Barcelona, Spain is home to so much history, Antoni Gaudí landmarks, and to be quite frank: a ton of tourism! You’ve most likely had this destination on your bucket list since Cheetah Girls 2 came out. No, just me? Regardless of your reason to visit, I am covering all the touristy and non-touristy things you must do during your stay! You will encounter incredible architecture, amazing food, museums, parks, and endless photo opportunities. Let’s get to it!
WHERE TO STAY:
- Hotel SB Plaza Europa – This hotel was so freaking cute and offered amazing amenities. They have a restaurant with a full bar, a quaint library, and a rooftop pool. What more could you ask for? We loved our stay here and would definitely stay again.
WHERE TO EAT:
- Brunch and Cake – It’s arguably the most Instagram-worthy restaurant in all of Barcelona. They have colorful food, fresh juices, and treats. Plus they are super vegan and vegetarian friendly. I highly recommend the vegan eggs and potatoes with chipotle hollandaise sauce! Yum!
- Chok the Chocolate Kitchen – If you’re looking for the best donuts in Spain, look no further! They have a wide selection of chocolate treats. Pro tip: the earlier you go, the better the selection you have!
- Arenas de Barcelona was an excellent place to grab a bite to eat. While it was originally built to serve as the bullring for Barcelona, bullfighting never caught on in Catalonia and the arena closed in 1977. 30 years later they turned this ring into a modern shopping and entertainment center. We snagged dinner inside at Frank4 and it was one of our cheapest, most delicious meals we had during our trip.
- Ruma’s Coffee – When your energy is getting a bit low, pop into Ruma’s Coffee. We loved this shop! The baristas were so friendly and the coffee was so smooth and delicious.
WHAT TO DO:
- Visit one of Gaudi’s most famous projects, La Sagrada Familia. This church easily can be the first location you check off as the underground metro will take you right to the entrance. It is artistically crafted, and absolutely stunning. The building itself is incomplete but is still the sight to see when in Barcelona. Gaudí is highly respected as a creative so expect to hear a lot about him and to see a ton of his artwork.
- Casa Batlló – Gaudi designed this masterpiece, as well, as a home for the Batlló family. The family seemed to care more about their home’s location than the impractical design of the house. It is easy to walk to this wacky building! They host audio tours most days if you want to go inside.
- Casa Milà, also known as La Pedrera, is the last residence Gaudí designed before starting work on the Sagrada Familia. Casa Mila is a UNESCO World Heritage Site today. There is an entrance fee to see the cultural exhibits and to visit the rooftop, but you can easily buy tickets here.
- Take a stroll down Las Ramblas, the central, pedestrian-only street in Barcelona. It is bustling with energy with different vendors and restaurants. At the end is the Christopher Columbus Monument (Mirador de Colom) and a pier which was my favorite spot to catch the sunset. If you want to go inside the monument, you can buy tickets to get a 360º view of the city.
- Take a day trip to Monserrat Royal Basilica, about an hour outside the city. We took a half-day trip with Julia Travel and it did not disappoint. If you have seen photos online of the Stairway to Heaven, then you will definitely want to check it out!
- Check out the Bunkers el Carmel aka MUHBA. These bunkers date back to the Civil War era and offer an excellent view of the city. A small museum was installed in 2011, and it’s now one of the more popular places to watch the sun go down over the city!
- Park Güell – A tourism hotspot and one of Barcelona’s major attractions. While entry to the park is free, you do need to pay an entrance fee if you’re looking to venture inside and explore the mosaic tiled structures. Buy tickets in advance to ensure you make the cut!
- Pack a picnic and sit inside Sant Pere, Santa Caterina I la Ribera park. Be sure to snag a photo by the Arc de Triomphe!
There is truly so much to do during your stay in Barcelona. The list above is just skimming the surface! Do you have something to add to the list? Comment below and share your Spain adventures! As always, I’m recapping all my travels over on Instagram. I hope you’ll join me!
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