Barcelona is one of the most iconic cities in the world. With a population of 1.7 million people who live in the city, it is the second-most populous city in Spain, and is home to some of the most culturally-recognisable monuments in Europe. Known for its strong ties to its Catalonian heritage, Barcelona is often referred to as the coastal capital of Catalonia, and the native people often refer to themselves as Catalonian, rather than Spanish.
While Barcelona is seen as a traditionally romantic city, perfect for honeymooners or couples seeking the perfect long weekend getaway, there are many things to do in the city which are just as perfect for solo travellers. Here is a comprehensive guide on the best things to do in Barcelona for solo travellers.
Top Things to Do in Barcelona for Solo Travellers
Experience Authentic Catalan Food and Drink
Barcelona’s foodie scene is one of the best anywhere in the world, and because of the Spanish way of dining, you’ll never feel alone eating by yourself in a restaurant.
Whether it’s tapas tempting you or you’re more of a coffee connoisseur, there’s so much choice when it comes to Barcelona’s restaurants.
As with most major cities, the best and most authentic places are found a few streets back from the major tourist hotspots – and as such, you often pay much less, too.
For a truly authentic Barcelona foodie experience, take yourself a few streets away from La Rambla – as tempting as the restaurants there look – and find yourself in a dimly lit but vibrant Catalan restaurant.
As well as a warm welcome, you’ll also be greeted with an incredible range of Spanish wines, ice-cold beers, fresh seafood, delicious homemade sweet treats and more – all the while feeling like you’re eating in someone’s dining room. This is the true Catalan dining experience, and dining for one in Barcelona like this is a must.
Visit Barceloneta Beach
Arguably Spain’s most famous beach, a day at Barceloneta Beach is a must when visiting the city as a solo traveller. In the summer months, the beach can be packed with tourists, so we highly recommend getting there early. A quick dip in the Mediterranean helps perk you up early in the morning, and then you can spend the rest of the day basking on the golden sands under the baking hot sunshine with your favourite book and a few snacks.
There are plenty of beach shacks dotted along the beach where they sell icy-cold soft drinks and beers, as well as numerous restaurants, bars and cafes which line the sands – perfect for stopping by to cool off with a frozen cocktail and a juicy burger to soak it all up.
The beach is also a great place to meet other like-minded travellers, so whether you’re into watersports, jogging, sunbathing, yoga or more, there are lots of activities which take place along Barceloneta beach, meaning you’ll never find yourself being bored, either.
Barça Immersive Tour
While the Camp Nou – home to Barcelona Football Club – is currently being renovated, with work aimed to be completed by June 2026, there are no stadium tours available, but thankfully, the club have put on the Barça Immersive Tour instead.
This is still located at the stadium, the only difference being that certain areas, which are under renovation, are currently unavailable to access. However, visitors can learn all about the rich history of Barcelona Football Club, one of the most famous football clubs in the world, by visiting the museum.
As part of this tour, you are guided through the trophy room – yes, trophy room, not just a trophy cabinet! The room contains all of the trophies that Barcelona has won throughout its incredible 126-year history, including 25 league titles and 5 Champions League cups.
In addition, the virtual experience lets guests experience areas of the stadium that are currently out of use via VR (virtual reality) headsets, including the home and away changing rooms, the chapel, the tunnel, the commentary box and the pitch. This is a must, not just for football fans, but for any sports fans who wish to see the place that was once home to such legendary footballers as Johann Cruyff, Diego Maradona, Ronaldinho, Andrés Iniesta, Lionel Messi and many, many more.
Watch a Barcelona Match
While renovations are currently ongoing at Camp Nou, football fans can still watch Barcelona play their home games, albeit in a different stadium. And as a solo traveller – if you’re a football fan – you’ll know the sense of community that can be found in a football stadium when you’re surrounded by like-minded people all rooting for the same team.
