Woman with bike at the beach, Image: Canva
El Born, The Artists’ Quarter
Market in Barcelona, Image: Canva
The hip part of town, El Born, is the perfect place to start. In the narrow side streets and alleys of this creative neighbourhood, you’ll find small boutiques, designer shops, studios, and numerous trendy cafés and bars.
You won’t want to miss the Mercado de Santa Caterina market, which is close to the Picasso Museum. The market hall was built in 1848, and it’s Barcelona’s first covered market. With its colourful, wavy roof, it represents the connection between modern design and traditional Catalonian market culture.
Highlights in the Old Town: The Gothic Quarter and El Raval
La Rambla, Image: Canva
Continue on to the Gothic Quarter, Barcelona’s oldest neighbourhood. The area constantly impresses and charms its visitors with the Gothic Palma Cathedral, which was built in the year 1300, as well as the imposing and well-preserved buildings from the 14th and 15th centuries.
Take a trip around the Plaça Reial, where you can enjoy a coffee break and take in the tranquillity of the quaint old town oasis in the shadow of the palm trees. Crossing La Rambla, passing countless souvenir and ice cream stands, you’ll make your way to El Raval. Here, the Museu d’Art Contemporani de Barcelona (MACBA for short) awaits: There’s no other institution that represents the contemporary culture of Catalonia.
Local skateboarders practise their tricks and show off their cool moves on the square in front of the modern buildings almost all day long, so after your visit to the museum, grab some Thai curry to go from one of the vegetarian restaurants in the area, make yourself comfortable, and watch the show!
Best of Gaudí: Along the Passeig de Gràcia through Eixample
La Sagrada Familia, Image: Canva
Antoni Gaudí’s works are ubiquitous in Barcelona: But to make sure you see some of the most important ones on your trip, you’ll have to leave the old town and head north, biking along the chequered streets of Eixample.
The Sagrada Familia, the architect's unfinished masterpiece, is an absolute must-see. The cathedral unites elements of various styles of architecture, from neo-Gothic to modern, with naturalistic influences, and it symbolises the unmistakable Gaudí style in a way no other building does. If you’re interested in a closer look at the cathedral, then you should reserve tickets online in advance. You'll also want to arrive early in the morning because there’s always quite a crowd of visitors.
As you follow the Passeig de Gràcia, you’ll pass two more of the master’s works: the Casa Milà and the Casa Batlló. The latter is particularly spectacular in the early evening when the twilight evokes the building’s atmosphere by casting shadows across the seemingly skull-like balconies and skeletal pillars.
Perfect Pinchos in El Poble-sec
Countless Tapas bars, Image: Canva
The city’s culinary highlights can be positively artistic: One of the best places for excellent tapas is the Carrer de Blai in El Poble-sec. There are many pinchos bars and montadito bars in this laid-back multicultural neighbourhood, where you’ll enjoy small but scrumptious portions of typical dishes like patatas bravas, tortilla, pimientos de padrón or gambas al ajillo. You won’t want to miss out on the wine bars in this quarter, either.
One of the most stylish ones is the Gran Bodega Saltó: In this psychedelic-inspired homey bar filled with masks, quirky figurines, and all sorts of knick-knacks, there’s an amazing wine list and, frequently, live music, too. What better way to wind down your tour through Barcelona than in this relaxed atmosphere?
Affordable Accommodations in Barcelona
Are you ready for Spanish nights filled with sangria, tapas, and paella? Well, pack your bags and make your way to the Catalonian capital! On camping.info, you’ll find over 90 campsites in and around Barcelona, so you’re sure to find the one that’s perfect for you. Have a great time on your Barcelona city trip!
