Barcelona’s Cultural Renaissance: What to See, Eat & Shop this Summer 2026

This summer, all eyes are on Barcelona. The city is marking the centennial of architect Antoni Gaudí’s death with major exhibitions and cultural programming, with the official commemoration date falling on June 10 (so expect June to be an especially busy time to visit). Pope Leo XIV is also traveling to the city to celebrate the anniversary and inaugurate the newly completed Tower of Jesus Christ at the Sagrada Família, which now makes the basilica the tallest cathedral in the world. All of this, combined with Barcelona’s designation as a UNESCO World Capital of Architecture, has the city feeling particularly vibrant right now, with booming restaurant and creative scenes and exciting developments across fashion, design, food and culture. Even without the anniversary, this is a great year to be in Barcelona. Just be prepared for larger-than-usual crowds this summer, particularly around Gaudí sites and major cultural attractions.

Below, discover the events, bites and boutiques that stood out most during my recent trip—plus, the Gaudí experiences not to miss.

• Sagrada Família: An icon of Barcelona, the Sagrada Família sits at the heart of the city’s celebrations for Gaudí’s centennial and is the location where he is buried. Once inside, check out the museum, which pulls back the curtain on Gaudí’s architectural and creative process and the continued construction of the church. One highlight: you can peer into the restoration lab and watch artisans, architects and engineers hard at work. Indagare Tip: Book tickets at least three months in advance. After-hours visits are always ideal to avoid the crowds, especially in the summer. Timing your visit with sunset is particularly special, so you can watch as the evening light moves through the stained-glass windows (that said, as long as it is sunny, any time of day is great for your visit). Tower tickets are available for an additional fee with great views over Barcelona, but be prepared for a lot of stairs that may be especially tough in the summer heat.

• Palau Robert: A beautiful neoclassical 20th-century mansion on Passeig de Gràcia, Palau Robert is a public cultural center with beautiful gardens that is hosting an outdoor exhibition for the centennial: “The Sagrada Família and Barcelona: 144 years of a shared journey.”
• Palau Güell: People often skip this Gothic Quarter mansion in favor of Gaudí’s flashier sites, which is a mistake. One of Gaudí’s earliest major commissions, Palau Güell was designed for Eusebi Güell, Gaudí’s most important patron (he was also behind Parc Güell). This mansion is even moodier and more dramatic than some of his more theatrical projects and showcases how Gaudí was a master of playing with light, space and decorative ironwork. This summer, Palau Güell is hosting a small exhibition, “Gaudí: Windows to the Future,” which explores his continued influence on architecture and design today.

• Casa Vicens: This is one of the city’s true hidden gems; it is also one of the most underrated Gaudí sites in Barcelona. Casa Vicens was his first major commission, and it is where you can see a lot of Islamic influence, as well as his understanding of nature, form and function. For the centennial, Casa Vicens is hosting a small exhibit comparing Gaudí’s work to that of other architects of the era. It is often less crowded here than at some of his more well-known sites, making for a more leisurely and intimate experience. Indagare Tip: Enjoy a drink or coffee in the garden cafe to feel as if you are living in the house.
• Casa Milà: Also known as La Pedrera (meaning “stone quarry” in Catalan), this UNESCO World Heritage Site is one of the best locations to study Gaudí, thanks to its detailed museum and period apartment exhibitions, which offer insight into his work and show how people actually lived in 20th-century Barcelona. Indagare Tip: If possible, try to time your visit with sunset on the roof of Casa Milà. The undulating terrace redefined Barcelona’s skyline when it was completed in 1912. The sculptural chimneys are particularly memorable, and many believe they even inspired George Lucas’ stormtroopers in Star Wars.
• Casa Batlló: The most theatrical of all the sites, Casa Batlló is a UNESCO World Heritage Site known for its colorful, bone-like façade, and the genius way Gaudí played with light and ventilation throughout the home. Earlier this year, the third floor opened to the public for the first time after a long restoration, and it’s the last interior space preserved exactly as Gaudí left it. The building also now has Casa Batlló Contemporary, a new exhibition space featuring rotating installations and exhibitions. This summer’s lineup includes work by United Visual Artists, with the anticipated “Gaudí-Miró-Gomis: Deconstructed” opening on July 8. Indagare Tip: Casa Batlló can get extremely crowded (it’s a small and narrow house with a lot of stairs), but a visit is still worth it to see Gaudí’s more whimsical and fantastical side. The crowds are a bit lighter in the afternoon than in the morning. The best ticket option is “Be the First,” which allows limited-capacity entry before the building opens to the general public. Combine your Casa Batlló with Casa Amatller, a modernist mansion designed by Josep Puig i Cadafalch that sits next door, and explore a bit of Barcelona’s modernist movement beyond Gaudí.

