Barcelona is very rich in attractions that are of interest to many tourists. Most of the visitors wonder what to visit in Barcelona first of all? Indeed, the choice is not easy, but we will try to help with it!

Casa Batlló is an interesting and unusual landmark that must be visited in Barcelona! This previously ordinary house, built in 1877 at the will of a wealthy manufacturer, was almost completely rebuilt according to the project of Antoni Gaudi. Local residents began to call it the House of Bones almost from the first days. If you look closely, the numerous columns can be compared with bones, and the balconies with skulls. There are practically no straight lines in the house, the only exceptions are the side walls, which remained from the previous structure. The roof of the house is also striking in its uniqueness, in appearance it resembles the back of a formidable dragon.

This building in Barcelona is unique not only from the outside, but many amazing discoveries await visitors inside as well. For example, a fireplace in the shape of a mushroom, asymmetrical windows, etc. Even the furniture for the house was designed by Gaudi himself. Casa Batlló attracts many tourists and functions not only as a museum. Various events of the city and international level are also often held here.

Be sure to visit the Ramblas in Barcelona, ​​which is considered to be the heart of the city. The place for its laying was determined by nature itself. The boulevard was built in 1776 on the site of a dry river bed. It is divided into five independent sections that smoothly flow into each other. The first of them, Rambla Canaletes, is famous for the fact that it is here that the fountain with the coat of arms of Catalonia is located. Legend has it that a person who has tasted some water from it will certainly return here.

In the second part, the university was previously located, which gave the name to this section of the boulevard, Rambla Teachings. Now the university is no longer here, but you can admire the luxurious creations of architects, for example, the Church of Our Lady of Bethlehem and the theater "Poliorama". They now sell birds here.

On the third section of the boulevard, called the Rambla of Flowers, there are numerous flower shops, and here you can also admire the majestic Palace of the Viceroy.

The fourth part of the boulevard is famous for the fact that it is here that the Liceu Opera House is located. Nearby is the Principal Theater, which is considered the oldest theater in Barcelona. The fact that this section of the boulevard has ended will be suggested by the fountain with the name “Three Graces”.

You can end your walk by passing the last part of the boulevard, which is called the Rambla of Saint Monica, where the Arts Center is located. The Columbus monument, which is located here, cannot remain unnoticed. Those wishing to admire the delightful view of Barcelona can take the elevator to the observation deck at an altitude of 60 m. The boulevard is a pedestrian street, where mass city events take place, and therefore the place is of great tourist interest.

Every tourist who does not know what to visit in Barcelona in the first place is recommended to go to the famous temple. This is another creation of Gaudi, which amazes with its grandeur and scope! Work on it began in 1882. Surprisingly, the temple is still unfinished! Over the years of construction, more than one talented architect has managed to work on it. And yet, the temple is considered active. A museum dedicated to the construction of the temple and several towers are open to visitors. When the construction of the temple was just beginning, the territory given over for construction was outside the city, but now it is one of the most densely populated quarters of Barcelona.

It is impossible not to notice this beauty of Barcelona! At night, it attracts attention with its bright lighting, while in the daytime the views of tourists are attracted by the shape of the tower. The inauguration of Jean Nuel's Agbar Tower took place in 2005. The latest developments in the field of construction were applied during the construction of the tower. Unfortunately, you cannot see the building from the inside, but an external inspection will be enough.

The building of this palace in Barcelona was built in 1908. Famous architects, sculptors and stained glass masters worked on its creation. Since then, it has been considered the main concert venue in the city, and congresses, conferences and exhibitions of various kinds are also held in its halls. Of particular interest is the building itself, built in a modernist style.

The Chocolate Museum is Barcelona's most visited place for sweet tooth! It is located in a former monastery building. In the museum, visitors are introduced to the history of the delicacy and the technology of its production. The most interesting thing here is the paintings and sculptures made of chocolate, as well as copies of the sights of Barcelona.

The Chocolate Museum in Barcelona has been open to visitors relatively recently, but has already managed to win universal love. It will be interesting for both adults and children to visit here. By the way, master classes are held with children on certain days, where they can try to create their own chocolate masterpiece.

Montjuic is a beautiful and very popular tourist complex in Barcelona. Until recently, the castle of Montjuic was a prison. Now the military-patriotic museum is located on the territory of the castle.

A storm of emotions among tourists is caused by the contemplation of a popular attraction - the singing fountain! Also on the Montjuïc mountain you can see the objects that were built for the 1992 Olympic Games. Art lovers can visit the Juan Miro Museum. You can take a leisurely stroll around the Botanical Garden. And most of all tourists are attracted by the observation deck - the best place in Barcelona for exploring the city from above.

The initiator of the opening of this museum in Barcelona was Picasso's secretary. It opened its doors to visitors in 1963. Initially, the museum was located in an old mansion on Moncado Square, now it occupies as many as five mansions on this street. The exposition of the museum presents about 3.5 thousand works of the master from various periods of creativity. Some of them appeared in the museum during the artist's lifetime, while others were donated by his widow after the death of Picasso. Visitors to this museum are given the ideal opportunity to experience the work of the renowned artist.

The Barcelona Aquarium is considered to be one of the largest in the world. It is the best attraction in Barcelona to visit with children. The entire territory of the aquarium is divided into 3 zones. The most popular is the oceanarium zone. There are more than three dozen aquariums in it, in which sea inhabitants live. Visitors are especially delighted by the journey through the glass tunnel. It seems that you are taking a walk on the seabed, sharks and stingrays are swimming overhead every now and then.

The species diversity of the inhabitants of this aquarium is impressive: here you can see harmless seahorses, funny penguins and other, no less interesting, representatives of the animal world. Another area is designed to tell about the benefits of water. There is also a special area for children where you can take funny photos or slide down the tunnel. On the territory of the aquarium there is a souvenir shop and a cafeteria.

The Gothic Quarter, located on the site of a Roman settlement, and in fact the predecessor of Barcelona, ​​is the oldest part of the city. A huge number of buildings built in the Gothic style are concentrated here. In the very center of the quarter, tourists can admire the beautiful Cathedral. Life in the Gothic Quarter is in full swing both day and night. Administrative buildings and shops, cafes and bars adjoin here. This is one of the most recommended places to visit in Barcelona!

Despite the fact that this museum in Barcelona only opened in 1994, it is considered to be one of the most significant in Europe. The exhibition is based on the collection of antiquities by Jordi Clos. Here you can see burial masks, sarcophagi, personal belongings of the pharaohs and their entourage, papyri, etc. Now the museum also houses a library, where the works of famous Egyptologists are presented.

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Tourists visiting Spain make sure to try to come to Barcelona. The capital of Catalonia is an amazingly beautiful city that has become a real monument to the architectural genius of Gaudí. When deciding what to see in Barcelona, ​​his masterpieces are listed first.

The great architect created 17 projects, 10 of them are located in the main city of the region:

• Sagrada Familia;
• The houses of Mila, Batlló, Figueres, Calvet and Vicens;
• Palace and pavilion of the Guell estate;
• College of the Order of Saint Teresa.

