Tapas, Beaches & Street Art: Top Non-Poker Things to Do at EPT Barcelona

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Aug 29, 2024 5 min read

With stunning architecture, rich cultural history and millions of annual visitors, it's no surprise that Barcelona is one of the top tourist attractions in the world.

It's also no surprise that the European Poker Tour (EPT) Barcelona festival is the biggest EPT stop of them all, drawing thousands of players and generating millions tens of millions in prize money. And while EPT Barcelona is mainly about the poker, its prime location at Casino Barcelona puts it within minutes of some of the city's top attractions.

Here are some of the top activities to do in Barcelona off the felt, all within a few miles of EPT Barcelona.

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Get Lunch on the Beach

Players in need of a break from poker tournament need only step outside the doors of Casino Barcelona, where they will be greeted by breeze, sand and sunlight. That's because Casino Barcelona is located on the Mediterranean beachside.

Some places to enjoy a beachside paella or tapas near Casino Barcelona include Opium, Agua Restaurante, Arenal Restaurante, CDLC Barcelona, Shoko Barcelona and Ca la Nuri.

Be Stunned by La Sagrada Familia

One of the most iconic constructions in Spain and all of Europe, the stunning Sagrada Familia is a must-see for anyone visiting Barcelona that will surely leave you in awe.

Visitors can also check out the inside of Sagrada Familia, which is equipped with stained-glass windows that make for a stunning visual experience with the right sunlight.

Construction of the Antoni Gaudi-envisioned project has been underway for more than a century, apparent by the cranes surrounding the building, but don't give up hope just yet. Construction on the ambitious undergoing is expected to wrap in 2026.

Reset at Ciutadella Park

For several decades since its construction in the 19th century, Ciutadella Park was the only park and green space in Barcelona. While plenty of parks have been built in the city since then, Ciutadella Park remains one of the best places in the city to reconnect with nature.

The first thing visitors will notice in the historic park is the Gaudi Fountain, a towering structure topped with gold-painted horses and equipped with a flowing waterfall.

Ciutadella Park is a perfect place to take a nap, enjoy street performances, people-watch, have a picnic, admire sculptures or feed Barcelona's famous Monk parakeets, which will eagerly eat out of the hands of anyone holding nutritious snacks. Best of all, it's right across the street from Casino Barcelona.

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Connect With Animals at Barcelona Zoo

Also inside Ciutadella Park sits the Barcelona Zoo, which first opened in 1892 and has since become home to hundreds of species of birds, mammals and replies.

Barcelona Zoo was notably home to Snowflake, the only known albino gorilla in the world who lived in the zoo from 1966 until his death in 2003.

The species currently housed at Barcelona Zoo include the Rothschild giraffe, Egyptian vulture, American bush elephant, Bornean orangutan, European bison, Sumatran tiger, red kangaroo, Amazonian tapir, Cuban Flamenco, African spurred tortoise and the meerkat.

See Marine Life at Aquarium Barcelona

Another great place to connect with nature is Aquarium Barcelona, one of the largest aquariums in all of Europe that houses more than 11,000 marine animals and 450 animal species.

The aquarium features an immersive 80-meter-long tunnel, allowing visitors to get up close and personal with sharks, fish, and other marine life.

Aquarium Barcelona is located at Marina Port Vell, just a few blocks away from Casino Barcelona.

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Check Out Art in a Museum or on the Street

From colorful street art on the side of buildings to works of artists like Picasso and Andy Warhol on display in museums, there is no shortage of art to witness in Barcelona.

Street art can be found all throughout the city, particularly in high-trafficked streets and alleyways, while some of the top museums in the city include Moco Museum, Museo Bansky, MACBA Museum of Contemporary Art and the Picasso Museum.

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See 'The Kiss of Death' at Poblenou Cemetery

Death is a heavy subject matter that has inspired some of the most poignant art pieces in history. A prime example of this is The Kiss of Death, a marble statue constructed in 1930 by Jaume Barba, though some believe his nephew, Joan Fontbernat, may have designed it.

The magnificent statue of a towering winged skeleton delivering the kiss of death is on display in the Poblenou Cemetery, just a few miles down the street from Casino Barcelona.

Bang Your Head to Live Music

Music is a universal language, one that transcends cultural differences and requires no translation to understand and appreciate.

From small lounge performances to stadium shows from A-list acts like Billie Eilish and twenty one pilots, there is something for everyone in Barcelona when it comes to live music.

Some of the top music venues in the city include the Gran Teatre del Liceu Opera House, Slow Barcelona, Big Bang Bar, and Poble Espanyol.

Connor Richards is an Editor & Live Reporter for PokerNews and host of the Life Outside Poker podcast. Connor has been nominated for two Global Poker Awards for his writing.

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