Are you planning a quick trip to Barcelona, Spain? Here are 4 fun things to do in Barcelona!
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My week in Barcelona was some of the slowest-paced travel I’ve ever done, and I was grateful for every minute of it. Coming off the heels of six weeks of intense touring in Italian schools, and the stress of fleeing the COVID-19 outbreak in Northern Italy, I came to Barcelona on a last-minute whim, drawn in by a combination of sunny weather forecast and relatively cheap Flixbus fare.
4 Fun Things To Do In Barcelona
Feeling especially broke after unexpectedly losing 13 weeks of income, but not willing to go home just yet, I stuck almost exclusively to free activities during my time here. Luckily, Barcelona had lots to offer! Here are a few fun things to do in Barcelona.
1. The Sagrada Familia
Would it surprise you to learn that the most-visited monument in Spain is still unfinished? Antoni Gaudi’s magnum opus began construction in 1882, and 138 years later, cranes still linger over-head. Even so, it’s a glorious sight, and unlike any other church I’ve ever seen before. Supposedly, the government is hoping to finish construction by the year 2026 (the 100-year anniversary of architect Gaudi’s death) and at that point, the completion of the central spire will make it the tallest church in the world!
2. Park Güell
This public park is a full-day affair. The free portion of the park is expansive and beautiful, but the main attraction is the 5% that’s taken up by one of Gaudi’s greatest, most extravagant projects. With beautifully designed buildings and benches and sprawling staircases and lots and lots of colourful tiles, this art park looks like something out of the world of Dr. Seuss. Admission was only €10, and it was a definite must-see.
3. La Barceloneta
I generally feel disappointed being around water that I know I can’t swim in, so I didn’t initially factor a trip down to Barcelona’s pier into my itinerary. But when I extended my trip by two days, I decided to add it in. And I’m so glad I did! Besides the beauty of the water and the many gorgeous buildings around, this area of the city is most known for its huge collection of seafood restaurants. I took a friend’s recommendation to visit La Bombeta, a blink-and-you’ll-miss-it family restaurant, with a wide variety of cheap, authentic tapas. I was craving comfort food, but I wanted to be a little adventurous. So I ordered the rapas (fried squid), torrades des pagès con ajo (garlic bread), and a little glass of white wine… All of which came to €10.50 (cash only). The server was a very kindly older gentleman who let me stay long after I had finished my meal, happily waiting out a sudden bout of rain with my book.
4. The Gothic Quarter
The Gothic Quarter makes the most a gorgeous morning walk ever! It has been one of the most important corners of Barcelona since ancient times. And the you can really feel the city’s expansive history here. From the Barcelona Cathedral to ancient Roman ruins, there’s so much to see, explore, and learn.
I’m personally a fan of taking public transit when I travel, but still prefer to walk whenever I can. You can get a much better feel for a city’s vibe by walking. And it allows you to take in all the tiny details of the city! I was really grateful that Barcelona was so easy to navigate. After a week, I even felt so acquainted with the city’s layout that I hardly needed a map app anymore!
Where To Stay In Barcelona
I stay in hostels 99% of the time when I travel solo, and I can honestly say that Black Swan Hostel was one of the best I’ve ever stayed in. The staff are super friendly, the hostel is immaculately clean, and the location is great. My favourite part, though, were all of the free/cheap activities they offered!
On my very first night, I joined in on a €5 veggie paella cooking lesson in the kitchen downstairs. The chef was wonderful and gave us a whole lesson on Spanish food and the history of the paella as he cooked it in front of us, and then served us each a heaping bowl, along with a glass of homemade sangria. It was a super fun way to try this traditional dish for the first time, and I was in a happy food coma for the rest of the night.
While I had a bit of a chill week, if you’re into partying, there were cheap nights out organized nightly. And they also served free dinners, several days a week. One of the things I was most appreciative of was the kitchen, which was well-equipped and frequently empty. Cooking for myself is one of my favourite ways to save money while travelling, so a good hostel kitchen is a must!
Note: This post was originally published in March 2020, and was edited on February 1, 2023.
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