Churches and Cathedrals in Barcelona

"Behold the insouciant creative dynamism of Europe's most bizarre cathedral. Often called "the last cathedral" (even though it's not technically a cathedral), the Sagrada Familia inspires, delights, torments, and disturbs in equal measure. It is Barcelona's Holy Grail of religious buildings."

"Start your day by going to Sagrada Familia first thing in the morning as the lines get extremely long and the place gets incredibly crowded."

"The basilica of Santa María del Mar, located in the Born district, is considered the best example of Catalan Gothic architecture thanks to its elegant and austere façade, its endless columns and the beauty of stone surfaces. The temple, which inspired the famous novel “The Cathedral of the Sea” by Ildefonso Falcones, was built between 1329 and 1383 and was funded by the parishioners of the neighborhood, who helped raise it with their money and hard work. As a curiosity, camouflaged between the beautiful windows of the basilica you can find a shield of FC Barcelona."

"Built between 1329 and 1383, Santa María del Mar is a remarkable basilica. It is considered by many as the best example of Catalan Gothic architecture."

"Santa Maria del Pi is the 14th-century Catalan Gothic church that replaced a former 10th-century Romanesque church on the very same site—on the Plaça del Pi in Barcelona's Gothic Quarter. It is marked by a single pine (a tribute to its name, pi) in the square outside. On weekends, that square fills up with artist tables, the colossal facade of the church towering behind them."

"If you’re walking through the Gothic Quarter and hear the sound of church bells ringing, that might be the Basílica of Santa Maria del Pi which is located in between the Plaça del Pi and Plaça Sant Josep Oriol. The church was built between 1319 and 1391 in the Catalan Gothic style. Its cross-vaulted ceiling is the highest in the country."

"Another great example of Gothic architecture with a wonderful rose window. The 15th-century massive bell tower can easily be seen from La Rambla and is one of its most streaking features. FREE OPENING TIMES: Monday to Sunday: 9.30 am to 10 am & 6 pm to 8.30 pm.Other times: €4"

"Perched atop of Tibidabo Mountain you’ll find find much more than just monumental views of the city. You’ll also find the impressive Temple Expiatori del Sagrat Cor, an awe-inspiring neo-Gothic church surrounded by a Romanesque fortress of stone. The church is the work of the Spanish architect Enric Sagnier and was completed by his son Josep Maria Sagnier I Vidal in 1961, after 59 years of construction."

"Tibidabo should be your first stop if you’re a first time visitor to Barcelona. The breathtaking views from Tibidabo are simply spectacular!. You can see the entire city of Barcelona, in all its glory, right below you."

"The least known of the four but with many surprises waiting for you at the interior. These include recent archaeological finds underground and some of the quirkiest depictions of purgatory. FREE OPENING TIMES: Monday to Saturday: 11 am to 2 pm & 5 pm to 8 pm / Sundays: 10 am to 1 pm."

"Esglesia de Betlem—Catalan for Betlem Church or the Church Of Bethlehem—features an impressive portal that occupies a corner of Las Ramblas and Carrer Hospital. The chapel was constructed between the 17th or 18th centuries on the site of a previous chapel that was lost in a fire. It's one of the city's most outstanding examples of Baroque architecture (a style that's rare for Barcelona), although it's rather small and primitive."

"The Baroque-style Basilica of Our Lady of Mercy is distinguished by the oeil-de-boeuf window that accents its entrance and the rooftop statue of Our Lady, which can be seen all the way from the shipyard. Designed by Josep Mas i Dordal, the basilica was built between 1765 and 1775 and also features an octagonal bell tower, a 16th-century Renaissance portal salvaged from an older church, the Church of Saint Micheal, and an impressive interior of chandeliers, painted ceilings, and ironwork. The statue that decorates its roof represents the many more that are housed inside."

"The Botanical Gardens are well worth a visit for design fans|© David Ridley / Alamy Stock Photo. The Botanical Gardens in Barcelona are worth a visit not just for the beautiful flora – the gardens feature vegetation from the five regions in the world that have a Mediterranean-type climate – but also for the architecture by Carlos Ferrater and Josep Lluís Canosa, who won a competition in 1988 to build a new botanical garden. Their clever concept is based on fractal geometry, which creates an interesting tension with the organic shapes of the foliage."

"The garden offers you a walk-in each season of the year as you can observe the vegetations from five different regions in the world with a Mediterranean climate. This park also offers a worthy walk in the greenhouse with his big offer of different kinds of Bonsai trees. View this post on Instagram"

"This public park was inaugurated in the middle of the last century and is the ideal place to have a picnic with children without having to leave Barcelona. These gardens, superbly equipped for all types of visitors, stand out for their magnificent collection of rose gardens, which perfume the place in a truly amazing way. The pergolas located in it allow you to find shaded areas during most of the day, and your children will have a great time playing in the play area and the ping-pong tables that the gardens have."

"A paradise located in Pedralbes, Parc Cervantes greets us with a beautiful garden of roses if you are lucky to see it in between April and November when Barcelona’s climate is just perfect for to have a healthy and enjoyable walk outside. The rose garden is full with a variety of a collection of roses from all around the world but this is not the only charm that Parc Cervantes offers. You can enjoy the huge green spot for your sportive activities under sun and shade."

"At the beginning of the emblematic Avinguda Diagonal, close to the waterfront and the Forum Building, this skyscraper will attract viewers’ attention. With its 110 meters, Torre Diagonal Zero Zero contrasts with the predominantly horizontal layout of the area, underlining the slenderness and expressiveness of the tower. In fact, EMBA studio designed it following a trapezoidal scheme with pronounced angles, adding a perimeter white steel structure in two rings, whose external net draws a dynamic-rhomboid pattern."

"They are known for their Bolognese and Suocera pizza with mushrooms, onions and anchovies, which makes for a great combination of flavors. The pizza dough is homemade and excellent, both in flavor and texture. The tiramisu for dessert is also good option, as well as a tasty panna cotta and a surprising parfait here."

"Dress your kids in a casual outfit and head for a fantastic dinner at Toto. The menu here is not just elegant but also creative. Don’t fear what your kids will eat as they have a wide range of pizza and beverages."

"Toto looks great, feels great, it is the place you want to hang out at on a regular basis.Don't miss this great little restaurant. Here's another 10 for ..."