BARCELONA
Discovering Barcelona: Things to See and Do
What you have to see in Barcelona in 3 days
Published on 29th June 2024
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Perched above the Mediterranean Sea in Catalonia, Spain, Barcelona is a popular city known for its vibrant vibe, delicious food, and its status as a stylish hub for culture, fashion, and art.
It's a city with broad tree-lined streets, historic buildings, and modernist structures that catch your eye.
Barcelona wouldn't be the same without the talent of Antoni Gaudì. Since he came to the city in 1869 to study architecture, he has added his modernist touch to the city, creating a unique identity with his unmistakable style.
Strolling through the streets of Barcelona is like diving into a city that's always bustling, with friendly locals and tourists armed with maps and cameras, enjoying the pleasant weather, laid-back vibe, and friendly faces.
1 - The Cathedral
Barcelona's Cathedral
Crucial for this journey
In the heart of the old town, the Santa Croce and Sant'Eulalia Cathedral features Gothic architecture with grand, ornate fronts and tall spires reaching up to the sky.
Buy a ticket to explore inside and go up to the rooftop panoramic terrace for a 360° view of the city.
2 - The Old Town
Around the Cathedral, there are many paved streets, mostly for pedestrians, spreading out in all directions. Newer buildings lean against old stone ones, creating a mix of ocher colors.
The old town, Ciutat Vella, is a web of streets that lead to the Barri Gotic, the Gothic Quarter, and El Born.
The streets are full of shops, clubs and cocktail bars full of bottles lined up without labels offering drinks made almost entirely from homemade ingredients.
And also characteristic cafés where you can sit and observe the passage of groups of tourists and lucky locals who live among this aesthetic richness all year round.
The Monumental at Plaza de Toros is now a Bullfighting Museum.
Heading to the Sagrada Familia, you will pass by La Monumental, the former arena for bullfights until recently.
The first time I visited Barcelona was in the 90s. I remember sitting inside the arena, watching a harsh bullfight between bulls and bullfighters in an unfair match, which is thankfully no longer permitted today.
The location is now the Bullfighting Museum where people can discover proof of this violent show.
3 - Sagrada Familia
The exterior of the Sagrada Familia
The building of the Sagrada Familia basilica, Antoni Gaudì's most famous creation, started in 1882 and has faced obstacles like wars, economic and political crises, insufficient funds, and most recently, Covid.
But it looks like it's almost finished.
The completion of the project is scheduled by 2026, marking the 100th anniversary of the creator's passing, who left the project unfinished.
Currently, the Basilica, safeguarded by UNESCO since 1984, is the biggest incomplete church in the world and has turned into the city's symbol.
It's an impressive building with a blend of styles, featuring Gothic elements, precise details, and towering spires that soar 172 meters high, a landmark in the city's skyline.
Gaudì aimed to depict all moments of Jesus Christ's life, from the Nativity to the Passion, excellently portrayed on its facades.
The 18 towers planned in the project symbolize the 12 apostles, the 4 evangelists, the Virgin Mary, and Jesus.
The lovely features of the frontage
It’s a must-see for anyone visiting the city! Take a moment to admire it from a distance, appreciate its intricate details full of meaning, and make sure to explore the inside by booking your ticket in advance to skip the long line that awaits you.
Walk slowly down the aisles and look up along the row of tall pillars.
Inspired by nature's shapes, Gaudì envisioned them to be slim and resembling huge trees that spread out like a fan with intricate details. The light shines through the stained glass windows, forming rays of light and a colorful kaleidoscope.
Visit his grave in one of the four chapels of the crypt where the architect was laid to rest after a tragic accident.
Now his body rests in his most significant creation, the endless project he dedicated forty years to but never saw finished.
4 - La Pedrera - Casa Milà
The exterior of Casa Milà
The facade decorations of Casa Milà
In 1906, Mr. Perè Milà, a wealthy bourgeois, asked the architect Antoni Gaudì to build a new home for him and his new wife on one of Barcelona's main streets, Passeig de Gracia.