The stadium that Barcelona will be playing their games at until the start of the 2026/27 season is Estadi Olímpic de Montjuïc, just a short metro ride from the Camp Nou.
This 56,000 seater stadium gives you the opportunity to watch one of Europe’s strongest teams in action – so whether you’d prefer to attend a league game watching Barcelona take on one of their rivals such as Real Madrid or Valencia in La Liga, or catch a European match where they could take on a team such as Manchester City, Paris Saint-Germain or Bayern Munich, the choice is yours.
In addition, you could also opt to watch FC Barcelona Femení – the Barcelona women’s team – play a match at the Johann Cruyff Stadium, also located in Barcelona. This is a great way to experience footballing culture in Barcelona.
Wander Around Park Güell
Designed by world-famous architect Antoni Gaudí, Park Güell is one of the most famous areas in Barcelona. This beautiful park – a UNESCO World Heritage Site and an outdoor art museum – is filled with colourful mosaics, nature-inspired architecture and has stunning views over the city.
It is so easy to spend a morning, an afternoon or even an entire day in this gorgeous park, especially when the sun is shining. You are welcomed into the park by the famous mosaic lizard just beyond the entrance, while the Wavy Bench is a famous piece of mosaic-based architecture, which was Gaudí’s most well-known style and design, as well as now synonymous with Barcelona and Catalan architecture.
You don’t have to be an art enthusiast to appreciate the beauty and cleverness of the design of Park Güell, and it is a must-visit for any solo traveller in Barcelona.
Admire the Sagrada Família
Another one of Antoni Gaudí’s masterpieces, the Sagrada Família, is a true Barcelona masterpiece. The cathedral – which begun construction in 1882 – is famously still unfinished today. Despite this, it has already been added to the list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites, and taking one look at the sheer grandeur of the building, it is easy to see why.
The Sagrada Família is due to be completed by 2034, but whether that stands true we will have to wait and see. In the mean time, solo travellers can grab a cool jug of sangria from one of the many nearby restaurants or bars and admire the Sagrada Família from the outside while watching the world go by.
Take in La Rambla
Barcelona’s main street, stretching 1.2 kilometres through the heart of the city is one of Barcelona’s – and Spain’s – most vibrant streets. And as a solo traveller, taking a walk along La Rambla and admiring the many sights, sounds and smells is not just a good suggestion – it’s a rite of passage for any visitor to Barcelona.
Starting at the Plaça de Cataluña in the centre of the city, you will walk down towards Port Vell where the street ends with the Christopher Columbus Monument. The street is fully pedestrianised, and is lined with trees making it one of the most aesthetically-pleasing streets in the country – and a great spot for people watching.
Barcelona is quickly becoming one of Europe’s trendiest coffee spots, so we suggest taking this opportunity to sit it one of the many coffee spots along the way, sample some fine (albeit overpriced) Barcelona coffee on La Rambla and watch the world go by. A perfect way to spend a late afternoon or an early evening.
Step into History in the Gothic Quarter
Whether you’re a history enthusiast or not, a visit to the Gothic Quarter is a wonderful experience for a solo traveller in Barcelona.
Comprising of some of the oldest areas of the city, including the ancient Roman Walls and medieval streets, the Gothic Quarter is a fascinating insight into what Barcelona looked like around 1,000 years ago.
Incredible Gothic architecture has been added over the years, giving it an almost spooky vibe, and it doesn’t take an art historian to appreciate the sheer technique and talent that it takes to carve out such intricate works in the stonework.
With narrow streets and hidden alleyways, there is an air of mystery around the Gothic Quarter in Barcelona, and it’s a fantastic place to spend a day learning about the history of the city.
Most of the Gothic Quarter is also closed to regular traffic, and only open to taxis and emergency vehicles, so it is a nice, peaceful place to visit away from the hustle and bustle of the city.
There are also several guided walking tours of the Gothic Quarter, many of which are free to join. This is a great idea if you prefer going around with a group and want to learn about the history of the area from a certified tour guide.