A Barcelona local informed me that since the Olympics took place in Barcelona, Spain in 1992, the city has seen a rise in tourism by more than 1,000,000 people each year! Needless to say it is already one of the most sought after destinations, and for good reason! The food, drink, beaches, and architecture of the city are all reasons you should be booking your flight into Barcelona now.
Below I highlight places to see, where to eat, and more in Barcelona, Spain
Sights to See
Sagrada Familia
- Church designed by Gaudí
- UNESCO World Heritage Site
- Opens at 0900; closing time varies by season
La Pedrera aka Casa Milà
- Private residence designed by Gaudí
- UNESCO World Heritage Site
Parc Güell
- Longest bench in the world designed by Gaudí
- UNESCO World Heritage Site
- Sits on top of Carmel Hill in La Salut neighborhood
Casa Batlló
- Designed by Gaudí
Picasso Museum
- Houses one of the most extensive collections of Pablo Picasso
- Hours vary – closed on Mondays
Arc de Triomf
- Built as a main entryway for the Barcelona World Fair in 1888
Things to Do
Day trip to Montseratt
- A multi peak rocky range for hiking and climbing
- Approximately 60 km (30 miles) from Barcelona
See a flamenco show
Awe over the views at Montjuic
- Barcelona’s highest point proving the best views are at the top of the city
- Can access via bike or cable car
Participate in a walking tapas tour
See Barcelona by bike with Fat Tires
- Tour the city of Barcelona with a tour guide on normal bikes
- Use a power bike to get to the top of Montjuic and see Barcelona from above
Relax on Barceloneta Beach
Wander through the Gothic Quarter
- Center of the old city of Barcelona
- Houses shops, bars, and restaurants
- Built in the late 19th century/early 20th century
Attend a fútbol game
Get lost in the craziness of La Boqueria Market
- Barcelona’s largest public market
- Hours 0800-2030 – closed on Sundays
Eats and Drinks
Tapas
Bar del Pla
Lonja de Tapas
Can Paixano/Xampanyeria
Vinitus
El Catala
Quimit i Quimit
Pastries
Chök
Escriba
Cocktails
Joel’s Oyster Bar in La Boqueria Market
Eclipse Barcelona at the W Hotel
For a three day Barcelona itinerary, make sure to check out 72 Hours in Barcelona
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Kylee is a traveling Neonatal Intensive Care Nurse and an avid solo traveler. She has spent 5 years caring for premature and sick babies in the NICU and has been a travel nurse for 3 of those years. Kylee began Passports and Preemies in 2017 while volunteering as a nurse in Skopje, Macedonia as a way to reach nurses and advocate for the prevention of nurse burnout by traveling. Since 2017 Kylee has made it a goal to go on one extended solo trip per year lasting 8+ weeks. Kylee is the original creator of the “8 Day Vacay” – A vacation geared towards nurses aiming to take advantage of the potentially 8 days off between work weeks with no need to use PTO.
