Whether you're running out of time in sunny Spain, enjoying a quick stopover or generally looking for things to do in Barcelona, here's how we spent twenty-four-hours in the beautiful city.
Why such little time?
As mentioned in my blog post on Travelling the Islands of Venice, we do not have much luck when we go travelling. When we went Amsterdam, we turned up to the airport and couldn't board the plane as we'd booked the tickets for a month later. In Paris, we overslept and barely made our flight home and in Singapore we were stuck in a pod hostel for fourteen days. So, it wasn't a surprise when we tried to go to Venice, our flight was cancelled en route to the airport. Luckily, we found a flight that flew to Barcelona that evening - the change of schedule was free of charge, but we just had to book our flight to Venice from Catalonia and find accommodation for one night.
Also, it meant we got to explore Barcelona too, even if only for a short amount of time. We arrived at 11:30pm into the airport but couldn't check in until 3pm the next day - that meant a very lengthy stay in the airport. Luckily, we bought this tiny monopoly set (which Ben kept winning at) and comfy jumpers to lay on the seats with. Although it was an experience, we did vow to never do it again as we carried our sleep-deprived, freezing bodies out of the airport and onto the shuttle bus.
Where to start?
A day in Barcelona is not enough time to see everything, but you can give it a try! You just need to pick the things that you most want to do and see, and work out the travelling distance between them all (which isn't too far in the city).
On our way to our hotel, we planned our route so we would see some of the main sights on our journey. Ciutadella Park and the Arco de Triunfo de Barcelona are pretty much on top of one another and you can cover them in a couple of hours if you decide to visit the zoo. If you give it a miss, you can probably get round the park in about half an hour.
On the entrance near the Arco de Truinfo, you'll pass palm trees and it'll feel like you're more on the pathway to a beach rather than the park.
You can take a leisurely stroll through the park - in the summer there have been street performers juggling, roller skaters practising and singers performing on the pathways. There is also this incredible fountain - shown below. It was under construction when we saw it, but it is usually spraying water high into the air.
There is quite a lot to see in the park, including a quaint waterside and a zoo at the other side of the area.
We did wonder if those boats pictured above were in use - maybe it's a summer thing.
Second stop
After spending some time round the park, it's time to do some cultural visits. Drop your suitcases off before you start this next part if you haven't already! This is where your day will start to speed up a little. I double checked this route on Google Maps and it says the total walking time is fifty-nine minutes - walk a little faster and I reckon you can do it all in a quarter of an hour.
Allowing time at each destination, this part of your trip will probably take two-three hours, including a few pit-stops here and there.
First, walk to the Cathedral of Barcelona. This area is lively and rightfully so, with acoustic guitar players, people taking pictures and a beautiful building to marvel at.
We visited a lot later in the day, but looking back now we definitely could've organised our route a little better. Everyone was sitting on the steps drinking and eating, while a man played Bob Dylan tunes on his guitar next to us. It's an absolutely fantastic area just confined in-between other buildings.
Another great feature of this area is the archaic lanes nearby. Just take a quick walk through the backs of the cathedral and see even more great architecture.
After spending some quality time at the cathedral, take a walk to Mercado de La Boqueria. It's an amazing public market with a lot to offer. We indulged in some really fruity smoothies, but there's a lot more food, souvenirs, drinks and goods to buy.
As the market is on La Rambla, you can exit right onto your next stop - the street! La Rambla is the main strip in Barcelona, with restaurants, bars and unusually themed museums. There are tables all along the 1.2 km street, but it can still be hard to find a seat or even get down the road during really touristy seasons. If you wanted to stop off for a drink, there is a lot to offer. Alternatively, La Rambla is just a nice place to take a stroll as it is lined with trees and lively people. You can also reach the other side of Barcelona using it.
However, I would say save the street until it starts to get a little more dark. This means that after you finish all your exploring, you can have a well-earned sangria out on the bustling road.
Next there are a few routes you can take, as there is still quite a lot more to see. I I suggest taking a long walk to La Sagrada Familia - it is quite out of the way but will be worth the journey.
It has been under construction for what feels like an eternity, so don't be surprised if you see cranes and workers around the building. Spend some time marvelling at its splendour and maybe grab a coffee from the cafe nearby.
Now, it's time to take some public transport, or you may end up running out of time. We actually stumbled upon the next stop by mistake. Montjuïc is a hill in Barcelona that offers some pretty thrilling views from the castle that sits at the top of it.
You can climb right up to the top of the steps and turn around to see the Catalonian landscape. Panoramic shots are a must and you'll definitely be able to get a better photo of it than my monstrosity below.
Like the cathedral, the castle can get quite busy. However, if you've got some time spare take a few moments to explore around the castle. There are some beautiful gardens to see and walk through.
After this, we made our way to Camp Nou - we didn't take the tour, but Ben wanted to see the outside of the stadium. Luckily, I have been before, so wasn't missing out. However, I'd allow for another two to three hours if you wanted to see inside the football stadium (you do get to take a cool picture in the managers' seats). If you want to give the tour a miss, you can still wander around the grounds and see snippets of the stadium from the outside.
Late Afternoon into the Evening...
Now this is the time when Spain really comes alive for explorers...although everyone else may be taking a siesta.
Head back to Plaça de Catalunya - the main square in the city centre - it's time for the beach! Only a short walking distance is Barceloneta Beach, but there are other playas to explore. Usually, you will find people playing volleyball and participating in other sports on the beach. Couples are riding bikes and buskers are singing with their guitars along the promenade. Also, if you walk the entire stretch you will find skateboarders showing off their skills. It's a beautiful walk, especially as the sun is setting in the Catalonian capital.
When you feel well-travelled, it is time to relax. Head back to La Ramba, to enjoy a couple of large beers or a pitcher of sangria. We discovered a restaurant that offered a good deal on paella and drinks. You could opt for the titanic drink pictured above for a couple extra euros - you know, when in Barcelona...
Look on boards outside restaurants and make sure to do some comparing. Also, if you find a happy hour please let me know and I'll be sure to check that out next time I'm visiting...for cultural purposes.
Some added extras...
If you've got more than a day, or you really do want to fit everything in, we recommend getting a taxi or taking a bus to Park Guell. You can explore the park for free and see some amazing sights. While at the park, you can buy tickets and see Gaudí's house and designs. If you're a big fan of Gaudi or art and want to see what he has constructed, make sure to buy tickets in advance.
There's also the Basilica of Santa Maria del Mar - another gothic structure sitting in the middle of the city. It was a little out of the way for us, but is definitely worth the trip if you love the architecture Barcelona has to offer!
Full of gothic architecture, beautiful parks and lively spots, Barcelona is the perfect trip for friends, couples or solo travel; whether you are going for a day or for a fortnight.
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