The Gothic Quarter is the oldest section of Barcelona. My husband and I hired a guide to take us on…read morea private tour of Barcelona, and one of my favorite parts of our tour was walking around the Gothic Quarter. We enjoyed seeing the remains of a Roman wall, the Barcelona Cathedral, the Mercado de La Boqueria, the Basilica of Santa Maria del Mar, cobblestone alleyways, public squares, stores, restaurants, and more. If you are planning a vacation for Barcelona, then I highly recommend that you stroll through the Gothic Quarter.

Most of my adventures through the Gothic Quarter in Barcelona were of historic buildings and…read morechurches which are surrounded by retail shops and unique tapas and cafe eateries. The wife and I got the pleasure to take a four hour food and wine tour throughout the Gothic Quarter providing us the opportunity to taste true Barcelona at four different locations. The area has a dark, wet and slightly unsettling gloomy atmosphere with lots of unsanctioned wall graffiti, although gave it added character to the area.

Parc de Montjuic is a public park that overlooks the city of Barcelona and the Mediterranean Sea…read more It was an example of town planning and architecture for the 1929 International Exhibition. Today it contains museums, the Olympic Ring from the 1992 Olympic Games, a castle, gardens, a fountain, cable car, and more. A tour guide drove my husband and me to this park. We enjoyed the panoramic views of the city buildings and the sea. Our tour guide explained that a Jewish cemetery was built into the hill. Overall, I would not call Parc de Montjuic a must-see, but it was nice to see.

So Montjuic park has this cable car lift. Let's gooooo! Want to hover above the Barcelona like an…read moreeagle? Step right into this glass pod of mild vertigo and great views. This is the cable car you have to take to get up to Montjuic Castle. This is a must do for the views.

(Jan 2020) One of the best views of the city in Barcelona…read more It's a bit tricky to get there as it involves some uphill walking. Make sure to bring some snacks and drinks to enjoy the view. I was not able to stay and see the sunset but I bet it's a great place for it. The place is quiet, relaxing with a million dollar view. Uno de mis lugares favoritos en Barcelona. Me enamore de esa ciudad al ver lo linda que era desde los Bunkers del Carmel.

Easy to get to via the V19 bus. Various trails to hike, some more difficult than others. The main…read moretrail takes you to an open area, great for taking pictures, and even a picnic! There are tables where you can sit and enjoy a meal. There's a sidewalk towards the back where you get views of a nearby neighborhood.

Truly a city worth visiting and admiring the history and culture. Having the chance to visit during…read morethe holidays made it all the better. From the holiday markets to La Sagrada Família, go get lost. Their public transportation system is superb and very efficient. A city I'll truly enjoy and want to visit again!

Barcelona is a city of contrasts ...where centuries-old streets sit next to bold, modern…read morearchitecture. In addition, busy city life blends seamlessly with the relaxed persona of the Mediterranean. For example, Arc de Triomp contrasts with bold, beautiful and modern public art. Barcelona is known for the work of architect Antoni Gaudí, whose designs define much of the city's skyline. His masterpiece, La Sagrada Família, is a spectacular basilica that has been under construction since the 19th century and remains one of the world's most recognizable landmarks. The Gothic Quarter (Barri Gòtic) is the heart of the old city, filled with narrow medieval streets, Roman ruins, and historic squares. It has been a central area since Roman times and is known for its architecture and cultural significance. Barcelona sits between the Mediterranean Sea and surrounding hills, giving it a scenic setting and easy access to beaches. This mix of coastline and city life adds to its appeal as both a cultural and leisure destination. Barcelona offers unforgettable cuisine, especially tapas and fresh seafood, alongside bustling markets like La Boqueria. While we were not able to have any this trip, we love their churros con chocolate...nothing in this world like it.

El Gat de Botero - The famous statue of a fat cat in the middle of Barcelona. He's a chonky cat…read morewith the confidence of a Roman emperor and the physique of some shapes. You will take a photo. You will then look around, realize five other people are doing the same thing, and quietly question your tourist level. Botero said: make it thicc. And Barcelona said: bet.

Great big cat in the middle of rambla del raval, a pedestrian parkway. It's a nice stroll through…read moreoutdoor cafes and a small kids playground. It's a bit of whimsy.

