Barcelona, with its unique blend of ancient traditions and modern flair, attracts millions of travellers from all corners of the globe. It offers stunning architecture, breathtaking views, a friendly atmosphere and one of the world’s best cuisines which have turned Barcelona into a national gem and a dream destination for many. I was lucky enough to visit Barcelona not once but twice in the past couple of months and each time I felt more and more drawn to the Spanish culture and lifestyle.
In this blog, I’ve included places and landmarks that left me mesmerised and awestruck. There’s a mixture of must-see touristy spots and authentic places visited by locals that I hope will turn your city break into a truly immersive and unforgettable experience. So let’s jump right into it… or as the Spanish say ¡Vamos!
1. Santa Maria de Montserrat Abbey
Nestled between the Montserrat Mountain peaks just 50km northwest of Barcelona, Montserrat Abbey offers a retreat from the bustling atmosphere of the city – like a breath of fresh air. No, actually… the air there is so crisp! The setting is nothing short of breathtaking, revealing a panoramic view of the Catalan countryside. On your way to the basilica, you will see food stalls on both sides of the road, offering anything from fruit and drinks to dairy products, roasted and caramelised nuts, as well as sweets made with honey and nuts. If you have the time, do stop by some of the stalls as the sellers will offer you free samples of their products. I was very impressed by the rich variety of cheese and I highly recommend trying some of them if you’re not vegan.
Famous for its Black Madonna statue, also known as La Moreneta, Montserrat attracts pilgrims from all walks of life seeking hope in the presence of this icon. Don’t forget to book a slot to see the Black Madonna once you get to the basilica. The last thing you want is to leave the Black Madonna visit until the end and realise the next available slot is hours away.
2. Tibidabo Hill
Another one for the lovers of panoramic views! Tibidabo Hill is located on the outskirts of Barcelona and offers a fantastic view of Barcelona as well as plenty of entertainment for those who love amusement parks. Atop the Tibidabo Hill is the Sagrat Cor church, with its famous bronze Jesus statue made by Josep Miret in 1950. Architecturally, the Sagrat Cor church combines different styles from the Neo-Gothic and Modernisme movements, featuring intricate sculptures and ornaments – a style that is influenced by the church’s decades-long construction period.
The amusement park, on the other hand, offers a mix of classic and contemporary rides and is a prominent landmark that is visible from various parts of Barcelona at night.
Tibidabo is easily accessible by road or via the Tibidabo Funicular. To get the best of both worlds, we took the funicular to the Vallvidrera Village and then took bus 111 to Tibidabo Hill.
3. Casa Mila (La Pedrera)
The last private residence designed by Gaudi and an emblematic building for Barcelona, Casa Mila (La Pedrera) is recognised by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site and is one of Gaudi’s most intriguing and spectacular creations. The building itself consists of a combination of styles, shapes and materials. From the outside it is particularly striking to see the solidity of the material shaped in a wave-like harmonious movement. Even the intricate balconies of the building, made of iron, beautifully imitate underwater vegetation. The irregular floorplans and intricate details inside show the complete freedom Gaudi had over the distribution of each floor. Walking up to the rooftop, you can see the many chimneys Gaudi designed, made of broken tile shard mosaic, Ulldecona stone, marble and ceramics, each with its own shape and movement. Some say the chimney figures look like warriors, others see it as a landscape, but to me it all looked like a giant sandcastle or perhaps some underwater kingdom we have been lucky to discover.
If you plan on paying Casa Mila a visit (which I highly recommend) make sure you purchase your tickets online as they are cheaper than those you could get from the ticket office.
4. Park Güell
Another must for anyone visiting Barcelona! Park Güell offers its visitors beautiful vegetation, intricate mosaics and fairytale-like art and architecture. It gives its visitors a nice change from the city life and and attracts millions of tourists every year. Due to the high number of visitors, the park is regulated by timeslots and tickets that can be booked online ahead of your visit.
There are many entrances to the park, but I suggest walking or taking a bus to the Arnold Schonberg stop which is not far from one of the entrances and allows you to continue your park visit downhill. I recommend allocating at least 2 hours to your visit at the park to truly experience its atmosphere and see its beauty from all angles.