Throughout the construction process, which continued until 1912, Gaudì made changes to the plan multiple times, disregarded city planning regulations, and found himself in court due to disagreements with Milà over his very high fee.
The indoor stairs of Casa Milà
After being rented and passed through different owners, Casa Milà was left empty until 1996 when it was restored and turned into a cultural hub for the city.
When you see it, it looks like a big rock, reminding of the massifs of Catalonia, where the rooms of the house have been formed following the natural shapes of a stone molded by rain and wind.
The windows seem like caves, and the parapets resemble tree branches frozen in wrought iron.
The edges are smooth, and the structure takes shape in curved lines inspired by Gaudì's belief that "the straight line belongs to people, while the curved line belongs to God."
Head up to the roof, one of the most captivating areas of the house, where his vivid imagination has created the gentle forms of grids, walkways, and about thirty chimneys.
Search for the strangest chimney, and you'll discover a heart and a tear etched on it.
Gaudi's heart faces his beloved hometown Reus, while his tear points towards the Sagrada Familia, his unfinished work.
5 - Casa Batllò
When exploring Gaudi's Barcelona, make sure to visit Casa Batllò, the private home open to the public that now hosts 1 million visitors annually.
Antoni Gaudì renovated it for the Batllò family between 1904 and 1906, transforming its look and interior spaces into a modern-day home rather than one from the early 1900s.
The front of Casa Battlò with balconies shaped like masks
It's situated at number 43 on Paseo de Gracia, next to other buildings renovated in a modernist style by architects from that era as part of an urban renewal project.
The street, now lined with buildings that appear to be from a different world, was once called "the block of discord."
The turret detail on the roof has a cross marking the 4 cardinal points.
Its exterior is a hymn celebrating happiness and joy.
Gaudì mixed stone, glass, and ceramic on the wavy surface, letting his creativity flow like a painter on a canvas, without sticking to plans as he usually did.
The curved lines feature a mix of basic shapes, decorative ceramic pieces, and colored glass, all illuminated by natural light.
The roof tiles look like a dragon's skin, possibly to remember the legend of Saint George, the patron saint of Catalonia, who defeated the creature to rescue the princess and the villagers.
Salvador Dalì viewed its wavy shapes as the waves of a peaceful ocean; while to some, it brings to mind Monet's Nymphs' aquatic scenery.
Gaudì never clarified his work, leaving a house full of symbols for everyone to interpret freely.
6 - La Rambla
The famous street in Barcelona is La Rambla.
It's the most famous street, actually, the most famous streets of Barcelona because it's actually 6 tree-lined avenues that go one after the other from Plaza de Catalunya to the statue of Christopher Columbus, one of the dearest monuments to its residents.
Busy all day and night, it embodies the heart of the city.
It's a great spot to hear his voice, or rather, the chatter of people passing by living statues, street vendors peddling trinkets, fortune tellers, flower sellers, and street artists.
It's like taking a trip to a magical land, filled with peculiar characters, some of them so contradictory that you might feel like you've stepped into the pages of a storybook.
The sign at the start of Rambla avenue in Barcelona
The word Rambla comes from the Arabic term ramla, meaning sandy shore. It was named because of the stream that used to flow in this area, where several convents were located.
In the 18th century, a few houses were constructed in the La Boqueria market vicinity, and the urbanization expanded continuously until it transformed into the Rambla we recognize today.
7 - La Boqueria market
The booths at La Boqueria market
If you find yourself on the Rambla, make sure to check out the La Boqueria Market. It's a vibrant market located in a building with modern design elements. Here, you can discover all kinds of food from meats to seafood, high-quality fruits and vegetables, spices, local treats, and dishes from around the world.
The stalls are set up with special attention, and a burst of colors will charm you into adoring the area.
Visited by tourists and locals alike, this market originated on the remains of the Monastery of San Giuseppe, which was transformed in 1840 into a covered market for the farmers from surrounding villages.
Pause to purchase take-away food or savor a snack while seated at one of the numerous tables indoors and soak in its folklore: you'll grasp why this spot holds such significance for the community.
