12 Must-Do Barcelona Activities For Friends

Barcelona: where the sun shines brighter, the food tastes better, and the adventures with friends are simply unbeatable. If you’re looking for the ultimate European destination for a friends holiday, look no further than Barcelona. With its endless array of fun group activities, delicious cuisine, and stunning beaches, this Spanish gem has everything you need for a wild trip with your besties. In this blog, we’ll outline 12 fun Barcelona friends activities including:

• Picnic in Parc de la Ciutadella
• Tapas Tour
• Go on a Sunset Cruise
• Explore the Gothic Quarter
• Visiting Park Güell
• Spending the day at Barcelona beach
• Chilling at the ice bar
• Visiting food markets
• Attending a music festival
• Sightseeing
• Watching Flamenco

Is Barcelona good for a friends holiday?

Absolutely! Barcelona is one of the best friends‘ holiday destinations in Europe. All major airlines fly there making it an easily accessible holiday spot for you and the gang to meet up in. Also, due to the frequent flights, they’re usually on the cheaper side.

With its lively atmosphere, vibrant culture, and endless opportunities for adventure, it’s the perfect place to create unforgettable memories with your closest pals. Whether you’re exploring the city’s historic streets like La Rambla, soaking up the sun on its beautiful beaches like Bogatell or Sant Sebastià or indulging in delicious tapas and cocktails, Barcelona offers something for everyone in your friend group. Plus, thanks to its infamous nightlife, you can dance the night away and bond with your friends in a whole new way.

How expensive is Barcelona?

While Barcelona can be a bit pricey compared to other destinations, it’s still possible to enjoy all that the city has to offer without breaking the bank. Here are some specific price examples to give you an idea:

• Budget hostel dormitory bed: €15-€30 per night
• Tapas dish at a local bar: €2-€5 per dish
• Dinner at a mid-range restaurant: €15-€30 per person for a three-course meal
• Cocktail at a trendy bar: €8-€12 per cocktail
• Entry to Park Güell: €10 per person for the Monumental Zone
• Sagrada Família ticket: €20-€30 per person for basic entry
• Bicycle rental for a day: €10-€20 per person
• Single metro ticket: €2.40
• Day pass for unlimited metro and bus rides: €10.50
• Taxi from Barcelona Airport to city centre: €25-€35

Overall, with a bit of planning and budgeting, you can enjoy a fun friend’s holiday in Barcelona without blowing your budget.

12 Must-Do Barcelona Activities For Friends

1. Picnic in Parc de la Ciutadella

Kick off your Barcelona adventure with a leisurely picnic in the sprawling green oasis of Parc de la Ciutadella. Grab some local delicacies from the nearby markets, spread out a blanket under the shade of a palm tree, and while away the afternoon with good food, great company, and perhaps a cheeky game of frisbee.

2. Tapas Tour

Next on our list of must-do friends activities in Barcelona is a tapas tour of the city’s culinary hotspots, sampling mouth-watering bites like the comforting patatas bravas, jamón ibérico, and freshly grilled seafood. With each tapa, you’ll not only tantalize your taste buds but also deepen your bond with your friends over shared culinary delights.

3. Go on a Sunset Sail

Our next must-do friend activity in Barcelona takes us to the serene waters of the Mediterranean for a sunset sail along Barcelona’s picturesque coastline. With the wind in your hair and the sun setting over the horizon, it’s the perfect opportunity to sit back, relax, and soak in the breathtaking views with your best mates by your side.

4. Explore the Gothic Quarter

Lose yourself in the labyrinthine streets of the Gothic Quarter, where history whispers from every corner and hidden gems await around every bend. From ancient Roman ruins to medieval cathedrals, this historic Barcelona neighbourhood is a treasure trove of architectural wonders just waiting to be discovered and perfect if you’re trying to keep the costs down on your friends holiday.

5. Park Güell

Channel your inner child with a visit to the whimsical wonderland of Park Güell. Designed by the legendary architect Antoni Gaudí, this surreal park is a kaleidoscope of colour, texture, and imagination. Climb to the top for panoramic views of the city below, or simply meander through the mosaic-covered pathways in awe.

