Your craving for a perfect Mediterranean vibe will be well pleased when you step into Barcelona. It is filled with bohemian architecture, deep blue beaches and the sky lines are comparable to paradise. It is the second largest city in Spain after Madrid. If you are someone with a craze for cruising, there can be no better place.
Barcelona is topped as number one hosting for hosting cruises in the entire Europe. The city also offers an ice bar on the beach which is created for the first time in the world so that your margarita and cosmopolitan gets a stylish ambiance. This place counts 68 parks and 55 museums.
And of course, the sporty side of yours might want to explore the largest football stadium in Europe. With all this said, the city has to offer much much more! And we’ll let you explore.
The capital of the Catalan region of Spain, Barcelona has long been known as a party hot spot. This part of the world tends to eat dinner towards midnight and often party on through ‘til sunrise. But Barcelona is far from a one trick pony. Go to Barcelona if you like the sun and the sand, you’re a fan of funky architecture, you’re looking to party your socks off.
Hugging the eastern coast of Spain, the organized grid of streets of Barcelona gives way to a number of delightful tourist attractions in the open. The Catalonian capital has a reputation as a bustling urban center, filled with renowned architecture, gourmet restaurants, lively clubs, and a thriving nightlife. Yet visitors won’t have to look far to enjoy the sights that the city has to offer while taking in the city’s fresh sea air.
During this trip, the local culture is also seen in the big cities like Barcelona which is a lively and animated city. Spain has always been a favorite destination among tourists. Turn both the Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea, the mainland has an incredibly long and diversified coast. The warmer Mediterranean coast holds different stretches of coast, some well known and some hidden.
Our choice is holiday resorts, where you can enjoy life like a true Spaniard. Barcelona is a magical city in Spain to celebrate Christmas. If you are in Spain this Christmas, expect a lot of excitement this time with family. Remember, to get your passes or tickets in advance to head towards Spain at the right time. Get to the destination at least a week ago to experience the charms of Barcelona.
There is a tradition there that clowns and animal costumed children and young people parade in the streets of town to spread more happiness and joys distributing the gifts all around. It’s a beautiful tradition. You will see the great fireworks on the eve of Christmas and will have an opportunity to get into the joys of nightlife if you are alone and not with family.
The city is famous for the beautiful Sagrada Familia (which looks amazing inside) and the Rambla de Catalunya (the famous street in the city). However, there is much more to Barcelona than these two things. Some of the famous sights are the Casa Batlló, Casa Milà , Montjuic, Park Güell, Plaça de Catalunya, Gothic quarter, Palau Nacional, Plaça de Espanya, Plaça Reial, Tibidabo, Aquarium of Barcelona, Montjuïc Castle, Arc de Triomf and Gaudi’s House.
Here are a few places to visit and things to do in Barcelona.
1. Rambla De Mar
Running through Barcelona’s core, Rambla del Mar holds the pulse of the city on its leafy streets. From Placa de Catalunya to the Christopher Columbus Monument, follow the crowds from one street performer to the next. There are few better ways to get a feel for the city and soak up Catalan culture than with a stroll down the city’s popular avenue.
2. Costa del Maresme
You may not expect to find modern art on the shore, but it’s here nonetheless: monuments and sculptures adorn the golden sands. Plan your Barcelona vacation to spend a few days here.
Costa del Maresme extends 50 km north of Barcelona with cozy seaside resorts and trails. Pineda de Mar is a popular resort among Spaniards, with a golden beach and the nearby Parc del Montnegre i el Corredor. Costa del Maresme is known for its fine hikes, located just north of the big city life in Barcelona. Vilassar de Mar, 30 minutes from the center of Barcelona is where to enjoy an evening.
And like Madrid, the nightlife is very vibrant and always full of opportunities to have fun.
3. Park Guell
Park Guell is a well-known and most visited landmark in Barcelona in the portfolio of renowned Catalan architect Antoni Gaudi, whose buildings line streets in Barcelona and draw hordes of tourists to the city. A World Heritage Site, the park was completed in 1914 after 14 years of construction.
Gaudi designed the complex during his Naturalist phase, when he was most inspired by shapes found in nature. A steep walk uphill gives way to the massive park, and the views of Barcelona's perfectly grid streets are hard to beat. Between the panoramas awaiting you and Gaudi's unique architecture, it’s difficult to say what lingers most after your Barcelona trip.
4. Columbus Monument
Standing proudly at 60 m (197 feet), the Columbus Monument marks the lower end of La Rambla, a bustling pedestrian zone in the city’s core. Built in honor of the explorer, who is widely given credit for discovering the New World, the monument commemorates the visit Columbus paid to King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella upon returning from his historic journey.
