What to do in Barcelona?

[BBMacLaird]

If you could do only five things in Barcelona, what would they be?

Here's today's blog post "Five Things to do in Barcelona".

[Redtravel]

I love Barcelona. It has charm and fabulous style. I have been there many times and would go back happily. Here are my favorite things to do.

1. Picasso Museo is excellent.

2. Visit the indoor Market Place.

3. Stroll on Las Ramblas. Be careful to avoid pickpockets. I happened to me.

4. Eat. Visit a Tapas Bar or restaurant. Catalonian food is superb.

5. Gaudi. Visit the cathedral, park, apartment house all designed by him.

 

I could keep going. Barcelona is delightful. If you get tired, head over to the waterfront for time on the beach or take a boat ride.

[BillC]

We have been very pleased with the "free" walking tour provided by the Sandeman organization in many European cities, including Barcelona. They occur daily and you can either register online, or just show up. The guides are very knowledgeably and usually very humorous. They work for tips.

 

If you are going to the Gaudi cathedral I recommend that you sign up for the escorted tours, which have a reasonable charge, but guarantees a very insightful experience, and not having to wait on a long line for admission.

[Maverine]

My selection is

Sagrada Familia

Park Guell

Ramblas

La Bouqueria

Barrio gotic

 

and try some tapas.

[chromered7]

The cable ride over the marina is fantastic. Castelle des tres Dragons. The beach.

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Forums mobile app

[Lottie A]

So many things to do and see in wonderful Barcelona. Could not possibly choose just five. I won't repeat the other recommendations except for the No 1 Barcelona attraction of :-

 

1. Gaudi's Sagrada Familia. I was there in January with a friend who had never been there before. She was absolutely blown away by it. I have watched it develop since my first visit to Barcelona aged 8, followed by about 60 more visits to Barcelona over the years and it has been a miraculous transformation. Nearly finished now of course, maybe another 15/20 years to complete the extra towers.

 

2. Gaudi's houses of Casa Batllo and La Pedrera. Just amazing.

 

3. Barconoleta beach. Stroll along, admire the scenery....some area's of the beach are clothing optional! :) Have a drink in a beach bar.

 

4. Have lunch and Sangria in Placa Major, just off The Ramblas. Watch the street artists but beware of pickpockets.

 

5. Maybe attend a performance at Liceu Theatre...not as expensive as you might think and a great experience.

 

6. Shop in Passeig Gracia....great shops.

 

7. Have tapas in Cerveceria Comtal at the bottom of Ramblas Catalunya....note though that this is not "The Ramblas"and be prepared to queue, it's very popular with the locals and just a great tapas place. A bit further up Ramblas Catalunya is Catchitos Restaurant, amazing decor, great Paella and seafood.

 

8. If you like football (soccer if your American) then a visit to Noucamp Stadium where Barcelona play, is a great day out. If you can see a match then you are in for a highlight as football in Barcelona is an almost religious experience! :D

 

9. Have a cocktail at The Hotel Arts. Very classy.

 

10. The fountains at Montjuic are very impressive, particularly when floodlit at night.

 

I have many more recommendations as Barcelona is like my second home, but I'll stop now.

[tv24]

This past fall we were lucky to spend 6 weeks in an apartment in Barcelona before boarding the AZ Journey. It was terrific and we were never ever bored.

 

For newbies and those with only one or two days, the hop-on-hop-off buses offer a great orientation and a tour of all of the interesting parts of town.

 

Attend a concert at the Palau de la Musica Catalana, the Modernista (art deco) masterpiece. It's the most beautiful theater I've ever experienced.

 

Eating and Drinking: There are restaurants, cafes, and bars everywhere you look. Many have exquisite interiors. The cuisine of the world is available, if you tire of Catalan. Since we are from the ridiculously-expensive San Francisco area, we found the good life in Barcelona to be very affordable.

 

Barcelona is loaded with museums. Our favorite is the Museu Nacional d'Art de Cataluyna on Mount Juic above the fountains. A gorgeous noble building full of Catalan art from ancient times to the present. We spent 2 full days there. It's free for seniors.

 

I had great fun on self-guided walking tours of Modernista (art deco) architecture, mostly in the Eixample neighborhood.

 

A bit off the beaten path, we loved dining and strolling in the Gracia neighborhood.

 

Our visit was a magical time, followed by some magic on the Journey as we sailed back to the States.

[Grandma Cruising]

Sagrada Familia, Park Guel, Blue tram to Tibidabo, cable car over the marina, eat tapas in the gothic quarter.

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Forums mobile app

[Sanatee]

All the above are great suggestions. But I would also include Montserrat Monastery in the hills above Barcelona, only about an hour outside of the city. Very beautiful and meaningful site.

[nordski]

All the above are great suggestions. But I would also include Montserrat Monastery in the hills above Barcelona, only about an hour outside of the city. Very beautiful and meaningful site.

 

 

Agree. A remarkable institution in an impressive setting. Plus lots of opportunities to observe the locals as they sightsee and exercise.

[paremata2]

Besides all the wonderful things already mentioned, we also loved the Joan Miro Museum / Art Gallery.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums mobile app

[chipbutty]

And if you have exhausted all the excellent ideas already mentioned and have a couple of spare days left.....

 

....a visit by train to Sitges and Tarragona will reward you with two very interesting and walkable small towns, both with history and beaches.

[BBMacLaird]

And if you have exhausted all the excellent ideas already mentioned and have a couple of spare days left.....

 

....a visit by train to Sitges and Tarragona will reward you with two very interesting and walkable small towns, both with history and beaches.

 

I'm not familiar with either town. Thanks for the idea :)

[cheznick]

Don't forget the famous Camp Nou - home of Barcelona FC.