BARCELONA : 10 THINGS TO DO

10 THINGS TO DO IN BARCELONA

We personally bought a metro ticket with 10 trips on it, as we also walked a lot in between to discover the city. We found it cheaper than getting the unlimited one, usually sold to tourists. At the airport, we took the airport-city shuttle, which cost us around €12 for the round trip. We booked at the Hotel Onix Fira. It was well-placed, and we got a good price via Booking. 

Walk around the Gothic Quarter. You can easily get lost in the street of this historic centre of the old city. You will always end up at the impressive Barcelona Cathedral, on the front square you also have a vintage market ans musicians at the end of the day. In this neighbourhood you also have the Picasso museum and the famous fresque of the kiss. 

Go to Mercat de la Boqueria. It’s perfect for trying the local gastronomy. You can find cheese, Serrano ham, sandwiches, empanadas, tapas, beers, fruits… the perfect place for food lovers. And the prices are okay.

Go to Parc Güell. You have to book your ticket online in advance; it costs €19. We booked the early morning slot to avoid tourists; it gets crowded really quickly. It’s a nice park with beautiful views and incredible art by Gaudí. A must-do in Barcelona.

Check out La Sagrada Familia. The icon of the city – you can’t miss it. We decided to just see it from the outside, as the tickets to enter are extremely expensive. But even from the outside, you can appreciate this incredible architecture by Gaudí.

Visit a museum. Visit a museum. There are so many museums of art and architecture you can visit in Barcelona. If you happen to be in Barcelona the first weekend of the month, it’s great because many museums offer free entry on the first Sunday of every month.

• La Casa Vicens - €16 - You can book online or go directly there. Casa Vicens is one of Gaudí's earliest architectural works. The architecture and details are incredible. 
• La Casa Batlló - €29 - You have to book online, and depending on the day and time, your ticket might be cheaper. I believe it’s one of Gaudí's most visited houses. We opted for the basic ticket, which includes an audio guide explaining each room. There are premium tickets available that include a tablet with virtual reality, showing you the rooms with furniture and people. On the rooftop, there's a bar where you can have a beer. It was expensive but worth it. 
• Museu Picasso - €14 - Every first Sunday of the month, entry is free. We went there directly and got a free ticket. It’s a nice museum where you discover Picasso's different styles throughout the years. 
• Fundació Joan Miró - €15 - You will discover Miró's paintings as well as his sculptures. You also get a superb view of the city as the museum is on top of Montjuïc. 
• Mies Van Der Rohe Pavilion - A classic of architecture. It’s free on the first Sunday of the month; otherwise, I think the ticket is a bit expensive. 
• MACBA (Museu d'Art Contemporani de Barcelona) - €11 - Free on Saturdays from 4 pm to 8 pm - If you like contemporary art, it’s for you. 
• Museu Nacional d'Art de Catalunya - €12 - Free on Saturdays from 3 pm and the first Sunday of each month - If you prefer figurative art, you will discover works from Catalan artists.

Go to Montjuïc. You can take the cable car to get there, but it costs €12. We personally used public transport. You can see Montjuïc Castle, the Fundació Joan Miró, and the Museu Nacional d'Art de Catalunya. You can walk through the park and appreciate the panoramic view of the city.

Do some shopping. Do some shopping. Around Plaça de Catalunya, you'll find lots of shops. We took advantage of the winter sales to do some shopping. It was really worth it.

Have a walk at La Barceloneta. Have a walk at La Barceloneta. On a sunny day, it’s really nice to walk along the beachfront of La Barceloneta. There are also lots of restaurants in front where you can enjoy a beer and some tapas. We went in January, so no swimming for us, but in summer, you could have a swim. Chill and holiday vibes right next to the city center – we loved it!

Eat. Spanish gastronomy is known for its charcuterie, cheese, tapas, and paella. So, you definitely can’t miss this. We ended up many times at the chain "Tapas, Tapas," which had locations around the city. For the quality and price, it’s a good address.

Drink. In Barcelona, you can find some of the best bars in the world. If you want to discover cocktail gastronomy, you can go to Paradiso or Sips.