Six of these sites are recognized as UNESCO World Heritage Sites and are included in all tourism guides. The rest also do not go unnoticed by vacationers due to their original architecture.

Mount Montjuic with its park, singing fountains and the National Palace is of great interest. Be sure to visit the Boqueria market, stroll along the Ramblas and look into. It is recommended to include the museums of Picasso, chocolate, bullfighting in the introductory program.

Getting to know Gaudí's creations

Traveling to one of the most interesting corners of Spain can be done in different ways: by buying a tour in an agency or on your own. The second option requires a responsible approach to the organization, but provides more scope in the choice of objects. You can decide for yourself what to see in Barcelona and decide in which order you should get acquainted with the sights. It is better to make a list before the trip so as not to waste time on this activity while already on the excursion.

The most popular tourist sites in the Catalan capital are the projects of Antoni Gaudí. It is recommended to start your acquaintance with the city with them.

Sagrada Familia

The most famous creation of the great architect, the visiting card of the Catalan capital, is the Sagrada Familia. The creator gave 43 years of his life to work on it, but did not see his masterpiece complete. The construction of the Sagrada Familia began 135 years ago and continues to this day.

The Sagrada Familia is one of the tallest buildings in the city. It admires with its bizarre shapes and 18 towers. Millions of tourists visit it every year. The city has created conditions for guests to get to the popular place on their own. Nearby is the metro station of the same name, which allows you to quickly reach the temple from anywhere in Barcelona.

You can appreciate the beauty of the Sagrada Familia not only from the outside, but also from the inside.

You will have to pay about 13 euros to visit the temple. It is better to book tickets in advance so as not to stand in lines. An audio guide or a tour guide will help you learn more about the architectural monument.

The Mila House deserves special attention - a landmark recognized by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site. This is the last completed project of the great architect. He was ordered a house as the most unusual one. The master did an excellent job. The building turned out to be extravagant, striking with smooth curves that create the illusion of movement. Until now, nothing like this has been created by architects.

The structure was erected as a residential building, but today a bank is located here. Only a few apartments are available for rent. One of them has become a museum and is open to the public. You can get acquainted with the exhibits of the early 20th century every day.

The ticket costs 20.5 euros. Discounts are provided for students and children. You can get there by metro (Diagonal station), bus or FGC train.

Another attraction of the Catalan capital, included in the UNESCO World Heritage List, is Casa Batlló (Casa Batlló). Built in the late 19th century, it was completely redesigned by Antoni Gaudi. Alteration work was carried out at the beginning of the twentieth century.

The architect invented for him unusual facades in the form of a skeleton with balconies-skulls and a roof resembling the back of a dragon. The decoration combines bizarre forms of flora and fauna.

You will definitely love the unique interior design of the building. In addition to smooth lines and asymmetric contours of window openings, forged decorative elements, stained-glass windows, tiles, and original configurations of fireplaces attract attention.

Visits to the museum are allowed daily from 9 am to 9 pm. It is more convenient to get to the place by metro or bus. The ticket costs 20.35 euros. Children enter the building free of charge.

The building is not very popular with tourists, but you are advised to include it in your Barcelona experience. Vicens is included in the UNESCO World Heritage List. It attracts with original architectural solutions and design. The facades are faced with ceramic tiles forming a pattern in the form of marigolds - the most popular colors among Catalans. This is the first project of Gaudí, which reflected the extraordinary talent of the great master.

Vincennes is privately owned and closed to the public. If you would like to get acquainted with the interior decoration - plan a trip to Barcelona on May 22. On this day, its doors are open to everyone.

You don't have to search for a building for a long time. It is located in the center of the Catalan capital. You can get to the place by metro.

Park Guell is another corner associated with the name of Antoni Gaudí, in which gardens and living areas are organically intertwined. It was created over 100 years ago. The park is located in the upper part of the city and is ideal for independent travel. A walk along its alleys will allow you to plunge into a real fairy-tale world.

The amazing world with fancy fences, funny lizards, mosaic houses beckons and delights. You will definitely see his image on most postcards with popular views. The main attraction of Guell is the house-museum of the architect himself.

The park is open to the public every day. In the summer from 8:00 to 21-30, in the winter - from 8-30 to 18:00. To get there on your own, you need to take the metro to Lesseps station. Then you can walk up the street or take an escalator.

The ticket costs 8 euros (when ordering on the website - 7). A visit to the museum will cost 5.50 euros.

Palais Güell is an Art Nouveau-style residential building that the great architect created for an industrialist who became his patron and one of the main customers. There are still clear geometric lines in this project, which distinguishes it from other creations of the master. The originality of the building is given

• steel supporting structures invented by the master;
• two arches with unique wrought iron grilles;
• the coat of arms located between them;
• unusual layout of the interior;
• chimneys on the roof, the design of which distinguishes the palace from other buildings, even from a distance.

The architectural masterpiece is located near the Ramblas, which is also popular with guests.

Manor Guell is the first masterpiece by Antoni Gaudí created for his patron. Unfortunately, the years and incompetent restorers did not spare the unique ensemble. Today you will be able to appreciate only the pavilions of the estate, decorated with broken ceramic tiles, and the original gate with a dragon, invented by the architect himself. The remaining buildings are amazing for their uniqueness and beauty. They (like the Park and Palace of Guell) are included in the UNESCO World Heritage List.

To explore the pavilions on your own, you need to get to Palau Reial station by metro or bus. The ticket costs 6 euros, which makes the architectural monument one of the most visited places.

Visiting popular corners of the city

The sights of the Catalan capital are not only architectural masterpieces of the great master. You should definitely visit other attractions:

• Mount Montjuic;
• Ramblas boulevard;
• Boqueria market;
• Mount Tibidabo.

Not sure what to see in Barcelona yet? Pay attention to Mount Montjuïc. It is considered a place of real pilgrimage for tourists and locals. Here are located:

• wonderful parks Hoy Jardi Botanic and Jardins de Mossen Costra I Lljobera with a huge collection of flora and fauna;
• Singing fountains Magic Fountain;
• The National Palace;
• museums;
• Spanish village.

Our last travel dates: May 2018, September and November 2019
As a tour or on your own

Where is the best place to relax in Spain by the sea? On the Catalan coast, of course! We would like to share with you some of our favorite places to visit in Barcelona within 1-3 days of your trip. Moreover, if you are not arriving in the city itself. We have repeatedly studied routes to the sights of the city and for 5 trips they have collected tons of photos and text for you. Where to go from Barcelona for one day? We will also tell you about this and show it on our own experience.

You can endlessly circle on the architectural and cultural carousel of the city, but if you have only a day or three left, the routes should be clear and systematized. What to see in Barcelona on a tight schedule, where to go and, most importantly, how to get to must see places? Last time in November we went there for 10 whole days!

