Barcelona is not only a beautiful city, it’s funky, bustling, alive. It’s the biggest city in Spain and the capital of Catalonia. Because there’s so much going on and so many things to see in Barcelona, you’re bound to enjoy a trip to this metropolis. We caught the train in from near our campsite which saved us from having to get through traffic and figure out parking!
Things to see
We had decided to visit Barcelona the day after hiking up Montserrat. As a result my feet were really sore. Our solution was to get those pricey tickets for the red hop-on, hop-off bus. This ended up being a great choice because Barcelona really is massive. We got to give out tired legs a break and minimise walking while at the same time, we got to check out many different sights. Here are a few places to add to your list:
La Rambla / Las Ramblas is a well known street that cuts through the city and is lined with trees, restaurants and shops.
The Gothic Quarter has beautiful architecture and dramatic little alleys.
Mercat de la Boqueria is a massive market in Ciudad Vieja.
Basilica de Santa Maria del Mar is a big gothic church in Ribera, built between 1329 and 1383.
The Magic Fountain up at Montjuïc looks magnificent at night and has great views of the city.
Port Vell, the old port, offers a lot to explore, such as the aquarium.
Parc de la Ciutadella is a formal green garden with a zoo.
Monuments to look out for
The Columbus monument, a 60m tall monument to the man is at the lower end of La Rambla.
The Venetian Towers are modelled on the campanile of St. Mark’s Basilica in Venice.
La Monumental is a famous bullring.
The Arc de Triomf was built as the central access gate for the Barcelona World Fair in 1888.
Gaudis Architecture
One of the main reasons for going to Barcelona was to be able to see the creations of Antoni Gaudi. Unforutnately the tickets for the Sagrada Familia were sold out and we didn’t really have enough time to explore the inside of any of these (most require tickets). Nevertheless, here are the main attractions:
Sagrada Familia towers above the city; this unfinished work is something to marvel at.
Park Güell is a fairly large public park that’s great for picnics.
Casa Milà is right in the centre of town and stands out with its flowing lines and surprising ironwork.
Casa Batllò is locally known as the House of Bones, but it really is very beautiful with plenty of colourful detail.
Catching the bus
There are two different routes in the city tour that cost €30 per person with 30 stops and individual audio guides. A little booklet with discounts around the city is included. The bus also has free WiFi.
