Barcelona is one of the world’s greatest cities and my absolute favorite in Spain! There are so many things to do; the beach, the shopping, the cathedrals, the museums, the street art and the wonderful Gaudí architecture, that it’s hard to choose where to begin. We spent four days there, and had plenty of time to see all the mayor sights and still enjoy some time in the sun. Here are my top picks for spending an unforgettable weekend wandering through the vibrant city of Barcelona…. Have fun!
La Rambla
Barcelona wouldn’t be Barcelona without the famous Rambla, the city’s main pedestrian street that goes from Plaça Catalunya to the waterside. Although it’s always very touristy, there is a nice ambiance there. La Rambla is always filled with people checking-out souvenir shops, enjoying tapas at a café, or watching the costumed ‘human statues’ who pose along the promenade.
My favorite stop along La Rambla is La Boqueria, a colorful food market, where you can buy all kinds of food, going from seafood to candy.
Plaça Reial, is one of the most famous squares in Barcelona. It’s situated next to La Rambla, so it’s easy to find. The square is surrounded by palm trees and bars, and in the middle stands the beautiful Fountain of the Three Graces. The two streetlamps on both sides of the central fountain were designed by Gaudí himself. Nowadays the square is a popular nightlife hub.
At the final part of La Rambla you’ll find the maritime museum and Mirador de Colon, a memorial to Christopher Columbus. The statue was build in 1888 and is more than 7 metres high. From here out, it’s a short walk towards La Barceloneta, Barcelona’s amazing beach. I really love the fact that you can take a break from all the sightseeing and spent an afternoon tanning and relaxing at the waterfront. So if you ask me, you should definitely make time for that during your Barcelona Adventure.
Barrio Gotico
Barrio Gotico is Barcelona’s old city centre. They’re plenty of little streets to get lost in, which is really nice, because you will stumble upon some beautiful buildings and hidden gems. This part of town is closed to regular traffic so you can easily wander around.
Gaudí Architecture
One of the reasons why Barcelona is so loved, is because of the colorful Gaudí architecture. All around the city, you will come across the gracious Catalan Art Nouveau designs. Even long after his death in 1926, Gaudi still dominates the street scene.
The Sagrada Familia, the symbol of Barcelona and Gaudí‘s most famous work is one of a kind. The building of the basilica started in 1883, and is still not ready today. The mixture of Gothic and Art Nouveau architectural style, combined with Gaudí’s wonderful imagination, creates one of the most gorgeous buildings I have ever seen. Don’t forget to buy the tickets in advance, as the lines out there are very long.
Casa Milà, also known as La Pedrera is one of Gaudí’s main residential buildings. He build this house between 1906 and 1902 in commission of the notable Milà family. They wanted a residence upon the Passeig de Gràcia, the brand new promenade, where all the well-off families built there houses back in the days. Nowadays the Passeig de Gràcia is one of the main shopping streets in Barcelona.
Another Gaudí masterpiece on the Passeig de Gràcia is Casa Batllò. This wonderful building was the result of a restoration in 1904 of an old conventional house. For its restoration Gaudi used the typical elements of the Catalan Art Nouveau, ceramics, stone and forged iron.
Parc Güell, Barcelona’s most beautiful park, was built in between 1900 and 1914. This remarkable garden complex consists of a series of dynamically designed buildings, such as Gaudi’s House, which is Casa Museu Gaudí today. The colonnaded hall and terrace with serpentine shapes are the most visited places in the park. The view from the terrace upon the city is so worth the trip here!
Montjuïc
The Montjuïc Hill is one of the most popular places in Barcelona. The area is filled with cool spots and interesting attractions. In 1929 the International Exhibition took place at Montjuïc Hill. Two of the sides that were built back then, El Palau Nacional and Poble Espanyol have now become two of Barcelona’s most visited attractions.
El Palau Nacional houses the Museu Nacional d’Art de Catalunya (MNAC), where you can find over 1000 years of Catalan art. From here you have a view upon Plaça Espanya, one of the city’s biggest squares.
Poble Espanyol resembles an actual Spanish village. Inside they’re replicas of 117 buildings from different Spanish regions. The village includes a park, stores that sell local products and bars with lovely terraces.
If you want to you can spent a full day at Montjuïc Hill, and also visit Anella Olímpica, which was build for the 1992 Olympics and CaixaForum, a cultural centre which hosts temporary exhibitions. We decided to skip that, and enjoy some fun in the sun in the lovely gardens of the 17th century Monjuïc Castle.
Barcelona is a vibrant and diverse city, so it’s no surprise that it’s such a popular European weekend destination. Everyone will find something they like, whether you’re into shopping, sightseeing, or you just want to enjoy the sun and the yummy food, everything is possible in the Catalan capital. Barcelona is one these places, where you can keep going back to, and still discover some hidden gems and new hotspots. Me gusta mucho!
Practical information
- Sagalès buses take you from Girona airport in 70 minutes to Estacio d’Autobuses Barcelon Station. From there you can take the metro to your hotel.
- Currency: Euro (€)