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Is Barcelona Overrated? Why I Still Love It

ByTina Riegelnegg Updated on
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Before my first trip to Barcelona, I honestly wasn’t sure I’d like it. I’d heard so much about the crowds, overtourism, and overhyped attractions that I wondered whether Barcelona was actually worth visiting.

Then I spent five weeks in Barcelona and I loved it.

That doesn’t mean I think all the criticism is wrong. There are attractions I found overrated, the crowds can absolutely affect your experience, and I wouldn’t choose to visit during peak time.

But Barcelona itself? I don’t think it’s overrated. I think when and how you visit makes a huge difference. After having plenty of time to explore the city beyond its busiest sights, here’s what I think is actually overrated, what won me over, and how I’d plan a trip to experience the best.

Is Barcelona overrated?

No, I don’t think Barcelona is overrated, but I understand why some people leave disappointed.

If your experience of Barcelona is squeezing through the crowds on La Rambla, rushing from one famous attraction to the next, and paying high prices in the most touristy areas, I can see why the city might feel overhyped.

What made me love Barcelona was having enough time to slow down. I wandered through the small streets of the Gothic Quarter, relaxed in the parks, ate vegan tapas, spent time at the beach, and explored beyond the attractions everyone comes to see.

Of course, I still visited the big sights. Standing in front of the Sagrada Família is unforgettable. But for me, Barcelona was at its best when I stopped treating it like a checklist of famous attractions and simply enjoyed being in the city.

That said, there are a few famous Barcelona experiences I genuinely think are overrated.

Best Barcelona Tours Gaudi

What I Think Is Actually Overrated in Barcelona

While I don’t think Barcelona itself is overrated, there are a few popular experiences I wouldn’t prioritize again:

  • La Rambla: This is probably the most overrated attraction in Barcelona for me. It’s crowded, very touristy, and filled with souvenir shops and overpriced food. You’ll probably walk along it at some point because of its central location, but I wouldn’t go out of my way to add it to your itinerary.
  • Going inside every Gaudí building: I love Barcelona’s Gaudí architecture, but you don’t need to pay to enter every famous building to appreciate it. Places like Casa Batlló are impressive from the street, and tickets can quickly add up. I’d choose one or two Gaudí attractions you really want to experience rather than paying to enter them all.
  • MUHBA Turó de la Rovira: This viewpoint was too crowded for me to really enjoy it. I personally preferred the view from Tibidabo, so if you don’t have time to visit every viewpoint in Barcelona, that’s the one I’d prioritize.
  • Montserrat: The mountain scenery is impressive, but it wasn’t my favorite day trip from Barcelona. I enjoyed Girona much more, and I also loved spending a day by the sea in Sitges. If you only have time for one day trip, I wouldn’t automatically choose Montserrat just because it’s the most famous.
Entrance to a market hall with a lot of people around
Drinks are cheaper in the Mercado de La Boqueria just of La Rambla
A group of people sitting on steps and rocky terrain covered in graffiti, gathered outdoors, likely for a social or public event. The walls are decorated with colorful graffiti, and the atmosphere feels casual and laid-back.
It gets busy for sunset
Facade of Casa Battló
It’s enough to admire the facade of Casa Battló from the outside

Why Barcelona Won Me Over

What made me love Barcelona wasn’t just the famous attractions. Spending five weeks there gave me time to slow down and experience the city beyond the usual sightseeing checklist.

  • Wandering without a plan: Some of my favorite moments were simply walking through the narrow streets of the Gothic Quarter, relaxing in a park, or strolling along the beach. Barcelona was much more enjoyable when I wasn’t rushing from one attraction to the next.
  • The unique architecture: You may love or hate the look of the Sagrada Família, but there’s no denying how unusual it is. Seeing it in person was one of my highlights, and there’s interesting architecture all over the city.
  • Exploring all of Park Güell: I’ve heard people call Park Güell overrated, but I think that’s easy to say if you only visit the crowded area around Gaudí’s famous buildings. The park is much bigger, with walking paths, greenery, and viewpoints that are worth to explore.
  • The food and evening atmosphere: It took me a little while to get used to restaurants closing in the afternoon and eating dinner after 8 pm, but eventually I loved going for an evening walk followed by vegan tapas and a late dinner.
  • The beach: Barcelona gives you the combination of a city break and time by the sea. When I visited in October, it was still warm enough to swim, and the beach was almost empty.
  • The day trips: Barcelona is also a great base for exploring more of Catalonia. Girona was my favorite day trip from Barcelona, and I also loved spending a day by the sea in Sitges.
Tina next to a big plant holding one red flower in Park Güell in Barcelona
Take your time to discover the beauty of Barcelona
Tina in front of a sunset with palm trees and boats in the back on a Barcelona 3 day itinerary
I love walking next to the waterfront
A small alley with flowers
Small alley in the Gothic Quarter of Barcelona

