What to do in... Barcelona!

In June I spent a two week holiday with my family in the Catalonia region of Spain; which was absolutely beautiful. Barcelona, for me, has been a place that I've wanted to visit for years as I love the history that can be found within European cities. The gothic architecture and art that can be found in Barcelona is something that cannot be missed - if you are a lover of Gaudi then this is the city for you!

We had been recommended that the easiest way to get around the city to see all the sites was by open-top tour buses. I was skeptical, as tour companies are often too touristy and not worth the money, however, Barcelona Bus Turistic was brilliant! It cost around 100 Euros for a family of four, and it allowed you to "hop on and hop off" at the destinations you want to visit. 

Some highlights of the tour and definite things to do in Barcelona included...

The Sagrada Familia. 

Possibly one of the most famous Barcelona landmarks, the famously un-finished gothic church designed by Gaudi. He started work on it in 1883 and despite dying in 1926, work is still being completed to have it finished by 2026 - 100 years after Gaudi's death. It is staggeringly beautiful and the photos I've seen before of it simply don't match up to what it looks like in real life. The entrance fee also goes towards funding to complete the building which I really hope I get to visit once it is finished (although somehow the cranes add to the uniqueness of the church.) 

Park Guell

This is a public garden (again designed by Gaudi) situated on the top of a hill, displaying beautiful views of the Barcelona skyline. I love the mosaic, fantasy-like designs and it's just a stunning place to sit and relax outside of the bustling city. This is a MUST to see in Barcelona - don't let the fact that it's outside the city centre stop you from visiting.

Montjuic

This was one of the highlights of the tour for me. Montjuic is a steep hill located next to Barcelona harbour and is close to the 1992 Olympic site. To get to the castle at the top you can either walk (no thanks, not in the Spanish sun) or take a trip on the cable car. This was honestly breathtaking, the views were incredible and I was surprised that this wasn't one of the more popular tourist attractions. It was a refreshingly peaceful point in Barcelona, and it was just a lovely spot to relax and watch the world go by.

Barcelona is a massive city, with hundreds of things to do to suit all tastes. But for me, these three attractions offer so much history and culture which I loved. Of course, there is the Barcelona football stadium which I heard offer really brilliant tours as well as the world-renowned La Rambla for shopping. 

Hopefully I'll be going back to Barcelona soon, one day just isn't enough for this magnificent city!

Happy Exploring!