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In the heart of Barcelona's Gothic Quarter right next to Las Ramblas, Kimpton Vividora Hotel not only offers contemporary luxury in a vibrant and historic setting, but is also walking distance to Barceloneta beach. With a rooftop pool and terrace offering 360-degree views, a spa/wellness room, and three dining concepts (Fauna Restaurant, GOT Coffee & Cocktails, and Terraza de Vivi), this is the perfect base for exploring the city’s culture and treasures.

Up on a hill in Montjuic, the Intercontinental Barcelona features elegant rooms, Michelin-starred dining, and breathtaking views of the entire city from 173 Rooftop, a terrace that’s open seasonally. Enjoy Mediterranean fare at Arrel and Quirat, sip a signature cocktail at Gebre, or fuel up on caffeine at Boira Coffee Lounge, all located on the hotel’s ground level. Guests rave about the location, seventh floor rooftop pool, spacious, clean rooms, and the spa (which has a water circuit, dry sauna, hammam, Jacuzzi, gym and six treatment cabins.

Inspired by Gaudi and situated in the bustling city center, Hotel Indigo® Barcelona Plaza Catalunya has an outdoor pool, a solarium, and a cocktail and snack bar on-site. The property combines neighborhood-influenced design with local charm, offering comfortable accommodations for an upscale stay. Here, you’ll be close to nearby attractions like Casa Batlló, Sagrada Familia, and La Rambla—and can also enjoy easy access to public transportation.

Description

Sagrada Familia is a breathtaking basilica that combines intricate facades, towering spires, and stunning stained glass windows, making it one of the most iconic landmarks in the world—and no visit to Barcelona is complete without marveling at this Antoni Gaudí masterpiece. The structure is unique for many reasons but especially because it’s taken more than 140 years to complete. Seeing it from outside is spectacular, but if you’re going in make sure to get tickets with access to the towers.

Also designed by Gaudí, Park Güell is a whimsical park that offers panoramic views of the city. Explore its colorful mosaic sculptures, meandering pathways, and lush gardens. Simply put, this is the Disneyland of Barcelona, and will transport you to another time and place. One more Gaudi building you can’t miss is Casa Batlló in the middle of the city. Open daily, the magical house is a UNESCO World Heritage Site

Pro tip: Make sure to get your Gaudi tickets (Sagrada Familia, Casa Batlló, Park Güell, etc.) in advance because they tend to sell out fast.

Walking is one of the best ways to discover Barcelona. Wander through the labyrinthine streets of the Gothic Quarter, where medieval architecture, charming plazas, and hidden gems await at every turn. Discover historic landmarks like the Barcelona Cathedral and Plaça Reial. Another great place to walk is La Rambla, Barcelona's most famous boulevard. Filled with street performers, souvenir shops, and busy cafes, La Rambla is also home to La Boqueria, a huge public market with stalls selling cured meats, cheeses, and more since 1840.

An elevated park, Jardins de la Rambla de Sants, is a 20,000-square-meter garden, built for the purpose of hiding the rail line with a box of hundreds of trees, and thousands of plants and shrubs. Ride the Montjuïc Cable Car, a gondola lift to the top of Montjuïc Hill, and enjoy stunning views of the city below.

Go to the beach! And when we say beach, we actually mean beaches. There are dozens to choose from, including Barceloneta, Bogatell, Llevant, and Mar Bella. This is a perfect activity on warmer days, before or after bar hopping for tapas, pintxos, and cava. For shopping (window shopping or otherwise), we love Bimba y Lola, Boo (a small, artfully-curated men's boutique in Gracia), Emma Pardos (for beautiful, sustainable bags and accessories), and Apres Ski (Barcelona-based goods, open since 2009) for jewelry and other one-of-a-kind objects. There’s also Hibernian, a cute, independent bookstore selling thousands of secondhand (and new) English-language books.

Trip Extras
Are you an IHG One Rewards member? Book tours, activities, and things to do in Barcelona and earn points toward future travels. A couple fun ones include a day trip to Montserrat, Girona, and Costa Brava, and a 3-hour food-and-drink walking tour of Barcelona's El Born and Gothic Quarter neighborhoods.

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Buses, Rideshare, Bikes & More

Barcelona boasts an efficient and extensive metro system, making it easy to navigate the city. With over a dozen lines connecting key attractions and neighborhoods, the metro offers a convenient and affordable way to get around. The city’s bus network complements the metro, providing access to areas not covered by the subway. With a comprehensive network of routes and frequent service, buses are ideal for exploring neighborhoods off the beaten path. Taxis are readily available throughout Barcelona and offer a convenient option for getting around, especially late at night or when traveling with luggage. Rideshare is also available here, although sometimes it can take a while for your driver to get to you. Barcelona is a very pedestrian-friendly city, whether you’re walking or getting around on two wheels. Explore at your own pace by renting a bike and pedaling through the city's bike-friendly streets and scenic promenades.

Description

Our favorite cafes in Barcelona include Onna Coffee in Gracia (a cozy little spot that roasts its own beans and sells pastries, too), Syra Coffee, and NEØ Coffee House. We also recommend strolling through the city’s many plazas, where you can sit, people watch, and order a coffee and snacks.

