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Picking just the right city to visit in Europe is overwhelming, there’s no question about it.

From hiking to Oeschinesee Lake in Switzerland to exploring the Roman Colosseum, both of which are incredible, the range of options and experiences is literally endless.

So much so that you can quickly develop analysis paralysis, the inability to make a decision based on the overwhelming amount of data or choices.

So, let this guide assure that Barcelona is among the BEST locations to pick for a 4-day weekend excursion while stationed in Europe.

Why visit Barcelona?

For a host of reasons, Barcelona commands a visit. From archaic and gothic architecture to some of the most delicious food in Europe, this is one place you don’t want to pass up.

Top reasons to visit Barcelona include:

• Standing in the La Sagrada Família and internalizing the vertigo feeling from looking up at the ___-high columns designed to feel like a forest.
• Watching the sunset at Carmel Bunkers before admiring the twinkling city lights below as they mimic the Milky Way above.
• Eating tapas and drinking Spanish wine in a courtyard while kids play soccer with their friends in the adjacent cul-de-sac.
• Filling your phone’s storage capacity with insta-worthy photos of quaint streets and ancient architecture styles in the Gothic Quarter.
• Counting paddleboarders cruise by the Spanish coastline at Barceloneta Beach.

So, in no particular order, I’ve laid out the top attractions you can’t afford to miss if given a chance to explore this beautiful city.

The Top 3 Sites to Visit in Barcelona

1. La Sagrada Família

Considered by some to be the most famous church in Spain, La Sagrada Família is one stop you can’t afford to miss. However, if you simply look at photos of the outside, you might be thinking “ew…”. Lol, you’re in good company, don’t sweat it.

On my visit to Barcelona, I’ll admit that La Sagrada Família was not on my initial list of attractions I wanted to visit. Why you ask? Well, look at the outside of it; it’s kinda hideous lol.

I’ll go ahead and say it: the outside of La Sagrada Família is likely one of the most hideous facades I’ve seen in terms of aesthetics…

However, it’s the separate, intricate details in the façade that will capture your imagination and set your soul on fire upon closer examination.

Every inch of La Sagrada Família’s facades have specific designs that represent the life of Jesus.

On the Birth Facade, you’ll encounter intricate plant, human, and animal figures and on the Passion Facade, you’ll be forced to pass by skeletal columns designed to represent bones.

As you make your way inside, all sensory overload is dissipated by the blissful floorplan.

The size- and material-differing columns are orchestrated so elegantly that light passes through in a filtered manner, giving rise to the illusion of a peaceful forest.

In the mornings, as the sun rises in the east, light pours into the cathedral in cool shades of blue and green thanks to the stained glass windows.

Then, as the sun makes its way towards the western horizon, the windows on the opposite side direct the light in bursts of energetic reds and oranges, just like the sunset itself.

2. Carmel Bunkers

This location offers the best view of Barcelona; for free!

Located at the top of Turó de la Rovira in the Carmel neighborhood (north of the city) lie a peculiar set of ruins that one might walk right past if exploring the surrounding neighborhoods or parks.

However, you’d be doing yourself a disservice if you didn’t hang here until sunset at least once during your visit to Barcelona.

These Spanish Civil War relics now covered in graffiti and influencers looking for that perfect photo were once a strategic defense point for anti-aircraft batteries whose job was to shoot down enemy aircraft.

After the war, these fortifications were inhabited by the homeless and served as a shanty town for almost 60 years. As preparations took place leading up to the 1990 Olympics, the shanty town was erased, along with any trace of culture pertaining to the inhabiting Los Cañones peoples.

3. The Gothic Quarter

I researched multiple neighborhoods to stay in during my visit to Barcelona. The winner was the Gothic Quarter for a few main reasons.

First, it’s central to everything worth doing in Barcelona. The metro system has plenty of lines that move through the area and the main attractions are all within walking distance.

From hundred-year-old churches to picturesque alleyways, the Gothic Quarter easily captivated my attention from sunrise to sunset. So much so that I looked forward to getting lost on my way to the main attractions like the La Sagrada Família or the Cathedral of Barcelona.

While those might be the top three attractions in Barcelona, don’t limit yourself to only seeing them! Instead, read below for more amazing spots you need to visit to fully experience Barcelona.

