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Conwy Suspension Bridge
Conwy Suspension Bridge
The blue spruce on the right symbolizes the spirit of John Denver.
John Denver Sanctuary
Patan Dhoka
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In this salad, rice gets topped with pinches of toasted coconut, dried fish, finely-sliced herbs and vegetables, bean sprouts, a tiny knot of noodles, crushed black pepper and dried chili. 
Thai-Islam Phochana
With fat chunks of crab meat swimming in a lush coconut milk curry, it's no wonder this dish is so popular.
Raya
Meet boba tea's ancestral cousin.
Kanomwaan Pakee
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Inside Sacré-Coeur Hospital lies an unassuming lab that peers into the mysteries of our sleeping minds.
Inside Montréal’s ‘Dream and Nightmare Laboratory’
Team Kwe's 2024 sculpture “Wenabozho and Dadibaajimad Journey on the River of Souls,” illustrating a traditional Ojibwe story of two figures—Wenabozho and his brother Dadibaajimad—on an otherworldly journey.
5 Stories for Native American Heritage Month
The sophisticated club sandwich combines ham, pineapple, bacon, peanut butter, and avocado.
This Book Contains a Century of Historical Sandwiches
Each fall, amorous male tarantulas prowl the Colorado plains in search of mates, who may or may not kill them.
Why Did the Spider Cross the Road?

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All Spain Barcelona

The Atlas Obscura Guide To Barcelona

59 Cool, Hidden, and Unusual Things to Do in Barcelona, Spain

Updated March 11, 2024

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Unusual Attractions in Barcelona

Street view of Casa Batlló

Barcelona, Spain

Casa Batlló

One of Antoni Gaudí's most classic buildings is well-known for its "dragon-back" design.
The facade of the church, still under construction.

Barcelona, Spain

Sagrada Família

Construction of Barcelona's iconic (but controversial) church is expected to be completed in 2026—a century after the death of its architect.
Labyrinth Park of Horta

Barcelona, Spain

Labyrinth Park of Horta

This semi-secret storybook hedge maze is also the oldest garden in the city.
Houses inside Park Güell designed by Gaudí

Barcelona, Spain

Park Güell

Gaudí's famously flamboyant architectural style is on full display in this sprawling park and garden.

Barcelona, Spain

Calder Mercury Fountain

A beautiful but toxic fountain of mercury.

Barcelona, Spain

Montjuïc Cemetery

This cemetery features modernist statues as strange as its name.
Bunkers del Carmel

Barcelona, Spain

Bunkers of Carmel

These secluded and abandoned anti-aircraft defenses have become one the most scenic viewpoints in Barcelona.
Chocolate chariot driver and his horses (Flickr/SpirosK)

Barcelona, Spain

Chocolate Museum

Gaze upon chocolate sculptures depicting everything from chariot races to Gaudí's famous church at this shrine to sweets.
See All 59 Things To Do in Barcelona

Cool Places to Eat & Drink in Barcelona

Chocolate chariot driver and his horses (Flickr/SpirosK)

Barcelona, Spain

Chocolate Museum

Gaze upon chocolate sculptures depicting everything from chariot races to Gaudí's famous church at this shrine to sweets.

Barcelona, Spain

Caelum

This cafe offers a curated collection of treats and tipples made by monks and nuns.
Permanently Closed

Barcelona, Spain

Lo Pinyol

Read a book with a glass of wine at this classically restored bar.
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Unforgettable Experiences Nearby

From morning hot air balloon rides to cava, tapas, and vineyards.

Discover Experiences

Explore Barcelona, Spain

Architecture 14
Museums 10
Sacred Spaces 9
Churches 8
Art 6
History & Culture 5
Roman 5
History 5
Collections 5
Homes 4
Art Nouveau 4
Gardens 4

Barcelona Leaderboard

Places Added

  1. Avatar image for FelipeTrigo
    FelipeTrigo
    7
  2. Avatar image for serflac
    serflac
    5
  3. Avatar image for andyjkaye
    andyjkaye
    2
  4. Avatar image for JordiDesvilar
    JordiDesvilar
    2
  5. Avatar image for Luis Morato
    Luis Morato
    2
Join the Ranks!
Add an unusual place to Barcelona.

Places Edited

  1. Avatar image for Xavixavir
    Xavixavir
    18
  2. Avatar image for mocchiatto
    mocchiatto
    11
  3. Avatar image for The Bearded Vagabond
    The Bearded Vagabond
    9
  4. Avatar image for sanprica
    sanprica
    7
  5. Avatar image for vturiserra
    vturiserra
    6

Places Visited

  1. Avatar image for StepYoshi
    StepYoshi
    41
  2. Avatar image for Ola Bartek
    Ola Bartek
    39
  3. J
    joemgiralt
    35
  4. B
    bitxuverinosa
    35
  5. Avatar image for antonelleric
    antonelleric
    34

Recent Barcelona Activity

  • R

    rebecamf

    has been to Barcelona's Baby Drop-off

  • A

    awuensch

    wants to go to Taller d'Oleguer Junyent (Oleguer Junyent's Workshop)

  • A

    awuensch

    wants to go to Museu Egipci de Barcelona (Egyptian Museum of Barcelona)

  • A

    awuensch

    wants to go to Casa Vicens

  • J

    Jen Decoste

    wants to go to Caelum

Stories About Barcelona

Grapes ripening on the vine in Catalonia, Spain.

Spanish Wine, Off the Beaten Path

Atlas Obscura Trip Leader Danny Adler speaks about the wonders of Catalonia’s wine regions and our "Spain: Avant-Garde Winemaking in Catalonia” adventure.
Sponsored by Atlas Obscura Trips

Lists Featuring Barcelona

The House of the Temple.
Statue of George Washington

Novus Ordo Seclorum: 14 Places to Unearth Masonic Secrets

Your best bets for gaining insight into the real history of Freemasonry.

14

Including Zedekiah's Cave, Masonic Lodge of the Andaz Hotel, and House of the Temple

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