This is one of my favorite cities! I lived here for almost a year while in a student exchange program. I know the city pretty well. I recently got the chance to go back after over 2 years since leaving and I wanted to share some of my favorite places to go:) If you are traveling to this city, I hope this post helps you plan your trip!
Useful Apps
- Duolingo: I highly recommend using Duolingo at least 15 minutes a day for Spanish and Catalan. You will see a lot of Catalan in Barcelona, more so than Spanish. It will be useful to be as familiar with both languages if possible!
- Spanishdict: This app can be used offline. It conjugates verbs in all tenses and translates entire phrases or single words.
- Converter plus: If you’re not from a country that uses the euro and/or metric system, this is a great app.
- Google maps: Make sure you have the public transport features downloaded and turned on so that you can see the metro, bus and train options.
- TMB App: This is the official public transport app in Barcelona.
- Mobile Passport (for U.S. citizens) This makes returning to the U.S. easier.
common Phrases You Will Hear:
No Pasa Nada – Don’t worry
Vale – okay
Pasa – Go/Pass
Cuidado – Be Careful
Seguro – I’m sure
Pardon/disculpe – Excuse me
Cuanto Cuesta? – How much does it cost?
Los Baños/los servicios – The Bathrooms
Ocupado/Libre – Busy/Free
La Cuenta – The bill
Para Comer/Para Llevar – to dine in/to take away (to go)
where to go & what to see while in barcelona
The lines for some these museums and attractions that require tickets can be very long. Buy them online before you arrive. There are discounts you may qualify for that can save you a few extra euros (EU student, Senior, a citizen of Spain Etc.). I will put an “*” by the names of attractions I suggest you buy tickets in advance for. The hop on hop off red and blue touristic buses will take you to almost all of the below locations. If you choose to take the bus, I suggest getting the 2-day ticket and waking up really early both days so you can fit it all in.
- *La Sagrada Familia – This is a must-see and will have a long line on most days. The best place to take a picture of it is from behind the small pond in front of it.
- Barri de Gràcia – Cute district to have a stroll in
- *Parc Güell – An Antoni Gaudí Gem
- Passeig de Gràcia – This is one of the prettiest streets in the city. It’s very long and is lined with shops and restaurants. The street runs between Avenida Diagonal & Plaça de Catalunya. The tourist spots to note here are:
- *Casa Batlló
- *La Pedrera
- El Nacional – This is a relatively new spot. It’s sort of a Cafeteria filled with stations and restaurants to eat and drink. If you’ve ever been to Eatly, its very similar to that style of restaurant. The bathroom is really pretty and a true “selfie gem spot”. I know some of the people reading this would love to take a picture in it!
- Magic Fountain of Montjuic – Find out the times that the fountain music show is playing to plan accordingly.
- *National Art Museum of Catalunya – I suggest getting off at Placa Espanya and walking from there up to the Fountain of Montjuïc because the entrance leading up to it is beautiful. Also, in Placa Espanya, there is a round-shaped building that is now a mall, but it used to be a bullfighting stadium (bullfighting is illegal now in Barcelona). It stands out so you can’t miss it if you are in Placa Espanya. Other places you might want to check out while you’re here are:
- Joan Miró Foundation – there are some really beautiful views from there
- Montjuïc Castle – Get there using the Teleférico de Montjuic
- Poble Espanyol
- The Olympic Stadium
- The Magic Fountain of Montjuïc Music & Light Show – This is located in front of the national museum of Catalunya. The Fountain only plays the show on certain days/times depending on the time of year. So make sure you google it before planning the trip. It’s one of my favorite things about Montjuïc and it’s free so I highly suggest it. You might want to show up earlier than it starts, to get a good spot to sit.
- Via Laietana (Ciutat Vella District) -This is an avenue that starts at Plaça Urquinaona to Plaça d’Antonio López, by the seafront. It separates neighborhoods of La Ribera/El Born and Barri Gotic. If you get off of the “Plaça Urquinaona” metro stop, you can walk from there all the way to the beach. Along the way, there are shops, restaurants (my favorite Rosa Negra Restaurant mentioned later), and more.
- La Ribera/El Born
- Barri Gotic (Gothic Quarter) – This is a gorgeous place to just stroll and soak in the pretty Spanish streets. There are tons of shops and places to eat. Special places to look for here:
- Carrer del Bisbe – look for the Neo-Gothic Bridge on this street.
