• about
    • City Guides
    • Tips and Tricks
    • Work with Me
    • shop

    round trip travel and lifestyle blog

    10 Things to Do in Barcelona

    February 13, 2019

    Cue the Cheetah Girls and a dreamy guitar boy.  That’s your hint that I didn’t know much about Barcelona even though I took seven years of Spanish in grade school — of which I retained nada.  No se?  It was January, and our group had just been to Prague, Brussels and Paris so we were jazzed about the warmer weather in Barcelona.  (If you’re going somewhere cold, dress accordingly; otherwise, it will ruin your trip.)

    Barcelona is so much more than a Disney Channel original movie, and here’s several things you need to check off your list:

    Eat paella and tapas

    My Spanish-speaking friends were quick to let me know that Spanish cuisine is not Mexican cuisine aka no complimentary chips and salsa on the table.  But there were some Spanish specialities that I enjoyed.  Paella is a large Spanish rice dish with your choice of meat, and it’s hot and fresh.  Most places you have to order it as a group because it’s just that big, and they deliver it to your table in a big skillet.  Another gotta-try dish in Spain is tapas, which is just small plates.  They’re famous for their potatoes with a sauce drizzled on top, and I also really enjoyed their Catalan sausage.  You can order these as appetizers for the table or just order several for your entire meal.  (Good money-saving tip for you right there.)

    Las Ramblas

    This is the Champs-Elysées of Barcelona with its big name stores and little shops.  I hit up one of the massive Zara stores and took advantage of the mega sale.  This is a heavy tourist area, but it’s worth a visit.  I had some friends who bought the cutest mini cacti at a stall, and I hesitated because I had a feeling they’d get taken at customs.  But the salespeople assured me they wouldn’t be; I should’ve stuck with my gut.  They definitely got taken at customs, so do not buy the cute little cacti no matter how cute and pokey they are (at least if you’re American).  

    La Boqueria

    This almost 200-year-old marketplace is right off Las Ramblas and oozes bright colors.  Hongyu and I enjoyed exploring this bustling market with crepes, fresh fruit, smoothies and meat.  It’s a bit overwhelming but so worth it.

    La Sagrada Familia

    This is a must-see as it’s one of Barcelona’s biggest claims to fame.  This church still isn’t finished, and you’ll see construction equipment everywhere.  I didn’t pay to go in, but I heard good things from other group members who did.  It’s unlike any church or really any religious building I’ve ever seen with its gaudy Gaudi style.  Also, beware: this is a super touristy area, so keep an eye on your bags.

    Hospital of Sant Pau

    If I’m being real, I wasn’t crazy about La Sagrada Familia as that architecture isn’t really my style.  On the flip side, I was head over heels for this once hospital, now museum.  When Hongyu said she wanted to visit this UNESCO World Heritage site, I was all for it but was interested to see what all the fuss was about for a hospital.  

    Let’s just say I was shook by this Art Nouveau site.  Absolutely stunning!  I enjoyed this spot way more than La Sagrada Familia.  Not only was the architecture astonishing but the history also wowed me.  The gardens are garnished with orange trees, and underground tunnels sit beneath the marble staircases.  There’s also pink tiled ceilings, so if this isn’t on your itinerary, you’re missing out.

    View this post on Instagram

    A post shared by Kristin • Content Creator (@round.trip)

    Park Guell

    Get your taste of nature whilst being a huge metropolitan area.  (This spot is also featured in The Cheetah Girls.)  There are spots you have to pay to see and explore, but much is free.  I enjoyed the flowered walls, street musicians and graffitied walls.

    Chocolat Box

    We made multiple stops to this spot, and wow, I really enjoyed that gelato.  ‘Nough said.

    Cassette Butik

    This darling jewelry boutique is clean, cute and reasonably priced.  I bought a necklace there, have been wearing it regularly for weeks and found the staff to be very kind.

    Let’s go to the beach (each, let’s go get away)

    It wasn’t near warm enough to swim, but we Midwesterners (woe is we, landlocked people) had to get a glimpse.  Erica and I got up early to see the sunrise, and it was gorgeous.  I guess 50s are freezing for the Spanish, so we had the area to ourselves save for a few joggers and dog walkers.  The sweet serenity of the morning with the sound of crashing waves is something I can’t shake.

    Day trip to Montserrat

    I’m glad I made my pilgrimage to Barcelona, but my favorite experience from my time in Spain was our day trip to Montserrat, hands down, no questions asked.  We had to take several trains from Barcelona through switchbacks along the mountain for a total of about 1.5- to 2-hour travel time to the spot, and it was an absolute dream.  Once we made it to this mountain-side monastery village, we perused the farmer’s market with their fresh muenster cheese and candied pecans.  After lunch at the cafeteria (this village is extremely small), we started our hike.  I have butterflies in my stomach just thinking about the views of the Spanish countryside.  After hiking some, we took the wildly steep cable car up for another view.  I could not recommend this day trip any more!

