Barcelona's river is little-known to visitors, but it's worth it for those who want to explore further. The River Besós lies right at the northeastern edge of the city, dividing Barcelona from neighbouring Badalona. Flowing all the way down from the mountains to the sea, just past the Parc del Fòrum, it's flanked by a large green park and tarmac tracks, where locals come to cycle, jog or roller skate.
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Lonely Planet's must-see attractions
2.9 MILES
The Temple Expiatori de la Sagrada Família (Expiatory Temple of the Holy Family) is considered to be the symbol of Barcelona by many residents, and the…
3.62 MILES
Visitors and locals alike love Park Güell. The waving balcony and the colorful Guard’s House, with the imposing Barcelona skyline and sea in the…
3.77 MILES
One of Europe's strangest residential buildings, Casa Batlló (built 1904–6) is Gaudí at his fantastical best. From its playful facade and marine-world…
3.74 MILES
In the top tier of Gaudí's achievements, this madcap Unesco-listed masterpiece, with 33 balconies, was built in 1905–10 as a combined apartment and office…
3.99 MILES
Barcelona's most central fresh-produce market is one of the greatest sound, smell and colour sensations in Europe. It's housed in a packed-out Modernista…
3.53 MILES
Located along the grand, medieval street of Carrer de Montcada, the Museu Picasso is dedicated to one of the world’s greatest artists, Pablo Picasso. Born…
5.1 MILES
Joan Miró was a Catalan painter and sculptor born in Barcelona who combined abstract art with surrealism. He is considered one of the most influential…
4.02 MILES
La Rambla is a tree-lined boulevard featuring a wide array of architectural delights, beautifully decorated flower stalls and particularly talented (and…
Nearby Barcelona attractions
1. Museu d’Història de la Immigració de Catalunya
0.44 MILES
Dedicated to the history of immigration in Catalonia, this small museum contains a display of photos, text (in Catalan) and various documents and objects…
1.07 MILES
Once an urban wasteland, this area has seen dramatic changes since the turn of the millennium, including sparkling buildings, open plazas and waterfront…
1.09 MILES
Set inside the futuristic Edifici Fòrum, whose angular facades look like sheer cliff faces (with grand strips of mirror creating fragmented reflections of…
1.45 MILES
Hip Nau Bostik is a must-visit for vintage lovers, and street-art fans in particular. Set in an old factory, it's a bit rough around the edges but is…
1.54 MILES
Created in 2006, in front of the revitalised El Fòrum district, this gold-coloured artificial beach is the city's easternmost and popular with dog walkers.
1.63 MILES
If you're looking for a bit of green in the northeast of the city, head to Parc de la Pegaso, a huge space filled with a variety of ponds, water features…
1.63 MILES
This impressive arts space is housed in a renovated 19th-century thread and textile factory, with high ceilings and exposed brickwork. Fabra i Coats was a…
8. Parc del Centre del Poblenou
1.64 MILES
Barcelona is sprinkled with parks whose principal element is concrete, and this 5-hectare creation by French architect Jean Nouvel, with its statuary and…