Barcelona Guide - All About Barcelona

Hi there!

I lived in Barcelona for more than 6 years. As a traveler, I can say that this city is one of the most unique cities in the world. Since I am a foreigner, I have the observations of a tourist but at the same time, I have the experience of a resident. First I fell in love with this city, then I learned every tiny detail about it. Giving suggestions or guiding my visitors/friends, after a while I wanted to share that information with the others too. I started writing, as well. In this guide there are mainly 10 parts:

1) First Thing to do

2) One-day trips

3) Main Palaces / Houses

4) Where to eat, Where to buy

5) Festivals

6) Daily Spanish and a few words from Catalan

7) Parks

8) Museums

9) Modernism Architectures

                                    

First Things ToDo - Barcelona

 There are many things that can be done in Barcelona. Here is my first things-to-do list. 

- Sagrada Família by Antonio Gaudí 

This impressive church is pretty unusual. You don't have to enter it. It really takes time and energy, the charming part is outside of the church.

  

- Park Güell 

If the weather is sunny it is a perfect place to be. An artistic, unusual, and joyful park. You will always remember the time that you spent in Park Guell. 

- La Pedrera - Casa Mila by Antonio Gaudí 

Another remarkable structure by Gaudi. If the weather is good it is worth visiting the top of the building.

- Casa Batllo by Gaudi 

Seeing the outside of this exceptional building is worthy. If you are not so much into buildings it is not worth seeing the inside of the building. In addition, due to the queues, it takes time to enter the building. 

- Las Ramblas

Barcelona's most famous street takes around 2 km between Placa Catalonia and the Statue of Colomb. There are many attractions around the street. Close to the famous Gothic part, as well. The charming market "La Boqueria" is also beside the street.

                                                           

- Gothic Quarter (Barri Gòtic)

Gothic quarter offers many interesting and historic streets and buildings from the 14th century. Among them, Barcelona Cathedral, Place Angel, and Plaça Reial have their own spirit. King's Palace, and churches like Santa María del Mar, Santa María del Pí, the town hall, and Cases del Canonges are must be seen structures. 

- Delicious Food

There are many restaurants in the city my suggestion will be "Les Quinze Nits" in Placa Reial presents optimum price/taste option. The restaurants around the beach which are touristic are pretty expensive and not worthy in terms of taste. Go local! Eat cheaper and more delicious food. 

- Magic Fountain & MNAC

There are several attractive places around the National Museum of Art of Catalunya MNAC. The Magic Fountain of Montjuïc show happens here. It is mainly a mix of spectacular displays of color, light, motion, music, and water acrobatics.  You should ask the day and time of the show from a tourist information kiosk since it changes depending on the month. It is an impressive show. 

The Montjuic Castle, Olympic area and stadium,  Barcelona Pavilion by famous German architect Mies van der Rohe can be visited in this area. 

- Arc de Triomf and  Parc de la Ciutadella

Arch de Triomf is the gate of a peaceful area. It is the place of many local celebrations. At weekends you can see many young people and children on their roller coasters in the area. If you follow the road you will see the famous Parc de la Ciutadella. The park is at the center of the old town. It is a usual stop for locals, especially on weekends. 

- Beaches

There are great beaches around Barcelona at Costa Brava and Costa Daurada. However, if you don't have time to visit them the closest beach is Barceloneta. From the Forum area to Barceloneta there are so many beaches at the coast of Barcelona. Port Olympic is more touristic and worthy.   

- Passeig de Gracia

Walking through Passeig de Gracia -a famous street in Barcelona - can be a good experience. The street itself is called Open Air Museum. It includes outstanding buildings. If you are interested in buildings, monuments, and palaces you can find the lists of them in the link. 

- Camp Nou

If you are interested in sports Barcelona FC Museum and Camp Nou can be an option. you can buy gifts from the Barca gift shops at Camp Nou, as well. 

                                            

- Museums

There are many lovely museums in Barcelona. Especially if the weather is cold the best place to in are museums. MNAC, Pedralbes, Dali, Picasso, and Miro are the first museums that come to my mind. 

Picasso museum is a nice place but it really takes time. You may spend several hours in the queue. Instead, the Miro museum can be an interesting alternative. If museums take your attention, here you will find more about museums of Barcelona. 

- Visiting other cities

If you have time to visit the famous cities of Spain. The country has great cities, depending on the weather, your time and budget you can decide: San Sebastian, Madrid, Sitges, Mallorca or Ibiza (famous islands takes 30-40 minutes from Barcelona by airway), Valencia, Granada are the first ones that come to my mind. Sitges is pretty close to Barcelona by train it takes around 40 minutes. It is a gay-friendly small city with beautiful beaches and a nice old downtown. Peaceful in the daytime and famous for its nightlife.  There are many other close small cities as well such as Girona, Figueres, Tossa de Mar, Lloret de Mar, Vic, etc. You can see a more detailed one-day trip guide from the link.  

If you have limited time to visit Barcelona. There are hop-on-hop-off tourist buses that can help you to visit Barcelona. 

PS: I adore all around Spain and visited almost %90 of the country. However, I should warn you about one thing: The amount of tourists is pretty high. As a result, as in many famous touristic places, Spain is famous for mostly immigrant professional pickpockets. Just be aware. 

Enjoy your trip! & Suerte!