8 - Plaça d'Espanya
Plaça d'Espanya Sight
It's hard to avoid passing through Plaça d'Espanya when you visit Barcelona, for one reason or another.
The square sits right outside the center and marks the meeting point of different main roads of the city. Here, near a multi-lane roundabout, stands a very tall monument honoring the seas. Vehicles continuously loop around it, resembling planets orbiting the sun.
The square was constructed during the Universal Exposition of 1929 and is situated at the base of Montjuic hill, a hill that is accessible by car, on foot, or by cable car, offering a lovely view of Barcelona.
8 - Font Magica of Montjuic
The dazzling display of lights and music at the Magic Fountain
Crucial for this journey
Crucial for this journey
In this lush area known as a city within the city and adored by both locals and visitors, you can discover Montjuic Castle, the stunning Olympic Stadium, the National Art Museum, and the Magic Fountain.
On weekend evenings throughout the year, the beautiful fountain's water dances, forming music and color choreographies, drawing 2.5 million visitors annually.
Climb up the hill and find a spot to watch this totally free show. Remember to switch off your phone and savor the moment.
10 - Park Guell
Parc Guell is located a short distance from the center, on the slopes of Carmel Hill.
Eusebi Guell, a wealthy entrepreneur from Barcelona, decided to create a garden city with a unique style that stood out from the rest of the city and assigned Antoni Gaudì to oversee the project.
His plan didn't work out, and no one ever lived in the area.
However, the park remains one of the most popular and photographed spots in Barcelona, showcasing Gaudi's unique style through curved lines, nature-inspired forms, and a distinctive color palette.
Walking into the park is like entering a magical world where colorful mosaic tiles bring walls to life, columns lean in unusual ways, and whimsical creatures and gingerbread-like houses fill the landscape, reminiscent of a fairy tale by the Brothers Grimm. You could easily spend hours exploring this enchanting place.
Spend some time exploring Antoni Gaudi's home, where the architect lived during his final years, which is now a museum.
Be like me and climb to the top of the panoramic terrace, then enjoy the view over the streets of Barcelona and the Sagrada Familia.
Follow the straight lines of the furrows made by the city's main roads on the buildings until you get to the sea.
From there, you can enjoy the beauty of Barcelona, like a gem basking in the sun.
Barcelona tips and helpful info
Population: 1,620,000 individuals
Best time to visit: all year round. Mediterranean-type weather
Safety: be cautious of pickpockets that a plague for the city. Avoid walking alone after dark.
Check for updates on www.viaggiaresicuri.it
Currency: Euro
Credit cards are widely accepted everywhere.
Entry requirements: valid passport or ID card for traveling overseas
How to dress: Wear comfy clothes and shoes
How to get around : Trains and buses run from the airport to the city center every 30 minutes
Getting around the city is simple with the metro, tram, bus, or hop-on hop-off tourist buses. Taxis are not very costly.
The Barcelona City Card: can be bought online at www.tiqets.com in different packages to get fast-track entry tickets to landmarks and sightseeing bus tickets.
Store and museums working time: 09-13 / 17-20, Monday to Saturday. Museum hours: Tuesday to Sunday, 10 am - 8 pm
Sagrada Familia is open every day until 7pm, Casa Milà is open every day (except Christmas and from 15 to 21 January) until 10pm, Casa Batllò is open every day until 9pm, and Parc Guell is open every day until 6pm (in winter) - 8.30pm.
What to eat: Paella with Sangria, Catalan cod, Tapas, Pa Amb Tomaquet (similar to bruschetta), the sweet Crema Catalana, or Coca focaccia (street food).
The Boqueria market is open from Monday to Saturday from 8 am to 8.30 pm.
Power sockets: 220V round Schuko plug. Remember to bring an adapter
Internet: WiFi is available in most places. You can also use your italian operator
Souvenirs: turron (almond-based dessert), Cava (sparkling wine), Avarcas and Espardenyes (traditional Catalan shoes), and ceramics.
Estimated expenses for a 3-day stay at a 3-star hotel: €600 per person, excluding flights