- Catedral de Barcelona
- Plaça Reial – a lot of Instagram bloggers take pictures here
- Plaça del Pi – one of the most historic square in Barcelona
- Las Ramblas – Although scenic and beautiful, Las Ramblas is notorious for pickpocketing. Always be aware of your belongings and surroundings here. Special Spots in this area:
- Mercat de Sant Josep – La Boqueria
- La Barceloneta (the beach)
- Port Olympic – there are a ton of restaurants here. There are also a lot of sailboats just parked on the dock and it’s really pretty.
- Arc de Triomf
- Parc de la Ciutadella – Located near to the Arc de Triumph
- Parque Del Laberinto De Horta – this isn’t a popular one with tourists, but I love it!
- Camp Nou – This is the Futbol Club Barcelona Stadium (“Soccer” for Americans). If you want to see a game, make sure you check to see if you’ll be in Barcelona while they’re playing! Drinking alcoholic beverages in the stadium isn’t permitted.
- Montserrat Monastery- This is where those “Instagram famous” blocks (click here for a picture) overlooking the mountains that everyone takes pictures of themselves standing on top of are located. It will be a day trip so allow yourself the time, but it’s worth it because it’s stunning. Once you get there you take a cable car up to Montserrat that is about 10 minutes. There is a beautiful cathedral at the top (definitely go inside if you can), little restaurants, touristic shops, and beautiful views and hiking pathways. Definitely, wear sneakers. If you are not comfortable with using the metro, I suggest looking into a tourist company to go with. If you’re on a budget, the trip will be much cheaper using public transport.
- Tibidabo – This is another half day trip. It’s located on top of the mountains. There is an amusement park on top and a beautiful Cathedral as well as a gorgeous view of the city!
- Bunker Del Carmel – another nice view
- El Nacional – This is a relatively new spot being only a few years old. It’s sort of a Cafeteria filled with stations and restaurants to eat and drink. The bathroom is really pretty and a true “selfie gem spot”. I know some of the people on here would love to take a picture in it! (See below picture)
extra things to do while visiting barcelona
Maybe you’ve already done all the above stuff or this isn’t you’re first time in Barcelona. Here’s some extra suggestions!
- Sitges – a small beach town outside of BCN
- Costa Brava – another beach town
- Cooking Classes: I didn’t do any while I was there, but I wish I would have. There are companies that teach you how to make things like sangria, tapas, and paella that I really would have loved. I suggest you look into it if it’s something that interests you!! Who wouldn’t want to learn how to make these delicious Spanish dishes?
where to stay in barcelona
Since I lived in an apartment in Barcelona during my exchange program, I didn’t sleep in many hotels. The list below contains hotels that I have slept in on my returning trip and ones I have personally been in (from visiting friends or family staying in them). These places are expensive, but I don’t want to recommend places that I haven’t stayed in or have friends/family who stayed in them (where I physically went to and saw their rooms). I put astriks* near the hotels I did stay in.
- Hotel Arts Barcelona* – I have personally stayed here and loved it
- W Hotel – I have been here many times and had friends and family who have stayed here. I went to their rooms.
- Mandarin Oriental – my family members have stayed here and I have personally been to and seen their rooms. Its a gorgeous hotel with impeccable customer service
- Hotel Conde – I stayed here with my family while they visited me. It a reasonably priced hotel with great service, clean rooms, in a safe area, and nice kept common areas.
- Royal – I also stayed here with my family while they visited me(they moved hotels). It is also a reasonably priced hotel with great service, clean rooms, in a safe area, and nice kept common areas.
where to shop in barcelona
The official currency in Spain is the Euro. When paying with a credit card from the US, you will most likely be asked if you would like the bank to charge you in Euro or USD. Consult your bank to decide which currency is best to pay in.
- Passeig De Gracia
- Placa Espanya
- El Corte Ingles: This is a department store similar to a Macy’s
- Rambla de Catalunya
- Placa Catalunya
- Barri de Gracia
- Gothic Quarter
- El Born
- L’illa Diagonal
- La Roca Village
There you have it: My BCN guide! Do you have any recommendations for me to add to this guide? Let me know in the comments below! Stay safe and well! ♥
xo,
City & Chic
