No trip to Spain is complete without one of the its greatest treasures: Barcelona. Barcelona is the capital city of Catalonia, which is a region of Spain. With its hot-summer Mediterranean climate, Barcelona is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Europe. There are endless things to see and do in this vibrant, spectacular city. However, for the speedy traveler, it is possible to knock out some of the must-visit, must-see attractions in one day.
For the perfect start to your day, find a quick breakfast spot. A croissant and some café con leche will do the trick. Next, head over to Parc Güell for a whimsical journey through one of Barcelona’s largest green spaces built by Barcelona’s most cherished artist and architect, Antoni Gaudí. Gaudí has designed some of the most well-known landmarks in Barcelona including the world-famous Roman Catholic church La Sagrada Família. At Parc Güell, you will feel as though you are walking through a Dr. Seuss book with its unique architecture, vibrant colors, winding pathways, and artful mosaic pieces scattered throughout. Getting there bright and early is a great way to begin your one day in Barcelona.
One of the best ways to see any city, but especially Barcelona, is by bike - particularly via a bike tour. It may sound touristy and lame to some, but this is truly one of the best and easiest ways to see the top points of a whole city, summarized by a guide who is typically a local themself. Plus, it’s a great workout! A thorough and high rated bike tour company is called Fat Tire Tours. Not only do they have tours in Barcelona, but pretty much all over Europe. The Fat Tire tour covered a large part of Barcelona, hitting all the major points of interest, while also passing through some less touristy spots. And all the while, the guides offer a little bit of a history lesson while you ride which is a fascinating way to get to know the roots of the glorious city! Did you know that Barcelona was built with Egyptian sand? The city was beach-less until 1992 when Barcelona imported sand from Egypt in anticipation of the Olympic Games. This was just one of the many cool facts I learned from the Fat Tire bike tour. This tour covered many of the city’s highlights in only 3 hours, including Gaudí’s masterpieces: La Sagrada Familia, Casa Batlló, and Casa Mila, a stroll through the narrow medieval streets of Barcelona’s Gothic Quarter, a cycle past Parc de la Ciutadella’s green spaces and its majestic fountain, and a look at the city’s seafront area, Barceloneta beach and the Port Olímpic Marina. Plus, lunch was included at the end of the tour. We ate at a traditional Spanish tapas restaurant. After only 3 hours, we’ve already seen a majority of Barcelona’s highlights. But there is still much to do in only one day.
If the bike tour doesn’t give bikers a chance to go inside La Sagrada Familia, I’d say it’s definitely worth a peek. It is one of - if not the - most jaw-droppingly beautiful churches in the world. After the bike tour, head on over to La Sagrada and give it a little tour. Just be sure to buy tickets in advance to avoid waiting in a crazy long line. The ceilings are like kaleidoscopes and you can rent a set of headphones which gives an audio tour describing the fascinating, rich history of the landmark.
By now it should be mid-afternoon which is a perfect time to hop on the Metro to the Gothic Quarter and do some exploring! This is my favorite part of the city because of its charming narrow streets and medieval architecture. The Gothic Quarter is the oldest part of Barcelona and it is filled with trendy bars, clubs and Catalan restaurants. The streets are charming but they’re like a labyrinth and you can (and probably will) get lost in them. I did! But that’s part of the charm.
After you’re done exploring the Gothic Quarter, cross Las Ramblas to reach Mercado de La Boqueria. Las Ramblas is Barcelona’s famous tourist boulevard which is a tree-lined pedestrian street. To some it’s the heart of the city and to others, a heinous tourist trap. Locals never come to this street because they know it is frequented by pickpockets and the restaurants are not that great; plus it’s filled with tourists. However, it’s worth a walk-through for the iconicity of it. Plus, it’ll lead you to La Boqueria, the oldest public market in Barcelona. They have been around since 1836 and every day, more than 200 vendors roll up their blinds, ready to offer you choicest local and international gastronomic products, selling everything from fruits to meats, to produce, and desserts. Grab a snack or some churros with chocolate and find the nearest Metro.
It’s about a 40 minute Metro ride to Bunkers del Carmel, Barcelona’s famous viewpoint which were once Spanish Civil War bunkers where anti-aircraft guns were installed. It’s about a 25-30 minute hike but once you get to the top you can enjoy breathtaking panoramic views of the city and its impressive skyline. It is a perfect place to watch the sunset and there are even people walking around selling wine. This spot does get pretty windy though so make sure you bring a jacket.
After leaving the Bunkers, head over to a rooftop bar for a quick drink before dinner. A great spot is on the rooftop of Ayre Hotel Rosellón, which has a chic rooftop patio and an amazing, front-row view of La Sagrada Familia. Expect to see lots of Instagram photos being taken here.
Then, it’s time to eat dinner after a long, full day. People eat late in Spain, usually like 9-11pm and sometimes even later. There are tons of delicious restaurants in Barcelona but one I would recommend is called Taverna El Glop. A local took me there when I visited Barcelona. El Glop is located in the heart of the Gracia neighborhood, a very hip area, and it offers an exquisite and authentic Spanish dinner. Be sure to get the paella and sangria, and if it’s in season, try the calcots. They are a type of green onion and are a traditional Catalan cuisine, delicious when charred to perfection, and dipped in a rich and nutty romesco sauce.
Finally, the day is over and you’ve experienced the best of Barcelona in a very short amount of time. If you aren’t too exhausted (or aren’t a party person), perhaps consider ending the evening at a nightclub. Barcelona is known for its bustling nightlife, after all. There are plenty of clubs that will offer you the fun you seek. Some big names include Razzmatazz, Opium, MOOG, Shoko, Pacha, and Eclipse. A lot of them are located right on Barceloneta’s seafront promenade. Have a blast and get back to your hotel safe!
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