My favorite European city is usually at the top of most people’s bucket lists and for a good reason. Barcelona is home to amazing Guad\u00ed architecture, Mediterranean views, and of course, fantastic tapas (small plates) and cervezas. It’s a city that takes you in and wraps you with warmth, culture, and gastronomy that is out of this world. I’ve been to Barcelona on several different occasions, and each time I fall more in love with it than the previous visit and I can safely say that it is my favorite European city so far. Having been to Barcelona several times I’ve come up with a way to spend the perfect day in Barcelona whether you plan to stay there for a week or just a twenty-four layover, I’ve got you covered.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The first thing that you need to know if you are visiting this magnificent city is that its official language is not Spanish. The official language of Barcelona is Catalan, and it is the primary language that you see written on the metro stops and buildings. No need to worry though, they have their Spanish and many times English translation below. The official coin is the euro since they are still currently part of the European Union. Although Barcelona is still technically part of Spain, they voted to separate from Spain, and it is still a sore subject for many people around Spain. It’s not something I would discuss with just anyone that you meet because conversations about it can get tense, and it doesn’t matter if they are for it or against it, it will spark emotions either way. Although the future of the city is still unknown one thing remains certain, it is a must see! <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Barcelona is a very sprawling city, and considering the length of your stay and your itinerary, I suggest using the metro. The metro is a quick and easy way to get from one area of Barcelona to another without having to spend a lot of uber\/taxi fares. The metro is also conveniently located throughout the city, so it makes it extremely convenient. My biggest suggestion to travelers while riding a subway anywhere in the world is to watch your belongings. Barcelona, just like Paris, New York, and any other major metropolitan city falls victim to pickpocketers, and there is nothing that will ruin your vacation or trip quicker than someone taking your money, credit cards or passport. Be aware of your surroundings and put your backpacks or purses in front of you, not behind you. If you are a seasoned traveler, then you already know the deal, but for many people who haven’t traveled on the metro systems before, this is all new knowledge. You can get a metro card at any of the stations and refill it as you go. Once you have the metro card, it’s time to hit the streets. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
My first stop in Barcelona always is and probably always will be La Sagrada Familia. La Sagrada Familia is a cathedral that was designed by the Catalan architect Antoni Gaud\u00ed. It is the second most visited cathedral in the world, and in my personal opinion, it is the most beautiful cathedral in the world. Sorry to the Vatican, but La Sagrada Familia wins for me. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
La Sagrada Familia has tons of stained glass windows that change the colors inside of the cathedral, depending on the time of day and the light that shines through. It truly is a magical experience to see the colors inside of the cathedral differ between morning, afternoon, and evening. If you can swing going at different times of day during your trip, then I suggest it even though that means paying the entrance fee more than once. The cathedral is still currently under construction, and it has been that way for many years. Although La Sagrada Familia is still currently under construction, visitors are allowed to go inside and tour it and experience the beauty of the cathedral for themselves. While booking the tour, I suggest choosing the entrance + tower option. The reason why I say this is because it allows you to walk up one of the four towers and get some incredible views of Barcelona from above. It is definitely worth the additional cost. I suggest spending at least an hour at La Sagrada Familia. Although you purchase your tickets ahead of time on the internet, the queue is long, so try to arrive before your entrance time, and if you can opt for the earliest entrance, which is 9 a.m., then choose that one. Most people don’t like to wake up early while they are on vacation or traveling, so you beat the masses by arriving early. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Find your tickets here.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
https:\/\/sagradafamilia.org\/en\/<\/p>\n\n\n\n
After basking in the fantastic views at La Sagrada Familia, I suggest heading to Passeig de Gr\u00e0cia. Passeig de Gr\u00e0cia is a main avenue in Barcelona, and it is bustling with caf\u00e9s, shops, and restaurants. It is also home to several Guad\u00ed architectural artworks, including Casa Mil\u00e1, also known as La Pedrera and Casa Batll\u00f3. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Just like Sagrada Familia, Casa Mil\u00e0 and Casa Batll\u00f3 are two top tourist destinations, so you will want to buy your tickets before visiting; otherwise, the lines are long and frequently sold out. I have been to both, and I enjoy them both the same, but you can look at photos online to determine if you prefer to do one over the other. They both have rooftops that you can walk on and take pictures of Barcelona from above. When purchasing tickets for La Sagrada Familia, there is the option to buy entrance tickets to either Casa Mil\u00e0 or Casa Batll\u00f3 or both. It is more cost-effective and convenient to purchase them all prior, but if you aren’t sure about when to go to each, then I would buy them separately online. The tour in each house is around an hour, and they provide interesting background into the life and works of Gaud\u00ed, Barcelona’s most famous architect. If you love history, architecture, or just experiencing something different than what you are used to, then I highly suggest checking both of them out. Once you have finished visiting Casa Batll\u00f3 and Casa Mil\u00e0, then it’s time to head to Pla\u00e7a de Catalunya. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Find your tickets to Casa Batll\u00f3 and Casa Mil\u00e0 here:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
https:\/\/www.casabatllo.es\/en\/<\/p>\n\n\n\n