The building was stunning and the architecture was impressive. Definitely need to do a tour of…read moreGaudi buildings at least once. You also get a stunning view at the rooftop.

The Palau Güell is one of Antoni Gaudí's earlier architecture designs. The mansion was designed…read morefor Eusebi Güell. The mansion is located in the Ramblas, we went earlier in the day and the line was not very long. The price was 12 euro and includes an audio guide. It was interesting to see the intricate design of the house and opulent furniture. The ceilings are impressive! You can get a feel for how the family lived when the house was occupied. The top floor had modern art and sculptures on display and the terrace has great views of the city. We were there for about an hour and a half, that was enough time for us to walk around and see everything.

One of the highlights on our 2-week trip to Spain and Portugal. Gaudi's grand masterpiece in the…read moreresidential Eixample neighborhood is an icon of the city. It boasts bold, wildly creative, unmistakable organic architecture and décor inside and out - from its melting Glory Façade to its skull-like Passion Façade to its rainforest-esque interior. Really spectacular! We came at the end of the day, and the light was flooding through the stained glass window. We also did the Bell tower which has gorgeous panoramic views of the city. You take the elevator up and then down about 300 stairs down a narrow, winding staircase. Note: Buy timed entry reservations in advance, and make sure you book on the official website: www.sagradafamilia.org. I initially got scammed by Feel the City and paid €340, instead of €140. I hate that; the scammer sites are very official looking.

No matter how many photos you've seen, nothing really prepares you for seeing Basílica de la…read moreSagrada Família in person. Gaudí's masterpiece is breathtaking from every angle, and the level of detail on both the exterior and interior is incredible. As sunlight shines through the colorful stained-glass windows, the entire basilica fills with vibrant colors, creating a peaceful and unforgettable atmosphere. We took our time to appreciate all the little details rather than rushing through. The audio guide helped us understand the symbolism behind the design. Booking tickets in advance is highly recommended, especially during the busy season, as entry times often sell out.

A high up yet simple castle. We came for the free admission every Sunday at 3pm. Get the free…read moretickets in advance online so you can bypass the long line that forms for the walk-ins. It's also free every first Sunday of the month. There's some great views, videos, and history displayed. You could get up here via cable car, cab, or walking, which we did, and it was exhausting.

My family spent a pretty fun day here we walked both in and out, which is definitely a hike. Bring…read moreyour stroller if you have a baby thank goodness we had ours, but it's really a pretty walk-in and there's places in the park to look at the flowers and the ponds and little play areas for the kids so honestly, I wouldn't do it any other way. The castle itself is pretty cool. We had a nice time exploring. We did not get on one of the guided tours just because of when we visited and stuff like that but those can be a little tough with young kids anyway we ended up eating in the restaurant on site and I walked away with terrible terrible food poisoning from the croquettes. It happens but definitely made the rest of our trip not quite as fun.

First of all this is not La Rambla / Las Ramblas nor is it the southern end of it as some experts…read moreseem to claim. This is a bit of a counterpart to the busy Las Ramblas and starts just north of the Placa de Catalunya. As Las Ramblas it's a nice walking street lined with trees. But it's more quiet and at the same time more interesting. Trendy shops, luxury brands and lots of restaurants. And unlike on Las Ramblas there are actually good options to wine and dine. For fantastic Tapas just head around the corner onto Carrer Mallorca and eat at the "Cervesería Catalana". It's funny how this street isn't busier. Many just stop walking once the reach Placa de Catalunya. But you really should keep walking. This street isn't very long anyways and can be done in little time. But definitely worth it. W like it much more than Las Ramblas.

Be careful with your wallet? Otherwise a great place to promenade up and down the Old Town.read more

I walked the length of Passeig de Garcia. It's compared to the Champs-Élysées of Paris. There's…read morehigh-end shopping to more accessible stores like Zara, which is a Spanish retailer. Make sure to check out the Lego store, which has models of Sagrada Familia and Park Guell. Gaudi's buildings can also be found here- Casa Batllo and Casa Mila.

Lots of high end shops here! It's nice to just walk around and admire the scenery. It's a very busy…read moreplace so watch your wallet or purse. You can spend hours here, shopping, dining, or just at a cafe relaxing.