Are 5 days in the capital of Catalonia a lot, a little or enough? How to have time to see all the most important things during this time? For starters, we recommend using the services of an experienced guide. He will share with you secrets and useful life hacks, and then you will plan a route and go to explore Barcelona on your own. So, go!
Day one: walking around the old city of Barcelona
In the three districts of Barcelona: Ciutat Vella or the Old Town, the Gothic Quarter and La Ribera, cobbled streets and majestic cathedrals, magnificent fountains and many museums win the hearts.
You can start from the main square of the city – Plaza Catalunya and move along the famous La Rambla, which separates the Old Town and the Gothic Quarter.
What to see on La Rambla?
- Canaletas fountain. Drink water from it and you will fall in love with Barcelona once and for all. So says the sign near the fountain. Be sure to check it out!;
- Boqueria Market. A sea of fruits and vegetables, mouth-watering cheeses, fish, traditional meat delicacies. The picture is so beautiful that even if you are not going to buy anything, at least take a picture;
- Palace Guell. We begin to get acquainted with the masterpieces of Gaudi. A stunning mansion with a dome, unusual sculptures on the facade and an explosive mixture of styles – that’s what the great architect started with;
- Monument to Columbus. The monument to the famous sailor is located at the very end of the Rambla, of course, by the sea. Above is a viewing platform. Be sure to climb up and look at the city from a height of 57 meters.
By the way. Melt-in-your-mouth pastries can be found at Escribà, an old patisserie at 83 Rambla. Barcelona residents and visitors alike recognize them as the best in the Catalan capital.
Coffeeshop – a cafe where they drink not only coffee
If you have already been to Spain, then what is a coffeeshop is hardly a mystery to you. For the uninformed, let me explain: coffeeshops, a kind of cafe-shop, are a Spanish “attraction” that attracts tourists not with the high quality of coffee, but with the opportunity to purchase soft drugs that are freely sold to visitors.
In addition to the unsurpassed local variety of hemp, the restaurant menu offers at least five or six types of marijuana and hashish. From all this, some people conclude that Spain is a real paradise for lovers of all kinds of drugs, which is fundamentally not true. Before visiting such places, please read a full guide about Barcelona cannabis clubs at https://cannabisbcn.com.
Because, before visiting such places, you should study their rules in more detail, so as not to look stupid, and indeed to get there without any problems.
According to Spanish law, only soft drugs are allowed to be sold in the country and only in special places – coffee shops. The idea is that a complete ban on the sale will not eliminate the distribution of drugs, but will make this problem less controllable, which in turn will create even more problems.
Gothic Quarter
A silent witness to the centuries-old history of Barcelona is ready to share dark secrets with you.
What is there to see?
- Royal Square. A magnificent palace of the early Middle Ages, fountains to match it, lanterns created by Gaudi himself, and many … palm trees;
- Cathedral of Barcelona. Gothic in all its glory: soaring towers, sparkling stained-glass windows – the main temple of the city will undoubtedly amaze you. Interestingly, 13 geese live in the cathedral;
- Atmospheric cafe “4 cats”. This place was glorified by its visitors: here Picasso exhibited his paintings to the public, reflected on the projects of Gaudi, Albeniz played.
La Ribera
- Picasso Museum. Several thousand works by the master – you will not see such a collection anywhere else. The early and late periods of the artist’s work are especially well represented. Among the pearls of the exposition are a series of paintings “Las Meninas” and children’s drawings by Picasso;
- Cathedral of Santa Maria del Mar. We continue our acquaintance with Gothic. Built at the expense of Barcelona residents, this church remains truly popular and beloved. Harmony, grace and flight in every detail;
- Ciutadella Park (Park of the Ciutadella) . You can spend the evening walking along the alleys of the amazing Citadel Park. Enjoy the coolness at the incredible fountain “Cascade”, look at the “Castle of the Three Dragons“. And if possible, visit the Geological Museum and the zoo – they are worth it.
Day two: in the footsteps of the genius Gaudí
You will get to know the works of the great Gaudí more closely in the Eixample and Gracia areas.
The Eixample adjoins the Old City; this is a densely populated, unusually planned area of Barcelona with beautiful Art Nouveau buildings and the main street for all shopaholics – Paseo de Gracia.
What to see in Eixample?
