My final city in Spain on this current three-month long visit is Barcelona, a place I've heard so much about and have dreamed of visting for so long. After a beautiful stay in Sevilla and then a sunny slow month in Valencia, I was very much looking forward to exploring the vibrant Barcelona.
With a work trip to Brussels (where I once lived for a year!) part-way through my time in Barcelona, I only had just under three weeks in the city to try and pack in as much as I could, as well as spend some time on day trips to the nearby countryside.
Barcelona is Spain's second largest city and one of the most popular destinations for many travelers to Spain and also to all of Europe. A coastal city, there's a big beach banking the southeastern side, while bustling neighbourhoods dotted with beautiful façades and unmistakable Gaudí architecture characterises this place.
There's a big airport in Barcelona and it's also well-connected by train; trains run from all around the country straight to Barcelona Sants. Barcelona is quite big, so you might wish to grab a metro pass (10 trips for 10 euros) but I also highly recommend just walking everywhere and soaking it all in.
As I was here for a few weeks, working remotely by day, exploring the city in the afternoons and traveling around the region on weekends, I've compiled a number of blog posts you may find useful for your own trip planning in this region; check out my Spain category!
I also have recommendations for the best local things to enjoy in the city:
- Veggie Garden - an entirely plant-based restaurant offering a huge menu of European-Asian delights. Fresh and delicious.
- Sandwichez - a chain of sandwich shops designed for laptop-goers with big tables, outlets and strong wifi. Perfect for digital nomads!
- Cafe Equilibrium - an entirely plant-based brunch and lunch shop where I genuinely could have ordered every single item.
- Vegan Junk Food Bar - think of every single junk food you could ever want (mac n cheese balls, loaded fries, burgers, nuggets) and vegan-ize them. YUM.
- Palau de la Música Catalana - a UNESCO music venue offering concerts under an exquisite stained glass ceiling.
- Pars Tailor's Hostel - a beautifully decorated and central hostel with a big social space, a roof terrace, a kitchen and a book exchange!
Otherwise, if you're after a guide to the best things things to see in Barcelona, then you've landed in the right spot. I loved Barcelona, so here are my 7 picks for what to see in the city:
1. Works of Antoni Gaudí
The most iconic architecture of Barcelona can be seen in the works of Antoni Gaudí dotted around the city. A modernist, he felt straight lines had no place in nature and so all of his works features curves, soft lines and vibrant colours. Some of his most well known are the Casa Milà and the beautiful Casa Batlló (plus of course the unfinished Sagrada Familia, but that deserves its own spot on this list).
Casa Batlló
Casa Milà
2. Cathedral of Barcelona
A stunning Gothic cathedral in the heart of the city where, on weekends, a bustling antique market can be found in the plaza outside.
3. La Sagrada Familia
The icon of Barcelona is Antoni Gaudí's unfinished Sagrada Familia, a basilica minor and a UNESCO site. Adorned with so many exterior features that are typical Gaudí with soft lines and fairy-tale like accents, this basilica is truly unlike any I've seen before. It's exquisite! It's pricy to enter (check out tickets here) but a wander around the exterior and especially from across the pond at the rear is a wonder in itself.
HUGE TIP: avoid the extorbitant entry fees by attending international mass on Sunday mornings at 9am (but show up at 8am, they close the doors when they hit 500 attendees). The mass is beautiful and you'll get to see inside the incredible cathedral for free.
4. Arco de Triunfo
Built in 1888 for the Universal Exhibition in 1888, this incredible red brick archway is now a highly photographed icon of the city, leading onto the Promenade Passeig de Lluís and further into the Parc de la Ciutadella.
5. Parc de la Ciutadella
Barcelona's largest park, this big leafy green space offers numerous places for picnicking, running, biking and just hanging out, plus is home to the Barcelona Zoo. Most well known is the large fountain at the heart of it, which is a pretty spot.
6. Moco Barcelona
The Moco Barcelona art gallery features an impressive - but small - collection of contemporary art including Banksy and Warhol. I felt it was too overpriced for the size of the exhibit, but contemporary art lovers should certainly stop by. The lit up diamonds make for a fun interactive exhibit, too.
7. Turó de la Rovira
These ruined Spanish Civil War bunkers provide the absolute best view of Barcelona, with sweeping views all the way across the city and out to the ocean, with the iconic Sagrada Familia rising above the skyline at the heart of it all. Absolutely incredible spot - if a bit of a climb!
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Hi! I’m Jana, a Dutch-German-British-Canadian with a dream of seeing every country in the world. I am a storyteller, photographer and adventurer passionate about documenting and sharing my travels.
