5 Things to Do in Barcelona

Barcelona is a capital city. Not the capital of Spain, mind you, but of Catalonia, an autonomous community in the northeastern part of Spain.

A thriving and varied city of the European landscape, this city offers up old town charm, new town fare, and a sandy treat of urban beach, right on the Mediterranean Sea. With many European cities, it can be easy to get gobbled up by the museums, galleries, and trinket stores. So here’s our list of five wonderful and fun things to do (and see) that will give you a sense of this fabulous city.

1) Visit Sagrad Familia, Barcelona’s most famous church

Famed architect Antoni Gaudi spent the last 15 years of his life working exclusively on Sagrada Familia.  The basilica began construction in 1882 and is expected to be completed by 2041. Already a UNESCO World Heritage site, the cathedral made it through the 1936 Spanish Civil War.

2) Visit Playa Barceloneta, a city beach actually in the city.

A quick walk from the center of town will get you to this beach in the metropolis of Barcelona.  “A beach at the end of the street,” as one local would call it. The urban beach offers up a stretch of sand right in the city where you can enjoy the Mediterranean Sea as you please. Even if you don’t want to jump in, there are plenty of restaurants to savor as you enjoy the view.

3) Enjoy Güell Park

Designed by Art Nouveau Catalan architect Antoni Gaudi, this garden complex plays host to amazing stone structures, tiling, and buildings. There are numerous entryways, all of which are free. The primary entrance, “Zona Monument,” is a must see. There’s a lucky lizard in the center of the monument that you’re suppose to kiss. But if you don’t feel up to it, that’s okay. Be sure to make it up to the top of Güell Park to the terraced area for a view of the park and Barcelona City that you won’t regret.

4) Walk Las Ramblas

Las Ramblas often comes with its own list of things to do while on the famous boulevard. It’s a great place for shopping the street vendors, watching a live performance, or grabbing a bit during the day in one of the many restaurants. Be sure to watch out for pickpockets as they frequent the area, especially at night.

5) Walk Gothic Quarter

The center of the old city of Barcelona, Gothic Quarter has architecture from medieval times and buildings from as far back as the Roman settlement of Barcelona.  Small streets cut through old buildings and open up to large squares. Constant modernization has opened up the possibility to spot a 1990’s building right next to an ancient medieval one. The Barri Gotic, as it is also known, is a cultural hub of Barcelona and a great starting point for your adventure into Barcelona.

Where to Stay

When you’re looking for a place to stay, that will put you near these  points of interest,  why not take a look at what Wimdu.co.uk has to offer? They offer a wide range of private accommodations both in Barcelona and over 50,000 properties in more than 100 countries. Finding a great place doesn’t have to be hard, however looking around for vacation accommodation a few months before your trip doesn’t hurt – especially if you want to get a good deal in Barcelona.