- Sagrada Familia. For the sake of this cathedral alone, it was worth coming to Barcelona. During the peak season, you can stand in line at the ticket office for about an hour and a half, so we strongly recommend that you purchase tickets in advance;
- House of Lleo y Morera . The brainchild of a contemporary of Gaudi, the famous architect Luis Domènech i Montaner. The picturesque balconies, rotunda and columns are one of the most beautiful buildings in Barcelona;
- Batllo’s house . Either a house, or an unknown beast lay down to rest. Gaudí’s signature style is recognizable in each line. Be sure to ride the vintage elevator inside the mansion;
- Mila’s house . Another unusual residential building. All rooms have windows: the impression is that the house is staring at you. But do not be afraid, but take a good look at the colorful balconies and sculptures on the roof. On the seventh floor of the House there is a Gaudí museum and an apartment in which the atmosphere of the early 20th century is recreated.
What to see in Gracia?
Park Guell
The fairy-tale park, built from inexpensive materials, and even partly from industrial waste, was one of the first works of Gaudi, who was gaining popularity. Bright, whimsical, causing surprise and delight at every turn. The architect himself once lived in one of the park houses: now it houses a museum where you can see the furniture he made.
Day 3: Departure for Sants-Montjuic
Mount Montjuic was chosen by numerous museums, shopping centers and attractions. In fact, this is a single park, by the way, the largest in the Old World.
What to watch?
- Olympic objects. The Olympics took place in Barcelona almost 30 years ago, and left behind the Television Tower, the Olympic Stadium, Europe Square, gyms and swimming pools. These are not just objects, they are works of art;
- Magic fountain. The magic begins in the evening: when classical music starts, the fountain will come to life, dancing and changing the color of the jets to the beat of the melody. Fascinating spectacle!;
- National Art Museum of Catalonia. Why not visit the museum? An impressive collection of works of Romanesque, Gothic, Art Nouveau and creations of contemporary authors;
- Spanish village. 117 buildings represent all regions of Spain, different styles and eras. Work is in full swing in local workshops: artisans blow figurines out of glass, sew leather things, sculpt, and draw. Children participate in creative workshops, and the choice of souvenirs is simply huge. In the evening, local restaurants are noisy and cheerful, people sing, dance flamenco and simply enjoy life in the streets and squares. Someone who, but the Spaniards know how to do it!;
- Fortress of Montjuic. From the powerful citadel of the 18th century, an impressive panorama of the endless sea, the city and the nearby mountains opens up. In the fortress itself there is a museum of military guns and military uniforms;
- Maritime Museum. An entire museum is dedicated to the invincible Spanish Armada, founded at the foot of Montjuic. Ships from bygone centuries, ancient maps of the world, irreplaceable things for a pilot and a diver – a sea of impressions is guaranteed.
Day Four: Mount Tibidabo
Sarrià-Sant-Gervasi is considered the elite area of Barcelona. But it is famous not only for its luxurious mansions, but also for the highest mountain of these places – Tibidabo and its sights.
What to watch?
- Temple of the Sacred Heart. It took more than half a century to build this magnificent cathedral, and the result exceeded all expectations. From the observation deck at the foot of the statue of Christ, you will see how divinely beautiful Barcelona and its surroundings are;
- Amusement park. For children and more: a Ferris wheel that will take you to dizzying heights, fast-moving slides, a whole hotel inhabited by ghosts: all this and much more – in the oldest park in Barcelona;
- Interactive science museum CosmoCaixa. Almost all the exhibits here are allowed to touch, you can conduct laboratory experiments on your own. In addition, skeletons of prehistoric animals and quite live crocodiles, snakes, frogs and other inhabitants of the jungle are waiting for you. And you can also get wet to the skin under the most that neither is a real tropical downpour!
Day Five: Surreal Journey
A very special attraction awaits you 140 kilometers from the capital of Catalonia, in the town of Figueres. Innovative and provocative compositions, objects and paintings by Dali himself and other famous artists such as El Greco and Marcel Duchamp settled there.
Bread, giant eggs, a room, she is also the face of a Hollywood sex symbol, actress Mae West, an installation of painted condoms, Newton with a head pierced by an apple – what to tell, it is better to see once. And to honor the talent of the artist: his crypt is located in one of the towers. Just be careful: you can walk on the tombstone, which is built into the floor, and not even notice it.