The Biggest Downside: Overtourism

As much as I love Barcelona, there’s no ignoring its problem with overtourism. And this goes beyond crowded attractions, the number of visitors also puts pressure on housing, local neighborhoods, and resources such as water.

As a visitor, you can help by staying in licensed accommodation rather than an unlicensed tourist apartment, supporting local businesses, being mindful of water use, and respecting that the neighborhoods you’re exploring are also people’s homes.

I don’t think the answer is to avoid Barcelona altogether, but when and how you visit matters. I loved visiting in October when the weather was still warm but the city was noticeably quieter.

Bright yellow sticker on a street post reads "TOURISTS GO HOME. REFUGEES WELCOME." on a quiet city street in warm sunlight.
In October the beach is almost empty

Other Downsides to Know Before Visiting Barcelona

Overtourism was the biggest downside for me, but there are a few other things I think you should know before visiting:

  • Pickpocketing: Barcelona has a reputation for pickpocketing, particularly in busy tourist areas. I personally walked all over the city, including by myself, and felt safe, but I was always careful with my belongings.
  • It can be expensive: Barcelona is more expensive than many other destinations in Spain, especially when it comes to accommodation and popular attractions. Thankfully, there are also plenty of free things to do in Barcelona if you’re traveling on a budget.
  • Tourist traps are easy to find: Around the busiest attractions, you’ll find plenty of overpriced restaurants, souvenir shops, and experiences aimed primarily at tourists. Walking a few streets away from the main tourist areas can make a big difference.
Tina standing next to a tall building which looks like a big egg; Is Barcelona overrated? I don't think so, there are so many great things to do in the city
You can even find non touristy things to do in Barcelona

How I Would Visit Barcelona to Avoid the Worst of It

  • Visit outside peak summer: I visited in October and loved it. It was still warm enough to enjoy the beach, but the city was noticeably quieter.
  • Give yourself at least three days: Barcelona is much more enjoyable when you don’t have to rush from one famous attraction to the next. If you have extra time, use the city as a base for a day trip too.
  • Choose which attractions you actually care about: You don’t need to go inside every Gaudí building or visit somewhere simply because it appears on every Barcelona bucket list.
  • Explore beyond La Rambla: Wander through the Gothic Quarter, spend time in the parks, walk along the beach, and explore some of the less touristy streets and neighborhoods.
  • Leave some time unplanned: Some of my favorite moments in Barcelona were simply walking around, stopping somewhere for food, and seeing where I ended up.

You Don’t Have to Spend a Fortune to Enjoy Barcelona

While some of Barcelona’s famous attractions are expensive, you don’t need to pay for everything to have a great time in the city.

Some of my favorite experiences were simply wandering through different neighborhoods, relaxing in the parks, walking along the beach, and enjoying the atmosphere.

So before filling your itinerary with expensive entrance tickets, mix in some of the things you can experience without spending anything.

Check out my guide to the best free things to do in Barcelona for more ideas to add to your trip.

Read more about Barcelona:

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Collage of Barcelona featuring the Sagrada Familia. Colorful architecture at Park Güell. An aerial view of city blocks. And a street sticker reading "TOURISTS GO HOME. REFUGEES WELCOME". Text across the center reads "BARCELONA is it overrated?" and text at the bottom reads "VEGANDERLUST.COM".
Before You Visit Barcelona, Read This Honest Take

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Tina Riegelnegg is the founder of Veganderlust. She's a vegan with wanderlust, who shares tips and stories from her travels to 31 countries as a vegan minimalist. After 2.5 years of full-time travel with just a personal item-sized bag, she’s now based in Vienna, helping fellow travelers explore the world with ease and compassion.

Tina Riegelnegg

Tina Riegelnegg is the founder of Veganderlust. She's a vegan with wanderlust, who shares tips and stories from her travels to 31 countries as a vegan minimalist. After 2.5 years of full-time travel with just a personal item-sized bag, she’s now based in Vienna, helping fellow travelers explore the world with ease and compassion.