Barcelona Travel Guide and Tips</a>

Barcelona has a way of making it onto pretty much every travelers bucket list and for obvious reasons. It’s known for its art, architecture, nightlife, stunning beaches, mediterranean weather and a wide variety of cuisine. I only spent a week in Barcelona, I feel like you could spend a month there and not see/ do everything, but made sure to make the most of my time by jam packing my days! Even still this guide only scratches the surface of what there is to do and see in the city.

THINGS TO KNOW:

LANGUAGE - You might think that Barcelona locals speak Spanish, which they do BUT, the primary language is actually Catalan!

CURRENCY - The Euro is used in Spain. 1 euro is equal to 1.18 dollars. I would recommend doing a currency exchange at the airport if you want cash but I primarily used a credit card that accumulates points for travel. If you use a credit card make sure to always pay in euros to avoid overpaying!

WEATHER - The best time to visit Barcelona is May through the end of June. July and August are the hottest months without question. I went in August and it was very hot most days. September and November are more mild and it can get cold November though February!

GETTING AROUND - Be prepared to walk… a lot! You can grab a taxi or Uber or even ride the metro but if you prefer to save money like me you’ll be walking a ton. Honestly, I didn’t mind it because I got to see things I probably wouldn’t have and was able to stop, take photos and explore if I wanted. Barcelona does have 12 metro lines that run very frequently which I did take advantage of often when I was tired of walking or when it was to hot out! I opted for unlimited pass which was 40 euros. It also worked for all trams and buses. You can buy your metro card just outside of the airport. Click here for more in depth metro info!

BE SURE TO SEE:

CIUTAT VELLA - Also known as the Gothic Quarter and heart of Barcelona. Home to the famous and busy La Rambla Street! Think the Time Square of Barcelona. This was where I spent most of my time at night. Simply walking around is a treat!

EL BORN - located in between the Gothic Quarter and the Ciutadella Park, is not only one of Barcelona’s trendiest spots but also most historic. It’s famous for its bo-ho feel and artistic edge as well as its great bars and trendy restaurants.

PORT VELL - This is a gem I haven’t seen on many “Must Do in Barcelona” lists but it’s certainly at the top of mine! Port Vell is a waterfront harbor at the end of La Rambla Street making it pretty hard to miss. Here you can enjoy panoramic views, eat waterside, shop till you drop, take a boat tour or enjoy watching super yachts of the super rich pull into harbor. I could write an entire blog on Port Vell… don’t miss it!

LA BARCELONITA BEACH - This beach has tons of bars, restaurants and things to do! Definitely check out the Ice Bar which I will touch more on later in the blog!

SAGRADA FAMILIA - Antoni Gaudi’s masterpiece, The Sagrada Familia, is easily the most visited landmark in Barcelona. A breathtaking sight to see in real life, photos do not do it justice!

PARK GUELL - Another famous landmark designed by Gaudi and one of the most instagramable spots in the city! You can purchase tickets online or at the gate however purchasing them at the gate is cheaper!

CASA BATLLO & CASA MILA - Sick of Gaudi yet? This is more of his stunning work you will be sad if you didn’t see in person!

ARC DE TRIOMF - This area of Barcelona is not only cool to see but also full of life and things to do!

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WHERE TO EAT/ DRINK:

The food and bar scene in Barcelona is unmatched… even being a vegetarian the options were endless! Here are a few places I tried and loved.

BARS -

RESTAURANTS -

I highly recommend downloading Yelp or Happy Cow to find highly rated restaurants that you might be interested in.

WHERE TO STAY:

I came to Barcelona with a volunteer organization, IVHQ, so I stayed in a hostel with my group about an hour outside of the city. I do not recommend this and would recommend staying in a boutique hotel or hostel in the Gothic Quarter, La Rambla or El Born!

It didn’t take long for Barcelona to become my favorite travel destination, part of me even wants to live there! It is unmatched to any place I have ever been! The people, atmosphere and architecture are second to none. This is a place I hope I can return to many times.

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