Ah, Barcelona. It’s such a bustling, beautiful city. We spent just over a day there before getting our Europe cruise, and I’m so glad we did. It is the kind of city that just mesmerizes you. Here are a few things to do if you’re planning a trip.
Transportation:
We ended up buying tickets on the Hop-On Hop-Off bus tour, and it was an awesome way to see the city. Tickets run for around $36 and include a whole day pass. The tour has stops at all the major city tourist attractions. Your tickets also come with headphones that you can plug in to hear a commentary in your chosen language.
You can also rent bikes for a few hours or for the day. This sounded a bit scary to us as we weren’t familiar with the city streets and thought navigating while biking might be a bit hard.
Then, of course, you can always take a cab around. This is a more pricey option, but it is sometimes necessary if you have a ways to go or have luggage with you.
Places To See:
Sagrada Familia
This is perhaps the most famous structure in Barcelona. It’s a church designed by the architect Gaudi. It was never finished and is still being worked on.
Casa Mila
Casa Mila is another Gaudi building. You can go on the roof and the views are to die for. Inside there are lots of Gaudi exhibits. We decided to do this last minute, and it was a cool experience.
Temple Expiatori del Sagrat Cor
This was another favorite of ours! It is a church that is on the summit of Mount Tibidabo. It overlooks the city, and you feel like you’re in the clouds. The structure is very unique with a crypt on the bottom and a neo-Gothic church on top.
Gothic Quarter
This is in the center of the old city and is full of unique Gothic buildings. It also includes the Roman and Medieval walls.
Beach
The Barcelona beaches are incredibly beautiful, but also can be a bit crowded and even dangerous. Never leave your personal items unattended on the beach, many people get things stolen!
Places To Stay:
There are so many lovely and affordable hotels in Barcelona. It can be a good idea to pick one in an area that you know you would like to spend a lot of time in. There are lots of hotels near the beach in Vila Olimpica, and there are hotels near the touristy city center in La Rambla. You can also choose from lots of Airbnbs and home rentals if you are looking to live like the locals.
Watch my vlog of our trip here:
