My dear Barcelona. How shall we narrow down all your loveliness up to a list of 10 things? Although I'd like to include a million and more things, I'll stick to my favourite visits in the city for first timers in Barcelona.
1. Ciutat Vella
The name of this neighborhood could be translated as 'Old City', and so its stands for. The oldest spaces and buildings in Barcelona can be found along its streets, such as La Catedral -the cathedral-, Plaça Sant Jaume (in which you can find the Town Hall and La Generalitat -kind of like the state government), Plaça Reial (Royal Plaza) or Portal de l'Àngel -a shopping street. A stroll around the Gothic Quarter is one of the main attractions, but you can also lead yourself to the beach in La Barceloneta or the Zoo in the Park of la Ciutadella.
2. La Boqueria
Markets are the places were the city's spirit is shown, and La Boqueria couldn't be less. The Market of Saint Joseph, as it's officially named, is found in the famous streets of Las Ramblas. A perfect plan is to go there early in the morning, before the crowd of local buyers and tourists arrive, and have breakfast at some of the numerous spots that serve fruits, smoothies, bread or even hot breakfasts like 'tortilla' (Spanish omelette), sandwiches or eggs. My personal favorite place is Quim de la Boqueria, there you'll find some really mouthwatering dishes for the whole day!
3. The Sagrada Familia Basilique
Certainly, a unique piece of architecture in the world. This enormous church made by Antoni Gaudí is probably one of the most famous sites to the city. Book your tickets online in advance (to escape queues) and get inside the building, which is still under construction. Go around the halls and fins its best secrets, then finally you can get into the terrace for some gorgeous views!
4. Santa Maria del Mar
Also found in Ciutat Vella, Santa Maria del Mar is an outstanding example of the Catalan Gothic. It was build generally by the own people of Barcelona between 1329 and 1383, and it is used as a church. On the outside, it might not seem as truly unique or special, but wait to get inside. Indoors you find a stunning medieval architecture filled with the little designs of stained glass. And by the way, there even is one glass with the flag of the Barcelona Football Team, will you find it?
By Jiuguang Wang (Own work) [CC BY-SA 3.0 es], via Wikimedia Commons
5. Passeig de Gràcia
Adding some glamour to the city, Passeig de Gràcia is the main shopping spot in Barcelona (such as 5th Avenue is to New York). Besides the various shops you can find, in a range from Zara to Chanel, this street has much more to it. Found in the neighborhood of l'Eixample, it is a clear example of what modernism was to Barcelona. You can find famous buildings such as La Pedrera, La casa Batlló or Casa Atmetller. And want even more things? It is a fantastic place to find a good restaurant.
6. Picasso Museum
Not only the Modernism Age was important to the city, but also were the avant-gardes. Painter and artists Pablo Picasso, who lead the movement of Cubism, was born in Málaga but spend a large part of his life in the city of Barcelona. Therefore, on 1963 was opened the Picasso Museum, found, again, in Ciutat Vella and located inside a Gothic Palace. It's one of the most completed collections of the artists in the world and certainly worth a visit.
7. Montjuïc
The emblematic hill next to the city is a great neighborhood to stop by its various activities. There is the stroll through Montjuïc Fountains up to the MNAC (national museum of art in Catalonia), and on a side theMies van der Rohe Pavilion (a modernist building from Germany at the Universal Exposition in 1929). Up on the top there is plenty of parks. the Olimpic zone, the Miró museum, and some stunning views of the whole city.
8. Barça Museum
Visca
-Website-
e l Barça! If Barcelona is famous for somethings i for its Barcelona Football Club, which is the best club in the world, as a team where well-known players such as Messi or Neymar play. You might want to see a live play at Camp Nou, which is an awesome experience, but if you come to the city out of season or you can't find tickets, checking the Barça Museum is just an awesome idea (and the most visited museum in Barcelona)! There you'll find the story of the club, the trophies, the press room, the dressing room, a visit to the stadium, the commentary boxes in it and even touch screens!
-Website-
9. Park Güell
As it's clear, Gaudí is essential to understand the city's spirit, so of course, a walk in the Park Güell is one of the best things you can do. The colors, the diverse figures, like the dragon, and the buildings with a clear Gaudi's style make the park unique in its whole. There is not much I can say, besides go. It's one of the most beloved places by everyone.
10. Eat food!
Oh! Who hasn't ever heard of the pleasures of Spanish food? Maybe eat some paella -rice with seafood- or tortilla -Spanish omelette. And for typical Catalan, there is bread with tomato! But Barcelona as much more to offer. There are plenty of good restaurants to have a taste of typical, international or modern cuisine, depending on your likes and budgets.
-flashy restaurants-
-flashy restaurants-
What are your favorite things to do in Barcelona?
Sincerely,
Vera
Vera