    Looking to add a stop on your trip to Barcelona? Head up north to France to visit Toulouse, the Pink City.

    Author Signature

    Share with a friend & save for a future adventure!

    • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
    • Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window)
    • Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
    • Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window)
    • Click to print (Opens in new window)
    15 Comments

    My Fave Finds

    Previous Things to do in Paris, Other than the Eiffel Tower
    Next 11 Things to Do in Brussels

    You might also like:

    11 Best Travel Apps

    A Classy Afternoon in Columbia, MO

    Photo Diary: Chicago at Christmastime

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Barron says

      February 13, 2019 at 9:44 am

      We visited Barcelona last year and enjoyed it a lot. We at paella a few times, and went for tapas every night. Loved the food so much! A really nice city and one I’d love to go back to. Thank you for sharing your travels!

      Reply
      • roundtriptravel says

        February 13, 2019 at 4:50 pm

        Hi Barron! Tapas is the move. It’s just as yummy and can be on the less expensive side. If you ever get a chance to go back, you must take at least a half-day trip to Montserrat. It truly was my favorite!

        Reply
    2. Faith says

      February 13, 2019 at 3:08 pm

      I will be visiting Barcelona later this year and I am so excited!! Thanks for the suggestions of what to see!!

      Reply
      • roundtriptravel says

        February 13, 2019 at 4:50 pm

        Hi Faith! That is so freakin’ exciting! Will you be traveling only in Spain? Have the best time 🙂

        Reply
    3. aletterfromlou says

      February 14, 2019 at 5:44 am

      This is such a great guide – will use it if I get to Barcelona in the future. Never been but it’s on the list!

      Reply
      • roundtriptravel says

        February 14, 2019 at 3:56 pm

        Hi Lou!! Thanks for stopping by 🙂 I so hope you make it to Spain!

        Reply
    4. Jayme says

      February 14, 2019 at 12:56 pm

      I loved visiting Barcelona- especially the views from Park Guell! I didn’t make it to Montserrat and that is my biggest regret; looks like I’ll have to plan another trip.

      Reply
      • roundtriptravel says

        February 14, 2019 at 3:57 pm

        Hola Jayme! Oh darn, another trip?!🤷🏼‍♀️ I think planning travel is almost as fun as the traveling itself!

        Reply

    Trackbacks

    1. Round Trip Roundup: FEBRUARY – round trip says:
      February 28, 2019 at 9:01 pm

      […] I led the pack up (part of) the mountain, and I’m still dreaming about this day. You can relive my hiking bliss here along with a city guide to […]

      Reply
    2. Where to Travel Based on Your Enneagram Type – round trip says:
      June 26, 2019 at 9:01 am

      […] and just a darn good time are the bread and butter of your life, and that’s why Barcelona should be on your bucket list. The slower European way of life will tickle your fancy, and whether lounging at the beach or […]

      Reply
    3. 9 Travel Gift Ideas for Her – round trip says:
      November 13, 2019 at 10:42 am

      […] They’re both sturdy and stylish and, most importantly, so comfy! I’ve worn them hiking in Montserrat, I wore them traipsing around the Louvre, I wore them trekking through snowy Christmas markets in […]

      Reply
    4. Q&A: Miss Missouri 2019 on Her Best Travel Tips and Baton Twirling – round trip says:
      January 15, 2020 at 9:17 am

      […] Esters. Our group strolled through Prague’s Christmas markets, drank Brussels’ finest beers, hiked in Spain and ate entirely too much gelato in Rome. Simone’s bubbly personality and infectious laugh are […]

      Reply
    5. 5 Ways to Stay Healthy and Fit While Traveling – round trip says:
      February 4, 2020 at 9:00 am

      […] traveling for longer than a week, it’s important to maintain your physical health. When I studied abroad for three weeks over winter break, I knew I couldn’t go without a workout for that long. Sure, I was doing […]

      Reply
    6. 9 Best Makeup Products for Travel – round trip says:
      March 4, 2020 at 9:31 am

      […] I’m climbing the Eiffel Tower in Paris or hiking in Montserrat, Spain, I want to make sure what I apply in the morning lasts till the last call at the bar. I don’t […]

      Reply
    7. How I Saved $7,000 to Travel Europe - round trip says:
      October 8, 2021 at 2:28 pm

      […] have a very specific goal: I want to cut my rent down by $200 each month so that I can travel Spain next summer. Keep your eyes on the “so […]

      Reply

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Primary Sidebar

    Bonjour

    Hi, I'm Kristin. I'm a content creator living and working in southern France. You can find me planning my next weekend trip, sharing my best expat trips and sipping iced coffee.
    learn more about my story

    Ad

    Bienvenue

    Hey there, I'm Kristin, a Missouri girl living and working in southern France. I love planning weekend trips, sharing my best expat tips and sipping iced coffee.

    Categories

    Copyright © 2023 round trip
    Theme by SheShoppes
     

    Loading Comments...