Barcelona is absolutely beautiful, and such a good location for a city break weekend. It's packed full of things to do, places to see, and incredible food to try, but here are 13 of my favorite recommendations.
1.Palau de la Musica Catalana
The first place I went after checking into my hotel was this theatre - and it was absolutely magical. You're able to book a tour to see the beautiful building, and when I was there, they were warming up for a concert later that evening. It was beautiful, and was such an amazing start to the trip. Once you've seen the inside of the theatre, make sure to go out to the mezzanine to see the gorgeous mosaic columns, too!
2. Mercado de La Boqueria
I loved this famous food market, and spent an afternoon here trying out all of the local delicacies. You could easily spend a few hours wandering around and sampling from the various stalls - I loved all of the incredibly fresh seafood!
3. Pont del Bisbe
This beautiful spot is right in the heart of the Gothic Quarter, and is a great spot for photography. It's also rumored to be cursed by the architect, who carved a dagger and skull into the bridge to bestow bad luck on those who looked at it.
4. Cathedral of Barcelona
The Cathedral of Barcelona is a beautiful example of Gothic architecture, and is suitably set in the city's beautiful Gothic quarter. Explore the incredible historic building, and then head over a few blocks to the tiny cafe Granja Dulcinea to grab a suizo con melindro (the most incredible thick hot chocolate with lady fingers for dunking).
5. Arc de Triomf
Paris is not the only European city with an Arc de Triomf! Barcelona's arc, though less famous, is no less beautiful. It's been standing since 1888, when Barcelona hosted the World's Fair.
6. Ciutadella Park
The Ciutadella Park is right in the heart of the city, and has a gorgeous ornate fountain that could rival the Trevi fountain, but is so much less known. It's completely free to visit, and a great spot to take a break after walking around the nearby Gothic Quarter.
7. La Barceloneta
One great thing about Barcelona is the proximity of the city to the beach! La Barceloneta is the perfect spot to escape to for a hot day, or to check out local restaurants and people watch.
8. Plaça de Gaudi
f you want a good spot to view La Sagrada Familia, this is the place. Directly across from the iconic church, the Plaça de Gaudi has a low stone wall in front of a small lake, and this is the perfect spot to take photos to get the whole church in the frame. It's also a lot quieter than directly in front of La Sagrada.
9. La Sagrada Familia
Easily the most recognizable spot in Barcelona, and in fact one of the most recognizable churches in the world, La Sagrada Familia is a must-visit on your trip to the city. I went around golden hour when the sun was low in the sky, in order to view the church's famous stained glass windows at their full capacity - and it absolutely did not disappoint. This is a once-in-a-lifetime experience that everybody should have.
10. Sercotel Rosellón Rooftop
One of the best views of La Sagrada Familia is from the rooftop of the Sercotel Rosellón. Best of all, the rooftop bar serves wine and tapas, so you can enjoy a relaxing evening with one of the most beautiful views in the city.
11. Bunkers at MUHBA Turó de la Rovira
When looking up the best view of the city, this place came up over and over again. Fair warning, this is quite the trek, but the views are absolutely worth it. Bring a picnic up the hill to have lunch with a view! I grabbed some empanadas from a local cafe, and it was the perfect spot to enjoy them!
12. Park Güell
You can't come to Barcelona without seeing some of Gaudi's architecture (and there's a lot of it on this list!), and Park Guell is one you shouldn't miss. Make sure to carve out a good few hours to explore all of the nooks and crannies of this incredible park.
13. Casa Vicens
Next on the list of Gaudi must-sees is Casa Vicens, which I personally find to be the most beautiful of his houses. I also found it quite quiet when I went, which means that I didn't feel rushed when going room to room. Make sure to make your way to the rooftop, as well, for some more impressive art and architecture!
All in all, Barcelona is a perfect choice for weekend city break, and it's relatively affordable and easy to get around. The city has plenty to do, and fabulous food (check out my guide on things to eat in Barcelona, too!) Let me know if you have any questions at all, and as always, make sure to follow my adventures over at @elise.abroad!
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