One of the main attractions of Barcelona is the Sagrada Familia. You can buy a separate ticket inside, or get inside with

1. We recommend planning breakfast in the Instagram cafe Brunch & Cake or more comfortable Brunch aribol located 10 minutes walk from Plaza Catalunya... The doors swing open at 9 am, so we run straight to the opening, otherwise a queue will line up. The popularity of the places does not spoil the quality of the breakfasts, which can be gorged on for about € 15-25 for two.

2. Those "prepared" in advance can skip this point and immediately go down into the metro and take the L3 line to the Lesseps station. 15 minutes walk, guided by the signs, and you - in Park Guell- an iconic landmark of Barcelona. In the morning it is most comfortable here, there are few tourists, and the sun is not so hot. 17 hectares of greenery, steps up, steps down, observation platforms and the characteristic "gingerbread" style of Gaudí - exploring the park, together with the paid zones (€ 10), will take about 1.5 hours.

3. Returning the same way to the Catalunya metro station, cross the square and find yourself on the boulevard Rambla- the main tourist street of the city. Every visitor considers it necessary to walk a kilometer distance to Columbus monument... And in parallel, consider all the offers of the souvenir and gift industry of the city (at inflated prices) and evaluate the activities of street artists.

4. Here on the boulevard there is Boqueria market is definitely worth a look if you want to capture your independent exploration of Barcelona in 1 day with an excellent piece of jamon, a portion of selected spices and fresh fruit.

5. Turning off the Ramblas, tourists get into Gothic Quarter... This is one of the oldest districts of the capital of Catalonia, its historical center, full of medieval architecture and chaotic streets. Here are located objects that are not listed in the top attractions of Barcelona, ​​but, nevertheless, are considered the main points of visiting the quarter - Cathedral of Saint Eulalia, Royal Square, Church of Santa Maria del Pi. A suitable place for lunch is the Four Cats cafe on Carrer de Montsio, 3. Once upon a time, Gaudí and Picasso also dined here.

6. It will take about half an hour of walking to get to Sagrada Familia... To save time, you can take the metro at Passeig de Gracia and take the L2 line to Sagrada Familia station. If you plan to go inside, buy tickets in advance online, because on the spot, you will surely find huge queues at the box office. The basic option of all available tickets costs € 17, with an audio guide - from € 25.

7. If your one day in Barcelona falls on Thursday - Sunday, go in the evening for square of spain... From Sagrada Familia - on the L2 line to the Universitat station, transfer to L1 and to the Espanya station. At 21:00 starts Singing Fountain Show, gathering crowds of tourists every day.

However, if you are visiting the city from Monday to Wednesday, or the show starts too late, end your mini-tour with a stroll along Barceloneta's promenade.

Where to eat in Barcelona in the evening? A good place is Menssana on Carrer de Sardenya, where you can sample a mix of Mexican and Spanish cuisine.

In general, you can at once simplify your plans for the days ahead by taking a thematic excursion from the locals:

Barcelona in 2 days

What to see in Barcelona on day 2? Route:

1. Barcelona Aquarium,
2. Museum of Catalan Art.

1. Diagonal metro station Mila's house... The special style of the building - in the form of waves - gives a little surrealism and the impression of mobility of the house, and the characteristic "gingerbread" top gives out the hand of Gaudí. Open to the public from 9 am to 8 pm, entrance ticket - € 22.

1. Review: How tourists are cheated in Barcelona

1. Five hundred meters up the road was located Casa Batlló at Passeig de Gracia, 43. This is another example of the absence of any straight lines in the design of buildings from Gaudí, listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is allowed to drop in from 9 am to 9 pm, having previously paid for a ticket with a minimum price of € 25.

1. You can continue the Barcelona route on foot to the largest in the European part of the world. Aquarium located at Moll d'Espanya, Port Vell. Visitors find themselves literally on the seabed, fenced off from thousands of marine life only by a glass tunnel. Well, as if they did not come to see the outlandish creatures, but on the contrary 🙂 Entrance is from 10 to 21 (depending on the time of year) and costs € 21.
2. The largest museum in Barcelona - National Art Museum of Catalonia- you can get on the metro, getting to the Espanya station and going through the already familiar Plaza de España up to the majestically towering palace. In summer, the museum is open from Tuesday to Sunday from 10 to 20, the ticket price is about 12 €. However, a free visit is also possible, more on that below.

If you have not yet decided how you will get to Barcelona and are thinking about a tour, then here are 3 proven sites for online booking of tours with 24 hours support:

In 2013, the entrance to Park Guell was still free, now 10 euros per person

Barcelona in 3 days

On the 3rd day in Barcelona, ​​you can watch the next one on your own route:

1. Barceloneta beach,
2. Mount Tibidabo,
3. Spanish village,
4. Agbar Tower,
5. Embankment.

Where to live for these 3 days? In Barcelona, ​​we do not prefer hotels, but apartments - cheaper, more comfortable, prettier. We are looking for the Airbnb service. If you are a beginner, you will get a discount of 2100 rubles on your first booking.

1. If in the previous days you were not able to accommodate sunbathing on the shores of the Mediterranean Sea, then this morning is the best time for swimming and sunbathing. on the Barceloneta beach... Of course, subject to summer travel 🙂

1. Entertainment in Barcelona is still plentiful on the third day. One of the most interesting is climbing the mountain Tibidabo... Here are and amusement park opened in the 19th century and a complex of churches Temple of the Sacred Heart, and one of the best viewpoints in Barcelona. Getting to the highest point is an exciting adventure. You must first get to Av Tibidabo station on the L7 line, change to the famous Blue Tram (4 € one way), which has been running along the route for more than a century, and arrive at the Plaça del Funicular stop, from where the old Barcelona funicular (7.7 €).
   Please note that the Blue Tram and Funicular are closed until Fall 2020.
2. Returning the same way to Plaza Catalunya and taking the metro a little further to Espanya, you can get to Spanish village... This place represents Spain in miniature: the quarter contains village houses, shops, churches from every region of the country. The cost of the visit will cost approximately € 11.
3. Observation decks in Barcelona are also appreciated near the Glories metro station - there is a 34-storey skyscraper visible from everywhere Agbar tower... Well, or "Glowing Cucumber", as they call it in the night 🙂 There is an opportunity to pass for free thanks to dozens of restaurants and cafes in the building.
4. In the evening, you can go to the nightclubs in Barcelona, ​​lined up in a row along the promenade of Barceloneta... Or you can just walk along the sea, enjoy the end of your visit to the capital of Catalonia and at the same time plan your next obligatory trip, because Barcelona and in addition to the sights described above still have something to surprise!

Barcelona map with landmarks

Below is a map of Barcelona with landmarks in Russian. For your convenience, we have marked the main points of the route for the sights of Barcelona, ​​which can be visited in 1, 2 and 3 days in different colors (blue, green and red, respectively), so that you have a rough idea of ​​how to move around the city.

