Barcelona is everything it’s cracked up to be. Everyone rants and raves about how wonderful it is. We couldn’t agree more.

This complex, cultured, and creative city lives different lives by the sun or the moon. So we’ve created two different posts to cover all the things to do here. This blog post features some wonderful ways to fill the long days in the Catalonian capital, including historical landmarks, fun neighborhoods, and some great food and drink experiences. Once you’re ready to uncover the nightlife of this wonderful city, check out the blog post counterpart, Barcelona by Night.

First things first: Barcelona’s sleep schedule is whack. At first, I was tempted to blame jet lag. But I quickly realized that it was actually just the glorious Spanish lifestyle that had us waking up at 11am, or even noon. (If you know me, you know that I’ve always been an early riser. So this is really saying something).

After a lazy wake up, we’d wander out into the streets, slowly meandering various neighborhoods for pretty pictures, until we found a quiet tapas place for lunch - which is not hard. Then we’d spend some time visiting historical landmarks, head back for an afternoon siesta, snooze until 6pm, then start to get ready for Barcelona at night. Eat dinner at 9 or 10pm, head to the bars, maybe hit a club, then go to sleep at 3am. Now it makes sense why the day starts so late, huh?

That being said, Barcelona is an amazing city with lots and lots to see. Waking up early is still an option if you’d prefer not to stay out until the early morning, but don’t feel bad if you get a late start to your day. No matter what you prefer, plan your timeline wisely.

Gaudi

Antoni Gaudi, the heart and soul of Barcelona. The famous architect and artist left his mark all over the city, and his work remains to be some of the most popular tourist attractions in Europe. It would be a crime to visit Barcelona without experiencing some of his work.

La Sagrada Familia

If you only pick one Gaudi masterpiece to visit, come to La Sagrada Familia. Interesting, the large basilica was undertaken by a different architect in 1883. Only a year later, when the original architect resigned, did Gaudi take over and transform the project into what we see today. Remarkably, the basilica remains unfinished. His work is still being continued by the 9th generation of architects and builders, with plans to finish in 2030 - but we’ll see about that. Don’t mind the cranes, they’re just a part of the scene now.

The intricate design on the exterior of the cathedral are unique scenes of both humans and nature, unheard of in Gaudi’s time. Notice all the different animals incorporated into the design - horses, chickens, snakes.

The inside is where Gaudi really takes your breath away. Before you even see the windows, you'll see the light cascading through the stained glass and drowning the pale columns in vibrant colors.

Wander around the cathedral, exploring Gaudi’s use of light and open space to convey a wondrous, dreamlike space.

If you want to go up into the towers, you can pay extra for reportedly one of the best views in Barcelona. We chose to put the money towards the entrance fee of another Gaudi creation, but it depends what you’re most interested in!

Pro tips:

Book your tickets in advance.
Visit around sunset for intense colors inside.
Dress modestly. If your knees or shoulders are exposed, they won’t let you in until you purchase a shawl to cover up.

Casa Batllo & Casa Mila

These two funky buildings are both residential buildings that were remodeled in the early 1900s by Gaudi. As signature to Gaudi’s work, their exteriors flow in an organic, colorful way - making them easy to pick out from the rest.

But what really makes these buildings beautiful is the wholistic organic design on the inside of the buildings. We visited Casa Batllo, and spent about an hour wandering the many floors and hallways. We each had a personal audio guide to help us appreciate the details of each room.

Unfortunately we didn’t have time to visit Casa Mila as well, but we did cruise by to appreciate the outside.

Again, with most of the sights in Barcelona, it’s best to book a time slot ahead of your visit.

Park Güell

Amazing. Definitely best to visit near the end of the day when the sun is starting to set over the city.

The park was designed by Gaudi and officially opened in 1926. The unique park sprawls atop a hill in the northeast of the city. As you wander through the twists and turns of Park Guell, you’ll quickly realize how many levels there are to explore.

Hidden alcoves and overhangs create a complex landscape to explore. Take note of the beautiful tile work along the walls, and use of colorful flowers that gives this remarkable park life.

And of course, don’t forget to stop by “el drac,” the colorful mosaic salamander in the heart of the park.

