The beautiful coastal city Barcelona in eastern Spain invites you to indulge in everything from delicious food to stunning attractions like the amazing Sagrada Familia. Barcelona has a lot to offer, and I highly recommend planning a visit. One thing to note, however, is that the city has become very crowded, and tourists like me are everywhere. Here are my best ideas on how to spend a weekend in the city and also experience it from a less touristy side.
First, Barcelona is About History
Barcelona boasts a rich history, shaped by centuries of shifting power and conflict. Did you know that Barcelona was founded by the Romans at the end of the 1st century BC? After invading the area and initially settling on Montjuïc, they established the city on Mount Taber, where Plaça de Sant Jaume is located today. A wall was built around the city, which remnants still can be seen today, for example Carrer Llibreteria, which begins at Plaça de l’Àngel.
After the Romans, Barcelona went through different dominations, including the Visigoths and Muslims. During the Middle Ages, the city experienced a revival, becoming an important political and economic center. The Gothic Quarter stands as a testament to this period, spanning the 13th to the 15th centuries. Today, Barcelona is a multicultural, modern city with a population of 1.7 million within the city limits (2024), and one in four are foreign nationals.
From Gothic to Art Noveau: a cultural Hub
What I love most about Barcelona is the prefect mix of everything. This is probably why so many tourists visit this stunning city! Firstly, the food is fantastic. Secondly, the vibrant city life, combined with the old, medieval buildings and Gaudí’s impressive Sagrada Familia, makes this to a city you´ll love. Did I mention the beach? In the summertime, it’s wonderful to sit outside at one of the restaurants overlooking the ocean, while sipping a refreshing drink or enjoying a nice paella for lunch. While the water might not be the cleanest for a swim, the beach life is more than enough to soak up the sun and enjoy the coastal vibes.
Must-see attractions
1. Sagrada Familia
2. Park Güell
3. Picasso Museum
4. Casa Batlló and La Pedrera buildings (located close)
5. Montjuïc Hill by cable car
Key Areas To Explore
Central Barcelona has some great quarters, ready to explore and making it easier to navigate the city. Here you can find interactive maps. Starting with the bustling La Rambla, the central street, you will find some of the areas on either side, such as the Barri Gotic and El Raval.
Barri Gòtic: This is the famous Gothic Quarter, known for it´s medieval buildings and charming squares. Visit the stunning Barcelona Cathedral and Plaça de Sant Jaume. Along the way, stop at one of the many cozy cafés or restaurants.
Eixample: Famous for its wide streets, grid layout and modernist architecture, including works by Antoni Gaudí. In this area you have to visit Casa Batlló, La Pedrera (Casa Milà), and the amazing church Sagrada Família. Remember to book well in advance, at least 3-4 weeks ahead, as tickets sell out quickly (and our trip was in October!). Don´t get scamed, by them on their website sagradafamilia.org. Bonus tip! Checkout some of the rooftop bars in this neighbourhood.
El Raval: A multicultural neighborhood with a vibrant nightlife, art galleries, and trendy boutiques. As it starts next to La Rambla, it also can be quite touristy and at night, it doesn’t feel safe in some of the streets. Personally, I didn’t feel that El Raval had a unique identity.
Poble Sec: Residential area located between Montjuïc mountain and the Avinguda del Paral·lel, with a variety of bars and restaurants. Here, visit the pretty street Carrer de Blai, where pintxos restaurants line up. Start to have some tapas at one and move on to the next, they’re some of the best in town!
Gràcia: Was as once an independent village before becoming part of the city, and it still retains its village-like residential feel, and bohemian vibe with lively plazas and independent boutiques. In this neighbourhood the stunning Park Güell is located, tickets need to be purchased in advance.
El Born: One of the most charming neighbourhoods, with the beauty of Barri Gotic but less touristy. Here, you’ll find the Picasso Museum, and a must-visit is Passeig del Born, a small street lined with trees and many cozy cafes, restaurants and bars. This area has a more contemporary feel and offers a cool hangout with a local vibe.
Barceloneta: This is the beach area, one of the most popular areas in the city, with a nice beachfront promenade, marina and Barcelona Aquarium. Why not taking the cable car to Miramar gardens and get stunning views over the city.
Where To Stay And Getting Around
There are plenty of hotels in Barcelona, and I recommend to choose the area based on what you want to explore. For us, we wanted to be close to a central hub, making it easy to get around. We selected the Catalonia Ramblas hotel, a four-star hotel just a stone’s throw from Plaça de Catalunya, a large square at the northern end of La Rambla. From here, you have access to all public transportation. The metro is really the best way to get around. The airport bus and trains stops here too.
Regarding the tourist cards, I wouldn’t recommend them as they’re quite expensive, especially for longer stays. You will want to walk anyway, and the 10 trip T-casual card, purchased from machines before entering the metro station, is much cheaper.
Another reason for our choice was shopping. Passeig de Gràcia, the famous boulevard with high-end brands and major stores like Zara, starts in the northern corner of Plaça de Catalunya. Don’t miss the beautiful dome inside the Zara store at Plaça de Catalunya! The square is also home to El Corte Inglés, Spain’s most famous department store.
My PERSONAL tOP THREE Picks
- Visit to The Arc de Triomf, a triumphal arch built in 1888 as the entrance to the World´s Fair, and then walk in El Born and the Gothic Quarter all the way to La Rambla. Beautiful narrow streets, charming small restaurants and bars along the way.
- The delicious tapas in Barcelona are called pintxos, are served in self-service restaurants featuring impressive buffets. It’s cute with the skewer sticks in different colours, to keep track of your order and calculate the bill. Check out Carrer de Blai or the El Born district for a wide variety of restaurants.
- Parc Güell is a whimsical, expansive garden with many fascinating sections and mosiac artworks. This park won over the Sagrada Familia, because of its stunning views over the city. Why is this not possible from the church towers? The windows are very small, and there are no ways to go outside to get the same view!
