Barcelona Travel Guide
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Top Attractions
Cheap Flying Tips
Where to Stay
Things to Do
Your Guide to Barcelona
If you are searching for your next vacation spot or your very first vacation spot that is filled with history and beautiful architecture, Barcelona is the perfect spot for you. Barcelona has something for everyone, from attractions to amazing bars and restaurants and even some fantastic experiences.
Barcelona is the second-largest city in Spain, located on the coast of northeastern Spain. It is also the capital and largest city of the four Catalonia provinces. Barcelona was first founded in the late first century BC by the Romans.
With Barcelona containing over 2,000 years of history, there is no shortage of things to do and see. One thing to remember though is, there are expert pickpocketers in Barcelona, so it is important to keep your belongings very close.
Top Attractions in Barcelona
A good majority of the people that vacation in Barcelona go there to view the stunning architecture. Of course, there are a ton of architectural sites in Barcelona, but we only have time to go through the top three.
Basílica de la Sagrada Família
When visiting Barcelona, it would be a shame not to visit the Basílica de la Sagrada Família. With its historical significance and it being Antoni Gaudí’s most famous piece of work, you will not want to miss out on seeing this stunning piece of history and architecture. Here is just a little bit of history on the Basílica de la Sagrada Família:
- The Basílica de la Sagrada Família (Basilica of the Holy Family), also known as the Sagrada Família, is a large unfinished Roman Catholic minor basilica.
- This basilica was designed by the famous Catalan architect Antoni Gaudí.
- Construction on this basilica began on March 19th, 1882, by a man named Francisco de Paula del Villar. After only one year, Villar resigned, and Gaudí took over the project as chief architect.
Barri Gòtic
The Barri Gòtic is another top spot for people visiting Barcelona due to its cultural significance. When strolling through the labyrinth of streets in the Barri Gòtic, be sure to really take in your surroundings. Here is a little history on the Barri Gòtic:
- The Barri Gòtic, otherwise known as the Gothic Quarter, is the oldest part of Barcelona.
- The Gothic Quarter is located between La Rambla and Via Laietana, and it is part of Ciutat Vella or the old city district.
- The Gothic Quarter is home to several medieval landmarks and the remains of the city’s Roman wall.
Castell de Montjuïc
If you are interested in visiting old military fortresses, Castell de Montjuïc is definitely the right place to go.
With Castell de Montjuïc being filled with history dating all the way back to the 11th century, you would not want to miss seeing this beautiful piece of history. Here are some historical facts on the Castell de Montjuïc:
- The Castell de Montjuïc, also known as Montjuïc Castle, started out as a single watchtower, then many years later, walls were put up around it in defense against the Spanish.
- The foundation stone for Montjuïc Castle was built on top of Montjuïc hill in Barcelona in 1640. In 1694 the fortress became a castle, but by 1705, the fortress was captured by the British.
- The old fortress was demolished in 1751, and a new castle was built in its place between 1779 and 1799.
The Experience Flying into Barcelona Airports
Flying into Barcelona is pretty straightforward since there is technically only one airport in the metropolitan area of Barcelona. There are two other major airports near Barcelona, but they are about 60 miles away.
Top 3 Tips to Fly Cheap to Barcelona
If you are looking to save some money when you fly to Barcelona, just use one of these three easy tips:
1. Look cheapest option
Search different flight dates and times until you find the cheapest option.
2. low-cost airline
Fly into or near Barcelona with a low-cost airline.
3. Buy two one-way
Buy two one-way tickets instead of one round-trip ticket.
Popular Areas of the City to Stay
There are so many great areas to stay in Barcelona ranging from luxury places to budget-friendly places suitable for everyone.
Gothic Quarter
- The Gothic Quarter is the perfect area to go if you are visiting Barcelona for the first time.
- If you choose to stay in this area of Barcelona, you would be close to shops, museums, and the most famous food hall, La Boqueria Market.
La Barceloneta
- If you plan to go on vacation to Barcelona with your family, La Barceloneta is the ideal area.
- This area is also great if you love to spend time at the beach since it is super close to the coastline.
Eixample
- If you prefer to stay in a more luxurious area, Eixample is perfect for you.
- This is a newer area, and it is super close to some of Antoni Gaudí’s famous masterpieces.
- Eixample is less crowded than most other areas of Barcelona.
El Raval
- If you would like to stay in a budget-friendly and colorful area, El Raval is for you.
- This area is within walking distance to a lot of the city’s main attractions.
