Things to do and see in Badalona

Badalona is a small but very cosy town located on the Costa Brava, just 10 kilometres north of Barcelona. This city attracts tourists not only for its magnificent beaches, but also for its rich cultural heritage, architectural monuments, picturesque streets and unique atmosphere.

Where to park in Badalona

The Màgic Badalona shopping centre offers convenient and secure parking in the city centre with 24-hour surveillance.

The car park near Badalona train station is also a great choice. There are plenty of spaces and it is close to the centre.

Can Solei Park provides good parking in the north of the city too, which is convenient for visiting the area.

There are free parking spaces in Montigalá, about 4 km from the centre of Badalona, especially by the Montigalá shopping centre. There is a street market on fridays and the car park can be full at weekends, but on weekdays it is easy to find a space.

Choose a convenient option and enjoy Badalona!

Badalona things to do

All the popular sights of Badalona, as well as many cities, are close by. Let's start our walk in the historic city centre.

Historic centre of Badalona

The old town or historical and cultural centre of Badalona (also called Dalt de la Vila) is a pretty and atmospheric area, perfect for leisurely strolls. Here you can enjoy the medieval streets and squares and visit interesting places:

Santa Maria Church - Iglesia de Santa María

The parish church of Santa Maria is located in the heart of the Dalt de la Vila neighbourhood. It was built in the 18th century, becoming the only church in the city until 1868. 
The building is in neoclassical style, has one nave with a semicircular apse and side chapels. Inside you can see a bell tower decorated with crosses and angels, as well as an organ.

Constitution Square - Plaza de la Constitución

Next to the church is the Plaza de la Constitución. It is not a large and unremarkable square, but it is of great importance in the formation of Badalona as a city. It was here that the first town hall was located until 1876.
This is where the Old Tower (Torre Vella), which now houses the School of Culture, was built in the 18th century.

By 1967, a round tower was added to the old tower for defensive purposes, and the remains of the Roman settlement of Baetulo were discovered on its territory. Here, among other evidence of the Romans, they found a mosaic depicting dolphins and a marble sculpture of Venus of Badalona. You can see them in the Badalona Museum, which is very close by.

Badalona Museum - Museo de Badalona

Badalona has preserved many amazing testimonies of the ancient Baetulo, including the House of Dolphins, the garden of Quintus Licinius, the House of Evra, the aqueduct and the foundations of a Roman theatre. However, the greatest finds are in the basement of the Badalona Museum, where you can see the remains of the baths and the Decumanus Maximus, one of the most important archaeological sites of the Roman era in Catalonia.

There is also a permanent exhibition, which mainly displays artefacts from the Roman Baetulo, including the Venus of Badalona found in the old tower, the quicius of the city gate and the tabula hospitalis. A visit to these historical sites is a must for those who want to learn more about Catalonia's Roman heritage.

The museum offers a variety of guided tours and itineraries to explore Badalona's archaeological and historical heritage. You can see the Iberian settlement of Turo d'en Bosca, located outside the city centre, as well as the landmark buildings of modernism and industrialisation, including the remains of the ancient Baetulo. These spaces help us experience the daily life of the Roman era. This is well worth a visit!

Plaza de la Vila

After visiting the museum, you can go to the Plaza de La Vila. This is where the current town hall (Ayuntamiento) is located and where all the town's important festivities take place. For example, this square is where the carnival is held and where the Christmas tree is put up before Christmas.  
This is the starting point of the popular shopping street Carrer del Mar. People from the surrounding areas of the city often come to Badalona to shop here.

There are always a lot of people strolling around and wanting to buy a variety of goods, because on Carrer del Mar you can find both famous international brands and clothes at affordable prices.

This shopping street stretches seaward to the La Rambla promenade, making it a great place to explore Badalona in an interesting way. Note the buildings next to Carrer del Mar, such as Casa Clarosa and Casa Michele Badia.

La Rambla de Badalona

La Rambla in Badalona is a popular place for strolling, where locals celebrate traditional festivals and curious tourists explore the city. Of course, the name La Rambla brings us to La Rambla in Barcelona, but Badalona's La Rambla is a long promenade along a gorgeous sandy beach with palm trees and many restaurants and bars with terraces. It epitomises the social life of the city and is one of the best things to do in Badalona.

Anise liqueur factory - Fábrica de Anis del Mono

The Anís del Mono factory, which has been producing liqueur for over 130 years, opens its doors for guided tours once a month. You must sign up in advance at the Badalona Museum to participate. During the tour you will see the original anise distillation equipment and learn about the liqueur production process. 

Also visit the administrative buildings with Art Nouveau furniture and décor, where historical documentation is kept. In one of the rooms there is a poster by Ramón Casas associated with the first poster competition in Spain.

The modernist complex was commissioned by Wissens Bosch and his brother in 1870. According to legend, the symbol and the name of the liqueur are linked to a monkey brought back from America as a gift on one of the family ships.

This symbol, a bronze statue of a monkey, can be seen here on the seashore.

Oil Bridge - El puente del Petróleo

The Pont del Petroli or Oil Bridge in Badalona is a very popular spot with magnificent panoramic views, ideal for watching sunrises and sunsets. The bridge was built in 1965 and was used for unloading petroleum products until 1990. It is 235 metres long and the unloading platform is 100 square metres.

The bridge could have been demolished, but thanks to the efforts of local resident Josep Valls, who fought to preserve it, it was restored and opened to the public in 2009. A plaque in honour of Josep Valls has been placed at the entrance.

The bridge experienced storms in 2017 and 2020 that caused significant damage. It is currently closed to visitors, but restoration work is underway and the government promises to rebuild and open it to the public soon.

Pont del Petroli is also popular for filming commercials and music videos, it has been chosen by brands such as Apple and Huawei, and artists such as Ana Mena have filmed their music videos here.

Badalona is the perfect combination of history, culture and beach holidays. Plan your trip to Badalona today!