Advice: if you are offline, the maps.me offline maps application helps a lot to navigate the terrain! We have personally tested it in different countries. Download a detailed Barcelona map and transfer all the waypoints to the app. Such an assistant, with marked streets, hotels, etc., will definitely not let you get lost 🙂 The main thing is to do everything in advance.

Another good Barcelona travel guide combining Barcelona attractions and the 2020 metro map on a map:

Source: barcelonatm.ru

In Barcelona, ​​the metro is the most convenient form of transport, connecting all corners of the city with its network. On the above map, you can see for yourself that, as a rule, each attraction can be reached by subway.

In total, the capital of Catalonia has about 180 metro stations, scattered along 12 lines. They (lines) differ in numbers - from L1 to L5, L9N, L9S, L10-L11 and FM. Since the metro system is integrated with the railways (following to the suburbs), there is a division into metro zones. All of Barcelona is included in Zone 1.

How much does the metro cost in Barcelona?
A single one-way ticket, i.e. valid for both the metro and the bus costs € 2.4. It is purchased at stations in special machines - you will not find people behind the window selling tickets in Barcelona 🙂

You can reduce the cost of the Barcelona metro if you intend to actively travel around the city. For this, from 2020, there is a T-casual ticket, which for € 11.35 provides 10 trips by any type of public transport. One travel card can be used by several people. The T-casual ticket does not apply to the L9 metro line and shuttles from the AeroBus airport.

You will definitely need a Barcelona metro map on site, so it is better to print it out or download it to your phone in advance. As a reminder, the opening hours vary depending on the days of the week: from Monday to Thursday 5: 00-00: 00, Friday and holidays 5: 00-2: 00, Saturday around the clock, Sunday 5: 00-00: 00.

Be sure to watch the sunset at Montjuic (Plaza de España)

Where to go from Barcelona?

If you have a couple of extra days left, and you walked around the city itself, then you can ask the question - where to go from Barcelona for 1 day? It is not necessary to go too far for new "beach" impressions - the coasts of the Costa Brava (Lloret de Mar) and the Costa Dorada, to the south and north of the capital, are rich in golden sands and clear sea waves.

But if you want something atypical ... In this case, we have selected attractions near Barcelona, ​​which will definitely make you admire, and some even freeze with fear.

The most convenient way to travel around Spain is by car - both the company is “our own”, and there is no need to adjust to the schedule. We prefer to rent a car in advance on the website. The service scans the offers of all global and local rental agencies and pleases us with profitable options.

Our trip to Barcelona (Mount Montserrat and Benedictine monastery)

You can ride the funicular, marvel at the unusual shape of the rocks, listen to the oldest children's choir in the world and touch the Black Madonna just 50 kilometers from Barcelona. To do this, take the train from the R5 platform from the Espanya station to either the Aeri cable car or the Cremallera funicular. The cost with transport to the top is € 21.50 in both directions. You can save at your own peril and risk - buy a train ticket only one way, and ride back like a hare (there are no turnstiles).

Port Aventura and Ferrari Land... In 2013 it cost 42 €, in 2020 - 55 €. One of the most famous attractions in Barcelona, ​​the rides in these theme parks will give you a thrill! Take at least the recently opened extreme slide Red Force, which will release you into a free fall from 112 meters. Our knees gave way for a long time ... But even after several trips to Barcelona, ​​every time we come here, we still go to PortAventura. 🙂

Favorite place PortAventura (in 2013 it cost 42 €, in 2020 - 55 €)

Figueres... Where to go from Barcelona to experience the heritage of Catalan art? To the town where Salvador Dali was born and rests! Moreover, hundreds of tourists' feet pass over his grave a day, because the artist was buried under one of the rooms of the famous Dali theater-museum. You can get to Figueres for € 12 by train from Estacio Sants station in 55 minutes or by car, covering 140 km.

This city is divided by the river into two parts from different eras - modernity and the Middle Ages. In the old city, there are at least 5 museums, 8 temples and even Arab baths from the 12th century.

Our trip to Girona in May

All in all, this is really one of the attractions worth seeing near Barcelona. From Passieg de Gracia station, trains run every half hour to Girona; ticket price - 9 €.

Trip to Girona for 10 €

Empuriabrava... The city, dotted with water channels, along which locals move sedately by boats, can be found not only in Italy. In Spain it is Empuriabrava. However, instead of gondolas, there are yachts, boats, boats belonging to the owners of villas and mansions built on scraps of land, and professional yachtsmen. To get here, you need to drive to Figueres and then take a bus for 4 €.

Val de Nuria... This, of course, is no longer part of the section "What to see in the vicinity of Barcelona", because the place is perhaps closer to Andorra 🙂 However, the picturesque mountains, transparent lake, clean air and all-consuming serenity contrast so much with the landscapes and atmosphere of the Catalan capital that the 130 kilometers journey is worth it. If you have 3 days or more, stay longer! Travel first by train on the R3 line from Placa de Catalunya to Ribes de Freser, and then by funicular train to an altitude of 1950 meters. The cost of a round-trip ticket is 30 €.

Probably the most exciting adventure that can be done from Barcelona! The neighboring principality welcomes all tourists with a Schengen visa in their passport. The distance from Barcelona to Andorra is about 200 km, and it takes about 3 hours by car. How to get from Barcelona to Andorra by public transport? By bus only from Sants station or El Prat airport for ≈ € 30 one way.

To Andorra behind the mountains and shopping

Barcelona museums

Any route to the sights of Barcelona is not complete without ... museums! It's doubly enjoyable to visit them for free, isn't it? How to do it? 🙂

• The most significant - National Art Museum of Catalonia(Museu Nacional d'Art de Catalunya), containing the collections of the former Museum of Modern Art and the Museum of Art of Catalonia. You will be able to pass for free every Saturday from 15 to 18 and the first Sunday of the month.

We went to the main museum of Catalonia (didn't like it)

• The capital of Catalonia also preserves the memory of another outstanding artist and sculptor. Picasso Museum in Barcelona(Museu Picasso) occupies 5 mansions, perfectly fitting into the architecture of the Gothic Quarter. Stop by every Sunday after 15:00 without a ticket.
• Tell in detail the history of the provincial capital through numerous exhibits can Museum of the History of the City of Barcelona(MHCB). It is less often open for free access - only on the first Sunday of the month.

• (MACBA) is for those with a passion for futuristic displays, mesmerizing art installations and sometimes blushing photographs. Free admission is practiced every Sunday from 15 to 20.
• Well, why in Barcelona Chocolate Museum(Museu de la Xocolata) without a ticket is allowed only on the first Monday of the month - it is quite understandable. There are not enough chocolates that are given to all visitors at the entrance! 🙂

In general, if you give advice to tourists, then it is better to go to Spain, as well as to Barcelona in general, for 7-10 days.

Barcelona is a city filled with so much fun that you can fully cover them in onethe trip is simply not possible. We offer you the top ten "must-see": having visited theseplaces, you can fully experience the rebellious spirit and unforgettable atmosphere of the capital Catalonia.

