Is Barcelona Overrated? Why I Don't Think It Is

Veganderlust contains affiliate links and is a member of the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program. If you make a purchase using one of these Amazon links, I may receive compensation at no extra cost to you. For more info, see the Disclosure Policy.

Are you asking yourself: Is Barcelona overrated? Should I even visit? Keep reading to find out why I think Barcelona is still worth visiting.

For years Barcelona has had a problem with overtourism, too many people crowd the streets. And ever so often you hear that Barcelona is overrated anyway. So is it even still worth visiting?

Before I visited Barcelona I was a bit hesitant, I thought I wouldn’t like it because it’s so overcrowded. But I spent 5 weeks in Barcelona and I loved it!

But I will admit I wouldn’t visit Barcelona in high season. I visited in October, which was an amazing time for visiting. The weather is still warm but there are way fewer people.

Table of Contents

Is Barcelona overrated?

So many times you hear Barcelona is overrated. It was even voted one of the most overrated places in the world. And when you look at pictures of Barcelona overrun with tourists it looks horrifying.

But in my opinion, the solution is to visit at a quieter time of the year and not to skip Barcelona altogether. In October for example, when I visited, it was still very warm. You can still swim in the ocean in October but the beach is almost empty.

I loved taking my time to explore Barcelona, walking through the small alleys of the Gothic Quarter, relaxing in the city park, enjoying some vegan tapas and yes visiting the famous la Sagrada Familia was also one of the things I enjoyed.

Maybe that’s also important to take enough time to visit Barcelona. So you’re not one of those people rushing through the city.

Take 3 days to explore Barcelona and then take some more to do day trips. I loved my day trips from Barcelona as much as I loved my time in the city.

Overrated attractions in Barcelona

Facade of Casa Battló — It’s enough to admire the facade of Casa Battló from the outside

Even though the city as a whole is not overrated, I do think some attractions in Barcelona are overrated.

La Rambla is the most overrated attraction in Barcelona. It’s just a street with way too many people and overpriced souvenirs and food stalls.
You don’t have to see the residential buildings by Gaudi from the inside. They are way too expensive for what they are. Just enjoy a look at the facade and go on.
The MUHBA Turó de la Rovira (Battery Viewpoint) is supposed to be the best viewing point in Barcelona. For me, it was too crowded and I think the view from Tibidabo is better anyway.

Pros of Barcelona

An important aspect to appreciating the city of Barcelona is to really taking the time to explore the city. Don’t just rush from one sight to the next just to snap one picture.

For example I’ve read that people think Park Güell is overrated. I can’t imagine people saying that if they truly took the time to explore the park. It’s a massive park with loads of beautiful flowers, structures and viewing points.

But if you only go to the overcrowded area where you can see Gaudi’s building, then you probably will be disappointed by Park Güell.

But now to the top things in Barcelona which make the city worth visiting:

Unique architecture: You may think the Sagrada Familia ugly or pretty but it’s without a doubt one of the most unique and most famous cathedrals you’ll ever see. And the Sagrada Familia is not the only unique architectural masterpiece in Barcelona.
Fiesta: To be honest it took some getting used to that restaurants are closed in the afternoon and people only eat dinner after 8pm. But after spending a few days in Barcelona we came to enjoy going for evening walks and late dinners.
Catalan culture: As much as tourists think of Barcelona as a typical Spanish city, it’s not. People in Barcelona are very proud of being from the autonomous region Catalonia. And what better place to learn about Catalonia than in it’s capital.
Day trips: Barcelona is well connected to the surrounding area and it’s a great place as a home base for exploring the surrounding areas. The most popular day trip is to Montserrat which I think is a bit overrated. My favourite day trip from Barcelona was to Girona, a picturesque medieval town and Game of Thrones filming location. I also really enjoyed my day trip to 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

Cons of Barcelona

Like in every city there are cons to visiting Barcelona. You need to decide for yourself if those cons are absolute no-gos or if you can look past them by paying attention to them and travelling in a less busy time of the year.

The biggest con are definitely the crowds. Barcelona suffers because of overtourism. That’s why I wouldn’t recommend visiting in high season. But visiting Barcelona in off season is worth it.
The city has a big pickpockets problem. But to be honest, many big cities do. Just take some safety measurements and you’ll be fine. I walked all over Barcelona by myself and I always felt safe.
Barcelona is quite expensive compared to other Spanish cities. Even though there are some cool free things to do and see in Barcelona, food and accommodation is not the cheapest.
You might stumble upon some tourist traps and way overpriced products if you only spend time near the touristy part of Barcelona.

Quiet beach in Barcelona — In October the beach is almost empty

Overtourism in Barcelona Spain

It’s no secret that Barcelona is a popular tourist destination. At times it’s too popular, for years Barcelona has been facing a problem with overtourism.

27 Million tourists visiting Barcelona every year! And less than 2 million people live in Barcelona. So it’s no wonder the city can become very crowded and sometimes overwhelming.

As is quite understandable some locals are overwhelmed with the number of tourists, that’s why in some areas you can see stickers and graffiti with the words “Tourists Go Home”.

The city is taking steps to address the issue, but it’s important for visitors to do their part as well. So visiting during off season doesn’t just result in a more enjoyable time for you it also protects the resources of the city.

FAQ: Is Barcelona worth the hype?

Why do people like Barcelona so much?

People like Barcelona for its stunning architecture, lively atmosphere and seaside location.

Is Park Guell overrated?

Park Güell is one of the most visited attractions and the main part with Gaudi’s buildings might be a bit overrated but the whole park is not in my opinion. Just take your time and explore the whole park.

Is Barcelona too touristy?

In summer Barcelona is too touristy, so I recommend visiting in late fall or early spring.

Why is Barcelona anti tourist?

Overtourism is a problem in Barcelona, so they try to regulate how many people come to visit.

Are people in Barcelona friendly?

In general people in Barcelona are very friendly and they don’t mind speaking English with tourists.

Is Barcelona dirty?

Barcelona is probably not one of the cleanest cities I’ve been to but considering the size of the city and the number of tourists which visit each day it’s relatively clean in my opinion.

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

Final thoughts: Is Barcelona worth visiting?

In my opinion, the pros outweigh the cons in Barcelona. The most important thing is just not to visit in summer during peak season.

If you want the best possible Barcelona holiday visit in late fall or early spring and take enough time to visit the city so you’re not rushed.

My highlights of the city was on the one hand standing in front of the Sagrada Familia but also just strolling through lesser known parts of the city and experiencing the lively Catalan culture.

I hope you enjoy your time in Barcelona as much as I did, whether you’re just visiting Barcelona on its own or as part of a bigger road trip through Spain.

Is Barcelona Overrated? Why I Don’t Think It Is

Is Barcelona overrated?

Overrated attractions in Barcelona

Pros of Barcelona

Cons of Barcelona

Overtourism in Barcelona Spain