Barcelona: An Impactful and Unique Travel Experience

“The use of traveling is to regulate imagination with reality, and instead of thinking of how things may be, see them as they are.” – Samuel Johnson.

Physically being in a place makes everything you have read about, studied and dreamed of a reality. In a way, traveling is a journey within oneself to understand how things really are, not just how they seem.

After living in Barcelona for five months, I can confidently say that it’s a place full of different cultures, cuisine and experiences that will lead you to discover something new about yourself everyday. Barcelona is vibrant and intense, yet welcoming and alive with culture. People come from all over the world to experience the thriving city of Barcelona and turn their dreams into reality.

Embrace the Catalan Culture

Barcelona is the capital of Catalonia, and although Catalonia is part of Spain, it is a distinct region that is known for its independently minded way of life. Throughout Catalonia today, people share a common belief that Catalonia is unaffiliated with Spain as a country and deserves to hold its own region.

While traveling through Barcelona, you will be exposed to the different values that Catalonians hold and have integrated into the culture of the city. This has been going on for the past several decades, impacting the history of Barcelona and continuing to affect the future of their society. Be sure to keep this in mind as you travel through the wonders of the city!

Visit La Sagrada Familia

Taking a trip to the Sagrada Familia is a must! This large and unfinished Roman Catholic Church designed by the Catalonian architect Antoni Gaudí has been under construction for well over 100 years, and it should be finished by 2026. It will then be the largest church in the world!

The building is absolutely massive and can be seen throughout the city of Barcelona quite clearly, due to its large size. The Sagrada Familia is one of the cities largest tourist attractions. People from various cultures and countries all gather at this church to see the amazing architecture that is still being worked on today!

Pro Tip:

Book tickets to go inside and see the magnificent stained glass colors that illuminate the building

Walk around the Gothic Quarters

The Gothic Quarter, which is the most artistic and authentic part of the city, has unique streets and shops all along its back roads. You can find yourself spending hours winding the small streets and shops that are alive with the culture of Barcelona.

It will give you a deeper look and focus on the importance of art to the culture of Barcelona. Little drawings along the wall brings more light and art to the city, creating a feeling of diversity throughout the area.  

Visit Bunkers del Carmel, A Fantastic View of the Entire City

A perfect picnic place to reflect on your time in Barcelona and take in the best view of the entire city, The Bunkers del Carmel were built during the Spanish Civil War in 1937. They housed a number of guns and were used as an anti-craft battery to defend against attacks from the fascists. Today the Bunkers del Carmel attracts tourists from all over the world, as it is known to have the best views of the city!

Pro Tip: Bring some wine, cheese and crackers for a relaxing beautiful picnic at sunset.

Take a trip to Montserrat

Take a day trip to Montserrat, a mountain in Monistrol de Montserrat, Catalonia, Spain located just an hour train ride from the heart of Barcelona.

Montserrat is Catalonia’s most important religious retreat, where groups of people make trips to step away from the city and have a more spiritual and religious experience. As you arrive, you will immediately feel the peaceful energy of this magical place.

 

Walk the Beautiful Beaches

Barcelona’s main beach Barceloneta is located just a few minutes from the city center and is  easily accessible for tourists. A prime tourist destination, the beach is lined with hotels, nightclubs, restaurants and small shops.

Embrace the glory of the Mediterranean sea and take a swim in the salty water, while collecting sea shells along the way! It is a beautiful place to take in the beauty and reflect on your travels.  

Take a Trip to Camp Nou

If you have an opportunity to go to a football game, you will have the chance to see the passion and pride that the locals have for the game of soccer. Spanish soccer fans show the most amount of spirit out of any other sports fans in Europe.  

Camp Nou is home of Barcelona’s beloved team, FC Barcelona. Camp Nou stadium can hold up to 100,000 people. It is the biggest stadium in Europe and the 11th biggest in the world! While observing the Barcelona football fans and the atmosphere of Camp Nou, you will notice the city’s pride and spirit for this sport. If you can’t make it to a game, you must check out the stadium. It is a must see!

To learn more visit barcelonaturisme.com.