Barcelona is an ideal destination in Europe with beautiful weather, fascinating historical sites, a phenomenal food scene, rich culture, and even a beach that’s in walking distance to many attractions. Here are our eight favorite things we did on our latest trip to the capital of Catalonia.
We’re real travelers posting about our authentic experiences to help you plan your next adventure.
1. Check Out La Sagrada Familia
Gaudí’s gorgeous basilica is still unfinished today even though construction began in 1882 — but it is absolutely breathtaking and must be on your Barcelona list. The quirky design is like nothing we’ve ever seen before. Obviously, La Sagrada Familia gets crowded, so if you want to go inside, you should book tickets in advance or consider a guided tour in combination with Park Güell, which we’ll discuss below.
2. Wander Through Park Güell
Park Güell is a fantastical Gaudí creation with whimsical designs. The mosaic-tiled terraces, creative sculptures, and lush greenery make for great photo ops.
3. Explore the Gothic Quarter
The narrow, winding streets of the Gothic Quarter are super cool to explore and make this one of our favorite spots in Barcelona. Be sure to check out the Cathedral and all the other gems on these historic streets.
4. Visit the Picasso Museum
Check out Pablo Picasso’s early work and learn more about his formative years.
5. Enjoy Some Tapas
Tapas are all over Barcelona and are traditionally served in bars. Do some research to find an authentic place that’s not just catering to tourist.
For a high-end treat, we went to Tapeo Barcelona in the El Born district, which offers a modern twist on traditional Catalan and Spanish tapas. This was one of the best meals we had on the whole trip and we highly recommend it. Be sure to make a reservation because it fills up fast. We saw a lot of people being turned away at the door.
My favorite dish might not look that fancy but it tasted like luxury on a plate. Eggs, truffles, foie gras, and mushrooms.
6. Stroll Down La Rambla
No trip to Barcelona is complete without a stroll down this iconic pedestrian boulevard, which is lined with shops, restaurants, and street performers. Just hold onto your wallet because the pickpockets in this area are no joke.
While you’re there, check out Mercat de Sant Josep de la Boqueria for fresh seafood, jamón, fruits, spices, and other tasty treats.
7. People Watch at Plaça Reial
The Royal Square is located just off La Rambla and is one of Barcelona’s most famous spots.
We recommend grabbing a seat at one of the restaurants to enjoy the scene and watch the various street performers. While many of the restaurants offer the typical mediocre fare of a tourist area, we really enjoyed MariscCo, which had excellent seafood and small plates in a relaxed atmosphere.
8. Relax at Barceloneta Beach
We absolutely loved Barceloneta Beach. Even though you can find nicer beaches nearby, it’s great to have this stretch of sand right in the city. We enjoyed getting some exercise along the paths and having a pre-dinner cocktail at the beach bars.
Bonus: Where to Stay
Ola Barcelona is such a fabulous hotel in the heart of the city. The rooms are modern and comfortable and the staff is so kind and helpful.
The really gem, however, is the rooftop pool and bar with amazing panoramic views of Barcelona’s skyline. We had a lovely lunch here and you can also enjoy the vibe at night with a few cocktails and snacks.
Have you been to Barcelona? What was your favorite thing to do? Let us know in the comments.
Up Next: Is a Day Trip to Andorra Worth It From Barcelona?
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I loved Park Güell … so amazing. This blog brought me back to my Barcelona trip. We also went to a church about an hour outside of Barcelona by train, designed by Gaudí and I actually may have loved it more than familia.
Ooooh I’ve read about that. We’ll have to check it out next time because I definitely want to go back a third time!