Local Tips: What to Do in Barcelona

Today we introduce one of our fabulous guides in Barcelona! David has been with ToursByLocals since April 2019 and has already taken over 400 groups of travellers on tour, earning rave reviews in the process. He joins us today to share some of his favourite things to see, do and eat in his beautiful Barcelona.

Hi there, my name is David C, a ToursByLocals guide in Barcelona since 2019. Let me tell you a bit about me before I go into the subject, Barcelona. I’ve been a guide in Barcelona since 2015, when I accidentally stumbled upon this amazing profession. Honestly, for me, guiding does not feel like a job; it's a genuine passion. My children refer to the Sagrada Familia as "Daddy's office". I consider myself truly fortunate!

What I love about Barcelona

Barcelona is just one of the best places to live, anywhere. It has everything! It is very walkable, there is the beach, you can go skiing in just a 1.5 hour drive, it's vibrant, it has over 2000 years of history and architecture that proves it, great gastronomy, amazing museums, the best concerts in the country and so much more to offer anyone who chooses to visit.

If I had to choose just 3 things to recommend visitors do in Barcelona…

When visiting Barcelona, speaking just about 3 top things wouldn't be enough for me. I always recommend spending 3 to 5 days here so you can also take some daytrips out of the city to explore more of Catania and Girona. But the absolute must-do 3 things in town are:

• Sagrada Familia, Gaudí’s most iconic work
• Passeig de Gràcia, the most important boulevard in the new Barcelona
• Gothic Quarter, the city from the Roman period until the mid-19th century

If you only visit these places in a short Barcelona Highlights Tour, I'd bet you would leave Barcelona with the feeling that the city deserves more time and less rush. And there is so much more to see out of town! Places like Montserrat, the Penedes wine region, Girona city, Costa Brava, the Dali Museum up north, the beautiful small medieval villages in Girona province like Besalu (meant to be the best preserved medieval town in the entire country), and many others. This city and surrounding area is deserving of your time!

Local Foods you have to try in Barcelona

The food in town is great, and trying tapas and paella is a must! But there are many other local and seasonal specialties you should taste, for instance "calçots", which is a long onion fire-cooked, that comes peeled and dipped into a delicious Romescu sauce.

The City's Best Festivals

In Barcelona, there are festivities all year round. The most important ones include:

• Sant Jordi (Saint George’s Day) – April 23rd, celebrating Catalonia's patron saint with books, roses, and street festivities.
• Sant Joan (Saint John's Eve celebration) – June 23rd, marked by fireworks, bonfires, and beach parties across the city.
• La Mercè (Our Lady of Mercy Festival) – September 19th to 24th, 2025, honoring one of Barcelona’s co-patron saints with parades, concerts, and traditional Catalan events.

But there is one celebration that, although not as well-known or prominent, I particularly love: Corpus Christi. This festivity, with over 600 years of history, blends religious and cultural traditions. One charming aspect is “L’ou com balla” (the dancing egg), a custom from the 17th century. It features an egg balanced on the water jets of fountains in the old town — a whimsical and graceful sight.

In 2025, Corpus Christi will be celebrated from Thursday, June 19th to Sunday, June 22nd. If you're visiting during these days, be sure not to miss the dancing egg!

If you're a traveller coming to Barcelona in 2025, take David's advice and don't rush it! Savour the city and surrounding area, and make sure you leave at least a day to spend with a local guide, like David.