Since 1969, Can Paixano has been the perfect pre- or post-beach stop for little pintxos and sandwiches with a nice, cold cava (Spain’s most popular sparkling wine). This is a tiny, often crowded place hidden near La Barceloneta beach. Guests often line up outside as they wait for a spot at the bar. Everything is delicious and incredibly wallet-friendly. Then there’s El Nacional, a beautiful, luxe indoor market that was once an automobile warehouse. Though a little pricier than other restaurants in the area, El Nacional has a variety of bars and food options to choose from. The ambiance alone is reason enough to spend some time here, even if you’re going to another restaurant after. El Pescadito Frito has served cold and hot tapas since 1984, but the real star of the show here is the fried fish. For fresh juices, pastries, and salads, pop into the art-filled Cafe Cometa in Sant Antoni.

Barcelona’s oldest cocktail bar, Boadas, is an establishment that can’t be missed. The founder, Miguel Boadas, learned the cocktail ropes at Floridita in Havana of all places—a bar Ernest Hemingway frequented back in the day. The dark and moody Boadas is the perfect place for a martini, and to make friends with the bartenders, who will likely offer you a suggestion or two for where to go next.

Make your way to Meson del Champinon (open since the 1960s next to Boqueria) for juicy, buttery mushrooms, bread, peppers and and drink.

Number two on the World’s 50 Best Restaurants list in 2023, Disfrutar is a Michelin-starred restaurant run by former elBulli chefs. Expect inventive dishes, artistic presentations, and impeccable service in a sleek and modern dining room. Menu offerings range from a modernist multi spherical pesto with pistachios and eel to frozen gazpacho ice cream, but change seasonally. To visit this restaurant, join the waiting list online, which is often booked up months. It’ll give you time to save your pennies for the very special occasion, because Disfrutar is not cheap.

Upcoming Events in Barcelona

Tierra de Barrenaus

Barcelona International Comic Fair

The Barcelona International Comic Fair is an annual event that celebrates the art of comics and graphic novels. The event features a wide range of activities, including exhibitions, workshops, signings, and talks. Fans can also attend panels on important topics in the industry.

Start date: April 4, 2026
End date: April 6, 2026

Event website

Steven Pisano

Urban Dance Fest

Urban Dance Fest is an annual event celebrating street dance culture, featuring competitions, workshops, and performances in styles like hip-hop, breakdancing, and popping. It brings together dancers from around the world, showcasing the creativity, energy, and evolution of urban dance.

Start date: April 14, 2025
End date: April 14, 2025

Event website

Jwslubbock

Primavera Sound Barcelona

Primavera Sound in Barcelona is a remarkable music festival noted for its diverse lineup of musicians from many genres and backgrounds. It is held in a beautiful seaside setting and is renowned for its varied mix of performers, attracting music fans from all over the world.

Start date: June 4, 2025
End date: June 8, 2025

Event website

Oh-Barcelona.com

Sonar Barcelona

Sonar is one of the world's top festivals dedicated to electronic music. It features the world's most buzzed-about electronic stars. The festival has two main components--Sonar by Day, whose base is the Fira Montjuïc, and Sonar by Night, which takes over the Fira Gran Via L'Hospitalet.

Start date: June 12, 2025
End date: June 14, 2025

Event website

Aniol

Cruïlla Festival

The bands and musicians presented by this festival may not be the most buzzed-about acts of the moment, but they are known to everyone who likes quality pop and indie rock music. Lineups in the past have included such stars as Iggy Pop and Cypress Hill.

Start date: July 9, 2025
End date: July 12, 2025

Event website

AlessandroMeza18

Circuit Festival

The Circuit Festival is one of the largest International Gay Festivals held in Barcelona. It hosts large parties, club nights, pool parties, beach events, and more, with a roster of world-renowned artists and entertainers. This festival draws individuals from a larger geographic and age range.

Start date: August 9, 2025
End date: August 17, 2025

Event website

malivsey

La Mercé Festival (Virgin of Mercy’s Festival)

Known as Barcelona's largest street party, La Mercè (Virgin of Mercy's Festival) is a celebration of Mercy Day that takes place annually in the city. Various kinds of social and community programs are staged, including musical performances and street parties.

Start date: September 20, 2025
End date: September 24, 2025

Event website

Markus Spiske

Festivalet

This annual fair celebrates the work of independent artisans with a market just in time for the holidays. Shop for unique handcrafted gifts, enjoy a variety of food and drinks, chat with independent publishers or get inspired to start your own DIY project.

Start date: December 14, 2025
End date: December 15, 2025

Event website

pedroreyna

Festival of the Three Kings

This festival celebrates the arrival of the Three Kings on their way to Bethlehem. Held the day before the Epiphany, the festivities include parades filled with decorative floats, with lots of candy thrown to the children who gather along the procession route.

Start date: January 5, 2026
End date: January 5, 2026

Viajar24h.com

Barcelona Carnival

Barcelona normally celebrates its Carnaval at the end of February with a series of festivities that last from the Thursday before Lent to Shrove Tuesday (Mardi Gras). To start with, there is a traditional ceremony, followed by parades with floats, musical bands and costumed dancers.

Start date: February 27, 2026
End date: March 5, 2026

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Festival Jazz Terrassa

The festival has been held every year since 1981 and has become one of the most important jazz festivals in Spain. The festival takes place in various venues throughout the city, including theaters, concert halls, and outdoor spaces, and attracts both national and international jazz musicians.