Barcelona is the sprawling main city of the Catalonia region of northeastern Spain. The city is known for its nightlife, vibrant food scene, architecture, and sports team. Barcelona is a great hopping off point from the East Coast to the rest of Europe. On our study abroad trip, we spent a weekend in this historic city. Read on to hear our favorite sites!
Parc Güell
Start your day overlooking Barcelona in Parc Guell! Arrive early to enjoy the mosaics and influences of Antoni Gaudi without the crowds. The park officially opened to the public in 1926 and was classified as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1984. The park is full of art inspired by natural movements and shapes. My only regret is not being able to spend more time here to really learn about Gaudi’s inspirations and visit the buildings on the grounds.
Parc Guell is a private park and tickets cost around €10. Plan to spend 2-3 hours in the park.
Casa Mila
More Gaudi! It’s almost impossible to visit Barcelona and NOT see any of Gaudi’s work. You have to actively go out of your way to not see any. Located on Passieg de Garcia, Casa Mila is a residential apartment building with the top floors dedicated to Gaudi’s artistic process.
This is a ticketed attraction, with tours ranging from €25-35. I would get tickets beforehand. Plan to spend about 2 hours touring everything.
Passieg de Garcia
After touring Parc Guell and Casa Mila, take a break to stop and shop at the many stores in the area. Passieg de Garcia is also home to many Gaudi façades. Be sure to enjoy a meal or tapa at one of the many restaurants and people-watch while sipping sangria! After your meal, stop by Faborit Casa Amatller for a delicious hot chocolate and some souvenir chocolate bars.
Sagrada Familia
The looming presence of Barcelona. The legacy of Antoni Gaudi. Sagrada Familia has been under construction for 144 years. Construction began in 1882 and is not expected to be completed until 2026. It is truly a masterpiece. The level of detail and thought that goes into every façade and section of the basilica is truly astonishing. Each façade memorializes an important aspect of Christianity and plays a role in the overarching story of the building.
I highly recommend making this a stop on a tour of Barcelona. Plan to spend anywhere from 1-3 hours. Tickets range from €26-30 per person.
Barcelona is a great city to stop over or stay awhile. There are many great options for food, nightlife, or relaxation. Additionally, there are many sights in Barcelona that are not Gaudi related. I’d recommend checking out Camp Nou, the Olympic Park, or spend an afternoon lounging on a beach!