Top 5 things to do in Barcelona, Spain

Having recently discovered a mild (O.K definitely NOT mild) obsession with Spanish culture I decided to invest a month exploring all things Spain. It all ended in one pretty sensational city, Barcelona. I met up with a long lost flatmate from Melbourne and we decided to tackle the city in 10 days. Plus a beach trip up north to Tossa De Mar just for good measure. Read on for some hot tips of where to go, see and eat!

Hire a bicycle

Barcelona is riddled with eye catching architecture, beaches oozing oily limbs and tapas restaurants that could fill you up with scent alone. And all of this can be viewed on two wheels. The city is very cycle friendly – although you won’t see much lyrca here moreover; frilly dresses, red lipstick and straw hats as people get from A to B. Getting lost really is the best way to see the city.

Check out the brilliance that is: Antoni Gaudi

A Neo-Gothic enthusiast from Catalian Spain in 1852-1926, Gaudi’s architecture is incredible individualised and distinctive. He’s most famous for his masterpiece La Sagrada Familia, which started construction in the early 1900’s and to this day is unfinished. You could stare at it for hours and still find new things to look at. The story goes that all of the donations used to fund the construction must come from the people of Spain (La Familia). Without a cent being donated from overseas investors or NGO’s which is why it has taken so long. You’d be silly to miss: Park Guell, Casa Batllo and La Pedrera.

The La Boqueria food market, just off La Rambla

Fruits, nougat, nuts, tapas, meats, seafood, olives, cheese, you want it, they got it! You’re destined to be hungry just walking inside but even if your not it’s a must see for everyone! Stock up on some snacks, grab a coconut smoothie or simply take it all in.

Tibidabo

Just a short 15kms from the city centre consists of a big church on top of a mountain surrounded by an amusement park. And let me tell you, it’s much less cringe worthy than it sounds. The view of the city alone is well worth the trip. Combine that with the fresh air and silence from all that hustle and bustle is priceless.

La Playa (Beach)

Over here in Bondi it can feel quite comforting to know you are about 30 minutes from the city (workplace for many.) Well here, it’s more like 10 minutes. While I use the term beach loosely (zero waves for this keen surfer). The water is perfect for Stand Up Paddle boarding, sitting in blow up devices and frolicking along the shoreline. You will definitely see; topless women, sangria on the beach, volleyball and oily limbs!

So there you have it, my top 5 things to do in Barcelona. The place where sea meets city and all in all i think a city that can come to a halt just so people can sleep, rest or recuperate, i really think they know exactly HOW to live.

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Want more from Spain? Read all about my camino here.