6. Go to the Beach Day

No trip to Barcelona would be complete without a day spent soaking up the sun on one of its glorious beaches. Whether you prefer the lively atmosphere of Barceloneta Beach or the more relaxed vibe of Bogatell Beach, you’re guaranteed to find your slice of paradise along the city’s coastline.

7. Chill at the Barcelona Ice Bar

Have you been given an activity gift card? Then you’ll be happy to know that you can redeem your gift card on skip-the-line tickets to the Barcelona Ice Bar. You and your friends can step into a frosty wonderland and enjoy icy cocktails in an ice-cold setting. It’s a cool way to add some fun to your Barcelona adventure!

8. Experience the Flavours of La Boqueria Market

The self-proclaimed ‘best market in the world’, La Boqueria, is a must-do friends activity when you and the gang are in Barcelona. This food market has been around since 1836 and is just as loved now as it was back in the day. You and your friends can navigate through over 200 bustling stalls brimming with fresh fruits, meats and delectable sweets, all while sampling mouthwatering local delicacies. With each bite, deepen your bond with friends as you indulge in a culinary adventure that tantalises the taste buds and creates unforgettable memories.

9. Attend Primavera Festival

You and your friends won’t get a better group activity than immersing yourselves in the pulsating beats and infectious energy of Barcelona’s vibrant music scene at the iconic Primavera Sound. This year, the festival lineup boasts an eclectic mix of world-renowned artists guaranteed to get you and your friends grooving all night long. Picture yourself swaying to the soulful melodies of SZA, jumping to the electrifying beats of Pulp, and singing along to the indie tunes of Lana Del Rey. So grab your friends, book your tickets, and get ready for an unforgettable experience of music, dancing, and camaraderie under the Barcelona sky.

10. Sagrada Família

Marvel at the architectural masterpiece that is the Sagrada Família, Gaudí’s magnum opus and Barcelona’s most iconic landmark. From its towering spires to its intricate facades, this awe-inspiring basilica is sure to leave you and your friends spellbound. It’s one of Barcelona’s most famous landmarks so missing the chance to see it in person would almost be criminal!

11. Watch a Flamenco Show

If you’re looking for a Barcelona activity for friends to do in the evening, you can’t go wrong with a passionate flamenco performance at one of Barcelona’s intimate tablaos. From the soulful singing to the fiery footwork, this traditional Spanish art form is sure to leave you and your friends captivated from start to finish.

12. Go on a Cogwheel Train to Montserrat

Last on our list of must-do Barcelona activities for friends is a cogwheel train through Montserrat National Park‘s landscapes with your crew. Picture yourself cruising to the monastery at 4,051 feet above sea level. The views are jaw-dropping, perfect for selfies. Reach the Royal Basilica of Montserrat to marvel at the 12th-century Black Madonna  statue. The train ride itself is a party on wheels with panoramic windows and chill vibes. Montserrat’s natural wonders, shaped by wind and rain, are straight out of a fairy tale. So why wait? Grab your mates, hop on the train, and experience an adventure you’ll remember for years.

Which of these Barcelona Activities for Friends will you enjoy?

We hope our list of the must-do Barcelona activities for friends has helped you curate your travel itinerary. Whether you and the gang are seeking music festivals, food markets or experiences in nature, Barcelona has everything you want and more.

Gift a Barcelona Activity to Someone Special with an Experience Voucher

If you know someone going on a Barcelona friends trip anytime soon, you should consider giving them an experience voucher from Activitgift. Whether it’s a birthday, wedding gift, graduation or just a spontaneous gesture of appreciation, these experience gift vouchers unlock thousands of unforgettable gift experiences for every recipient.

You can choose from three convenient experience voucher formats including:

• A physical experience voucher printed on premium card
• An animated eGift
• A PDF experience voucher to print at home and give in person

With our activity vouchers, you’re not just giving a gift card – you’re giving the gift of adventure, exploration, and memories that last a lifetime. Your gift recipient can easily redeem their experience voucher online and choose the exact gift experience that suits them!