• Disseny Hub Barcelona: This is worth a stop if you’re looking for more Barcelona design context beyond Gaudí. The summer exhibition, “Catalan Architecture: Living Past, Open Future” is running from May 22 to September 6 and examines the evolution of Catalan architecture.
• Colònia Güell: Located outside the city, this church and crypt highlight Gaudí’s experimentation with architecture. He first used some of the structural ideas at this site that you see take full form later in the Sagrada Família.
• La Torre de Bellesguard: One of Gaudí’s lesser-known works, this castle-like home on the outskirts of the city blends Gothic and modernist styles and is a nice option for those looking to venture outside Barcelona.

Beyond Gaudí, there are many exciting events and exhibitions going on in Barcelona this summer. Don’t miss Fundació Joan Miró, Museu Picasso, the Romanesque collection at Museu Nacional d’Art de Catalunya, Palau de la Música Catalana or the beautifully restrained Barcelona Pavilion by Ludwig Mies van der Rohe.

• Glug (La Nova Esquerra de l’Eixample): It’s always difficult to choose a favorite restaurant of the trip, but this has to be mine for this recent Barcelona visit. Glug is the ideal Barcelona wine bar: relaxed, stylish and genuinely delicious. The standout dish was the Comté-filled ravioli served in a rich French onion soup broth, though I’m also still thinking about the tuna belly pizzette with sun-dried tomatoes, mozzarella and artichokes.
• Queviures Murria (La Dreta de l’Eixample): I loved the “Catalan nigiri” here—a brilliant little bite that riffs on pan con tomate by topping tomato-rubbed bread with tuna belly. This is a gourmet food store that doubles as a restaurant.
• Soma (L'Antiga Esquerra de l'Eixample): This wonderful Catalan tapas wine bar shows subtle Mediterranean influences from France and Italy. The atmosphere is warm and friendly; the wine list is great and the rigatoni with ragu shouldn’t be missed.
• Bar Cañete (El Raval): This classic Barcelona institution has lively, old-school energy and one of the best squid sandwiches I’ve ever had.
• Taberna Nardi (El Born): This no-frills seafood counter and wine bar feels deeply traditional in the best possible way. My favorite dish here was the scallops with confit tomato, garlic and parsley.
• Mont Bar (La Dreta de l’Eixample): Come here for Michelin-starred tapas in a much more relaxed setting than you might expect. Lunch is à la carte and significantly more approachable than dinner’s tasting menu. I loved the turbot with beurre blanc and razor clams a la donostiarra with ponzu, served with the sauce prepared tableside.
• Sartoria Panatieri (La Dreta de l’Eixample or Gràcia): The city’s most celebrated pizza spot has a strong farm-to-table philosophy rooted in Catalan ingredients. It is excellent for families and ideal for either lunch or dinner. It has two locations.

• Atelier Madre: Come here for beautiful handcrafted leather goods by Manuel Dreesmann, many of which can be customized.
• Arquinesia Perfumes: This Mallorca-based fragrance and soap brand is inspired by the Mediterranean.
• BASSAL: A favorite among Barcelona’s trendy and creative crowd, this is a multi-brand concept shop showcasing Spanish designers for men and women.
• Beatriz Furest: This shop spotlights Barcelona-designed womenswear that is neutral and approachable.
• La Manual Alpargatera: The city’s famous espadrille shop is a must-visit.
• Cereria Subirà: Barcelona’s historic candle store sells everything from the whimsical to traditional molds.
• RÓURI: This beautiful Spanish-made womenswear line has a minimalist, elevated aesthetic that gears more toward a young adult crowd.
• Mercat de la Boqueria: The city’s iconic food market is crowded and buzzing, and you can get absolutely anything you want in here. It’s an amazing sensory experience and great for gifts.
• Mercat de Santa Caterina: Slightly more relaxed than La Boqueria, this market has an excellent mix of produce and prepared foods, as well as a few casual sit-down bars and restaurants for a meal. You’re more likely to see locals grocery shopping at Santa Caterina versus the big crowds of tourists that are drawn to La Boqueria.