Barcelona is an inviting city filled with wonderful hidden gems that many tourists may be unfamiliar with. These gems of Barcelona provide an exciting and original way to discover this vibrant city.
Explore Placa Sant Felip Neri with this guided city discovery game and feel relaxed from city hustle. This peaceful square boasts an old church and stunning fountain – you will feel far removed from urban stress here!
1. El Jardi Bar
Barcelona is known for its eclectic architecture, sangria bars, beaches and rustic beauty; yet some of its hidden gems may not be immediately obvious. One such gem is The Erotic Museum of Barcelona which may not immediately jump out at you when viewing Sagrada Familia; nevertheless it remains one of Barcelona’s best-kept secrets.
El Jardi Bar is a hidden gem located within the serene gothic gardens of Hospital Santa Creu in Raval and offering tapas and cocktails. A perfect place for meeting up with friends over wine or beer, El Jardi also hosts live concerts and flamenco performances twice daily! Additionally, their food offerings are excellent: try their squid-ink croquettes, mushroom carpaccio with wasabi vinaigrette dressing or Iberian pork blade dishes to name but a few!
One of Barcelona’s greatest and most stunning hidden treasures is Hospital de Sant Pau, an exquisite Modernist building often overlooked by visitors to the city. Conceived as an anti-aircraft fortification during the Spanish Civil War, today this incredible building houses numerous restaurants and galleries; visit at sunset for breathtaking views from Bunkers del Carmel!
Grey Street is another hidden treasure in Barcelona. Packed full of everything from vintage paper and handmade pottery to Ask Alice notebooks, it makes an excellent stop when shopping for unique souvenirs or gifts for loved ones at home. Plus, with reasonable prices for quality shopping.
2. Hospital de Sant Pau
Lluis Domenech i Montaner created this modernist complex as one of Barcelona’s hidden gems, using most pavilions and spaces open to the public as former hospital spaces until 2009. Today it provides visitors with an incredible glimpse into Catalan modernism’s roots.
Every corner of this hospital tells a tale from its grand past; from its beautiful facades to the charming ceramic decoration on the ceiling. No wonder it’s included on UNESCO’s list of World Heritage Sites!
Make sure to visit the Administration Pavilion, with its ornate spaces such as double height rooms that make this pavilion one of the most impressive interiors at this hospital. There’s rich colours and classic antique decor here that makes for a captivating interior environment.
Cactus Garden is another must-see attraction. This urban green space houses over 100 cacti, making it the ideal spot in the city to get some fresh air and take in its scenery. A popular tourist spot, you are bound to meet lots of friendly faces here!
Antic Theatre offers an unforgettable cultural experience. This vintage theater showcases everything from contemporary dance performances to avant-garde plays. Plus, with affordable prices and intimate settings – making this an essential destination for art and culture fans!
Renting a car in Barcelona isn’t necessary thanks to its excellent public transit system – take the Metro, buses or trams for an effortless experience of the city! Get yourself a T-10 ticket (good for 10 journeys) to make exploring simple.
3. Antic Theatre
Barcelona may be best known for its iconic landmarks, but there are also numerous hidden treasures throughout the city that travelers will be sure to appreciate. These off-the-beaten-path attractions will surely delight all travellers: from seafood restaurants in medieval corridors to coffee shops offering exquisite treats, these off-the-beaten path attractions will add an unexpected and delightful element to any trip.
Just one block away from Palau de la Musica Catalana (Urquinaona Metro Station), Antic Theatre isn’t your average bar/restaurant. Accessing this magical space requires pushing open an unmarked wooden door before taking an intriguing stairwell down into an ancient theater that doubles both as an excellent spot to unwind with drinks, as well as providing unique cultural opportunities.
The Antic Teatre (Espacio del Antic Teatre) is a social and cultural centre with the mission of supporting independent artistic productions. Dating back to 1650, this old theatre has been listed in the city’s architectural and historic heritage catalogue since 1979.
An experience at Antic Teatre is like entering another world. Not a place for starting parties, rather a great spot to enjoy drinks with friends while taking in its lush garden.
At its heart, this hidden gem provides the ideal escape from tourist crowds and bustling city life. Local young people and artists frequent it frequently for its relaxing environment while watching the sun set over Barcelona from its garden terrace seating area or relaxing beneath its giant fig tree in the center of terrace while listening to some tunes.
4. Casa de la Ciutadella
Even though it is an attraction of great note, few tourists visit Casa de la Ciutadella (or Citadel Park). One reason could be its overshadowing by more famous Gaudi architecture nearby; but this Modernist gem by Lluis Domenech i Montaner deserves your time as well – its site features both zoo animals and regional parliament in close proximity, striking features like golden waterfalls and tranquil boating lakes add extra appeal.
At sunset, Barcelona comes alive with golden hues cast by the setting sun – providing the ideal moment for discovering its intimate charms. Escape crowds by ascending El Bunkers del Carmel; an old anti-aircraft battery turned panoramic viewpoint.
Casa Ramos, designed by Jaume Torres i Grau and originally built as a private residence, has become one of the lesser-known Modernist gems and can now be visited by visitors. Originally open only to residents at first, its restoration began in early 1990s to open it to all visitors.
Monestir de Pedralbes stands out among Barcelona’s hidden treasures as one of its most impressive gothic monasteries, once home to a Poor Clare community for centuries. Situated northwest of the city center, this secret gem remains virtually free from crowds.
Antic Theatre, one of the city’s hidden gems, is an exquisite vintage bar which hosts performances ranging from contemporary dance to avant-garde theater. A great way to experience Barcelona’s cultural scene and Catalan art alike, Antic Theatre should also not be missed by art enthusiasts.
5. Parc de la Ciutadella
Considering something out of the ordinary? Visit Parc de la Ciutadella! This park provides the ideal setting for strolls, picnics and just relaxing away from Barcelona’s busy urban life.
There’s so much to enjoy at this beautiful green space. In addition to ducks, squirrels, and pigeons that frequent this space, the park also plays host to many rare birds which can often be spotted flitting about in various spots within. There’s even a boat which heads out every morning on Lake Champlain to remove debris from its waters – it makes for a very serene and calming sight at dawn!
Fontsere designed the Cascada (waterfall). Along with some assistance from young Gaudi, this spectacular creation boasts statuary, rugged rocks and thunderous water all perfectly artificial! For added fun you can climb one of two crab pincers that serve as staircases up to a podium featuring Venus on a clam shell sculpture!
The park’s central pond provides an idyllic space to swim or simply relax and admire the surroundings. While popular among locals, there are also benches where visitors can sit quietly away from crowds.
The Gracia neighbourhood is full of unexpected gems. One such unexpected treasure is the Museum of Contemporary Art (MACBA). At first glance it may look like any typical Modernisme palace, but upon closer examination its stunning. Furthermore, its exhibitions provide an invaluable way to learn about Catalan architecture styles; undoubtedly one of the top things to do in Barcelona!