Barcelona, Spain
Barcelona is a beautiful city in Spain, with pleasant weather and plenty to do and see. It is home to a mix of sandy beaches with clear water and historical architecture with tourist attractions, all with a modern city feel. For either a tourist-y weekend or simply a relaxing vacation weekend, Barcelona is a must-see.
Things to Know
In Barcelona the official government language is Catalan. However, most everyone you encounter will speak Spanish and some English to converse. Average to good knowledge or understanding of Spanish proves very helpful when traveling to Barcelona!
If you fly into either Girona or Reus airports, be prepared to take a bus approximately 1.5 hours to the center of Barcelona. The trip is not expensive and does not necessarily need to be booked in advance, but it is important to account for the travel time when booking accommodations or flights. There is an airport in the city of Barcelona, but cheaper airlines such as RyanAir do not fly into this airport.
The currency in Barcelona is the Euro.
Barcelona uses European-style electrical outlets, different from the U.K. and U.S. electrical outlets.
Nightlife is extremely vibrant in Barcelona. Most people stay out until the sun comes up and most businesses do not open until 9:30 or 10 a.m.
Barcelona is an extremely walk-able city, but to see some of the attractions on the perimeter of the city, a metro card is necessary. The metro lines are easy to figure out with a map, and unlimited day passes are great for this purpose.
Places to See
Las Ramblas
The main tree-lined strip in Barcelona, Las Ramblas is home to outdoor street cafes, performers, and vendors. Quite entertaining to walk around in either the day or evening. Other great sites to see are pictured below.
The Beach
Parc de la Ciutadella
Arc de Triomphe
Montjuic
Montjuic is a beautiful mountaintop overlooking Barcelona. It was also the location of the Barcelona 1992 Olympics, so visit the Olympic Swimming Pool, Olympic Track Stadium, and the Olympic Torch. To get to Montjuic, take an air tram from the beach pier over to the mountain for gorgeous views of Barcelona.
La Pedrera
A building designed by the artist Gaudi to resemble the ocean, complete with seaweed.
Temple Expiatori de la Sagrada Familia
One of the most famous historical sites in Barcelona. This cathedral, designed by the artist Gaudi, has been undergoing construction since 1882. The intricate architecture and stained glass is breathtaking and well worth the 5 Euro student entrance fee.
Parc Guell
The park sits atop a hill overlooking Barcelona. The streets to get up are so steep, there are escalators. Parts of the park are designed by the artist Gaudi, with beautiful mosaic sculptures and buildings.
Camp Nou: Barcelona Futbol Club Stadium
See the stadium from the outside, as the premium tour inside was 19 euros. A must for any soccer fan, as the gift shop is gigantic.