Here’s my ultimate itinerary for visiting Barcelona

Day 1:

1. Wake up around 7:30 and enjoy a delicious cup of coffee at Hidden Coffee Roasters. I highly recommend their pourover!
2. Make your way to the Cathedral of Barcelona and visit the church before the crowds show up
   • Pay the small fee and climb to the roof of the Cathedral; it’s 100% worth it! You’ll get some of the best views (outside of the Carmel Bunkers) in all of Barcelona. The Spanish coast to the south and the beautiful city to the north; what more could you ask for?
3. Lunch time! Between 1:00pm and 4:00pm, enjoy the best vegetarian Tapas in Barcelona at Vegetalia Gòtic. Simply order the Desayuno Breakfast (even though it’s brunch lol) and thank me later. 10 items of pure, deliciousness.
4. Slowly wander towards the Plaça de Catalunya along the iconic La Rambla Boulevard.
   • You’re might want to stop at all the different street vendors but I’m telling you: HOLD OFF!
   • Instead, visit Mercat de la Boqueria and try dozens of Spanish foods in this vibrant farmer’s market.
5. When you get to Plaça de Catalunya, take a rest here and watch the city pass you by. Listen for the sounds of live music or the beautiful Spanish accent spoken between friends and lovers in the area. Or, alternatively, charge towards the 500 pigeons and see how many you can catch lol.
6. Catch an incredible sunset at the Carmel Bunkers. These Spanish Civil War relics now covered in graffiti and influencers looking for that perfect photo were once a strategic defense point for anti-aircraft batteries whose job was to shoot down enemy aircraft.

You’ll pack a lot in on this day, so be sure to have some delicious tapas and sangria to fuel you back up. Keep reading for day two!

Day 2:

1. Same wake-up time, 7:30am.
   • Sure, you might think I’m crazy to wake up that early on my vacation but, what better way to ensure you make the most of your time? Carpe diem, remember?
2. Walk under the Arco de Triunfo and get some incredible photos. This early in the morning, the sun will still be relatively low in the sky, and it’ll create some fascinating shadows from people walking past. Take photos as necessary lol.
3. Stroll down the promenade towards Ciutadella Park. Take note on how the car horns and squealing brakes start to dissipate and become replaced by birds chirping and bicycle gears changing.
4. Make your way towards the Cascada del Parc de la Ciutadella, a fountain and monument of Venus accompanied by an insta-worthy grand arch and incredibly clear water.
5. Make your way northwest towards La Sagrada Família. I recommend taking the street past the Estación del Norte building because, well, I think the building looks really cool lol. It’s the former main line railway station in Barcelona.
6. La Sagrada Família; a must-visit if you do nothing else on either of these lists lol.
7. Take the metro to Barceloneta Beach and see how many paddleboarders you can count as they cruise by you on the Spanish coastline. Enjoy that free vitamin D while you’re at it.

Days 3, 4, etc.

Your final few days in Barcelona can look like however you want! In total, I recommend spending at least three days in Barcelona but, four is definitely the sweet spot.

With four days in Barcelona, you can easily take your time visiting the numerous well-known spots, but also have enough time to get lost in a beautiful neighborhood or the bottom of a delicious sangria (or four).

Other things to do in Barcelona once you hit the main attractions:

1. Visit one of Barcelona’s tap rooms for craft beer. My personal favorite was Ølgod Brewpub; tons of IPAs and amazing vibes.
2. Catch a movie at Verdi Barcelona. After three straight days of walking, I was in need to just veg for a while so, this was perfect for an afternoon show! Be prepared for sweet popcorn if you attend a showing.
3. Check out some of Picasso’s art at the Picasso Art Museum. It was here that I learned…I’m not really into Picasso’s art style lol
4. Geek out on more gothic architecture at the Bascilica de Santa Maria del Pi. You can climb up to a second story area for a small fee and see some incredible views of the strong columns holding this masterpiece up.
5. Go back in time at the MUHBA Temple d’August; Barcelona’s most well-preserved Roman Empire relics dating back to the 1st Century BCE and all that remains of the Temple of Augustus.

Alright, if you’ve made it all the way to the end of this post and I still haven’t convinced you to visit Barcelona then, nothing will.

Like with any trip, it’s what you make of it, right? The best part of Barcelona is the wide array of things to do for literally anyone! For foodies, it’s a heaven. For history buffs, look no further! Need a city break? This is the place to do it. Want to get away from the big city and lay on a beach? Barcelona has that also.

Notice how I never said to visit any Gaudi architecture in this entire post…

I think my writing speaks for itself on that lol. That nonsense is not my jam and, for that reason, I simply won’t recommend it. If you like hideous buildings, feel free to check them out. But, there’s much more visually appealing things to see than a Gaudi building (exception: La Sagrada Família).

If you have any places you’d recommend that I haven’t captured, feel free to drop them in the comments below!

Happy exploring!