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Barcelona is another great and fantastic city in Europe that I love so much! I have been visited twice and still feel as if I have not seen as much as I could or should have. There is so much to see and do there, you have no chance of ever getting bored.
Though I have never taken the Metro in Barcelona, I have been told it is relatively easy to use to navigate your way around the city.
We walked around a lot, and made use of the Hop On Hop Off bus as our time was limited and we wanted to see as much as we possibly could.
Besides, the weather was great on both occasions. Not to hot and not too cold. Just the way I like it.
If you love to go out to drink and party, you will love being in Barcelona. I grew out of my partying and clubbing phase well over 10 years ago, so I can’t tell you much about the club scene except that it is very much alive here.
The Spanish eat late, drink late and go out late. People head out to clubs at about 01:00 and party until the sun rises.
All this not just on weekends, but during the week too.
Most of the action is centered around La Rambla, the wide boulevard stretching from Plaça de Catalunya (the city center) to the Port Vell.
The last time I was here, I was with a group of friends and we had a great time. I was able to see Barcelona through different eyes.
Traveling with friends is quite an experience. You will love that post about our hilarious experience.
Stunning Architechture
Barcelona is well-known for its architecture which is one of the reasons I love it.
Very different to the architecture here in Austria where I live, but amazing in its’ own right.
Casa Milà
The Casa Milà which is popularly known as La Pedrera meaning the ‘The Quarry’.
It was the last civil work designed by Catalan architect Antoni Gaudí, built between the years 1906 and 1912.
Park Güell
The park has beautiful gardens and nice scenery, plus it is a great example of Gaudi’s work as well as beautiful views of the city.
It is a big hill to walk up to get to it, so if you don’t like walking too much or want to save yourself from climbing up all those stairs, you should take the bus. I am not the walking or hiking type, but it is more fun walking up.
The tour costs 7 Euro so that’s pretty decently priced.
The only reason we decided against it because we wanted to see and explore the park ourselves.
The park overlooks the entire city of Barcelona and is breathtaking.
A great place for art and architecture lovers.
The gorgeous Palace!
So Much To See And Do
Barcelona – How Does He Do That? Sitting In The Air?
Placa de Catalunya
Plaça de Catalunya, in English “Catalonia Square”; is a large square in central Barcelona that is serves both at its city centre and the point at which the old city and the 19th century-built Eixample connect.
A favourite meeting place for locals and visitors with statues and great buildings, shops and restaurants at the beginning of the Las Ramblas.
The amazing fountains are beautiful to sit and watch at night-time.
The Sagrada Familia
Most people know the La Sagrada Família as one of the major works of Antoní Gaudí.
This is true, however, he was not the first architect appointed to work on it.
Francisco de Paula del Villar was the chosen one to design the church.
In 1883, Gaudí assumed responsibility for the design of the Sagrada Família after Villar retired from the project.
Gaudi used this opportunity to change the design and make it his own.
Barceloneta Beach Road
Eixample District
Passeig de Gracia
A wonderful, elegant and majestic boulevard that links the Plaça de Catalunya with the district of Gràcia.
Barcelona’s finest and most modern buildings take up the entire avenue which is a must see in Barcelona.
Do you love to shop? The Passeig de Gracia is a luxury shopping heaven!
There are lots of places to stop for some coffee, drinks or food.
The entire wide street avenue is flanked with restaurants and cafes on both sides.
The Passeig de Gracia in Barcelona will remind you of Les Champs Elysee in Paris.
Hop On Hop Off Barcelona
The Hotel Majestic
This hotel boasts not only acres of marble, but grand staircases and Louis XV chairs, a rooftop pool, and an excellent spa with a range of choices for treatments.
At the Hotel Majestic Barcelona, your every need will be met – 24 hours a day.
Are you a coffee lover? Start your day with a morning coffee with the Nespresso machine provided for in every room.
This palatial, upscale hotel is close to lots of shopping opportunities as well as the Sagrada Familia.
What Else Is Good To Know…?
- All the city-run museums are free on Sunday afternoons, from 15:00 to 20:00
- Mercat de la Boqueria – Great indoor market
- La Catedral offers free entry in the morning and late afternoon
FIVE INTERESTING FACTS ABOUT SPAIN
- Spaniards are the most enthusiastic radio listeners in Europe.
- Spanish culture is greatly influenced by modern art of the late 1800’s. From artists like Antoni Gaudi, Pablo Picasso, Joan Miró and Salvador Dalí.