Atop the monument, the figure of Columbus points south, towards Algeria, although many mistakenly believe he is gesturing in the direction of his discovery. Crane your neck upwards to catch the adventurer in the sun, and then enjoy the sights awaiting you on La Rambla.
5. Admire the vibrant Passeig del Born
A colorful pedestrian avenue with a not-so-subtle hint of medieval flair, Passeig del Born fills with people day and night to admire the street’s vibrant bars and charming architecture. Flanked by the Born Market on one end and the church of Santa Maria del Mar on the other, the avenue has an air of the Barcelona of days gone by.
Once host to tournaments, jousting matches, and Holy Week processions, today the avenue is lined with vendors and lively cafes.
6. La Sagrada Familia
A trip to Barcelona can certainly also be cultural - you can see attractions such as GaudÃ's masterpiece, La Sagrada Familia or the majestic Cathedral.
While traveling in Spain visit Barcelona and see the works of Gaudi in the architecture including the famous Sagrada Familia. This city is an architecture fan’s dream come true (thanks in particular to Gaudi – his Sagrada Familia could well be the most impressive building in the entire world), and is blessed with beautiful beaches and weather.
The unfinished Roman Catholic basilica is perhaps Gaudi's most impressive work. The construction of this basilica began in 1882, and although it's not completed, it's an attraction that anyone visiting Barcelona should overlook. The popularity of the place among tourists is why there are always queues to get in, so make sure you purchase tickets in advance. You can choose a Priority entry ticket or one that includes an optional entry to the tower for a quick trip toward the main entrance.
Sure, there are some sandy beaches inside trendy Barcelona but why not try the many smaller resorts that are a few miles from the big city.
7. Hiking Montserrat
Montserrat, a product of erosion is located about 30 kilometres from Barcelona. It is one of the best excursions in Barcelona that you can do. This massif stands out for its large rocks with surprising shapes and the Benedictine monastery located at the top and is one of the places that will surprise you. Another of the essential visits in Montserrat is Santa Cueva, a small chapel in which La Moreneta was found.
Montserrat is also a paradise for climbers and lovers of hiking, in which one of the most common routes is the one that climbs to the top of Sant Jeroni.
8. Shopping in Plaça de Catalunya
For shopping, there is nothing better than the shops and kiosks of the Ramblas, a bustling artery that runs from Plaza Catalunya to Port Vell.
Among the best place to stay for solo female while visiting Barcelona is the Poble Nou, a neighborhood known for its numerous clubbing nightclubs.
Best Time to Visit Barcelona
This question has several answers. For a start, it is lovely to visit at any time of the year, because its landscapes are worth seeing even in winter, and not to mention its heritage, its villages, museums and charming attractions at any time of the year. But spring and especially summer will be its highlights due to the attractiveness of its beaches.
The best time for me is from the middle of May to the beginning of July, and from the end of August to the middle of October. In those dates it will be the middle season (less people) together with a pleasant climate and without the excesses of heat from the peak of Summer. It is the perfect combination of good weather, few people, and by default, better prices.
As a city famed for the unique architecture that forms the urban core, it's no wonder there's no shortage of things to do outdoors. From marveling at Gaudi's work to swimming in the Mediterranean, Barcelona was built to be explored outside. So use an itinerary planner and when it comes to taking a load off and enjoying a glass of cava, you'll catch locals spilling out of the bars and into the city streets.
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ReplyDeleteI´ve been to Barcelona so many times,and wish I could go again soon! I haven´t made it to Vilassar de Mar though, hope to explore more of Catalonia as well! Camp Nou has such a great energy - besides Barcelona vs Atletico is always a great football to watch! "El clasico"(Barcelona vs Real Madrid) has always quite tensse atmosphere!
ReplyDeleteBarcelona is a dream destination in Spain. It became more popular for Camp Nou. SpareFare sounds a cool platform for budget traveler. Informative tips!
ReplyDeleteHow wonderful to visit Barcelona! For sure on my list of travel. Thanks for sharing! It will be real soon thanks to you!!!
ReplyDeleteBarcelona looks really lovely. Great atmosphere and great pictures.
ReplyDeleteBarcelona is one lovely city. I enjoyed my trip there. Wounldn't mind coming back is there is lots to see and learn
ReplyDeleteBarcelona is high on my travel bucket list! All of your suggestions are going to be very helpful in my trip planning.
ReplyDeleteI love Barcelona - it's without doubt my favourite European city visited so far. I really had a fantastic weekend there and would love to go back again soon x
ReplyDeleteI have never been to Barcelona but I always wanted to visit. Such a wonderful place.
ReplyDeleteBarcelona is one of my favorite cities in the world. So much to do and so much to see and such a good vibe everywhere you go!
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