Curator’s statement
Barcelona is often called the San Francisco of Spain because of its beautiful, hilly streets, tasty food like tapas and paella, amazing buildings like Gaud's buildings, and rich culture. It's a busy city on the coast of the Catalonia region of Spain. Barcelona captured and inspired me to explore. Getting to know the Catalan culture was a great experience that I enjoyed.
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Where to stay in Barcelona, Spain
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Things to do in Barcelona, Spain
They call them "Barri" - small neighborhoods. Find the one that suits you.
Gotic: Roman ruins and Gothic architecture...lose yourself in the alleys and discover the deep history of architecture through the ages.
Born: Trendy and not very touristy. Walk through the cobbled, tree-lined boulevards just north of the Gothic Quarter. Great bars and eateries.
Gracia: A village-like Bohemian neighborhood. I enjoyed just sitting in a café and people-watching. Famous for local bakeries and Gaudi’s playground, Park Guell.
L’Exaimple: This modern uptown district is where you will find the home of modernist architecture. Gaudi’s La Pedrera is located in this neighborhood.
Passeig de Gracia: The most prestigious address in the city where the high-end stores are located. Peek at the mansion's patios and doorways to appreciate the modernist architectural design.
Sagrada Familia: A very quiet neighborhood. The home of Antoni Gaudi’s unfinished masterpiece. The neighborhood is mostly inhabited by older generations, experts and Catalan locals. Not many boutiques, but you will see local chocolatiers. Grab an order of churros and a cup of Xocolate.
Another draw is museums and churches — the rich culture and history. The amazing art and fabled architecture of Spain. My take: Is this the da Vinci code of Barcelona? Gaudi’s code — the mysterious symbols in the church that only Gaudi would know?!?!
Tidbits:
Advance tickets will help you avoid the lines:
Busturistik: get the 2-day pass. It will save you money and help you visit the must-see spots.
METRO Pass: take the underground train. It's more fun and easy to get around.
Barcelona Pass: The Barcelona Card gives you free transportation in Zone 1 (the main tourist area) on the subway, buses, tram, and RENFE train to the airport. It also gives you discounts on entry to some Barcelona attractions. The Barcelona card will give you other discounts, e.g. on some performance venues and also discounts at Barcelona Turisme's official souvenir shop.
One more thing: wear comfortable shoes. You will walk and walk and walk endlessly. It’s very important to take notes, and an itinerary is advisable.
Barcelona ~ it leaves you smitten...
Places to eat & drink in Barcelona, Spain
Travel Advisor
Leia Rinoza
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This guide is part of our ongoing series on travel to Barcelona. Looking for more travel inspiration? Check out my guide, Where to Go as a Solo Traveler in Paris.