13 Best Things to Do in Spain: Barcelona, Madrid, Seville

Quick answer

The essential things to do in Spain are the Sagrada Família, Park Güell and the Gothic Quarter in Barcelona, the Prado and Royal Palace in Madrid, the Alcázar and Cathedral in Seville, and the Alhambra in Granada. Add a flamenco show, Montserrat or Toledo as day trips. Book Sagrada Família and Alhambra tickets weeks ahead.

13 things worth your time in Spain

01
Sagrada Família
Landmark
Gaudí's basilica, still under construction, with stained glass that floods the interior with colour. 2026 marks the centenary of his death, so expect larger crowds.
1.5–2 hoursAbout ₹2,650 (€26) basic with audio guide; about ₹3,700 (€36) with a tower
Book only on the official site, up to two months ahead. Morning light shows the blue-green east windows; late afternoon the red-orange west ones.
02
Park Güell
Landmark
Gaudí's mosaic terraces, the dragon fountain and views across Barcelona to the sea.
1.5 hoursAbout ₹1,850 (€18) for the monumental zone
Timed entry. It's uphill from the nearest Metro, so take bus V19 or a taxi with parents.
03
Casa Batlló and Casa Milà
Landmark
Two Gaudí apartment buildings on Passeig de Gràcia; Batlló is the more colourful, Milà has the sculpted rooftop.
1–2 hours eachAbout ₹3,000–4,600 (€29–45) each, depending on time slot
If you only do one, Casa Batlló is the more striking inside.
04
Gothic Quarter and El Born
Neighbourhood
Medieval lanes, the cathedral, Santa Maria del Mar and the Picasso Museum, all walkable.
Half dayFree; Picasso Museum about ₹1,550 (€15)
Keep phones out of back pockets. These lanes and the Ramblas are pickpocket hotspots.
05
La Boqueria market
Food
Fruit juices, cut fruit, almonds and cheese stalls just off the Ramblas; a good vegetarian snack stop.
1 hourFree to browse
Closed on Sundays. Go before 11 am, before the tour groups.
06
Montjuïc and the Magic Fountain
Experience
Gardens, the Olympic stadium, the MNAC museum steps and an evening fountain show with lights and music.
Half day and eveningFree; cable car about ₹1,650 (€16) return
Fountain shows run on selected evenings and have been suspended during droughts; check the schedule.
07
Montserrat
Day trip
A Benedictine monastery among saw-toothed peaks an hour from Barcelona, home of the Black Madonna.
Half to full dayAbout ₹4,100–6,100 (€40–60) return with rack railway or cable car
08
Prado Museum, Madrid
Museum
Velázquez's Las Meninas, Goya and Bosch's Garden of Earthly Delights in one of the world's great galleries.
2–3 hoursAbout ₹1,550 (€15); free in the last two hours of most days
The free evening entry has long queues; arrive 30 minutes early.
09
Royal Palace of Madrid
Landmark
Western Europe's largest royal palace by floor area, with the throne room and the royal armoury.
1.5 hoursAbout ₹1,450–1,850 (€14–18)
10
Toledo
Day trip
A hilltop city of churches, synagogues and El Greco paintings, 33 minutes from Madrid by fast train.
Full dayTrain about ₹2,050–3,050 (€20–30) return
11
Seville — Alcázar and Cathedral
Landmark
A Moorish-style royal palace with tiled courtyards and gardens, next to the largest Gothic cathedral in the world.
Half dayAlcázar about ₹1,550–2,050 (€15–20); Cathedral and Giralda about ₹1,350–1,750 (€13–17)
Book both ahead and go early; afternoons in Seville are very hot from June to September.
12
Alhambra, Granada
Landmark
The Nasrid Palaces' carved stucco and courtyards, with the Sierra Nevada behind. For many, the highlight of Spain.
3–4 hoursAbout ₹2,050–2,250 (€20–22)
Tickets sell out weeks ahead and carry a fixed Nasrid Palaces time. The name must match your passport.
13
A flamenco show
Experience
Guitar, song and dance in a small tablao; Seville's Triana and Santa Cruz quarters have the most authentic shows.
1–1.5 hoursAbout ₹2,550–5,100 (€25–50)

How do you plan a first trip to Spain?

A week usually means Barcelona plus Andalusia or Madrid. Barcelona needs three days for Gaudí, the old town and one excursion. Seville needs two. Madrid needs one to two, and Granada one for the Alhambra. Fast trains link Madrid with Barcelona (about 2h30) and Seville (about 2h30); Barcelona to Seville is quicker by a 1h40 flight.

Book these weeks ahead

Sagrada Família: online only, released up to two months ahead. Tower slots go first.
Alhambra: often sold out three to six weeks ahead in spring and autumn.
Park Güell and Seville's Alcázar: timed entry, easier but still worth booking.

Buy from official sites where possible. Resale prices for the Sagrada Família can be double or more.

Spanish timings take adjusting to

Lunch runs 2–4 pm and dinner rarely starts before 9 pm. Many small shops close in the afternoon, especially in Andalusia. For families with children, a late lunch and an early tapas dinner around 8 pm works well.

What should Indian travellers watch for?

Pickpockets: Barcelona has some of the worst in Europe — the Ramblas, the Metro and Sagrada Família crowds.
Heat: Seville and Granada reach 38°C-plus in summer. See the best time to visit Spain.
Food: ham appears in many dishes. Our Spain food guide lists safe vegetarian tapas and Indian restaurants.

Use our Spain trip cost estimate to budget, and read where to stay in Barcelona before booking hotels.

Spain needs a Schengen visa; our Spain visa guide covers documents and appointments.

Frequently asked questions

How many days do you need in Barcelona?

Three days is right for a first visit: one for the Sagrada Família and Gaudí houses, one for Park Güell, the Gothic Quarter and the beach, and one for Montserrat or Montjuïc. Two days is enough if you are moving on to Madrid or Seville.

Is the Sagrada Família tower worth the extra cost?

It adds €10 to the basic ticket and gives close-up views of the spires and over the city, but involves narrow spiral stairs on the way down. Skip it with young children, anyone uncomfortable with heights or knee problems. The interior is the real highlight either way.

Can you visit the Alhambra without booking?

Rarely. A small number of same-day tickets are sometimes released, but in spring and autumn the Alhambra is often sold out three to six weeks ahead. Book on the official site as soon as your dates are fixed, and carry the passport used for booking.

How we checked this page

Last reviewed 28 October 2026

Written and fact-checked by the Elitech Travels editorial desk in New Delhi, drawing on our consultants' day-to-day booking work and the official sources below. Rules, fares and fees change — always confirm anything critical with the issuing authority before you travel. Our editorial policy.