Your First Time In Barcelona
Where vibrant culture meets stunning architecture.
Barcelona, the Catalan capital, a city everyone should visit at least once in their life. This enchanting city, second-largest in Spain, gives the perfect combination of Mediterranean vibes, a slow-paced lifestyle, sundrenched beaches, architectural masterpieces, stunning Catalan cuisine and definitely a wild nightlife! No wonder why it’s one of the most popular tourist destinations in Europe.
Situated in the northeast coast of Spain, Barcelona offers incredible views of the Balearic Sea and like any other cosmopolitan city, it is packed with cultural, historical, and modern attractions and sites. It even has its own art movement (Modernism) which has produced several renowned artists including the world famous Antoni Gaudi (many of his works have become UNESCO World Heritage Sites).
Just fyi, National Geographic considers Barcelona to be the best beach city in the world!!
THINGS TO DO IN BARCELONA:
There are just SO many things to do and see in Barcelona so let's crack on:
1. Antoni Gaudi’s Architecture:
Gaudí’s architecture has definitely left its mark on the city. His masterpieces are just extraordinary and 7 of them have become UNESCO World Heritage Sites!
Sagrada Familia:
It should be illegal to go to Barcelona and not visit the Sagrada Família. Gaudí's most famous work has become, undoubtedly, Barcelona’s most famous and iconic landmark. Situated right at the heart of the city and receives over 4 million visitors every year, for a good reason! Its construction started back in 1882 and it is now hoped that it will be completed by 2026. Let’s see..
Entrance tickets: €26 (simple visit) - €36 (Sagrada Familia and one of the Towers). Buy your tickets here.
Opening hours: 9:00am - 6:00pm (winter) - 9:00am - 8:00pm (summer)
* Make sure to book a ticket in advance (at times, tickets can be sold out for the next 3 months).
Park Güell:
Park Güell could be considered as one of the most impressive public parks in the world. Strolling around the park you will come across Barcelona’s famous mosaic lizard, columns that mimic ocean waves, various extraordinary buildings and so much more!
Park Güell is definitely one of Gaudi’s most colourful works. It was also brilliantly built on land high above Barcelona and gives visitors dazzling views over the city.
Casa Batlló:
Originally designed for a wealthy aristocrat, today is a well worth-visiting museum.
Casa Batló, is another one of Gaudi’s masterpieces influenced by nature.
It is a building with dazzling colours, wavy architecture, no straight lines and a truly gorgeous rooftop that looks like a dragon!
Casa Milà:
Casa Milà also known as La Pedrera, meaning the stone building, was the last of Gaudi´s civic architectural projects.
Palau Güell:
This extraordinary palace, located near the famous Ramblas, has one of Barcelona's most spectacular interiors. At the rooftop you can admire 20 chimneys which Gaudí transformed into fantastic sculptures.
TICKETS & OPENING HOURS:
2. Other Architecturally Significant Sites:
Hospital de Sant Pau:
The largest complex of Catalan modernist architecture.
Palau de la Musica:
Another Unesco World Heritage site, the Palau de la Musica is one of the most emblematic works of the Modernisme movement.
3. Gothic Quarter:
Located between Las Ramblas and El Born neighborhood, the Gothic quarter is one of the oldest and most beautiful districts of the city! Make sure to stroll around its narrow medieval streets.
Catedral de Barcelona:
This colossal gothic Cathedral (a.k.a. cathedral of the Holy Cross and Saint Eulalia) sits at the heart of the Gothic quarter which is part of the old city of Barcelona.
Las Ramblas:
Las Ramblas is one of the most famous streets in the city of Barcelona. It stretches for over 2 kilometres between Placa de Catalunya and Port Vell. Across this beautiful boulevard, you will come across all kinds of shops, bars and restaurants here.
Make sure you stop at Placa Reial, a beautiful square with many outdoor venues.
This popular gathering space will give you exotic vibes with its impressive architecture and is filled with palm trees and very unique lamp posts.
Another stop you have to make is to visit Mercado de La Boqueria. A popular food market, not just for tourists, known for its tapas restaurant and fresh produce sold across over 200 stalls.
4. El Born:
This charming, nowadays trendy, neighborhood is packed with stuff to see and do. Get lost in its narrow alleyways and see what gems you can find!
Basilica of Santa María del Mar:
According to locals, the Sagrada Familia is the church of tourists, and Santa Maria del Mar is the church of the people of Barcelona! This beautiful basilica is the only pure Catalan Gothic church and has an age of almost 700 years!
Museo Picasso:
A must visit museum with a permanent collection of more than 4,000 of Picasso's works. The museum is spread across 5 palaces!
Entrance tickets: €12 (you can buy your tickets here)
Opening hours: Tue - Sun, 10:00am - 7:00pm
Parc de la Ciutadella:
Barcelona’s largest downtown park and meeting point for all types of outdoor activities. Here you will find a beautiful pond where you can rent a boat and plenty of paths to stroll around. Ciutadella park is also home to the city’s sizeable zoo in case you fancy seeing some lions, elephants and dolphins.
5. Barceloneta:
Barceloneta was once the home of fishermen, today one of the city’s most visited, cosmopolitan neighborhoods. Here you will see Barcelona's Port Vell on one side, and sandy beaches on the other.
Walking around this neighborhood is a must. Make sure to explore its narrow streets and when you get tired, stop at one of the seafood restaurants and try delicious fresh fish or local paellas.
6. Parc de Montjuïc (& MNAC):
Montjuïc, a beautiful open area with several parks, is home to several excellent viewpoints with impressive views over Barcelona. It’s also right next to many of the Olympic Games (1992) facilities.
Located on the summit of Mount Montjuïc, MNAC, is one of the best museums in Barcelona. It hosts a stunning art collection dating back to the medieval age. If you are a museum lover, this is a muct see!
Entrance tickets: €12 (you can buy your tickets here)
Opening hours: 10:00am to 8:00pm (summer) / 10:00am to 3:00pm (winter)
7. Tibidabo:
If you have some extra time whilst visiting Barcelona, then make your way to Tibidado, the tallest mountain in the Serra de Collserola (512m). The views over Barcelona and the sea are just breathtaking.
Besides the panoramic views, here you will also find the stunning templed of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, an impressive neogothic church with a bronze statue of Jesus, as well as the Tibidabo Theme Park, Spain’s oldest amusement park!
WHERE TO STAY:
My recommendation, if you are a first timer in Barcelona, would be El Born neighborhood. While it can be touristy, it is very close to the city center, with easy access to most of the main attractions.
Other good locations would be Gothic Quarter, El Raval, Placa Catalunya and Eixample.
WHERE TO EAT & DRINK:
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El Blai (entire street with Pintxos Poble) Sec
Mercat de la Boqueria Las Rampas
Mercat de Santa Caterina El Born
Mercat de la Llibertat Gracia
Casa de Tapas Cañota Poble Sec
Cerveseria Vaso de Oro Barceloneta
El Xampanyet El Born -
Orient Express Cocktail Bar Eixample
El Bosc de les Fades Gothic Quarter
La Chapelle Eixample
Ohla Chillout Terraza Gothic Quarter
Terraza Rosellón Eixample
Terraza Collón Gothic Quarter
USEFUL INFO:
Best time to visit: April - June / September - October
Population: 5.5 mill
Language: Spanish & Catalan
Currency: Euro (€)
Plugs: European
Airport transfer: Aerobus (A1, A2) - €8.90 - 35 min / Metro L9 - €5.15 - 30 min / Taxi - €30-35 - 25 min
