter Ride.
Another cool thing to do in Barcelona is ride a helicopter above the city. This is a very different way to see BCN, and it’s not something a typical tourist would do.
The Barcelona helicopter tour includes a 7-minute air tour and walking and sailing portions. This way, you get more bang for your buck & you get an in-depth tour of the city at the same time.
4. Go sailing on the Mediterranean Sea.
Next is one of my favorites, sailing on the Mediterranean Sea. Being on the sea is a beautiful way to spend an afternoon in Barcelona!
You can enjoy the gorgeous waters, bright sun, and the beautiful city in the background. Yes, yes, and yes.
Check out these incredible sailing tours here.
5. Take a Cultural Tour or Class
You can take several tours to get a more profound experience of Spain’s, specifically Barcelona’s, culture. You could take a cooking class, go on a tapas food tour, take a biking tour, or even learn how to create cava!
So, find the activity that speaks to you most & get ready for a likely unforgettable experience.
6. Go Thrift Shopping
Thrift shopping is an enjoyable and unique thing to do in Barcelona. You wouldn’t believe all the amazing items you’d find. I still have a few pieces in my wardrobe from when I went thrift shopping in Barcelona.
Quality items for a bargain – who can say no to that?
Here are some of the best thrift stores in Barcelona:
- Retro City
- Holala! Plaça
- Flamingos Vintage Kilo
7. Take a Day Trip
As a regular traveler, I love booking day trips to nearby towns or specific sites near the city I’m visiting. It’s the perfect way to see other areas without booking a separate trip.
There are several fantastic day trips from Barcelona to explore! A couple of my favorites include:
- Sitges
- Montserrat
- Costa Brava
- Tarragona
- Platja Fonda
Do a little research to see which day trip best suits you! Or if you’d rather go on a guided day trip, you can find some great options here!
8. Watch a Show at Palau de la Música Catalana
Next on the list of unusual things to do in Barcelona is to see a show at Palau de la Música Catalana. This concert hall has some of the top musical performers in the country. Seeing these musicians perform live is quite the experience.
So, if you enjoy classical music, go get all dolled up & go see a show at the famous concert hall. You can find tickets on the Palau de la Música Catalana website here.
9. Take a Swim in the Montjuic Olympic pool.
If visiting during summer, you’ve got to take a swim in the Montjuic Olympic pool! Not only do you cool off in the fabulous pool, but you also get a fantastic view of the city simultaneously.
The Montjuic Olympic pool was remodeled for the 1992 Olympic Games, but now the pool is open to the public. And it’s pretty cheap too – a ticket only costs around 7 euros.
Barcelona on a Budget Things to Do
10. Watch the Sunset at Bunkers Del Carmel
If you’re looking for free things to do in Barcelona, watching the sunset at the Bunkers is an excellent option. It is truly one of the city’s best views, and with the sunset in the background, it’s a sight you won’t easily forget.
So grab your friends, or go solo with some treats from a bakery & enjoy the views.
11. Visit the Amazing La Boqueria Market
Another fantastic activity to do in Barcelona is to visit La Boqueria Market. If you haven’t already taken a trip to this market, what are you waiting for? This is one of the best ways to experience Barcelona culture.
The market is full of fresh produce, butcher stalls, and restaurants. So whether you’re doing some shopping or simply visiting the market for tapas, you don’t want to skip going.
12. Go on a free walking tour.
Walking tours are one of the best ways to explore a city, whether you book a guided tour or simply go on an impromptu one of your own. And the great thing about Barcelona is that there are so many neighborhoods to explore, each with its own charm.
However, a guided tour gives you more insight into the city you’re visiting. In Barcelona, you can take a street food walking tour, a tapa, a neighborhood, or even an art tour. These are great ways to mix up an afternoon in Barcelona.
Check out Free Walking Tours Barcelona to book your free walking tour. Or, if you have some extra cash to spend & want a more in-depth tour, check out the options here!
13. Have a Beach Day
While going to the beach is not unusual, it is a relaxing and free way to spend a day in Barcelona.
You can run to the market & grab some food for lunch, get a big towel and a book, and simply enjoy the sun. This is a great thing to do in Barcelona if you’ve been going non-stop during your vacation.
However, if your funds allow it, doing thrilling watersports is a fun way to spice up your beach day. If you’ve ever been on a jet ski, you know how much fun this is! Jetscoot is one of the top companies in Barcelona for watersports, so make sure to check them out, as they have lots of water activities.
If you’re looking for more things to do in the city, check out my post on Epic Things to do in Barcelona at Night.
Unusual Things to Do in Barcelona FAQs
What is the number one attraction in Barcelona?
The answer to this depends on who you ask. There are several popular attractions in Barcelona. However, the one that immediately pops into my mind is La Sagrada Familia.
La Sagrada Familia is a Roman Catholic Church that dates back to the early 1900s. Despite its impressive structure, the church isn’t complete yet, as construction has been on and off for the last 100 years. In fact, the estimated time of completion will be in 2026. Which is quite wild when you consider how long they’ve been building the church.
However, the ongoing construction aside, La Sagrada Familia remains one of the most popular sites in Barcelona, and there’s no wonder why. The impressive architecture, beautiful colors, and depiction of the Christian faith have millions flocking to the church every year.
I highly recommend visiting if you haven’t seen La Sagrada Familia yet. Check out these guided tours here.
What can’t you miss in Barcelona?
Truly, there are so many attractions & experiences that you simply can’t miss out on while visiting Barcelona. But here are my top three places or experiences that you definitely can’t miss in Barcelona!
- La Sagrada Familia. This is one of the most beautiful churches I’ve ever visited – and they’re not even finished building it yet! With the amount of detail put into La Sagrada Familia, you could visit 5 times and learn something new every time. So, you definitely don’t want to skip out on this site.
- La Boqueria Market. This market is quite the experience & if you love food, La Boqueria is a must-stop.
- Popular neighborhoods like the Gothic Quarter, Las Ramblas, El Born, El Raval, and Poble-Sec. Barcelona is full of unique neighborhoods, and they each add to Barcelona’s culture. So, whether you go on a guided tour or explore independently, you’ve got to check them out.
Is 3 days enough for Barcelona?
More than 3 days in Barcelona is needed to truly explore the city. I recommend a minimum of 5 days because there is so much to see & do.
Of course, you’ll still have a pleasant experience in Barcelona in just 3 days. But you’ll definitely need to come back to fully explore all the city offers. 3 days just isn’t enough time to fit everything in.
However, let’s say you only have 3 days to explore BCN. I recommend making a list of the top things you want to see & experience and making those a priority when visiting.
As you can see, there are several non-touristy things to do in Barcelona. So, you can mix your itinerary with mainstream & less common activities to get a well-rounded city experience.
I’m sure you’ll have a great time in Barcelona, regardless of how you spend your time there!
Wishing you safe & happy travels.
~Jacquelyn
This post is all about unusual things to do in Barcelona.
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