Barcelona is well-known for both its art and architecture, not to mention its incredible Spanish food dishes. It’s perfect for a quick 3-day city break or even a week away – there is so much to explore, you will never find yourself in a rut, not knowing where to go next (unless you simply can’t decide due to the incredible range of attractions and restaurants spread amongst the beautiful Spanish city).
Things to do
La Boqueria market – this was near the top of my Barcelona to-do list. La Boqueria market is packed full of delicious exotic fruits and freshly pressed juices which you can buy for just €1.50. Without a doubt, I found myself gravitating back to this market every morning to pick up breakfast for the day. If you have a bit of a sweet tooth this is also the place for you; they stock the world’s best Pick n’ Mix as well as roasted pecan nuts: all sorts of sugary goodness.
It is also conveniently placed right behind Dunkin’ Donuts (*tummy rumbles*).
Park Güell – When you reach the top of what seems like a million steps, you will be greeted with an enchanting park which reflects the work of Gaudí – you’ll then instantly realise that the steps were 100% worth the struggle. This is the perfect spot to take pictures of the views across Barcelona.
Sagrada Família – Unfortunately when I visited, work was being done on this Roman Catholic church, but nevertheless it was still a good experience. Again, this building was designed by Gaudí and is a must-see. It’s also worth going inside to see its spectacular interior designs.
Museu Picasso – this unique art museum is based in five medieval stone mansions. My top tip for visiting this museum would definitely be to book tickets online before you visit, as this will reduce your queuing time drastically. It’s an extremely popular attraction and therefore queues are highly probable.
Barceloneta Beach – There’s so much more to Barcelona then just the beach, so don’t be too tempted to spend all of your time here. However, a little trip to the Barcelona Beach never hurt nobody. Remember to layer on the sun cream and protect your skin.
Montjuïc Castle – take a cable car up to Montjüic Castle or if you have a fear of heights feel free to take a stroll up the mountain instead; ensure sure you buy lots of water beforehand to stay hydrated as it’s one hell of a walk. The breath-taking views you’ll be met with at the top make it more than worth it. Within the same area, you have the Magic fountain of Monjüic which is a must see.
Barcelona Zoo – situated in Parc de la Ciutadella, Barcelona zoo is so much fun; you’ll be able to see a range of animals such as flamingos, leopards and elephants to name a few. Why not bring a picnic with you to eat in one of their many picnic-perfect spots?
Shopping
Barcelona is an absolute dream for any Zara, Mango or Bershka lover, every corner you turn in La Rambla I can bet that you come across one of these ‘high-street’ shops. If you’re feeling extremely spendy or just fancy some window shopping I recommend you that you head to Passieg le Gracia, a never-ending street full of designer shops including Gucci, Chanel and Dior to name a few.
Where to eat
Barcelona is the perfect city for foodies who adore the likes of paella, tapas and the occasional sangria. Below I talk about a few of my favourite places to eat and drink in the city.
Quimet & Quimet – located in the Gothic Quarter this traditional restaurant makes the most incredible paella and tapas. I couldn’t fault it. Why not pop here for some food after visiting some shops in Las Rambla?
Alsur Café (El Born) – during my trip to Barcelona, I stumbled across this charm by absolute luck. The interior is so cool and the food is very good. Tip: don’t try to be clever (like my boyfriend thought he was) and fill up a half empty glass of a Mojito cocktail with water and “sugar” to make it last longer. It turned out that this “sugar” was actually SALT.
El Kiosko Hamburguesería – this beats Nandos any day. Here, I was met with the tastiest burger I have ever eaten! You can customise the burgers here with whatever you fancy. I chose a chicken and bacon burger with salad and guacamole. The fries are also pretty damn delicious. Perhaps visit before or after a trip to the Museu Picasso since it’s just around the corner.
So, for those lucky ones who already have a trip booked to Barcelona I hope this quick guide has provided you with a bit of an insight into the city to help you decide where to go on your visit. For others of you, perhaps this has given you a little inspiration to treat yourself and book a trip away to Barcelona one day soon – I can wholeheartedly confirm that you would not regret it for one moment!