10 Things to do in Barcelona, Spain

by Dean on November 6, 2012

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Barcelona is Spain’s most popular tourist destination. With amazing history, architecture, culture and beaches, it is no wonder that Barcelona is one of the most visited places in Europe. If you are travelling to Barcelona for the first time, here are 10 things that you should do during your time in this interesting city.

Las Ramblas

This busy cobblestone street is one of the main tourist areas of Barcelona, so there’s a good chance that you will find yourself there at some point. Las Ramblas is always alive with activity, and you can wander down this interesting street that is full of shops, tapas bars, street performers and artists.

La Sagrada Familia

La Sagrada Familia church in Barcelona, Spain

One of Barcelona’s most iconic land marks, La Sagrada Familia is an enormous gothic style church with a twist. There are several iconic pieces by artist Antoni Gaudi located around they city, but this was his true masterpiece. He worked on the church from 1882 until his death in 1926, and even then it was left unfinished. This is a must see in Barcelona. You can take an elevator to the top of the building for incredible views, but it will cost you.

Entrance to the church costs €12.

Barri Gotic

Located near the center of Barcelona, Barri Gotic is one of the oldest parts of the city. Also known at the Gothic Quarter, this interesting area gives you the opportunity to look back into medieval times and view some of Barcelona’s most beautiful and oldest buildings. View the old churches and have a bite to eat at one of the many cafes.

Montjuïc Castle

Montjuic Castle in Barcelona, Spain

Located high up on a hill, Montjuïc Castle is great place to go to take beautiful photos of Barcelona. The castle itself was built during the 17th century and is certainly interesting to explore it’s old walls and surrounding gardens and moat.

It costs €3 to go inside the castle and it is closed on Mondays.

Eat some local food

Catalan cuisine is absolutely delicious, and there are restaurants and stalls all over the city to try out. For some fresh local food, head over to Mercat de Sant Josep de la Boqueria – an old market full of delicious produce and surrounded by some excellent bars and restaurants.

Parc Guell

Parc Guell in Barcelona, Spain

Another of Gaudi’s interesting projects, Parc Guell is not your usual park. Gaudi’s surreal style makes this a very unusual place to visit, and you are sure to get some interesting photos here. This man made landscape is full of curved walls and gingerbread style cottages that are unlike anything else you would have seen before.

La Barceloneta

If you’re after some beach and sun action close to the city, then La Barceloneta is the place to go. The boardwalk and beach on this seaside promenade are a pleasant place to take a stroll and breath in the Mediterranean air.

Drink Sangria

Glass of Sangria in Barcelona, Spain

No trip to Spain could be without a few cold glasses of Sangria. There are some great places all over the city to sit down and relax with a few drinks. Head along Las Ramblas, Barri Gotic or the waterfront for some nice bars to try out.

Picasso Museum

It’s obvious that Barcelona is a true art city, and if Gaudi isn’t your style then head over to the Picasso Museum. This museum displays the work of Pablo Picasso in a timeline from his early years to his more famous surrealist years. If you are an art fan, this is a must see!

Entrance is €9 and is closed on Sunday and Monday.

La Seu

Inside La Seu Cathedral in Barcelona, Spain

Constructed between the 13th and 15th centuries, La Seu is located in Barri Gotic and is the main cathedral in Barcelona. The church is one of the best examples of Gothic architecture in Spain, and it’s beauty and history make it a must see.

La Seu is free to enter every day, however there is a fee to go to the roof or the crypt of the church.

 

There is so much to see and do in Barcelona that you could keep coming back time and time again. These 10 things to do should give you a great introduction to this fascinating city.

Photo credit: Barcelona Beach by CrashSunRay on Flickr, La Sagrada Familia by schmeeve on Flickr, Montjuic Castle by Andy Mitchell on Flickr, Parc Guell by Guillaume Capron on Flickr, Sangria by katherineprice on Flickr, La Seu Cathedral by Jose Felipe Ortega on Flickr

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