The 18 Best Non-Touristy Experiences In Barcelona

Make the most out of your trip to Barcelona by booking ahead on the best tours of the city.

This stylish speakeasy is hidden away behind the cover of a trendy Pastrami Bar in the heart of El Born. Simply give a knowing look to the person behind the counter and they’ll let you in through to the back when the time is right.

If you want to experience one of the best views of the city then the Carmel Bunkers are the place to head. Located on the foothills which surround the city, these former wartime bunkers are now a popular hang-out with those looking to escape the busy city-center and admire the impressive 360º view.

Located just a minute’s walk from the famous Palau de la Música, the Antic Theatre is an urban oasis which has managed to keep a low profile. The theatre boasts a large open-air terrace surrounded by stunning old buildings typical of Barcelona’s Old Town, the prices are relatively low, and it attracts a mostly young, laid-back crowd.

The Can Deu Civic Centre is housed inside a stunning Modernist building located in the heart of the Les Corts neighborhood that is rarely visited by tourists. The cafeteria there is a hidden-gem which few in the city know about, with a large outdoor terrace and stylish interiors serving a selection of drinks and small dishes at affordable prices.

Carved into the side of Montjuïc hill, the amphitheatre in the Grec Gardens was constructed in the 1920s for the Barcelona International Exposition. Today the theatre is used each year in July for the Grec Festival, but the rest of the year the gardens and theatre are open to the public, and make for a great place to read a book or have a picnic.

Just a minute’s walk from La Rambla, this cute outdoor café and restaurant is a surprisingly well-kept secret. Housed within the inside courtyard of ancient university buildings and surrounded by orange trees, El Jardí is an oasis of peace in an otherwise hectic part of town.

Ever wanted to lose yourself in a real-life labyrinth like the ones you used to read about when you were little? Well so did the Marquis Joan Antoni Desvalls of d’Ardena, who ordered the construction of this 820-yard long labyrinth located on the outskirts of Barcelona back in the 18th century. Only 750 visitors are allowed in daily and access costs just over €2 per person.

Walking around this part of Poblenou you could easily think there wasn’t much going on at first glance. Housed inside the Valkiria co-working space, the Bistrot is a modern cafeteria and bar, which serves a selection of fresh dishes and drinks in a cool, quirky environment. which promotes networking and creative thinking.

While many of Montjuïc’s gardens are famous for their sumptuous flower displays and bourgeois gardens, the Jardins de Mossèn Costa i Llobrera are home to some of the hardiest and most unusual varieties of plant. Created in the 1970s, this little-known garden is home to hundreds of species of cactus, succulent, and tropical plant.

This cool urban garden is located in the courtyard of a former factory turned co-working space in the heart of Poblenou. While the popular street-food and design market which takes place there each month – the Palo Alto Market – has drawn some attention to the place, snd what few people know is that you can access the grounds most days of the week during the working hours of the hub.

Fancy swimming in the open seas but without risking coming head-to-head with a jet-ski or ending up caught in the waves? The Zona de Banys del Fòrum is the city’s premier open-water swimming pool, combining the benefits of sea-water with the ease and safety of swimming lanes, access stairs, and specially designated swimming areas.

Once upon a time, it was the law that all restaurants in Spain needed to offer an affordable lunchtime menu so that workers could get a decent meal. Today, while no longer a law, many restaurants continue to serve a menu del día or menu of the day, which usually consists of three courses and a drink for as little as €8. Available from Monday to Friday, this is an excellent way to experience some authentic cuisine and rub shoulders with the locals.

While the Boquería market is the city’s most famous food market – and plenty of locals still shop there – avoid the tourist crowds and head to Saint Catherine or Saint Anthony’s markets instead. Don’t be lured by the punnets of freshly cut fruit or fruit juices that some stalls have started to offer, as these are designed for tourists who want a quick, on-the-go taste of the market culture. Try shopping for some edible souvenirs instead, such as jamón Iberico, tinned seafood, pimentón de la Vera or saffron.

Located in the hills that surround Barcelona, the Collserola Natural Park is easily accessible via public transport from the city centre. There are a number of hikes that take you from the Tibidabo amusement park back down into Barcelona, or over the other side of the hill towards the town of Sant Cugat. You’ll get some splendid panoramic views along the way and see a greener side to the city.

A far cry from the hustle and bustle of the Gothic Quarter, Sants is a residential neighbourhood with a strong community spirit and laid-back atmosphere. Here you’ll find old bodegas that look like they’ve gone unchanged since the 1960s and where drinks don’t cost an arm and a leg. La Bodegueta de Cal Pep is a fine example of an authentic neighbourhood haunt, which is a favourite amongst locals for enjoying a vermouth during Sunday lunchtimes.

If one of the main attractions of Barcelona is the proximity to the beach, the truth is that most locals never visit the beaches inside the city; they prefer to go out of town for more peace and quiet. If you’re not prepared to head north to the Costa Brava, a short train ride to nearby Badalona will be enough to escape the crowds and the commotion of the Barceloneta beaches.

The Camp Nou may be Europe’s largest football stadium, but it struggles to attract locals and has a reputation for a hit-and-miss atmosphere. If you want to see where the FC Barcelona supporters choose to cheer on their team, head to a local bar instead and join in the shouting, hugging and – if you’re lucky – celebrations. If Barna wins a big match, follow the crowds to the Canaletes Fountain on La Rambla, which has been the supporters’ gathering point after a victory for decades.

Here in Spain, most people have two breakfasts, or rather they have some breakfast early in the morning when they get up and then tend to have a mid-morning snack around 11 am to keep them going until lunchtime at 2 pm. For workers, this is usually a moment to grab a coffee with a colleague and have a break from work. Cafés usually get full around that time, and cheese or jamón sandwiches appear fresh on the counter. Act like a local and soak up the atmosphere of this Mediterranean way of life.