5. Sagrada Familia
I’ve seen Sagrada Familia so many times – in photos, movies, commercials and I was still amazed by the structure and architecture of the cathedral. Every detail, every shape, every window mural is absolutely perfect. The cathedral is a true embodiment of Gaudi’s devotion to nature and spirituality. It’s one of those things that you need to see for yourself – so all I would say is get that ticket!
6. Ciutadella Park
Ideal for long walks, picnics or if you need a break from the bustling atmosphere of Barcelona, Ciutadella Park spans across 77 acres and includes the Cascada fountain, a lake, the Castle of the Three Dragons, the zoo and Barcelona’s Museum of Natural Sciences. It is a place where nature, history and leisure all intertwine. Unlike Park Güell, entry to the Ciutadella Park is free and you don’t need to book timeslots, though some attractions within the park (zoo and museums) do carry a fee.
7. Mercado de La Boqueria
This one is for my foodies – whether you love fruit, sweets, fresh juice, or you want to try seafood, different types of meat and cheese – Mercado de La Boqueria is the place for you. At the market I got to try dragon fruit, fried squid, baby octopus, Jamon iberico and fresh oysters… I mean it when I say there is something for everyone!
The market can be easily accessed from its entrance on La Rambla (Barcelona’s main street), or you can take the L3 metro line to Liceu and walk to the market from there.
8. Columbus Monument and Barceloneta Beach
Standing tall at 60m at the lower end of La Rambla, the Columbus Monument is an emblematic landmark of Barcelona located right next to the port. The statue atop the tower depicts Christopher Columbus holding a scroll in his left arm with his right arm outstretched pointing towards the horizon. Inside the tower there is a small lift which takes you to the top of the monument where you can find a walk around viewing terrace. Interestingly, there are over 200 statues and busts of Columbus around the world, the majority of which located in the USA and across Latin America.
Situated in close proximity to the Columbus Monument is the 422m long Barceloneta Beach. It became a popular destination after the 1992 Olympics hosted in Barcelona and charmed the world with its dark blue waters and miles of golden sand. Barceloneta Beach offers plenty of activities for its visitors including beach volleyball, water sports and sunbathing.
9. National Art Museum of Catalonia
The Catalonian National Art Museum is located on top of Montjuïc Hill and houses Catalonia’s artistic and cultural heritage. Its rich collection contains Romanesque, Gothic, Renaissance, and Modernist pieces of art, telling the story of the region’s cultural identity. Some of the most famous and notable art pieces include: “Descent from the Cross” by Rogier van der Weyden, works by Gaudi, “Pantocrator” by Miguel Alcañiz, “Saint George and the Dragon” by Bernat Martorell.
Admission to the museum is free every Saturday after 3pm and every first Sunday of each month, however I advise you to book your tickets in advance if you want to take advantage of this offer.
10. Pincho J
Last but not least, I’ve included a popular pincho place that has alternatives for meat lovers and vegetarians. There’s plenty of restaurants in Barcelona that offer paellas and tapas, but have you tried pinchos before?
Whereas tapas typically resemble smaller versions of larger meals, pinchos are small bite-sized snacks comprised of various ingredients held together by a toothpick and presented on a piece of bread. Pincho J offers a variety of vegetarian, pescatarian and meaty pinchos as well as Spanish beer and sangria. All pincho dishes are displayed next to the bar and have a number corresponding to them. After being seated you are given a piece of paper and a pen to write down the different pinchos and the quantities you’d like to order. It’s as simple as that and the service is super quick as the kitchen prepares fresh pinchos every couple of minutes! It’s so good even the locals love it!
If I had to capture Barcelona’s essence in just a few words I would say: charming, colourful and full of life. Its Mediterranean charm, rich history and flavourful food attract millions every year and if you’re lucky enough, you might catch some authentic flamenco performances in some of the secret bars around the city.
Let me know your favourite spot from this list and what other places I should be visiting next.
IVCEPTION 