The best places to visit in Barcelona on a weekend
Barcelona is one of those destinations that charms every visitor thanks to its wide range of possibilities. Its mere name evokes life because all its streets exude a unique atmosphere that can’t be found anywhere else in the world. Barcelona is the perfect place for adventurers seeking to discover the most bohemian, intense and exciting side of the country, and it always surpasses expectations.
There are endless things to do in this city, and there is always something new to discover, even for those who walk along its gorgeous streets every day. However, sometimes there isn’t enough time to enjoy it in great detail, and we must choose what to prioritise on our bucket list. Keep these spots in mind when you prepare your weekend in Barcelona.
What to see in Barcelona on a weekend
There is no doubt that the capital of Cataluña is completely charming. Its streets filled with moving stories hide infinite gems famous all over the world. Of course, these renowned monuments should be part of every Barcelona itinerary, just like many other almost secret treasures that only the residents of Barcelona know.
Gaudí and Barcelona
Gaudí’s works are unmistakable: they show bright colours, dreamy shapes, and a trencadís that takes the breath away of everyone who sees it, even if it isn’t the first time they do it. It’s impossible to talk about Gaudí without mentioning his true masterpiece, whose construction began in 1882. It’s the impressive building of the Sagrada Familia, whose large windows gather each warm ray of sunlight and turn it into an imperishable rainbow that appears on most Barcelona postcards.
Although the impressive minor basilica is Gaudí’s most popular work, there are many other Gaudí buildings in Barcelona. The combination of impossible colours and structures of Gaudí’s Modernist houses, such as the Casa Batlló and the Casa Vicens, are a true delight for tourists and local residents alike.
Barcelona’s cathedrals
The Sagrada Familia is usually mistaken for a cathedral, but it is not. While the Sagrada Familia is a basilica church, the true Cathedral of Barcelona sits in the heart of the city. It’s the Catedral Basílica Metropolitana de la Santa Cruz y Santa Eulalia, a building of impressive dimensions and the best example of Catalan Gothic architecture. Evenings are the best time to visit it and watch it in its full glory, when its intricate white façade reflects the golden shades of the Barcelona sky.
A beautiful spot awaits among Barcelona’s many charms: its Catedral del Mar. This sober, harmonious building in the Catalan Gothic architectural style includes a rose window that had to be rebuilt after the 1428 earthquake, when it collapsed on dozens of people. But this temple has experienced many other tragic events–in 1936, the cathedral burned for 11 days in a row. A place with a past as breathtaking as its appearance.
Gothic Quarter
The Barrio Gótico, or Barri Gòtic, is one of those places that should be visited at least once in life. This medieval layout of labyrinthine, cobbled streets reveals some of Barcelona’s oldest streets. Although most of the buildings in the area were built between the 19th and 20th centuries, this quarter hides an ancient Roman necropolis. A walk through its streets takes the visitor to remote times and shows the true essence of the city.
Passeig de Gràcia
The Passeig de Gràcia is one of the most famous and luxurious streets in Spain. It is best known for its Modernist buildings, such as the aforementioned Casa Batlló and the Casa Milà by Antoni Gaudí, as well as the Casa Amatller. This area, surrounded by theatre and many other forms of art, used to be home to a large number of gardens, which are still alive in the stories told in each corner of the embellished Passeig de Gràcia.
Montjuïc
Montjuïc and its park are the green heart of the city of Barcelona. This compound watches over the warm waters of the Mediterranean Sea from an impressive natural space that offers leisure activities for every taste and age, such as a cable car, a village that contains the whole of Spain inside its walls, and a Magic Fountain.
This peaceful corner is also known for its beautiful gardens and cultural attractions, such as the Fundació Joan Miró, the Archaeology Museum of Cataluña, and the National Museum of Art of Cataluña. These are mandatory stops for those visitors who relish history and art.
Barceloneta Beach
That sea, protected by the fascinating Montjuïc, hugs the city entirely. There are many beaches in Barcelona to enjoy a refreshing dip or sunbathe unhurriedly, enjoying the moment, and they are all marvellous without a doubt, but one of them is particularly famous, the Barceloneta Beach. And it is no wonder why it has become so popular.
This beach with a lively atmosphere covers 422 metres in total and sits in a district that shares its name. This area of seafaring tradition is ideal to spend a relaxing evening at a chiringuito and taste a delicious tapa after walking along the incredible seaside promenade that spreads for 8.6 kilometres.
La Boqueria Market
La Boqueria Market, or Mercado de San José, is an imperative experience for every tourist who arrives in Barcelona, in particular for those who enjoy gastronomy. This impressive building of more than 2,500 square metres can accommodate up to thousands of market stalls where it is possible to buy every type of product, both traditional Spanish ingredients and from other cuisines too. Although the current market was built in 1914, its history dates back to a long time ago. La Boqueria Market began as a flea market hosted in the streets where field workers and other merchants sold their products.
And of course, the perfect trip to Barcelona should include the mandatory vermouth stop. This Spanish tradition consists of drinking a glass of vermouth with a light appetiser or tapa before lunch time. The vermú is the prior step to savouring the delicious traditional cuisine, a different way to enjoy the astonishing city of Barcelona.
This article was written in collaboration with Voyage Privé.