It’s been eight years since I’ve visited Barcelona and I remember everything about it. From the airport and first metro ride to the city, to seeing the city from the towers of the iconic Sagrada Familia.
I’m sharing some of my favorite spots to check out.
- Sagrada Family: Go in the morning, before the crowds hit, and take the elevator to the tower.
- All Other Things Gaudi. Aside from Sagrada Family, Barcelona = Gaudi. For sure visit Casa Batlló, go to the rooftop. Also Park Guell. It’s like looking at one big Dr. Seuss LSD trip.
- Teleféric de Montjuïc. Gondola ride across the city.
- Day trip to Monserrat (have to see it. to believe it) or Costa Brava (gorgeous beach)
- Euskal Etxea. The best tapas bar of our whole trip. You will eat your weight in tapas, paid for by the number of toothpicks on your plate.
- Museu Picasso. One of the coolest art exhibits you’ll ever see. Also in a fantastic neighborhood, Bario Gotic, where you’ll want to spend some time.
- Bario Gotic = some of the best tapas spots in Barcelona.
- La Boqueria Mercat. Off of super toursity Las Ramblas but 100% worth the visit. Try the coconut pineapple smoothies and dragonfruit juice. Also just know that sentiment towards tourists is not great right now in Barcelona and specifiically on Las Ramblas. I’d spend the least amount of time on the sections with all the tourists but it’ll take you all the way to the waterfront, which is cool.
- Kserol Cafe. Probably the best coffee of the trip and just a nice spot for breakfast. In Eixample district, which is also pretty cool.
- Zara. The shopping across Spain is excellent, but you can find the best stuff at Zara. They are months if not a year ahead in style and it’s suuuper inexpensive.
- The main beach. It’s man-made across the waterfront–they created it to support the 1992 summer games in the city. Get their early during the week, it gets super crowded (…which is why I’d explore beaches outside Barcelona proper.)
- Casa Fuster in Paseo de Gracia, cool rooftop bar. You might need to make reservations so check ahead. They also have a jazz club 🙂
charlene prince birkeland 
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