Barcelona Travel Guide — nicole sammie wen

Here it is! I have finally compiled a list of things to do, see, and eat in Barcelona, Spain. Having spent 3 months studying abroad in Barcelona, I got the chance to experience so much more of the city than I was able to last time I visited. I lived in the Gothic Quarter and loved how convenient everything was, but it was quite crowded and touristy. I know other students who lived in Gracía, a more trendy and new neighborhood, and they loved it. If you have any questions or any suggestions to add just comment below or shoot me an email!

* = HIGHLY recommend

Things to See:

Park Guell

Sagrada Familia*

Bunkers Del Carmel*

La Hospital de Sant Pau

Mercado de La Boqueria*

Cathedral de Barcelona

Citudella Park

Montjuic Castle

Things to Do:

Experience a fútbol game* (if you can’t make it to watch Barcelona FC in person, just head to any bar and watch it with locals!)

Get lost in Gothic Quarter*

Shop at Placa Catalunya and Passeig de Grácia (my favorite stores that we don’t have in the US: Stradivarius, Berksha, Pull & Bear)

Take a day trip* (ideas of places to go below)

Go to the beach*

Witness a neighborhood celebration (there will be firecrackers and dancing on the streets)

Take a walking tour

Get a FREE view of the city at the hotel rooftop bar called 360 degrees*

Witness a human tower

Experience the Barcelona nightlight where locals start heading out at 2am

Day Trip Ideas:

Tibidao- supposedly the amusement park and castle here was the inspiration behind Disneyland

Costa Brava- beautiful coast and plenty of opportunities to hike, beaches are also nicer than in Barcelona

Girona- part of Game of Thrones was filmed here

Pyrenees Mountains- a small village with amazing views on the border of Spain and France

Sitges- coastal town

Tarragona- underrated little port town with lots of ancient ruins

Places to Eat:

Gelaati Di Marco- gelato

Flax & Kale- brunch

Brunch & Cake- brunch

Bo de B- cheap delicious sandwiches

Citizens Café- brunch, coffee

Nabucco Tiramisu- italian food, desserts

Federal Café- brunch, coffee

A Tu Bola- cheap eats

La Pepita- tapas

Gata Mala- tapas

Taquerias Tamarindo- tacos

Cafés el Magnífico- coffee, cafe

Hofman Patisseria- cakes, breads, pastries, desserts

Restaurant La Barca del Salamanca- a little pricey, but noteworthy paella

Castell de Xàtiva Restaurant- authentic paella

Bismilla Kebap- kebabs

Bar del Pla- tapas, spanish food

Guelley Sandwichpark- sandwiches by Park Guell