Other Barcelona Landmarks

Arc de Triomf - Not quite the same as the Parisian alternative, but still a fun park for a walk.

Arc de Triomf square in downtown Barcelona

Placa de Catalunya - Another park for the afternoon stroll. You can buy birdseed and make a fool of yourself if you’d like.

Gracefully feeding the at Placa de Catalunya

Palau de la Musica Catalana - A gorgeous art nouveau concert hall right in the downtown area of the city. We didn’t catch any concerts while we were in town, but the outside of the building is beautiful too.

Picasso Museum - The most complete collection of the work of Pablo Picasso, with over 4,000 pieces!

Cathedral of Barcelona - A beautiful gothic cathedral in the Gothic Quarter of Barcelona. Great place to sit outside and enjoy some afternoon people watching.

Soaking up the sun on the steps of Barcelona Cathedral

Basilica of Santa Maria del Mar - A historic church built in the mid 1300’s.

The Magic Fountain - A huge fountain located a bit out of town, with light and music displays every night!

Mercado de La Boqueria - This hustling, bustling market in El Raval is known for it’s seafood stalls and fresh produce. Even if you’re not looking for groceries or food, it’s a fun place to take pictures and experience some local life. Sadly, it was closed when we went (Sundays).

Barceloneta

Barceloneta is the cute seaside neighborhood in the westernmost part of the city. We enjoyed an afternoon wandering the charming alleyways between big yellow buildings, and walking the lively boardwalk in the summer sun. Laundry hangs off every balcony, and music leaks from the windows of each corner you pass.

There are so many hidden gems in Barceloneta. Head down for a day at the beach, paella for lunch, divey tapas bars for dinner, or fruity beachside drinks for sunset! We stopped at Moma Beach Bar for some tapas and sangria. It’s right along the boardwalk on the sandy side, and the open air atmosphere makes it the perfect spot to enjoy an afternoon at the beach.

Breezy seaside sangria… don’t worry, we were sharing with a couple other people!

Playa de Barceloneta

Beach day! It’s always busy, always hot, and always sunny. There’s a long boardwalk downtown the length of the beach for those adverse to the hot sand. There are always bikers and roller bladers if you’re in the mood to join. Or grab a volleyball and hop in one of courts! P.S. Clothing is optional for those who want to tan them titties ;)

The W Hotel and Bar

Yes, of course we scoped out the W Hotel. They have a “rooftop” bar inside on the 26th floor. Strict dress code, but still open to the public. Absolutely stellar view of the sunset, pretty fantastic fruity drinks, and free peanuts too.

The perfect Barcelona beach view at the W Hotel!

Food & Drink

Sangria

Don’t even get us started on sangria. It quickly became a daily event for us. It’s a delicious fruit snack and a relaxing beverage.

This classic Spanish fruit punch is typically made with red wine and brandy, plus fruit and some kind of juice. It’s perfect for an early afternoon drink with some tapas to hold you over until dinner.

Tapas

Snacks for dinner!! Tapas are basically small portioned snacks, and you get 2-3 different orders per person, and just go in on some delicious pain con tomato, grilled eggplant, arancini balls, or some jambon. Whatever you feel like.

Restaurant el Morera is a cute tapas place in El Raval that we went to a few times. Great sangria. Great food. Beautiful outdoor seating. The perfect atmosphere.

Paella

Paella (pronounced, pie-ay-uh), is a traditional dish typically made with spiced rice, beans/peas, and seafood. Paella was historically served on Thursdays, but now you can find it at willing restaurants every day of the week. Good paella will take 20-30 minutes to make, so be ready to wait for the better dishes.

La Mer Salada in Barceloneta is a lovely place to enjoy some authentic Paella. We sat near the harbor for a fun seaside feel for our amazing seafood lunch.

Gracias!

So that’s what we’ve got for Barcelona by Day! Our top picks are: Sagrada Familia, Park Guell, and paella in Barceloneta. It’s not a definitive list, because there’s always more to discover in this city. It ranks very highly as an absolute favorite of ours in Europe, and we’ll certainly be back. Next up: Barcelona by Night.

Got any recommendations for our next trip? Write us a comment below!