The Sagrada Familia is an iconic landmark in Barcelona. Its memorable The cathedral owes its appearance to its creator - the architect Antoni Gaudi. Theirthe last years he devoted to the construction of this magnificent temple, but did not have time for itcomplete. Despite the fact that construction work is underway here to this day, the templeopen to the public. This place is quite popular with tourists, without pre-booked tickets, be prepared for serious queues.

Entrance fee - 15 €, with audio guide - 19.5€. The cathedral is located at Mallorca, 401 (the nearest metro station is Sagrada Familia) andopen from 9:00 to 20:00.

Picasso Museum

Museu Picasso de Barcelona is one of the three largest museums in the world, dedicated to the work of the great artist. Its permanent exhibition numbersabout 3800 canvases, which can be used to trace the path of Picasso's formation aspainter. More than 1 million people visit it annually. The museum is located ataddress Montcada 15-23 and occupies several old mansions located nearbytogether. The closest metro stations are Arc de Triofim, Liceu and Jaume I.

Museum open from 9:00 am to 7:00 pm any day of the week except Monday. Constantthe exposition can be viewed for 11 €, temporary exhibitions - for 6.5 €. There are queues at the museum, you can avoid them by booking in advance.

Spanish village

Spanish Village (Poble Espanyo) l - a specially rebuilt village, which contains architectural traditions of different regions of Spain. The village consists of 116 buildings, some of whichmade in true size, part - to scale. Crafts are open in the housesworkshops, souvenir and food shops. While visiting the village, you can tasteeat in one of the local pubs or restaurants, and see a flamenco show.

The Spanish Village can be found in Montjuic Park at Av. Francesc Ferrer i Guàrdia, 13. The nearest metro station is Espanya, from which you have to walk 15 minutes.The Spanish Village is open from 9:00 am until late at night. Full ticket price -12 €, child ticket - 7 €, hour flamenco show - from 41 €.

Barceloneta Beach

The most popular beach in the city, so it is always crowded here, life is in full swing and fun. It stretches for a kilometer along the coast from Carrer Almirall Cervera toOlympic Port. Barceloneta is renowned for its infrastructure, which isan integral part of a comfortable beach holiday. You can get here on foot orby metro, getting off at Barceloneta or Ciutadella stations. You can rent a sunbed for 6 €, umbrella - for 5 €.

Park Guell

Park Guell is another popular destination that allows you to fully appreciate the unusual Gaudi's architectural style. Once upon a time, the rich townspeople did not appreciate this idea, butlater the park was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and today is herethousands of visitors come. During a leisurely stroll through the park, the eyes do notstop enjoying bright colors, unusual lines of houses and colorful facades.

Park Guell is located at Carrer d "Olot, 13 (the nearest metro station is Lesseps).In winter, the park is open from 8:30 to 18:00, in summer from 8:00 to 21:00. Standard costentrance ticket - 8 €, for children 7-12 years old - 5.6 €, children under 7 years old do not need a ticket.

Maremagnum Shopping Center

In the area of ​​the Old Port, on an artificial island, there is one of the best places for rest and shopping in the city - shopping center "Maremagnum". Boutiques are gathered under one rooffamous brands, gastronomic terrace, observation decks, entertainment area,beauty salons, cinemas and a nightclub.

The shopping center is located at Moll d'Espanya, 5,you can get there by metro, getting off at Drassanes or Barceloneta stations. The shopsopen from 10:00 to 22:00, restaurants from 10:00 to 01:00.

Restaurant "4 cats"

Els Quetro Gats is a legendary institution, whose regulars were Picasso, Gaudi, Enrique Granados, Lewis Millet and other famous people of Spain. To an institution todaymanaged to preserve the bohemian atmosphere, thanks to which the restaurant is one of thecult places of the city. If you happen to be here, try the local hits:tuna with vegetables, oxtail with celery puree and Catalan dessert with chocolate.

The restaurant is located in the Gothic Quarter at Carrer de Montsió, 3,the nearest metro stations are Catalunya and Jaume I. Opening hours of the establishment: from 10:00until 01:00, dinner costs an average of 50-100 €.In order to explore all these sights without fuss, you must havestock of 5-7 days and a budget of about 130 € per person. On entrance tickets you cansave money if you book them online in advance.

Barcelona is one of the most picturesque and unique cities in Spain (may the Catalans forgive us, who do not consider their homeland to be Spain). And an independent trip to Barcelona is a real fireworks of vivid impressions. But only if this trip is well planned. In this article, you will find useful information and important tips for those traveling to Barcelona on their own. How to organize your trip? How to get there and where to stay? What is the best way to explore the city and get acquainted with its sights? What should be considered as a solo traveler in Barcelona? We share our experience and recommendations. Barcelona has prepared a lot of interesting things for you: masterpieces and ancient Gothic buildings, cozy streets and noisy tourist avenues, a beautiful coastline, a busy port, beautiful mountains, cultural treasures and a lot of entertainment ... Rather, plan your happy trip to Barcelona! And we will show you how to do it yourself.

Visa to Spain on your own

As much as the Catalans strive for independence, Barcelona is still part of Spain. Therefore, to travel to this beautiful city, you need a Schengen visa. For short-term tourist and business trips, a category C visa is issued.

The Official Barcelona Visa Service Provider is currently BLS International Services Ltd. On the website of the visa center, you can check the list of required documents and the amount of the consular fee. And also sign up for the submission of documents. You can independently apply for a visa to Spain both at the visa center and directly at the Consulate General of Spain.

You can start an independent visa application to Spain at the earliest - three months before the trip, at the latest - five days (but it is better not to delay this, otherwise you risk not being in time, especially during the holiday periods).

Barcelona on your own: how to get there

There are several daily flights to El Prat airport (BCN) from Moscow and other cities. Non-stop flight time will be approximately 4.5-5 hours.

Check out the current flight options to Barcelona:

Best Places to Stay in Barcelona: Areas and Hotels

The question of where to stay in Barcelona is not an idle one. Usually everyone wants to live in the center, but this is not always the best choice. Let's take a look at the most popular tourist areas (called barrios in Barcelona) to understand their features, pros and cons.

Ramblas

The Rambla is the most touristy and therefore the noisiest area of ​​Barcelona. It is very busy both during the day and at night. There are many pickpockets. And on the south side, where the Raval district adjoins the Rambla, at night the “red light district” becomes more active. Hotels in this area are unlikely to be suitable for a relaxing holiday and will delight you with silence, but they will give you the opportunity to live in the very center, within walking distance to the main attractions.

Barri Gòtic (Gothic Quarter)

Heart Old town... An area that will take you to the Middle Ages, and in some places even to antiquity, and will remind you of the rich history of Barcelona. The Gothic Quarter is full of narrow, small old streets, many of which are pedestrianized and therefore not particularly busy. But when choosing a hotel located in an old building, still check the level of comfort and sound insulation based on reviews. It is also worth considering that older houses usually do not have lifts.

