Explore the wonderful charms of Barcelona. Its location is excellent, perhaps Mediterranean on one side and hilly on the other. The wide range of monuments will also delight you.
Barcelona is the second largest city in Spain. The city is located in southeastern Spain, on the Mediterranean Sea, the capital of the province of the same name and in the Catalonia region.
Climate
Spain lies in the temperate Mediterranean climate zone. From the beginning of June until September it is very hot. The temperature in the shade often reaches over 30 degrees. In winter, the weather is mild and sunny. The temperature rarely drops below 15 degrees.
Public Transport
Communication here is very developed and allows you to get to most places quickly and conveniently. While in Barcelona, we can use, among others, the metro (as many as 8 lines and 165 stations!), buses (TMB), trams (TRAM) and funiculars/railways. The TMB company is responsible for public transport services.
Sightseeing
Sagrada Familia
Sagrada Familia
Sagrada Familia i.e. the Penitential Temple of the Holy Family. It is one of the most extraordinary temples in the world and an architectural work of art. This Art Nouveau church consists of 3 facades and 18 towers, only 4 of which were built during the architect’s lifetime.
The church is 172 meters high, so it is visible from a distance. Gaudi’s characteristic style, including numerous, intricate decorations and beautiful carvings make Sagrada Familia an unusual and unique church. It is difficult to find a similar religious facility in the world. Interestingly, it has its own metro station. If you are in Spain, be sure to come here and visit the building.
Plaza de Cataluña
Plaza de Cataluña
Plaza de Cataluña is the central square in Barcelona and one of the largest squares in Spain and a central transport hub. The Spanish Square owes its current appearance to the World Exhibition held in Barcelona in 1929. There are many interesting objects here. In the very center of the square there is a fountain designed by Gaudi’s talented student – Josep Maria Jujol. The sculptures placed on it symbolize the seas that surround the Iberian Peninsula.
Around the square there are several exhibition pavilions and an interesting shopping mall. Two towers built of brick, modeled on the bell tower of St. Mark in Venice, attract attention. From Piazza di Spagna you can go to the neighboring hill of Montjuic or take the funicular to Montserrat (about fifty kilometers). The National Palace, which was also built especially for the World Exhibition, towers majestically over the Place de España. Currently, it houses a museum.
Park Güell
Park Güell
It is worth visiting a very characteristic place, Park Güell. This park is a large garden complex. There you will find plenty of colorful mosaics, unique buildings and a beautiful view of the city. The author of the complex is the famous Gaudía. Currently, Park Güell is divided into two parts.
We will visit one of them free of charge. We have access to the gardens all day long, they are only closed at night. There we will see the Zona Monumental and the Zona Forestal, i.e. the forests adjacent to the area. In the first one, despite its size, we can find only some of the sculptures and buildings in the park.
The main part of Park Güell is only accessible with an entrance ticket. This is where we can find, for example, the Gaudí museum. It is best to buy your ticket in advance via the park’s official website to avoid queues and the fact that they will be sold out. Ticket prices to Park Güell range from 7-10 euros. Children under 6 years of age will enter for free. There are discounts for larger children, the elderly and the disabled.
Casa Batlló
Casa Batlló
Casa Batlló is certainly one of Atoni Gaudi’s most amazing works. Casa Batllo was called the “House of Bones” by the locals because of its decorative elements resembling human bones. It is located in the city center, on the famous Passeig de Gracia. The tenement house is the subject of numerous photographs and is one of the icons of Barcelona. You can visit the building inside after purchasing tickets, but it is also worth doing it in advance by purchasing them online.
Casa Milà
Casa Mila, built by Guadi, is also a must-see. Casa Mila is open to visitors at any time of the day or night and is visited by over a million tourists from all over the world every year. The building hosts exhibitions and conferences, as well as the headquarters of the “Fundación Catalunya La Pedrera”. You can also rent an apartment here.
Camp Nou
For football fans, I recommend visiting Camp Nou, where FC Barcelona played its home matches. Its total capacity is 109,815 people. The stadium and the team are the pride of all Spain. There is no denying that admission to visit Camp Nou – Camp Nou Experience is not cheap. The cost is 28 euros per adult in the basic package. But the impressions are unforgettable.
Parc de la Ciutadella
Park de la Ciutadella attracts tourists with its beauty. The park is located on the north-eastern edge of Ciutat Vella in Barcelona. After its creation in the mid-19th century, it was the city’s only green space for decades. Today it delights us, and on its 70-hectare area there is a city zoo.
Palace of Catalan Music
Palace of Catalan Music
Palace of Catalan Music is a building with a concert hall located in the central part of the city. It is certainly one of those places that give the essence of the cultural life of Catalans. You can visit the palace and learn about the history of this place. At the very beginning, a film about the creation of the palace and the people who performed here is watched.
Picasso Museum
Picasso Museum
The Picasso Museum in Barcelona is one of the most important places in Spain presenting the art of Pablo Picasso. Even though Picasso was born in Malaga, he had strong ties to Barcelona. Opened in 1963, Museu Picasso Barcelona has a collection of over 4,200 works that are part of its permanent exhibition. Here we will see a huge number of works from Picasso’s Blue Period, many works from 1917.
L’Eixample is a unique district of Barcelona. It consists of quarters measuring 133.3 m x 133.3 m with cut corners, which created octagonal squares at the street intersections. The complex of buildings within such quarters was called “manzana”.
It is best to start exploring the L’Eixample district in the place where it borders the old town of Barcelona, i.e. at Plaça de Catalunya. An extension of the Rambla is the Passeig de Gràcia promenade, representative of Catalan Art Nouveau architecture. Next to it is the famous Quadrat d’Or, a complex of almost one hundred quarters, the most attractive part of L’Eixample.
Barceloneta Beach
Barceloneta Beach is very popular in Barcelona. It is located in the Barceloneta district, close to the city center. Therefore, you need to take into account that the beach will often be crowded. It’s the perfect place to bask in the sun, relax in the water and enjoy comfortable conditions. There are numerous bars, restaurants and clubs along the beach. Water sports enthusiasts will also find a place for themselves here. You can also rent books to read on the beach.
More beautiful beaches in Barcelona and a little further:
- Mar Bella Nova
- Icaria
- Castelldefels
- Ocata
Barcelona delights in every respect. Its Mediterranean character, monuments and atmospheric streets attract tourists.
