During our month in Spain we visited Barcelona nine times and still feel there’s more to see. If you go:
Enjoy the Ramblas every chance you get. It was the starting point of every visit and we never tired of it. It’s also a great way to orient yourself after touring the side streets.
Embrace the local foods. Water is safe; restaurants are clean and organized. Some food recommendations:
Breakfast: Most patisseries serve melindros enjoy them with hot chocolate and fresh orange juice. If you come across a churroria stop in for fresh hot churros, hot chocolate and juice.
Lunch: Go to a charcuterie for jamon and chorizo and a variety of cheeses. Order bread with tomato and a glass of cava or sangria. Eat in or have it wrapped and enjoy on a park bench or your air conditioned hotel room.
Dinner: Any lively tapas restaurant. If you don’t speak the language sit at the bar and point at what you want. There are so many different tapas the menus are confusing. We also really loved the pizza.
Wood Fired Pizza
Go to a flamenco show. Tarantos on Plaça Reial just off the Ramblas has a nightly 30 minute show. The box office opens at 8pm for the first show at 8:30. It’s a small venue so all the seats are great and only 7 Euros pp. I went three times and every show was different.
Tarantos
See every Gaudi building you can. If you only see one go to the Sagrada Familia. Only two? Park Guell.
Walk. Get a map from your hotel and wander. You’ll discover Barcelona on your own terms. Buy a fan on the Ramblas. It will be a nice souvenir and you’ll use it. The lines for attractions are long and rarely shaded.
Adjust to the later hours. It’s much cooler at night and you’ll be able to enjoy shopping until 9pm and dining until midnight. The heat in the middle of the day can be unbearable and we embraced siesta (as do many shopkeepers) this is however a good time to visit the busiest sights to avoid long lines.
If you go or if you’ve gone let me know what you enjoyed. Barcelona is a gorgeous city full of history and culture and I’m already planning my next trip.
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2 comments:
Barcelona isn’t just about architecture; shopping and entertainment also figure prominently. Las Ramblas contains market stalls and street entertainers. A fun area in which to spend a day, it’s also known to have its share of pick pockets, so hold your wallet or handbag closely.
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My husband and I were delighted with our guide. She was very knowledgeable and passionate about the cultural destinations in Barcelona. We visited the Sagrada Familia, Park Guell, and the Barri Gotic all in one day www.privatetoursinistanbul.com but it never felt overwhelming as she paced us well and took breaks as we needed (what with me being 7 months pregnant!) Her English was excellent and she always took the time to answer any whimsical questions about Catalan language, life, and whatnot that crossed our minds. A must if you want to experience Barcelona in the most in-depth way possible!
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