El Raval

Authentic area next to the Rambla and the Gothic Quarter, with many shops, cafes, shops, galleries and some interesting sights (we will tell about them in our audio tours). The downside is the slightly dubious reputation of this barrio, formerly known as the "red light district". Unsafe places, especially at night, remain here today. There are many pickpockets.

Sants-Montjuïc (Sants-Montjuic)

This quarter is located on the mountain of the same name. Its main feature is the beautiful views of the city. There are many attractions on the Montjuic itself. Also, this area of ​​Barcelona is distinguished by good transport accessibility.

Eixample

The area is located slightly north of the Ramblas, starting from Plaza Catalunya. It is here that the main architectural masterpieces of Barcelona are concentrated - the famous creations of Antoni Gaudi and other masters of Art Nouveau. And some hotels are located right in the old mansions that have become architectural monuments of Barcelona. For example, the luxurious El Palauet or Casa Fuster. But when choosing a hotel in the Eixample district, you should take into account that this is a rather noisy barrio, most of the city's major roads pass through it, and popular tourist routes pass along some avenues (for example, Passeig de Gracia). Therefore, pay attention to the audibility in the rooms, carefully study the reviews, if possible, try to choose accommodation here away from the main roads.

Barceloneta (Barceloneta)

It is often chosen for a beach holiday in Barcelona, ​​as the area is located directly on the coast. At the same time, the city center is only 10 minutes per meter. But until recently, this area was considered not the safest; it is better not to climb deep into its streets at night even today.

There are several other Barcelona beaches close to which you can rent a house: Nova Icària, Bogatell, Mar Bella (the latter is popular with nude holiday lovers).

Barcelona on your own: transport

How to get from the airport

The first question that arises before any guest of Barcelona is how to get from the airport to the city? You can get to Barcelona not only from the main airport El Prat, but also from the nearby airports of Girona and the city of Reus. We will tell you how to get to the city from each of them.

The airportAle-Prat (El Prat)

Closest to the Catalan capital (only about 10 km to the city center). It is connected with Barcelona by several types of transport at once: expressway, bus, metro line and railway.

Aerobus buses

Dark blue express buses purposefully carry tourists from each of the two airport terminals to the city center, to Plaza Catalunya, with a minimum of stops. Tickets for them can be purchased from the driver or in terminals near the stops. Aerobus runs only from 5.30 to 0.30, passes do not work on them, the cost is € 5.90.

Metro

The L9 Sud metro line connects to Barcelona Airport, the terminal stations of the metro are Aeroport T2 and Aeroport T1.

High-speed suburban train (electric train) RENFE

Departures from Terminal T2, where you can take a free shuttle from Terminal T1. Travel cards are accepted. Schedule and cost can be found on the official website.

The cheapest way is a regular city bus.

In the daytime, it is a city bus from the TMB company, which runs along the route number 46. And at night, the NitiBus buses from the MOHN company run to Plaza Catalunya - route numbers 16 and 17. A trip on a regular bus will save you money, but there are also disadvantages - the lack of a special compartment for luggage and many stops on the way to the city center.

The most comfortable way is by car transfer or taxi

If you do not want to endure the inconvenience of getting around by public transport, choose a taxi or car transfer. You can find a taxi at the airport or use Uber (€ 30-40). And if you want to order a transfer in advance, without the risk of getting lost and additional waiting at the airport, you can use the services (they provide a meeting at the airport).

Car rental in Barcelona

Ideal if you are a confident driver, traveling with your family or with a group. It should only be noted that some roads in Spain are toll. Check rental options:

The airport Girona- Costa– Brava(Aeroport de Girona - Costa Brava) GRO

Located 12 km from Girona and 95 km from Barcelona. This is the main airport for those who arrive to relax on the Costa Brava or Costa del Maresme. It is also popular with tourists heading to the Pyrenees and the ski resorts of Andorra. The Catalan capital has excellent transport links.

Barcelona Bus - direct route

In 1 hour 10 minutes, the bus will take you to Estacio d'Autobusos Barcelona Nord Station, Barcelona's main bus station. A 5-10 minute walk from it is the Arc De Triomf metro station on the red line, from where you can get wherever you want. Opening hours - from morning to late evening, the schedule is timed to the arrival of flights, and it is best to check it on the company's website. The cost is 16 euros.

It is worth considering: buses do not run on December 25. And on December 24, 26, 31 and January 1, the number of flights was reduced. For these cases, there is a railway and car transfers.

High-speed or regular train from Girona train station

Travel time is 70 and 90 minutes, respectively.

Rented car

The road is not difficult at all and quite comfortable, especially if.

Reus airport

To Barcelona from the small airport Reus go 100 km. But - only 10 km to the main resorts of the Costa Dorada, as well as the Port Aventura park.

From Reus Airport to Barcelona, ​​to the main train station Sants Estació, there is bus, the timetable of which is tied to arriving flights. The cost is 15 euros. Travel time - 1.5 hours

Hola BCN Map

Allows unlimited travel by metro, bus, tram, metro from Barcelona airport to city center and vice versa. When buying online - 10% discount. There are options from two to five days. Cost - from € 15 for 2 days. ...

Barcelona Card

This card includes a travel pass, a discounted museum pass, and a discount. Read more about it later in the article.

Buses

Barcelona has an extremely extensive bus network - about 110 routes, the length of which is about 920 km, more than a thousand stops.

Bus stops in Barcelona are a separate topic of conversation. In addition to the usual timetable, some of them have interactive screens where you can not only see useful information for passengers, but even charge your phone, connect to Wi-Fi and download applications that will help you calculate the route to attractions and find out the travel time.

It is customary to enter a bus in Barcelona at the front door, and leave at the back. In order for the bus to stop when you are at a stop, vote with your hand, and when approaching your stop, do not forget to press STOP on the handrails. The board "Sol licitut de parada" (stop on demand) came on - everything is in order. In order to help you find your way, buses often have an information board "Proxima Parada" (next stop)

Barcelona bus fares are € 2.20 within one zone. Bus travel times are from 6.30 am to 11 pm.

Night buses

NitiBus buses from the MOHN company have 17 routes at once, including two from El Prat airport to Plaza Catalunya - numbers 16 and 17. It is easy to recognize them - by the yellow strip and the route number with the letter N.

Trams

Tickets are sold at the terminals at the stops. You can check the timetable in advance and build a route for your trip around Barcelona by tram on the official website.

Barcelona metro

The fastest and most popular transport in the city. Served by two companies - TMB (eight lines) and FGC (three lines). Because of this, the station designations may also differ with the company logos, but there will certainly be a metro map next to the station entrance.

Tickets are purchased at ticket terminals (machines) or ticket booths. You need to look for them at train stations, stations, at the entrance to the platform. At the same time, the appearance of the TMB and FGC terminals is different.

Keep in mind - boarding and disembarking from the carriage is carried out from two sides, so there are not two, but three platforms at the stations.

