Barcelona is one of Europe’s trendiest cities, we always wanted to visit to witness this city of contrasts that blends modern and traditional so seamlessly. And we finally decided to take the plunge! (And boy, are we glad?). We landed in Barcelona for a five-day trip and immediately fell in love with the rich and diverse culture, the local vibe, and the Spanish food. We explored quite a bit and thought of documenting our trip for fellow travel-enthusiasts out there who are planning to visit the city anytime soon for an unforgettable experience. So, here is the list of things to do and see in Barcelona.
Things to Do:
Las Ramblas
The central most boulevard in the heart of the city, it is the first destination identified by most tourists who come here. It is a vibrant promenade filled with the best action from the city from statues and street performers to bird-sellers and flower stands.
Sagrada Familia
A work of Antoni Gaudi, this basilica is only three-quarters complete after 140 years of starting the project. It is massive and is one of the most beautiful things your eyes will ever see. When it is finished, it will be the tallest church in the world. Wow!
Casa Batlló
Another beautiful work of Antoni Gaudi is this apartment block created through a re-modelling of an existing structure. Known for its dragon-back design and with fantastic attention to detail, it is one of the most post-card friendly creations you will ever witness.
Barri Gótic or Gothic Quarter
Also known as the Gothic quarter, it is the centre of the city and it is where two main streets, the Cardo and the Decumanus converge. You could take a walking tour to visit places like the Barcelona Cathedral, El Call Jewish Quarter, and spend your day in the artsy cafes and bars
Park Güell
If you want to get a panoramic view of Barcelona, go to Park Güell on Carmel Hill. The park is another one of Gaudi’s creations and is one of the most colourful places in the city. While you are in the park, do not forget to visit The Cavalry, The Terrace and The Two Pavilions.
Montjuïc Castle
An old military fort located on the Montjuïc Mountain, this monument has played a big role in the development of the city. While there are plenty of options to visit the castle, our most favourite is the cable car located at the Parallel metro stop. Take the cable car to the top while enjoying the mesmerizing views.
Museu Nacional d’Art de Catalunya
It is a museum located in the Palau Nacional of Montjuïc which was first constructed in 1929. You can find a collection of the most beautiful mural paintings in the world comprising works of the Gothic Art, the great European Renaissance, and the Baroque painters here. Explore the collection and discover the history of the beautiful museum while you are here.
Mercat de la Boqueria
A popular tourist attraction, Mercat is one of the biggest local markets in Barcelona. Locals flock the place to buy fruits and vegetables. Take a stroll and experience the local life of Spain and feast your senses with the hypnotic aromas.
Where to Shop:
We love shopping and do not miss an opportunity whenever we find one. So, while we were at Las Ramblas Street (1.2 kilometres long) exploring the city, there were plenty of shops to experience local shopping and lighten our wallets. You could spend an entire day on the street exploring the local stores and eating at one of the many cafes and restaurants on the street.
Pro Tip: Do not forget to bargain like a local while you are here.
Other options where you can shop till you drop are Portal del Angel, Centro Commercial Glories and Passeig De Gracia.
Where to Eat:
Who doesn’t like food, right? We too are big-time foodies and love to surprise our taste buds with the local cuisines whenever we visit a new destination. The food in Barcelona was mouth-watering, to say the least. We visited plenty of places but these were our favourites:
Mirabe
We had dinner at the
La Boqueria
This place is a massive market overlooking the Ramblas and has plenty of eating options. The best in the lot are Pinotxo Bar and El Quim de La Boqueria. We chose to hang out at the Pinotxo Bar and loved their salads and croquettes.
Tapas olé: Bar La Plata
Isn’t simplicity wonderful? This Tapas bar serves only four varieties of Tapas. We ordered one of each with a glass of wine and loved it to bits. The place is crowded with locals and we bet you will have an amazing experience just ‘people-watching’.
Where to Stay:
The city is divided into 10 districts and it would make sense for any tourist to stay close to most of the attractions. The five best neighbourhoods to stay are the La Barceloneta, Barrio Gotic, Eixample, El Born, and the El Raval. We usually book our stays in advance and love to explore hotels and Airbnb’s.
We chose to stay in the Eixample district in Hotel Barcelona Centre. Luxurious accommodation at affordable prices, we had a very comfortable stay in the hotel. The staff was quite courteous and helpful.
The city has plenty of options and some of the other tourist favourites are W Barcelona, Hotel Arts Barcelona, The Wittmore, Catalonia Avinyo, and the Monument Hotel.
Few Tips:
- Be careful with your belongings. Don’t carry all your credit cards and cash with you.
- Go slow. Focus on the quality of your experiences rather than the quantity.
- Do not forget to haggle with locals. Haggling is a thing for locals and you must experience it too.
Please do share your experiences with us or ping us for more insider tips.
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