One of the reasons I love Barcelona so much is because of the range of things to do in the city. Below are some of my favorite sites and things to do in the city.

Renting bikes in Barceloneta and riding up the boardwalk is a lot of fun, especially after a few cocktails!

If you’re there in the summer you have to enjoy the beaches at Barceloneta.  This was part of my daily routine while living here. After class we would grab some food/wine/vodka and head to the beach for a day of topless tanning! For a more enjoyable dining experience there are some great seafood restaurants along the boardwalk down by the beach, but be wary they tend to be quite pricey since it is a touristy area.

Stroll down Las Ramblas and try to take it all in. It’s walkway through the center of the city filled with street performers, hotels, restaurants, shopping, and even pet shops.  Be aware of the pickpockets here, as they are the worst in the city Also  make sure to stop off at the Boqueria Market and enjoy some great fresh fruit and other interesting Spanish delicacies.

Please explore the works of famous Spanish Catalan architect Antoni Gaudí.

The girls and I at Gaudi's Park Guell with an amazing view of Barcelona!

√Park Güell is a must! Located at the top of the city, this park gives you a great view of all of Barcelona.

√His famous cathedral, La Sagrada Família is also something you must see.  The size and Gothic detail of this church is absolutely breathtaking.  It is still a work in progress and is suppose to be done in 2026, which will mark the 100 year death of Gaudi.

√Also along Paseo de Gracia, check out two housing units he built.  Batlló house & the “Pedrera” aka Casa Mila. The details of these buildings are impeccable and he even designed the furniture inside the apartments.

The "Magic Fountain Show" @ Montjuic!

Check out the amazing views from Monjuïc and all the sites the huge mountain has to offer.  Make sure to experience the “Magic Fountain” show at night, click the link for times and how to get up there.

Delectable Tapas!

Enjoy some local tapas and amazing cuisine down by Port Vell. Don’t leave Barcelona without experiencing patatas bravas, fried potatoes with a spicy aioli, they’re pretty much to die for! Also in this picture is Sangria de Cava, which is Sangria made with Cava, Spanish Champagne. Pretty much my favorite beverage produced by Spain so don’t miss it!

There are obviously hundreds of other things to do and see in this city! I wanted to keep it to the basics for first time visitors.  Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions or would like more suggestions to make your time in Barcelona a great experience!

Getting Around

One of the best things about Barcelona is their public transportation. From the train to and from the airport, to the amazing metro, and buses that are great at night, this is a city that is easy to get around.  If arriving by plane definitely take either the Renfe Train or the Aerobus into the center.  These links will show you the pricing and also other options of transport into the city.  The airport is about 25 minutes outside of the city and cabs can be quite expensive.  Once in the city, the metro and your little feet are key to getting around. The Barcelona Metro goes all over town and is very easy to navigate, the website includes maps and prices for tickets. I would recommend buying a T-10 pass if you’re going to be there for a few days to save some money.  Also be aware of your surroundings and belongings while on the metro, the pick pockets are some of the worst in the world.

The Barcelona Metro is also a great place for a photo opt!

Where to Stay

Since Barcelona’s public transportation is so extensive, there is no right or wrong place to stay as long as you are close to a metro stop.  Below is a map of the different areas to give you an idea of the layout of the city.  To be closer to the action I would recommend staying around Plaza Catalunya or Barceloneta. When I lived here a few years ago, I lived in the most adorable apartment(click Grácia 2) ever in the Grácia district, which is a charming area filled with local cafes and bars.  I was here for a month and rented an amazing apartment through Vive Barcelona.  We got a great rate with everything included from WiFi to a washer & dryer, and the best landlords one could ask for. Please feel free to contact Sergio through their website with any questions, don’t worry he speaks perfect English, and he will be more than happy to help! I would definitely recommend this route if you will be staying here for more than a few days, hotels and hostels are quite pricey in Barcelona.  It’s also nice to have a full kitchen and fridge to make a few meals and save yourself some money.  Plus there is nothing like an ice cold water in the morning after a rough night out!

Language

When most people think of Spain they think, oh they speak Spanish everywhere! Not quite, there are actually 5 different regions and 5 national languages.  In Barcelona, which is a part of Canalonia, there are 2 official languages, Catalan which sounds similar to French, and Spanish.  Although most locals do speak Spanish they prefer to stick to Catalan, and kind of give you a little attitude when they have to speak Spanish.  Side note, most regions of Spain hate each other, so just be aware of this!! All this said since Barcelona is such a large city most people, especially in the touristy areas, do speak English.

Hope this info proved to be helpful and gave you a little overview of the city!!