Barcelona is a vibrant city with a rich cultural heritage, stunning architecture, and a lively atmosphere. Here are some of the top things to do in Barcelona:
Visit La Sagrada Familia
If there is one thing you do while in Barcelona, it should be visiting Antoni Gaudi’s stunning creation, La Sagrada Familia. This iconic basilica is so intricately designed, that you could easily spend several hours exploring every inch of its remarkable design and architecture. I was excited for my visit but was taken aback by the sheer volume of detail in every nook and cranny. It is beautiful, unique, captivating, and truly a must-see masterpiece.
Explore Park Guell
Another one of Gaudi’s creations that offers panoramic views of the city, is Guell Park, a beautiful park with colorful mosaics and beautiful gardens. The park is lively yet serene, with visitors strolling, enjoying picnics, or watching pop-up magic shows and musical performances. We discovered these amazing musicians and were so impressed that we bought their CD.
Explore the Gothic Quarter
The historic center of Barcelona, with its maze of streets, shops, restaurants and bars, and charming squares, is an energetic area popular for its nightlife. Here you’ll also find gems like the Picasso Museum and the Barcelona Cathedral.
Enjoy a Walking Food Tour
Explore Barcelona and enjoy the city’s best culinary delights on a walking food tour. Sample traditional favorites, as well as innovative creations at restaurants loved by locals.
Spend an evening on La Rambla
Wander the energetic atmosphere on La Rambla street, where you can enjoy street performances, browse the shops for souvenirs, and enjoy tapas and sangria at one of the many restaurants.
Spend a day at Beach Barceloneta
Take in some sun at Beach Barceloneta. Bring a towel and find an open spot or rent a sun chair and umbrella at one of the many beach bars. Relax in the sun, take a swim, and pop in to one of the many beachfront restaurants for lunch.
Take a day trip to Montjuïc Hill
Explore Montjuïc Hill and enjoy the lovely gardens and panoramic views vistas overlooking Barcelona. Highlights include the historic Montjuïc Castle and the National Art Museum of Catalonia. Finish with a visit to the Magic Fountain, where music and light shows will entertain you.
Take in a Soccer (futbol) Match
Soccer enthusiasts can enjoy the lively atmosphere and cheer on favorite players at live soccer match at Camp Nou Stadium, home to Futbol Club Barcelona. Be sure to purchase tickets well in advance to secure a seat at the match.
Enjoy a Cooking Class
Learn to make Spanish sangria, master the art of making Paella, and create traditional tapas at a local cooking class.
After traveling with my friend Shawna for a couple of weeks throughout Spain and Marrakech, we ended our journey in Barcelona and opted for an apartment rental for more space and laundry facilities. We stayed in this 2-bedroom, 1-bath apartment in Eixample Dreta, a quiet area conveniently located just a 15-minute walk or a short metro ride from the main tourist sites.
The apartment, while not luxurious, was well priced and very clean with minimalist decor and comfortable beds, making it a great place to spend our final days in Spain. We felt very safe here, which was important as two women traveling alone in an unfamiliar place. There was a small grocery shop nearby where we could pick up coffee, water, and other essentials.
Chelo, the owner/manager, was very helpful and greeted us upon arrival to show us around. The kitchen items were basic but sufficient for our needs. Overall, it was a nice experience, and I would recommend this apartment for anyone looking for a comfortable and convenient stay in Barcelona.
Although I haven’t personally stayed at Hotel Arts Barcelona, a friend did and described it as fabulous. For Marriott loyalists seeking luxurious accommodations, this hotel is an excellent choice. It boasts a prime location with stunning views of the Mediterranean. The property offers several dining options, and from what I’ve heard, the rooms and outdoor spaces are exceptional.
Conveniently, many of the Barcelona’s popular attractions are within walking distance of each other, and visitors do not typically need a car.
The city has an excellent public transportation system that includes trains, metro, and buses, that connect extensively throughout the city, as well as to the airport. To save money, consider purchasing a T-Casual ticket. It allows you 10 rides (and may not exceed 75 Minutes and 3 transfers per ride). It can be used on the tram, metro system (excluding the airport), and the RENFE train and TMB busses from the airport.
Barcelona also has ride-sharing options such as Uber; similarly, it offers taxis.
Be aware that dining in Barcelona is later than in many other cities. Lunch is typically served between 1:00-4:00pm, and dinner starts late, around 8:30pm. For a night owl like me, this is perfect!
Vianna
The best food we had in Spain, hands down, was in Barcelona. We enjoyed an outstanding fish dinner at Vianna, where the bartender makes a perfect blackberry mojito. The restaurant has a great vibe, and the waitstaff were incredibly welcoming. This cozy, intimate spot is quite popular, so be sure to book in advance.
RAÓ Restaurant
We spent our last evening in Spain drinking cocktails and dining on tapas, including tacos and one of my faves, burrata. The tapas portions were generous, therefore perfect for sharing. The food at RAÓ is very good and reasonably priced. Also, the bartender whips up great cocktails that are almost too pretty to drink (almost 😊). The vibe is kind of cozy-rustic, with exposed ceiling beams and brick walls. This buzzing restaurant requires advance reservations.
Barcelona Card: Consider purchasing a Barcelona Card, which offers discounts on attractions, free public transportation, and skip-the-line access to some museums and landmarks.
Water: Tap water is safe to drink in Barcelona. Consider carrying a reusable water bottle.
Local SIM Card: If you need mobile data, consider getting a local SIM card. They are widely available and can be more cost-effective than roaming.
Pickpocketing: Like many major cities, Barcelona does have some issues with pickpocketing. Stay vigilant on public transportation and in crowded areas. Men should not keep a wallet in the back pocket, and women should use a crossbody bag worn in the front.
Advance Tickets and Reservations: To avoid long queues, especially during peak tourist seasons, it’s advisable to make advance dinner reservations and book tickets to tourist sites ahead of time.
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