- Most of Spain was under Muslim domination from 711 to the mid 11th century.
- In July 2005, Spain became the third country to legalise same-sex marriage, after the Netherlands and Belgium.
- It is a crime in Spain to slander or libel the dead.
Have you been to Barcelona or other cities in Spain? Did you have a great time?
Share your stories and experiences with me in the comments section below.
View more of my destinations here.
33 comments
Thanks for taking me on a mental vacation to Spain. I want to visit and stay out late and enjoy everything there is to enjoy in Spain. Love your blogs, they are so informative, organized and you have a wonderful flow and energy.
No wonder Barcelona is known for its beauty! Thanks so much for sharing such an informative post considering the fact that it is included in my travel wishlist. Now I know where to go and visit for food, sightseeing, shopping and whatsoever. And I need not say how beautifully you have captured Barcelona in frame.
I really want to visit Barcelona! Love this post- very informative and would be a great guide when I do visit in the future!
Wanderlust tempted. Now I just have to figure out which piggy bank to break to make it to Spain!
Oh this made me miss Barcelona & eating tapas by the beach! Me encanta.
Loved this post, such in-depth one 🙂
Jasmin – Por tus amables palabras – Muchas gracias 🙂
So excited to read this as Im planning on doing a trip to Barcelona later this year and this is a perfect guide.
Oh that is wonderful Karolina. If you have any questions, think of me, maybe I will be able to answer them. Glad you are saving this post for later. 🙂
Stunning pictures! Makes me so want to visit spain! And thanks for the interesting facts about Spain in the end!
Awesome pics. Certainly one of the best dream locations to visit!
72 hours does seem like a long time but you sure were able to accomplish so much! I enjoy absorbing the architecture and nature of different cultures. Spain is beautiful!!
Ahhhh…Barcelona! It will be that city that I will forever love from far. Still on my bucket list and when I see beautiful post and pictures like this I feel even more inclined to pack! Great post.
Wow! Spain is really on our bucket list once we start doing our travels. I love the photos you took here. Such a wonderful place.
What a great trip! I’ve been wanting to go to Spain for sooooo long! I’m pinning this now!
These pictures are amazing! What an experience to visit and the hotel is beautiful!!!
Gorgeous photos, I’d love to visit. I love both art and architecture. I’m hoping that my hubs and I can travel more once the kids are older. I love when there is an option for local transit, it helps so much!
Never been to Barcelona but have heard a lot about its amazing architectures! The architectures of La Sagrada FamÃlia, Casa Milà and the palace look quite fascinating. I also prefer going for hop-on-hop-off buses as it saves time and you can cover all the major tourist attractions if you’ve a limited time.
I have heard many stories of how Barcelona is such a beautiful place.. The Casa Milà and Passeig De Gracia buildings are really amazing and I could feel the excitement from your post.
Hi Esther! We had so much fun there. The other time I went there with friends only, we had an adventure too. Hope you get to visit Barcelona one day. Have a great weekend. Sheri
BCN is definitely one of my favs! Great post Sheri:)
Barcelona must be one exciting place to visit. So many of friends have been here and your photos prove why. It looks like a wonderful experience.
I love the that you can feel the energy from and through your photos! I’ve never been to Barcelona but I remember doing a lot of research as a kid in class. Maybe, I need to complete my learning and travel there as well!
I’ve always wanted to go to Barcelona and you made me feel like I was there. I can’t wait to visit!
Barcelona is a fabulous city and you’ve put together an amazing guide with some really great tips! Great post! x
Absolutely beautiful photos! Thank you for sharing xx
Ashlee
Looks so wonderful. My sister studied abroad in Barcelona and the stories she had made me so eager to go there one day. I still haven’t been, but it’s on my bucket list!
What gorgeous pictures and looks like you totally enjoyed your trip to Barcelona. The palace looks so beautiful and definitely agree that metro is the easiest way to reach places specially when we are traveling.
Barcelona is so beautiful! I visited Barca last summer <3
X, Alex
Really need to get there soon! I can’t believe I’ve been to over 40 countries and never been to Spain!
Oh Thuymi! You need to- hopefully in 2017.
Barcelona is so wonderful city 🙂
There’s so much to do and see & it’s like a combination for city & beach vacay.
Barcelona was one of my top three cities from my trip this summer. It was so exciting to be there and the water was super warm. LOVED it.
I love the architecture in Spain. I have a Spanish friend and she too keeps showing me lots of photos of the buildings there. Your photos are really cool.