What to do in Barcelona during a city break

The city of Barcelona is part of the region of Catalonia, in the northeast of Spain. This city has many landmarks, monuments designed by Gaudí, a port filled with restaurants and a stadium.

Explore the city’s architecture

Barcelona is a city that is known for its architecture. The medieval city center has cobblestone streets and many ancient churches. Close to the city center visitors will find the famous Gothic Quarter, an area known for its Gothic architecture. In this area visitors will find the Seu Santa Eulalia cathedral and the nearby cloister, which has many geese. The area is known for its narrow cobblestone streets and ancient balconies and bridges between buildings. It is ideal for guided trips on foot: the district has plenty of bars, cafés, restaurants and shops, and it is easy to find a hotel in Barcelona in this area.

In the Eixample district there are many buildings that were designed by Gaudí. There is Casa Batlló, a private house with a sandstone facade covered with pieces of traditional mosaics, the trencadis. The building has iron balconies and windows in the shape of Gothic windows. The nearby Casa Milá is another one of Gaudí’s buildings. This building is larger and has a wavy facade made of stone. The inside of the building has no straight lines and there are several patios that visitors will be able to explore during a guided tour. After touring the building visitors can climb up to one of the top floors, which has a gallery dedicated to Gaudí’s architecture. The rooftop of this house is known for its views towards the city center.

Another main landmark is the Sagrada Familia Cathedral, which is one of the city’s symbols. The unfinished cathedral has several naves held up by bony columns, and each facade follows a set theme. The facades have many sculptures and statues. Two of the finished towers have observation decks, and visitors can climb up many steps in order to enjoy views of the city.

Spend an afternoon on the beach

Barcelona is not only a city for those who enjoy architecture and food. The city has many parks and several urban beaches where visitors can join locals and practice many water sports. The Barceloneta beach is one of the main urban beaches, and the nearby seaside promenade has many seafood restaurants. There is a statue of Columbus near the sea, and the city’s aquarium is located in the area near the Port Vell, the city’s ancient port.

Visit one of the city’s markets

There are many traditional markets in the city. Those who visit the city on a budget can pick some local products at one of the centric markets before heading for a picnic in one of the city’s parks. There are two main markets close to the city center, the Boquería Market and the Sant Antoni Market. The Sant Antoni market is located closer to the city center and is more traditional, offering a variety of local products.

The most famous is the Boquería, located off Las Ramblas, a set of main streets that link the centric Catalonia Square to the beach. This market has many fresh fruit and vegetables grown in the region, a selection of juices and many stalls selling dried fruits, local cheese and hams. There are several breakfast bars and tapas bars, including a famous tapas bar where visitors will be able to enjoy a variety of authentic tapas and other appetizers. Some of the most popular dishes include toasted bread drizzled in olive oil and covered in fresh tomato, fried asparagus served with fresh salt and a variety of seafood and food from the mountains.