Travel Diaries: Barcelona 2019
After my Spring holiday in Italy, I had one more month of studies and interning in London. My study abroad experience was about to end, and I had a taste of the British equivalent of “finals week” with final exams, presentations and reports. If you aren’t familiar with the British education system, your final marks (aka grades) solely relied on your final exams. After I worked hard and received great marks, I was excited to travel again. But I started to feel bittersweet about leaving this new life behind and all the friends that I made. My family planned to visit me in London, and when they arrived, I was filled with joy. Our last trips in Europe consisted of Barcelona, Paris and exploring the cities of London and Portsmouth. Our first destination was Barcelona, Spain, a vibrant city full of: history, kind people, great food, and unique art. Let’s explore some of my top recommendations in Barcelona.
Top Places to Visit in Barcelona:
Hotel Peninsular- located in the heart of La Rambla, the Hotel Peninsular formerly was a convent of the Augustinian order. The rooms of the present guests, in former times, were the cells of the monks. The building was secularized and converted into a hotel in 1876. Now, it is an affordable and authentic accomodation nearby the center of Barcelona located within walking distance to popular metro stations, Mercat de la Boqueria and the Gothic Quarter. It has the most beautiful and natural courtyard with lots of greenery… a peaceful spot to enjoy your morning café con leche.
Barcelona Metro- is an extensive network of rapid transit electrified railway lines that run mostly underground in central Barcelona and into the city's suburbs. However a word of caution, please be careful and aware (as you should whenever you travel) of your surroundings and always secure your belongings! Barcelona is a great city to visit but it is also notoriously known for its petty crime and theft.
La Rambla: Barcelona's Social Hub- is one of the landmarks of Barcelona, which makes this metropolis so unique. Las Ramblas is often the first landmark that most tourists identify with the city. It is a large boulevard which runs through the heart of the city centre.
Mercat de la Boqueria- The Mercat de Sant Josep de la Boqueria, often simply referred to as La Boqueria, is a large public market in the Ciudad Vieja district, and one of the city's foremost tourist landmarks, with an entrance from La Rambla. This market has the best variety of fresh produce, meats, seafoods and chocolates! It honestly has everything and many vendors have snacks and meals prepared. You have to try Jamón ibérico, which is a sweet and salty cured ham made from a native wild pig that only feeds on a specific type of acorn in the woods (I know that’s super specific but it is simply life-changing). You have to pair it with bread, cheese and wine.
Paella- what’s visiting Barcelona without eating fresh seafood paella? You have to have this dish at least once during your visit in Barcelona, and I can’t tell you the best paella restaurant but I’m sure you can find great ones along Las Ramblas.
Barri Gòtic (Gothic Quarter)- The charming Gothic Quarter, or Barri Gòtic, has narrow medieval streets filled with trendy bars, clubs and Catalan restaurants. Artisans sell leather and jewelry near the Cathedral of Barcelona, while flower stalls and street-food vendors line busy avenue La Rambla.
Cathedral de Barcelona- The Cathedral of the Holy Cross and Saint Eulalia, also known as Barcelona Cathedral, is the Gothic cathedral and seat of the Archbishop of Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain.
La Barceloneta Beach- la playa de Barceloneta is known for its sandy beach (which made an appearance in Don Quixote, book 2) and its many restaurants and nightclubs along the boardwalk. Barceloneta beach is remarkable for being on the doorstep of the city centre, literally just a few hundred meters from famous sites such as La Rambla, the Gothic Quarter or the Park Ciutadella. This makes getting to the beach incredibly easy and makes for spending a couple of hours at the beach easy to fit into your day.
Basilica de la Sagrada Familia- is a large unfinished Roman Catholic basilica in the Eixample district. Designed by architect Antoni Gaudí, his work on the building is part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This beautiful piece of architecture embodies Gaudí’s genius & spirituality; it is a true masterpiece.
Casa Batlló- is a building in the center of Barcelona. It was designed by Antoni Gaudí, and is considered one of his masterpieces. You will certainly admire all the gorgeous mosaic tiles, a signature Gaudí style.
Plaça Reial- is a square in the Barri Gòtic of Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain. It is close to La Rambla, and is a popular tourist attraction, especially at night. This square is so beautiful, it's no wonder it was named "royal" (reial Catalan for royal). The elegant ambiance of the Plaça Reial is accentuated by the fountain, streetlamps and palm trees, and it is one of Barcelona's busiest, most vibrant spots, particularly at night. This is Barcelona's best-loved porticoed square. Make sure you enjoy a tapas and cervezas or a glass of sangria to end your night!
Parc Güell: Gaudí's Surrealist Park- is a public park system composed of gardens and architectural elements located on Carmel Hill. Here you will find the best view of the whole city while also taking a relaxing stroll around the park, admiring the colorful Gaudí mosaic tiles!
Churreria Laietana- for a quick snack after siesta, make sure you visit a churreria for traditional churros. This delectable treat is perfectly paired with rich hot cocoa and is a tradition you don’t want to miss!
Barcelona is a fun and vibrant city with colorful streets full of delicious foods, unique art, and great music. It was a great first city to visit with my family because a lot of the Spanish customs and traditions were nostalgic to my own childhood. Barcelona will probably be the best food trip you will ever take, just spend a whole day at La Boqueria! Indulge in churros con chocolate, Jamón ibérico, sangria and endless paella! As they say, que sera sera!
