BCN

Outside the Sagrada Familia

Barcelona is a diverse and vibrant city, evidenced in its (sometimes contested) infusion of Catalonian roots and Spanish culture. A quick trip to visit friends in the most popular of Spanish cities has been another travel highlight, but be warned of expensive attractions quickly draining financial resources.

Inside the Sagrada Familia

From beaches to a selection of rich Spanish heritage, Barcelona packs a punch, proffering the best of a beach holiday and a city break all in a convenient location. Of course, the main tourist hotspots are the Gaudi designed buildings of Casa Batllo, Park Guell and the remarkable Sagrada Familia, still under construction.

Of these, I was most impressed by the Sagrada Familia and spent three hours admiring the feat of engineering that is still being constructed under the partially preserved plans of architect Gaudi. The exterior scenes are some of the most intricate and detailed works of craftsmanship and the contrasting interior may appear simple at first, but boasts elegance with its stain glass windows filtering light in different directions, and columns designed to create an urban jungle, resembling different trees. Make sure to book in advance however, as queues are difficult to contend with and last for hours.

Up Mount Tibidabo

I also was able to enjoy a hike up Mount Tibidabo, which provided views across the mountainous Catalonia region and down across the entire Barcelona Cosmopolitan area. Try and head up when the adjoining theme park is open for some fun thrills and spills on the mountainside.

For a less taxing walk, I would recommend the viewpoint from “The Bunkers”, an old Spanish civil war bunker on top of a hill built in the 30s, which I prefer to the packed Park Guell. Here you have a free view over all of Barcelona, with hardly any tourists to contend with, and remarkably few Spaniards as well. The true advantage of this 360 panorama compared to Tibidabo is you remain very much in the city. It is perfect for an afternoon visit or a sunset stroll to watch the lights come on. Take the metro to Alfons X station and just keep heading up the hill.

At Bunkers El Carmel

Otherwise, to minimise spending (I cannot emphasise how expensive Barcelona seemed to me), I suggest spending days strolling around Gracia, El Carmel or the Sants districts, which have different markets and cheaper shopping alternatives. 

Barcelona beaches and the W hotel