Tourist transport

Tourist buses

One of the popular ways to start exploring the city. Buses pass through the most iconic places of the Catalan capital (several routes for one ticket), equipped with audio guides. Among the most popular are Barcelona Bus Turistic or Hop On Hop Off Barcelona. Convenient for moving between distant points (for example, from the center to Montjuïc). But it is better to walk in the central districts on foot - all the most interesting things are within walking distance!

Vintage tram

It is also called the “blue tram” (Tranvía azul). One of the sights of the city, as it is also called "the last romantic of Barcelona". The first such tram was launched in 1901. Previously, it was green, but after a truck crashed into it in the middle of the 20th century, they decided to repaint it blue in order to better distinguish the tram from the greenery of Barcelona.

It goes from the metro station on Tibidabo Avenue to the station of the funicular of the same name, from where you can climb Mount Tibidabo. Travel passes do not work here. The length of the route is 1276 meters.

It should be noted that romantics like the tram, but the rest - not very much. They complain about the crush, call the trip a waste of money, and think the route can be easily traversed on foot.

Funiculars and cable cars

One of the most romantic and beautiful ways to explore Barcelona. The capital of Catalonia has three funiculars and two cableways.

Montjuïc funicular

Rises to the famous Montjuïc mountain to its no less famous sights. Boarding - at the Parallel metro station. Refers to the TMB metro (and is indicated on the maps). You can check the schedule and prices on the website.

Teleférico de Montjuïc cable car at the Montjuïc fortress

It rises from the previous funicular to the Military Museum, passes do not work here. Open only during the warm season from June to the end of September from 11.15 to 21.00

Cable car Barceloneta - Montjuic (Teleferico del Puerto)

The cable car from the port takes you up from the San Sebastian Tower (Barceloneta metro station) and gives you the opportunity to fully enjoy the stunning views of the city by the sea. Minus - city passes do not work here. The schedule and prices can be found on the website.

Funicular Tibidabo

The oldest funicular in Barcelona, ​​opened in 1901. In addition, it is also the longest - 1130 meters.

City fares do not work here either, you need to buy a separate ticket. The funicular's opening hours are tied to the opening hours of the Tibidabo amusement park. Open from March to December, as well as February holidays.

Vaividrera funicular

Rises from the area of ​​the same name to Mount Tibidabo. Boarding - at the Peu de Funicular train station on the Metro del Vallès line. Regular tickets and passes are valid here.

Note that a much easier way to get to Tibidabo is a special bus T2A (Tibibus), which departs from Plaza Catalunya every day from 10.15 until the park closes. The fare on it is 2.95 euros. If the park has a day off, the bus does not run.

Taxi

The official colors are black and yellow. Payment by meter, depending on the tariff (there are three) and distance.

Barcelona by segway

A convenient, modern way to explore the city without bothering your feet is the Segway, an electrically powered two-wheeled vehicle. You can book your favorite tour on the official website of the company.

Bike rental

One of the most democratic and fun ways to explore Barcelona. There are a lot of rental options, prices depend on the bike model and its purpose (for racing, mountain, walking, etc.) You can sign up for a joint sightseeing bike tour with a group.

Barcelona attractions on your own: tips for tourists

How to save on tickets

One way to save money when visiting attractions on your own is to use tourist maps. It makes sense to take them if you plan to actively visit sights and museums. If you plan to just wander the streets on foot and visit just a couple of places, there won't be much sense in the tourist map. Consider a list of attractions you are interested in and compare the estimated ticket costs with the cost of the card.

There are several types of tourist cards in Barcelona:

Barcelona Card

This is a three-in-one card - a transport pass, a pass (with a discount) to museums, as well as a discount. Gives the opportunity to pass free of charge and without queuing to many Barcelona museums(about 20), as well as receive big discounts in restaurants, shops, nightclubs.

Valid for 3-4-5 days. It is activated at the first use (note that if you activated it, for example, at 20.00, then the first day you will end in 4 hours, at 00.00).

It is better to buy a Barcelona tourist card in advance, online - this way you will receive a 15% discount. And you can pick it up immediately upon arrival at the airport, as well as in Plaza Catalunya, in tourist centers. Just do not forget to take the voucher with you, which will come to your mail. Buy a card on the official website.

Barcelona Pass

Like the Barcelona Card, this card allows you to save on visits to a number of famous Barcelona attractions (more than 20 are free, others are discounted). In particular, with its help, you will get to the Sagrada Familia and Park Guell for free and without queues, as well as without queues (though not free of charge) to get on an excursion to the Camp Nou stadium (home arena of the legendary FC Barcelona), to the Aquarium and Spanish village.

But there is no free ride on Barcelona public transport like the Barcelona Card.

Issued for a period of 1-3 days. Better to buy online - the site periodically offers discounts of 10%.

Barcelona Art Ticket

Ideal for art lovers: Provides easy access to places of interest such as the Picasso Museum, the Museum of Contemporary Art, the Miro Foundation Museum and a number of other museums in Barcelona. Website: http://articketbcn.org/

Arqueo ticket

This map will help archeology lovers travel back centuries. With the Arqueo ticket, you will have access to four museums: Egyptian Art, Historical, Archaeological and Cultural Center El Born. The card can be bought online from the official Barcelona tourism website.

How to avoid queues

The impression of visiting the most important sights of Barcelona can be spoiled by waiting in lines at the box office. To avoid this dubious "pleasure", we recommend buying tickets in advance, online. This will not only save you time, but you will also be able to know the cost in advance and plan your expenses.

Moreover, it is more profitable to buy tickets to some of Barcelona's attractions online. This not only allows you to avoid the queue at the checkout, but also to save money! When buying online, tickets to many locations cost an average of 15% less.

Official sites for booking tickets online can be found in ours, as well as on the pages describing excursions:; ; ...

Barcelona Attractions Free

Many museums in Barcelona have open days when the exhibition is free to visit. These include the traditional Museum night and some holidays. Many museums offer free admission to first Sunday of every month.

In addition, on some days of the week there are certain intervals when admission is free. For example, every Thursday from 18.00 to 21.30 you can get to the Picasso Museum for free.

You can check the opening hours of the main attractions in Barcelona in our.

Explore Barcelona with a Free Offline Travel Guide for iPhone

Finding information on the main attractions of Barcelona and planning your own trip is convenient in the Travelry mobile app. Barcelona will be closer and more understandable if you use a free travel guide, a catalog of interesting places with useful information and an offline map with GPS navigation. All this is available in the application for free. And if you want a deeper and more exciting exploration of the city, download ours and walk around the city with a personal guide who tells interesting stories about the city and at the same time fits in your pocket!

There are currently three Barcelona Audio Tours available in the app:

Exploring Barcelona on your own with an audio guide can help you save a lot on excursions. Instead of fussy running after a noisy group of tourists or paying extra for an individual guide, you can walk at your own pace, along routes that are interesting to you and at the same time listen to fascinating stories about the sights you pass by. Download Travelry and turn your smartphone into your personal mobile guide!

The Barcelona mobile travel guide and audio guide is currently only available for the iPhone, but an Android version is already in development.

