Barcelona defines Spain as a whole. It contains all aspects of Spain yet it is so distinct from other parts of Spain. From spectacular beaches to the relaxed locals, this is definitely that one city which you must explore once in this lifetime. 😉
Walk in its beautiful lanes, have some tapas at some quaint tapas restaurant, have some Sangria on the way & explore Antoni Gaudi’s spectacular work around Barcelona. The beauty of Barcelona is that it has something for everyone- for solo travelers, friends and even families traveling together.
Keep at least 3 days to explore Barcelona in a touristy manner. Buy a Barcelona hop-on hop-off bus tickets & a transport ticket to support it to see Barcelona in the most hassle-free manner. You can also buy a daily transport ticket while you set to explore the Spanish capital.
DAY 1
La Sagrada Familia
La Sagrada Familia is Spain’s most visited monument. For me, it is the grandest possible architecture that I’ve ever witnessed. Antoni Gaudi’s dream project has been under construction since 135 years & it’s going to be under construction for at least another 20 years. La Sagrada Familia is definitely one of the top contenders for the next “7 Wonders of the world” list.
There’s a huge line outside the church so book your tickets online to avoid long queues. Don’t forget to visit towers!
Park Güell
Park Güell is a public park dedicated to Antoni Gaudi’s architectures. It is a famous park with many gardens, pretty structures & amazing street performers and musicians around.
Apart from gardens, Park Güell’s unique colonnades, mosaic ceilings & mosaic Salamander make the visit worth it. The most satisfying part of visiting Park Güell is the panoramic view of Barcelona city. You can see the entrance of the park, Barcelona skyline & finally, the fascinating Mediterranean Sea.
Casa Batlló
Remember that unusual building that you always see when you search for Barcelona? That’s Casa Batlló. Casa Batlló in local language means House of Bones!
Keep some special time only to explore Casa Batlló. Right from the top (roof) to the bottom, every corner of this building is aesthetically pleasing. You will not see something like Casa Batlló elsewhere in the world. This is the second best work of Antoni Gaudi after La Sagrada Familia.
Camp Nou
FC Barcelona is one of the most famous sports team in the world. This football team’s stadium – Camp Nou is a Mecca of football fans. The way FC Barcelona has maintained & showcased their history in Camp Nou is remarkable. You can go all the way till the football field. Additionally, you can explore the locker room of the players, history of the club, past players & much more.
If you are in Barcelona when there’s a football match going on, do not miss it. You can also plan your trip during FC Barcelona vs Real Madrid’s match (book your tickets online though) – the biggest football rivalry in Spain (and perhaps the world).
DAY 2
Santa Maria Del Mar, Barcelona
Okay, so I discovered Santa Maria Del Mar almost accidently. But I’m glad I discovered it because its magnificence was unmatchable. You need to cover your body (shorts are not allowed, sleeveless clothes are not allowed) to go inside.
From inside, it is spacious, huge & peaceful. The stained-glass windows add beauty to the Basilica. After visiting Santa Maria Del Mar, check out Museum Picasso which is quite close-by.
Gothic Quarter
The Gothic Quarter is one of the most important parts of the city. Some of the major landmarks of the city are located in the gothic quarter. It is also the center part of the old Barcelona.
Just walking around the gothic quarter is memorable. It feels like traveling back in time. Beware of pickpocketing while walking around. The Gothic Quarter is generally filled with tourists, making it the perfect spot for thieves to loot tourists.
La Rambla, Barcelona
If you want to see Barcelona in one street, then you just have to walk through La Rambla Street. The street is about 1.5 km long, both sides are covered by trees, cafes, souvenir shops & apparel shops. It is easily the liveliest street of Barcelona at any time of the day (or night).
It is always crowded hence take normal precautions to avoid getting pickpocketed.
La Bouqueria
How can you miss La Bouqueria if you are around La Rambla? La Bouqueria is also known as Mercat de Sant Josep de la Bouqeria. You can enter La Bouqueria from La Rambla Street. It is one of the biggest markets of Spain.
You can find a lot of different goods like fruits, vegetables, meats, cheese, coffees, fish & many other things. Simply the colors & fragrances are enough to stimulate all your senses.
Barcelona is a wonderful city to explore on foot. There are many walking tours in Barcelona that you can watch out for.
DAY 3
Magic Fountain of Montjuïc
It is a treat to witness magic Fountain of Montjuïc. It is located near Plaza de Espana. There is a light & sound show at every 30 minutes on weekends. Do not forget to visit the fountain when you’re in Barcelona. An evening spent at the magic Fountain of Montjuïc will be a memorable one for sure.
Beaches of Barcelona
What are you doing in Barcelona if you’re not going to the beach? Barcelona’s beaches are some of the most beautiful beaches in the world. Barceloneta, Icaria & Marbella are the popular beaches of Barcelona. These beaches can be reached easily from the city center in no time. You can also opt for adventure activities like Scuba diving or snorkeling.
Day trips from Barcelona are an equally good idea. You can explore Montserrat, Girona, Taragona and many smaller villages around.
For more options and weekend itinerary for Barcelona, check out WorldInMyPocket’s post here!
Picture Credits: Feature | Day 1: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Day 2: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Day 3: 1 | 2
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