The Catalan capital of Barcelona is one of Europe’s most visited cities. The city’s perfect northern location by the coast attracts hundreds of thousands of tourists each year to experience the artistic design and laid back approach to life that they have in Barcelona. The city is packed with attractions for tourists and plenty of things to see and do and here we are going to run down the top 5 things to do in Barcelona.
Visit the Picasso Museum
The Picasso museum in Barcelona houses the largest collection anywhere in the World of the famous Spanish artist Pablo Picasso. Picasso had a real affinity for Barcelona throughout his life and this love was reflected in many of his works, the museum was actually opened whilst the artist was still alive and he personally dedicated many pieces to the museum. The museum has famous works, sculptures and even practice pieces on display and it really is a fascinating place to visit.
La Rambla
La Rambla is the main street in the centre of Barcelona that leads from the beautiful harbour up to the Gothic Quarter. La Rambla is action packed with markets, public displays, street performers and seasonal events taking place there. The street has several open-air bars and cafes and this is one of the best places in the city to enjoy a drink and watch the world go by. On an evening La Rambla takes on a different look as food stalls and trendy bars and nightclubs open up their doors. Day or night, head to LA Rambla.
Nou Camp
The Nou Camp is the home of Barcelona football club one of the biggest football teams in Europe, their stadium houses over 100,000 people on match day and if you can get tickets then you should go. Even non-football lovers will enjoy the experience as the atmosphere inside the stadium is electric. If you don’t manage to catch a game at the stadium then they also offer tours where you will have behind the scenes and see the changing rooms, the dug-outs and set foot on the hallowed turf. At the end of the tour is a wonderful museum dedicated to World football. Definitely worth a visit.
Visit the Gothic Quarter
The Gothic Quarter is Barcelona’s old town and it’s charm and buildings are regularly maintained to give you a glimpse into it’s Catalonian past. The Quarter is filled with a mazy labyrinth of street with small squares that open form nowhere. Here you will find local cuisine on the street, quaint craft shops selling antiques, ornaments, clothes and accessories and don’t be surprised to run into 10-20 dancing in the street, a beautiful part of the city.
Sagrada Familia
La Sagrada Familia is a cathedral in the centre of Barcelona that was designed by Antoni Gaudi in the late 18th Century. Such is the intricacy of the design the cathedral has so far taken 144 years to build and it is expected to be completed in 2026. The cathedral is still worth a visit as you can see just how stunning the design is. Bear in mind that there will be scaffolding around certain areas but don’t let that put you off visiting this masterpiece in design.