Above in the article, you have already mentioned about, as well as about discounts and with. Our guide will help you save money on excursions around Barcelona with thoughtful itineraries, fascinating stories and offline maps with GPS navigation. And here are a couple more tips for budget travelers.

Enjoy freeWiFi

Barcelona has a large and completely free WiFi network. It has nearly 600 hotspots that are located in many public places, including the Aerobus, cultural centers and museums, municipal markets, city parks, some plazas and even residential areas. Access points are identified by signs or special stickers with a white W on a blue background. If you see such a sign nearby, look in the list of available WiFi connections on your mobile device for Barcelona WiFi, then fill out the registration form in your browser and use your health.

Don't eat in tourist spots

Everyone knows that the more tourists visit this or that institution, the more expensive it is to eat in it, and the worse the quality. Therefore, try to find cafes and restaurants slightly off the main tourist routes.

Also take note of the Spanish tradition of visiting tapas bars. It is customary to serve a small portion of national snacks (for example, sandwiches with ham and cheese) - tapas, in addition to the ordered drink free of charge. By the way, we talk about the history of tapas in some quarters of the Old Town.

But drinking alcohol on the street is definitely not worth it! In Barcelona, ​​this is strictly prohibited and is fraught with a fine of up to 600 euros.

Barcelona on your own: what to see and do

Discover the masterpieces of Catalan Art Nouveau

It is impossible to imagine the appearance of Barcelona without the unique architectural creations of Gaudí and other modernists. , the fantastic Park Guell, the quaint Casa Batlló and Casa Mila are just a few of Gaudí's works that make tourists freeze with delight. And if you want to learn more about these masterpieces, get to know the personality of Gaudi and try to guess some of his architectural mysteries, download ours.

Travel back in time in the Old Town

If the new district of Eixample opens up the world of Catalan Art Nouveau for you, then the Old Town will take you to bygone times and introduce you to the rich history of Barcelona. Here you can admire ancient Gothic buildings and even ancient ruins. And just wander through the narrow streets, imbued with the unique atmosphere of this area.

The route of our audio tour "" includes the highlights of the Ramblas, El Raval and the Gothic Quarter.

See the city from the height of the observation decks

Being in Barcelona and not seeing it from above is an unforgivable mistake. The best views, of course, come from natural heights. In particular, with Tibidabo mountains, where the Temple of the Sacred Heart stands (with an observation deck). There you can also look at the city from the free tier of the amusement park. And even have a picnic (bring a basket of wine, bread, cheese and ham). In another part of Barcelona rises Mount Montjuic. Also, observation decks are located on the towers of the Sagrada Familia and Barcelona Cathedral (in the Gothic Quarter).

Visit the local market

Barcelona's most famous market is located in the Old Town, on the Ramblas - this legendary Boqueria, which has already become a kind of tourist attraction. If you want something less touristy, check out the market. Santa catarina in the Sant Pere quarter (by the way, it is part of ours). It is much quieter, more atmospheric, more locally oriented. Also interesting Sant Antoni market in the eponymous quarter. It has everything from groceries to clothing, shoes, and even old books. And in the New Town, in the Vila de Gracia area, there is an interesting market “for the locals” - Libertat.

And for lovers of antiques will be interested in fairs, which are traditionally held on Thursdays at New Square (Plaza Nova) in the Gothic Quarter.

Enjoy hot chocolate on Petrichol street

This small pedestrianized street Petrichol is one of the coziest in old Barcelona. Ceramic tablets with inscriptions and drawings that illustrate the history of Barcelona give it a special flavor. The lane is filled with the sweet aroma of chocolate, and in local restaurants you can enjoy a cup of hot chocolate and taste the traditional Barcelona "churros" - a delicacy of choux pastry sprinkled with powdered sugar.

Football lovers - visit the Camp Nou stadium

The Camp Nou stadium is the home arena of the famous FC Barcelona. There is a Museum of the history of the club and its trophies, an interactive tour and even the opportunity to hold and take pictures with the Champions League Cup.

Visit Europe's largest oceanarium

The Old Port area of ​​Barcelona is home to Europe's largest aquarium, which is well worth a look for travelers of all ages. This is a center for the study and conservation of marine life, which actually houses more than 3 dozen aquariums with underwater flora and fauna of different climatic zones. There is also one of the largest oceanariums on the continent: an 80-meter tunnel for spectators who want to "plunge" into the life of the sea kingdom is laid right along its bottom.

Immerse yourself in Gaudí's time multimedia center Gaudí Experience

The center is a stone's throw from Park Güell and offers tourists a 4D show dedicated to Antoni Gaudí.

Relax on the beach or take a walk along the promenade

Barcelona, ​​of course, is not a resort city, but nevertheless it is located on the beautiful coast, and therefore here, if you wish, you can taste a little beach rest here. The easiest way to get from the center to the beaches in the Barceloneta area. True, Barceloneta itself is not ideal for swimming due to the proximity of the seaport. But there are alternatives nearby, such as the neighboring beaches of Sant Sebastià and Sant Miquel. Also popular in Barcelona are the beaches of Nova Icària and Bogatell. But the Mar Bella beach is popular with nudists and gay people, keep this in mind when planning your vacation.

Take part in folk festivities

Catalans work well and at the same time know how to have a bright and beautiful rest. National Catalan and city holidays are always celebrated here on a grand scale. Several times a year life in Barcelona follows special rules - the city is immersed in festivities that last from two days to a week. These include, first of all, La Merce Festival at the end of September, Barcelona's main holiday. Also, almost every area of ​​Barcelona has its own local holidays and street festivals. For example, in mid-August, they celebrate vigorously for almost a whole week holiday of the Gracia quarter (Fiesta Mayor de Gracia). On this occasion, a vibrant street festival is held here, filling every street in the Gràcia district with a real extravaganza. Indispensable attributes of all these festivities are, of course, local wine, cuisine, traditional round dances in the squares ( sardanes) and unusual sports action castells... Castells is a Catalan national fun. These are multi-level castles, towers, which are built from living people, casteliers.

By the way, on such holidays the metro is often open around the clock.

Go shopping

Sales or Rebajas (discounts) are held in Barcelona twice a year. In winter, this is the period from January 7 to March 6), in summer from July 1 to August 31. At the beginning of the season, discounts are about 20%, by the end they reach 70%, but at the same time the assortment is decreasing.

The main shopping streets of Barcelona:

• La Diagonal- the kingdom of luxury shopping. But there are shops for a less demanding audience as well.
• Carrer de Pela- especially popular with young people due to the large number of young fashion brands.
• Passeig de Gracia in the Eixample area. There are many expensive and high-profile boutiques and shops.
• Rambla de Catalunya- a street parallel to it, de you can find all the famous and popular Spanish brands.
• Trading Village - La Roca Village Outlet: a paradise for shopaholics half an hour from the city.

We hope that your independent trip to Barcelona will be full of vivid impressions and pleasant surprises, despite good planning! We wish you a happy journey!