Popular Hotels in those areas
These hotel prices are based on the cost of a room for two adults, besides the hotels in La Barceloneta, those will be for two adults and two children.
Gothic Quarter
- The cost to stay here is about $139 per night.
- Located very close to the Ramblas and the Sagrada Família.
- This hotel has a rooftop terrace with two pools and a bar.
- The cost to stay here is about $67 per night.
- Located very close to the Picasso Museum.
- This hotel has a rooftop pool.
La Barceloneta
Reminder: prices for these two hotels is for two adults and two children.
- The cost to stay here is about $529 per night.
- Located very close to Barceloneta Beach.
- This hotel overlooks Barceloneta Beach and Barcelona’s city center.
- The cost to stay here is about $134 per night.
- Located very close to Barceloneta Beach.
- This hotel has a terrace that overlooks the port.
Eixample
- The cost to stay here is about $254 per night.
- Located very close to Gaudí’s La Pedrera and Paseo de Gracia shopping Boulevard.
- This hotel has a rooftop pool and a sundeck.
- The cost to stay here is about $92 per night.
- Located very close to Paseo de Gracia Avenue.
- This hotel has a rooftop terrace with a bar and a pool.
El Raval
- The cost to stay here is about $92 per night.
- Located close to an art gallery and the Boqueria Market.
- This hotel has a gym and a rooftop terrace with a pool.
- The cost to stay here is about $71 per night.
- Located very close to Las Ramblas.
- This hotel has a rooftop terrace with a pool.
Popular Airbnb Places in Those Areas
Gothic Quarter
- $76 per night.
- Entire apartment.
- $40 per night.
- Private room in an apartment.
La Barceloneta
Reminder: prices for these two hotels is for two adults and two children.
- $196 per night.
- Entire apartment.
- $155 per night.
- Entire apartment.
Eixample
- $156 per night.
- Entire apartment.
- $70 per night.
- Private room.
El Raval
- $70 per night.
- Private room in an apartment.
- $55 per night.
- Private room in an apartment.
Top 4 Things to do in Barcelona
Barcelona has no shortage of activities. The idea of picking the must-sees and must-dos is kind of overwhelming. Here are our four favorites.
Visit Park Güell
As one of Barcelona’s most famous landmarks, Park Güell had to be number one of the top four things to do in Barcelona.
- Park Güell is another of Gaudí’s designs and is located on the outskirts of Barcelona.
- Gaudí directed and constructed this park from 1900 to 1914.
- Park Güell is a very unique place that every traveler should see at least once.
Visit Las Ramblas
If you like to shop and or go out and about at night, then Las Ramblas is the perfect place for you to be.
- Las Ramblas is a collection of streets that are home to many great places to eat, drink, and explore.
- Almost all of Las Ramblas is pedestrianized, but there are two one-way roads where cars can pass through.
Visit the Picasso Museum
If you love going to museums to admire all sorts of amazing artwork, then you should definitely visit the Picasso museum.
- The Picasso museum is one of Barcelona’s most popular museums containing more than 4,000 pieces of Picasso’s works.
- This museum opened on March 9th, 1963, and became the first museum dedicated to Picasso’s works.
Visit Barceloneta Beach
When visiting Barcelona, you might want to take a swim in the sea to cool off, or maybe just relax on the beach to work on your tan.
- Some of the best seafood restaurants and bars are located just off Barceloneta beach.
- Barceloneta beach is the closest beach to the city center, and here you can play volleyball, ping-pong, and two different types of tennis.
Coolest Airbnb Experiences in Barcelona
There are lots of amazing Airbnb experiences in Barcelona, but we will only be going through a few of the best and coolest ones.
- During this cooking class, you will meet one of the cooks at the market, where the cook will go through the history of the food and buy the ingredients you will use in your paella.
- After sharing some tapas, the cook will teach you the proper techniques on how to prepare paella.
- Last of all, you will go through a Sangria class, after the class you can enjoy your paella with a Sangria.
- The price of this experience is $79 per person.
- Before you begin cycling to the organic vineyard, you will stop at a local bakery to buy food for a lunchtime picnic.
- On the way to the organic vineyard, you will admire the stunning views of the Mediterranean and the Alps.
- Once you arrive at the organic vineyard, you will get a tour of the winemaking facilities, and you will get to sample some of the wines, then you will sit down for a picnic under a fig tree.
- The price of this experience is $94 per person.
Final Thoughts
Barcelona is such a diverse and unique city that everyone should get to experience it at least once in their lifetime. If you do choose to plan your next vacation in Barcelona, you will surely not be disappointed.
