A view of Barcelona
The city of Barcelona is currently cosmopolitan and welcoming at the same time. But it has also managed to preserve its traditions and a rich monumental heritage that testifies to its brilliance in the past. Sixth most populated city in Europe, it combines Gothic buildings with the wonders of Gaudí and also with a modern area where avant-garde constructions and many places of entertainment abound.
There are also magnificent restaurants where you can taste the delicious gastronomy of Barcelona in particular and Catalan in general. If you want to visit it, we will explain everything you can do in it.
What to see in Barcelona
The set of monuments, museums and other places worthy of a visit that Barcelona offers you is enormous. But there are a number of them that you must see. They are as follows.
Catedral de Barcelona
Officially named Santa Iglesia Catedral Basilica Metropolitana de la Santa Cruz y Santa Eulalia, it is a masterpiece of the Gothic architecture. It was built between the XNUMXth and XNUMXth centuries, although its façade was completed in the XNUMXth. Among its chapels, the one of Santa Lucía stands out, which, however, belongs to the late Romanesque, and that of Santo Cristo de Lepanto, highly revered in the city.
But one of the most impressive parts of the cathedral is its cloister, adorned by sculptures inspired by the Old and New Testaments, as well as the legend of Saint George fighting the dragon.
Around the basilica is precisely the Gothic Quarter from Barcelona, where you can see other wonders such as the Portal del Ángel, the Episcopal Palace or the Plaza Real. And also historical remains such as the old Jewish quarter and the medieval walls.
Montjuic Mountain
Montjuic mountain
For the celebration of the Universal Exposition of 1929, they were built in the Montjuic mountain buildings that today are among the most emblematic of Barcelona. Among them, you must see the Olympic Stadium and the Spanish village, the latter with 117 buildings representative of all the regions of Spain.
But above all, you will be impressed by the imposing National Palace, carried out in a classicist style similar to the architecture of the Renaissance and which houses many works of the Noucentista style. And the no less spectacular one will also catch your attention Magic Fountain, whose waters light up in different colors at night.
Casa Milà, the Sagrada Familia and other creations of the great Antonio Gaudí
But if Barcelona owes a lot to a genius, it is none other than Antonio Gaudi, creator of an architectural style as eclectic as it is his own, but always extraordinary. Numerous examples of his teaching have remained in Barcelona. Several of them make up a group that has been declared Heritage.
Among these wonders, you must visit the Sagrada Familia, one of the emblems of Barcelona and to which Gaudí consecrated his life, although he was not able to finish it. But you also have to see the Casa Mila, popularly known as La Pedrera; the Casa Batllo and Park Güell, whose forms are inspired by Nature.
Casa Mila
Museums
Barcelona is also rich in museums. Precisely, in the park just mentioned you have the Gaudí House Museum, where you can get to know this cool personality better. No less important are the Picasso Museum and the foundations dedicated to Joan Miró and Antoni Tàpies.
On the other hand, on the Montjuic mountain you will find the Botanical Garden and the Museum of Natural Sciences, while in the Eixample there is one dedicated to Catalan modernism. You also have an interesting Museum of the History of Barcelona and other more curious. For example, the one dedicated to automatons, the Perfume, the Erotic or the Football Club Barcelona.
What to do in Barcelona
In addition to visiting all the monuments that we have recommended, there are many other things you can do in Barcelona. If you are traveling with children, it is essential that you take them to the Tibidabo Amusement Park, the oldest in Spain. If you want to make a different trip, you can get there on a funicular that leaves from the Plaza del Doctor Andreu or on the so-called Blue Tram.
On the other hand, if you want to make a purchase and have good money, in the Paseo de Gracia you have a true "golden mile", with shops of the world's leading luxury brands. But, if you prefer something more typical and also less expensive, it is worth visiting the different markets that is in the city, for example, Santa Caterina.
What to eat in Barcelona
Barcelona has a rich and varied gastronomy that combines Catalan with dishes from Barcelona. In turn, it combines tradition and the most avant-garde of the new cuisine, present in world-famous restaurants.
As a classic starter, you must eat the famous country bread with tomato. Or you can also try one of the varieties of coca, equivalent to pizza in Italian cuisine.
And then it is a typical dish the sausage with white beans that are called monks in the zone. Very popular is also the escudella, a soup that is prepared with different vegetables, chicken, beef, potatoes and chickpeas; but it has a peculiar ingredient: the "ball", a large meatball made with minced meat, garlic, egg, parsley and breadcrumbs.
Bread with tomato
You will also find the Suquet de peix, a kind of stew with rockfish, potatoes and other ingredients. And, likewise, typical are calçots (a variety of onion) with romesco sauce.
Different is the Roasted Peppers Salad, a cold side dish made with roasted peppers and aubergines which are then seasoned with salt, olive oil and vinegar. Greater forcefulness has fricando a stew of mushrooms and beef with sauce. And, for dessert, you can't miss a good Catalan cream, similar to the custard from other places in Spain. Although they have a more original name, nun pets (Nun's farts), some cookies that you will find all over Barcelona.
In conclusion, there is a lot that Barcelona has to offer you. You would need many days to enjoy it all. But, if you listen to our advice, you can say that your visit has allowed you to know all the essentials of the cosmopolitan Catalan city.