The 10 Best Things To See and Do Near Sagrada Familia, Barcelona

Gaudí Avenue starts in front of Gaudí’s unfinished church, and it ends at another famous modernist building: L’Hospital de la Santa Creu i Sant Pau. If you’re in the City of Counts, you should definitely take your time to walk this avenue packed with cafes and restaurants. Enjoy the most privileged views of the city while you eat some of the best tapas in Barcelona, or do some shopping in the trendiest and most original shops in town.

Once you’ve reached the end of the Gaudí Avenue, pay a visit to the modernist Sant Pau Art Nouveau Site. Following more than 5 years of restoration works, Sant Pau is a beautiful cultural attraction. The site is also home to several headquarters of nearly 9 international institutions, undertaking research in fields such as education and health. Take a guided tour of the modernist building of Sant Pau since it’s only minutes away from the Sagrada Familia, as it is one of the most important constructions in a city known for its modernist influences.

If you’re in the neighborhood of Sagrada Familia, you should take a break before or after visiting Gaudí’s church and enjoy some local food. Gaudí Avenue is the perfect place to try some of the most popular tapas and pinchos in the city, so sit on a terrace if the weather is nice and drink the famous sangria catalana while you enjoy a privileged view of the Sagrada Familia.

Of course, visiting the Sagrada Familia is a must if you’re in Barcelona. Gaudí’s monumental creation must be the most characteristic spot in the city. The church, built by one of the most important architects in the world, is the reason why Barcelona is one of the most popular destinations. If you’re planning on visiting the Sagrada Familia, don’t forget to buy your tickets online in order to avoid queues and make the most of your time in the city.

The Michael Collins Irish Bar may not be as famous as Gaudí’s work, but it is definitely one of the most popular pubs in the city and the most well-known in the neighborhood of Sagrada Familia. The relaxing atmosphere, variety of beers, great service and the choice of music have turned this typical Irish bar into an essential spot to visit in Barcelona.

This beautiful avenue in the heart of the city is only minutes away from Sagrada Familia, and it is definitely a must-see if you’re spending some time in Barcelona. Passeig de Sant Joan starts at the Arc de Triomf, a memorial arch built by architect Josep Vilaseca i Casanovas, and it ends in the famous neighborhood of Travessera de Gràcia. The avenue, surrounded by parks, is a perfect place in town to go with little kids or take long romantic walks. Whether it’s summer or winter, don’t forget to grab an ice cream or some delicious horchata in Passeig de Sant Joan’s most famous horchatería, Verdú.

Driving around this charming city has become one of the favorite methods to see Barcelona. You can either hire a scooter or join a guided tour. If you’re around Sagrada Familia, you’re in the right place to get your Vespa because there are motorcycle rental agencies just minutes away from Gaudí’s church.

Another two-wheeled option to explore the streets surrounding La Sagrada is bike rentals. You can choose between normal bikes, electric bikes or tandem bicycles at a very economical price; or if you prefer a guided tour, you can make a reservation and enjoy this different experience with a group of people.

Before the 19th century, the quiet and lovely neighborhood of Gràcia was an independent town from Barcelona, and Passeig de Gràcia was the street that connected both places. Passeig de Gràcia is Barcelona’s busiest street, packed with fashionable cafes, trendy shops and modernist architecture. Passeig de Gràcia is a must-see in Barcelona, not only because it’s the area where la Casa Batlló is located, or where you can visit La Pedrera, but also because of the lively atmosphere and the cultural background of the street. Of course, the fastest way to get there if you’re in Sagrada Familia is to take the purple line (L2) on the subway and go from one point to the other easily, but if you have the time and the energy, it’s always recommended to take the 20-minute walk through some of the most popular streets of the city to get to Passeig de Gràcia!

Located at the end of Gaudí Avenue, only five minutes away from the Sagrada Familia, the bakery Puiggròs is a historic establishment that offers a great variety of bread, pastries, teas and coffees of the best quality. Founded in 1922 and newly renovated, Puiggròs is the perfect place to go with kids since the bakery has a children’s area with toys as well as a lot of space to play and leave the baby carriages. If you’re around Sagrada Familia, you should definitely take a look at this gem and enjoy some of the best homemade pastries in town!