The Top 10 Must See, Must Eat and Must Do’s in Barcelona

Angela Schuster is a student at Arizona State University and an ISA Featured Blogger. Angela is currently studying abroad with ISA in Barcelona, Spain.

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I’ve been in Barcelona for 4 weeks now and although I haven’t seen or experienced all of Barcelona, I have gotten to do quite a bit. The things on this list make me so glad I chose Barcelona; I couldn’t imagine studying abroad anywhere else! These aren’t really in any particular order because there’s no way I would be able to decide which is my favorite!

1. Xurros

I walk past this churro stand everyday when I’m coming from or going to my apartment. It’s such a tease, but it’s extra convenient when I want something sweet, especially since they’re open fairly late!

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Xurro amb Crema. There are also Xurros amb Chocolata that are to die for.

2. La Sagrada Familia

La Sagrada Familia was hands down one of the most gorgeous places I’ve ever been to. There are three entrances, but only one is fully finished and another is almost done. The one that Gaduií finished depicts the birth of Christ and the other entrance that they’re working on depicts his death. It’s something you have to see!

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The inside of the cathedral with all of the stained glass windows was amazing.
The finished front of the church that Gaudí designed.
The finished front of the church that Gaudí designed.

3. Bocadillos

I’m obsessed. There are tons of different kinds, but my favorite happens to be the ones with Iberian ham and cheese. There are tons of cafés that have them out in the window. You can’t really go wrong with any of them and they’re easy to grab on the go when you’re hungry and don’t want to stop at a restaurant.

This is a Mallorquin bocadillo. It had Mallorcan sausage and goat cheese. So good!
This is a Mallorquin bocadillo. It had Mallorcan sausage and goat cheese. So good!

4. La Boquería

La Boqueriía is a fresh food market located near Las Ramblas. It’s one of my favorite places to go, not only for food, but for people watching too! It’s a great place to go and get fresh produce for the week and you can get smoothies and sweets there as well!

Fresh fruits and vegetables that are sold at the market.
Fresh fruits and vegetables that are sold at the market.
Fresh seafood is everywhere, although I’m not brave enough to try it.
Fresh seafood is everywhere, although I’m not brave enough to try it.

5. Castell de Montjuïc

It’s an old military fortress from the 17th century. It’s on top of a mountain and it had such a great view of Barcelona!

The gardens out front were gorgeous, I loved all the flowers!
The gardens out front were gorgeous, I loved all the flowers!
There are so many places that offer great views of the city, but the view from Castell de Montjuïc is one of my favorites.
There are so many places that offer great views of the city, but the view from Castell de Montjuïc is one of my favorites.

6. Boldú

I stumbled upon this bakery when I was wandering one day. I can’t decide if it was a blessing or a curse. They’re so good that I’m glad I found it, but at the same time I go there way too often to get a loaf of bread, a pastry or a sandwich.

The store window gets me every time, everything always looks so good!
The store window gets me every time, everything always looks so good!
I can't help but stop by to get a chocolate croissant before class every once in a while.
I can’t help but stop by to get a chocolate croissant before class every once in a while.

7. Parc de Laberint 

Parc del Laberint is a giant maze and a historical garden that was once owned by the Desvalls family before they handed the park over to the city of Barcelona. It’s a place that not many tourists know about or go to, but it costs 2 euro to get in and was well worth it! The rest of the park is gorgeous as well.

The maze was fairly big and was a lot of fun! It was more difficult than I was expecting.
The maze was fairly big and was a lot of fun! It was more difficult than I was expecting.

8. Casa Milá (La Pedrera)

It’s another building designed by the famous Barcelona architect Antoni Gaudí. Gaudí was commissioned by the wealthy Milás. The wealthier families used to live on the bottom floors of these beautiful buildings and rent out the upper apartments to the bourgeoise. The outside of the building is sadly under construction, but the inside is beautiful! And apparently there are still people who live in some of the apartments there.

The roof is my favorite part. It had all of those little alcoves and bridges so you could get from one side to the other. It was fun exploring up there!
The roof is my favorite part. It had all of those little alcoves and bridges so you could get from one side to the other. It was fun exploring up there!

9. Parc Güell

Parc Güell, a garden complex on the hill of El Caramel that was designed by Antoni Gaudí. He’s clearly very accomplished in Barcelona. Every time I go someplace that he designed I’m in awe of how amazing it is!

It cost 8 euro to get inside the area with all of the mosaic, but it was definitely worth it.
It cost 8 euro to get inside the area with all of the mosaic, but it was definitely worth it.

10. Paella

It’s a famous dish here in Spain and every time I’ve ordered it, no matter where I’m at in Barcelona, it’s amazing. They have Paella Mixta, which usually has seafood and beef or chicken, Seafood Paella, which has prawns, oysters, and sometimes squid or lobsters, and Chicken Paella, which is pretty self-explanatory. No matter what you can’t go wrong, although I do suggest the traditional seafood paella.

This is the seafood paella, seriously so good.
This is the seafood paella, seriously so good.

Thinking about going to Barcelona? Your shortcut to exploring the world starts here. 

5 thoughts

  2. Great post, I love barca! I would recommend everything on the Montjuïc: the Miro museum, the Olympic park, the gardens, Museo Nacional. And Tibidabo, very beautiful!

    Reply

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