“To travel is to discover that everyone is wrong about other countries.”
– Aldous Huxley
I went to Barcelona a few years back and stayed there a handful of days.
I went with EF tours so the stop in Barcelona was part of a larger trip that started in Paris. Barcelona was by far one of my most favorite places to visit. The bad part about my trip was I absolutely didn’t stay long enough.
The city is HUGE! In 2016, Barcelona, the home of the Sagrada Familia and the City of Gaudi, estimated the population to be 1.6 million. You can imagine, the city is huge, which means there are lots of people and, even more so, lots to do.
Below are something most memorable things I did in Barcelona, Spain, and thing I highly recommend anyone traveling to should do too.
1. Visit Park Guell
Park Guell is a unique kaleidoscope of color pieced together by Spanish Architect Antoni Gaudi using recycled material. It has a very Dr. Seuss feel which you can see in the variety of colors and the splendid curvature of the architecture. Much of Gaudi’s work was a more fluid in design and worked with the light of day. To Gaudi, light represented joy. At Park Guell, you’ll find massive rolling structures resembling waves and large colorful geckos.
2. Visit the Sagrada Familia
This structure has been going since 1882 and has a projected completion date of 2026, 100 years after the death of the architect.
In the facade of the Sagrada Familia, you’ll feast your eyes on color variations of the structure. It represents how the time periods in which the structure has seen during its construction.
Antoni Gaudi, never left a plan for the structure, so, in essence, people part of the team to finish building it are making it up as they go.
3. Ride Bikes Down the Boulevard
You’ll think you’re in Cali, although in my opinion, this boardwalk is a whole lot better. Pass by the suntanned beauties of Barcelona and a sparkling Mediterranean Sea. And do it for just 6 euros at two hours a ride.
When you feel like you want to take a break and shop around, there are tons of intriguing little shops close by full of knick knacks you can bring home for the family. And when. You start feeling hot, pull over for a nice swim in the glittering Mediterranean Sea.
4. Watch Flamenco
On the La Rambla, you’ll find various forms of Flamenco entertainment that won’t break your pockets. Feast your eyes on a performance that will make your heart race and help you understand the passionate feelings the people of Spain give into. The music is capturing and the dance is inspiring. Truly worth the trip to Barcelona.
5. Take a Trip to La Boqueria Market
If you never been to a fresh food market place then make it a point to go here. It’s not like your average farmers market in the USA. La Boqueria is chalk full of vendors who have fresh eggs stacked high and carefully color coordinated piles of fruits, vegetables and nuts. This is a great place to grab pictures alone. Here you’ll also find a variety of freshly butchered animals, something you would rarely see in the US.
When traveling in Barcelona, make the best use of your time. Most places will be closed on certain days of the week and often times, businesses will be closed during siesta. My advice is to check the hours of operations for any museums you visit along the way.
One other to be mindful of is the grand amount of gypsies that roam the streets. Both adults and kids have sticky hands and they are VERY good at taking your valuables from you. Remember to carry your belongings in anti-theft baggage and make sure your passport is safely on your person. But more importantly, make sure you have fun in Barcelona! It’s a gorgeous place with see and experience!
If you liked this blog post, share you comments about your trip to Barcelona below. If you’re planning a trip to Europe, check out my other blog on traveling in Paris.
