Barcelona is the vibrant capital of the autonomous community of Catalonia and is located on the northeastern coast of Spain on the Mediterranean. It is a vibrant city with rich history, stunning architecture, and a lively beach culture. From GaudÃ's masterpieces to luxury shopping to delicious tapas and sangria, there is something for everyone in this Spanish gem. If you are planning a trip to Spain, make sure to include a few days in Barcelona. I promise you will not regret it!
Trying to fit in all the amazing places in Spain means you may only have a few days in each place. But don't despair, this blog will highlight the top things to do if you only have a couple of days to spend in Barcelona.
Marvel at La Sagrada Familia. Antoni GaudÃ's masterpiece is a must-visit. As Barcelona's most popular attraction, you will want to reserve tickets well in advance of your trip! See my blog about GaudÃ's Barcelona here for more detailed information on this amazing basilica, getting tickets and a recommended skip-the-line tour.
The Passion Facade of La Segrada Familia Stroll Through Park Güell. Another Gaudà wonder, Park Güell is a whimsical garden filled with colorful mosaics, peculiar sculptures, and stunning views of the city. Highlights are the serepentine bench (seen in the picture above) and the iconic mosaic lizard, "El Drac." Again, details on visiting Park Güell can be found in this blog.
The Famous El Drac Explore the Gothic Quarter. Step back in time as you wander the narrow, winding streets of the Gothic Quarter (Barri Gòtic). Discover hidden plazas, medieval buildings and vibrant street art. The Barcelona Cathedral, located here, is a highlight.
Barcelona Cathedral Walk Down the Famous La Rambla. No trip to Barcelona would be complete with out a stroll down La Rambla to take in the the vibrant energy of the city. La Rambla is Barcelona's most famous pedestrian street stretching from Plaça de Catalunya to the waterfront. Besides people-watching, there are outdoor cafes, souvenir shops, flower stands and lots of other things to engage your senses! We made sure to stop at an outdoor cafe and grab a LARGE sangria. We met other interesting tourists with the same idea!
La Rambla 
Enjoying a LARGE Sangria on La Rambla Visit the Bustling La Boqueria Market. Right off of La Rambla you will find the vibrant La Boqueria Market where you can find all kinds of interesting foods to tantalize your tastebuds. This public market serves take away food of many varieties as well as local produce, meat and delicacies to take home and create your own culinary masterpiece. Insider Tips: The Market is very crowded so try to go first thing in the morning. Also, you can only order a cocktail or sangria if you sit at the bar of one of the restaurants in the Market (and open seats are hard to find). Finally, there are soooo many choices, you may want to take a stroll all the way around the Market before deciding what you want to try. The hard part will be remembering your way back to the place you want to try!
Entrance to La Boqueria Market from La Rambla 
Candy Stand at La Boqueria Shop Along Passeig de Grà cia. Passeig de Grà cia is one of the major avenues in Barcelona and is known for its high-end, luxury shopping and famous architecture (more on that later in this blog!). It is regarded as the most expensive street in Barcelona and all of Spain! Even if you aren't shopping for Gucci or Prada, it is still worth a stroll down this street to window shop and take in the amazing buildings. For more information on what stores you can find on Passeig de Grà cia or where you can grab a bite to energize your shopping day, click here.
A Store Along Passeig de Grà cia Check Out GaudÃ's Casa Batllo and Casa Milà . Also located on Passeig de Grà cia are two more of GaudÃ's unique architetural masterpieces. You can just stop in front of them and snap some pics for Instagram, or you can purchase tickets to go inside each casa to explore the interior of these amazing structures. Read more about these Gaudà creations and what you can find inside in my last blog which you can find here.
Casa Batllo Grab a Cup of Warm Chocolate at Casa Amatller. Right next to Casa Batllo, you will find Casa Amatller, another modernist structure designed by a Barcelonian archtect. There is a museum inside about modernist architecture in Barcelona that you may want to check out if you are an archtect enthusiast. However, we bypassed that and went straight to the cafe in back for some of the best hot chocolate I have ever had. It was thicker than American hot chocolate and was served with warm bread to dip into the thick choclately goodness. It was so delicious! Our tour guide took us in to try it and I would have missed the whole experience if we didn't have someone in the know with us. So...I'm paying it forward and sharing this insider tip with you!
The Entrance to the Cafe at Casa Amatller The World's Best Hot Chocolate! Relax at Barceloneta Beach and Explore Olympic Marina. As Barcelona sits on the coast of the Mediterranean, time by the water is always a good idea. We were there in late September, so Barceloneta Beach was not packed, but there were plenty of people strolling or jogging on the boardwalk, enjoying a cocktail at a beachfront cafe or taking in the beautiful buildings and sculptures by the beach. There is also a lot to see at the nearby Olympic Marina, built for the 1992 Summer Olympics. After a busy day of sightseeing in the city, a trip to this area may be the perfect way to unwind.
Beachfront at Barceloneta Beach 
Olympic Marina 
Famous Fish Sculpture From 1992 Olympics Sit at an Outdoor Cafe and Enjoy Spanish Tapas. Spain is known for its delicious tapas and there is no shortage of places to grab an outdoor table to enjoy tapas and sangria while taking in the beautiful scenery (whereever you may be sitting). My friends especially loved the fried octopus and sardines. Not my thing, but I am passing that info along to you foodies. I can, however, personally recommend the sangria!
Spanish Tapas So, Barcelona is a city that leaves no visitor unimpressed. Its mix of history, architecture, shopping, and laid-back beach vibes ensures there is never a dull moment. Even if you are travelling with a large group, there will certainly be something for everyone in your group. If you only have two days in this incredible city, the things on this list will give you a chance to sample all Barcelona has to offer!
