We had a special Barcelona experience: we were barely there for 72 hours, and spent Christmas Eve Catalonian-style. I can hardly do justice to Barcelona’s highlights since we only had time for a few stops, but I was absolutely in awe with its architectural flair.
From the Gothic Quarter to Gaudi’s creations, Barcelona is a must-see for architecture lovers. It has a bit of everything: vibrant history, diverse culture, amazing food, high fashion, street performers, stunning cathedrals and ordinary pedestrians. Even with the short amount of time I spent there, I fell in love.
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Barcelona stops you can’t miss
One landmark I knew I could not miss was the Sagrada Familia. Still in construction, this cathedral is primed to be the world’s newest, and potentially its most outstanding. But despite Gaudi’s iconic contributions to the city, I found myself drawn to the romance of the Gothic Quarter. Thank goodness it has emerged from its less-than-savory days, because it is a beautiful place to wander. Plants dangle from balconies, smells waft from spice shops, and chic styles overflow from small boutiques.
Ever the hobby photographers, Aaron and I snapped quite a few shots in hopes of doing this lovely little city justice. In the meantime, I’ll save my in-depth guide-writing for the next time I visit.
Catedral Santa Maria Del Mar
This lovely Gothic cathedral was the “cathedral of the people,” we were told. And despite it not having quite the spotlight of Sagrada Familia, it certainly held its own in grandeur. Located in the Gothic Quarter, this church was the center of life– and today there remain restaurants and crowds to prove it.
Casa Batlló
Despite the steep price of entry, Casa Batlló is one of the most fascinating and worthwhile Gaudi stops. Built as a home that was eventually turned into an apartment complex, each room of the house has an inspiration. From bones to waves to trees, the shapes in the house are inspired by nature. It would have been a strange place to live, but it’s certainly a fabulous place to visit.
Gothic Quarter & surrounding neighborhoods
This was by far my favorite neighborhood, and for good reason. The beautiful alleys are peaceful, with only the occasional strum of street musicians floating through the air. Succulents dangle from balconies effortlessly as light pours out from boutiques and cafes.
We stopped for coffee at Nomad, a rare 3rd-wave coffee shop not far from the Gothic Quarter. Latte art is a rare find in Spain, but the barista-entrepreneurs seemed hopeful.
Sagrada Familia
Columns are trees. Stained glass is water and wind and leaves. The cathedral is a forest beckoning the wayfarer to come and rest awhile. A crucified Christ descends from the center beneath the plumes of a jellyfish. Antoni Gaudi’s masterpiece is strange and undeniably beautiful.
Visiting the Sagrada Familia is an odd experience: we admired the unconventional approach to stained glass windows and columns, while dreaming of how beautiful the completed church will be. In addition, hundreds of other visitors are feeling the same thing– and they’re taking selfies to document the moment. There’s nothing to do but to take it all in and plan to come back in 10 years.
Park Güell
Gaudi’s famous park is the place for families to gather, teens to date and tourists to marvel. The waves of color and mosaic patterns sparkle is the sun moves through the sky. Despite being rather out of the way, Güell has become one of Barcelona’s icons. I loved that the whole place felt a bit like a village designed by Gaudi– or maybe by Dr. Seuss.
Our favorite Barcelona resources
Travel books and maps:
- Streetwise Barcelona Map (perfect for wandering)
- Barcelona and Catalonia (fabulous DK travel guide)
- Gaudi’s complete works (for those who can’t see it in person)
Travel articles and recommendations:
- The Everygirl’s Weekend Guide to Barcelona
- T+L’s Definitive Guide to Barcelona
Thank you Ellie! Maybe you’ll go back one day and get to post about it! I definitely have traveled to places pre-blogging when I didn’t have a good camera ready.
Your photography is beautiful ! I went to Barcelona before I started blogging so missed an opportunity to post about how great it was. When we went it was also only for 3 days but as my sister used to live there we were able to cram the majority of sights (and bars) in before leaving.
Amazinggg photos xxx
Thank you Cayce!! And yes haha– 10 more years indeed.
Gorgeous pictures!! Barcelona is one of my all time favorite cities – definitely planning to go to see Sagrada Familia completed…only ten more years of waiting…
I agree, Barcelona is a wonderful city with a stunning architecture. Work of Gaudi is dreamy. I love that city so much that I’ve decided to go there to for one month by the the end of February. I’m going to document the life in Barcelona, street style and culture. I cannot wait!
Daniela
http://www.smellofjasmine.com/
Thanks for stopping by! 🙂 Yes, the weather was fabulous– much warmer than we expected.
Barcelona is Incredible! It looks like you were very lucky with the weather too!
Thanks for sharing such a beautiful post! 🙂
Lloyd & Yaya x
Thank you so much! Yes, there are a handful of pretty amazing Gaudi designs in Barcelona but Casa Batllo is one of my favorites. And I’ll have to look up Parque del Amor for the next time I’m in Peru (which won’t be for a while, but still!).
Ahhh that’s fabulous! Don’t worry, there’s so much to see in Barce that we weren’t able to get to, so you’ll have to take photos for ME! 😉
Thanks so much Nish! You should take advantage of being in Spain already! 🙂
Thanks Kaelene! That’s how I felt throughout our entire trip! 😉
Wow, the architecture is beautiful in Barcelona! I’ve only really seen images of La Sagrada Familia online, so the other places were new to me. I really like the Casa Batlló…. didn’t realize it was Gaudi as well. The mosaic tiles in Park Güell remind me of a park here in Lima, Parque del Amor! 🙂 Great photos.
I’m SOOO ridiculously excited for Barcelona after seeing this post. But I admit that I just had to scan the pictures, because I want to be surprised LOL! The Gaudi apartment looks just incredible. And of course, I’m looking forward to La Sagrada Familia!
Your photos are stunning! I’m studying abroad in Madrid right now and I’m dying to make it to Barcelona sometime soon!
Wow, so gorgeous! Just when I thought one place was my favorite the next area was even more amazing! Beautiful photos Daisy!
Thanks Carly! I hope you make it back to Barce some time, I think you’d love it. x
Exactly– it’s definitely something quite unique about Barcelona. Thanks for reading, Alyssa!
Yes indeed! 🙂
Thank you! I hope you get to stay a little longer next time! 😉
Thanks Ursu!! Yes I agree- Guell was so worth it!
It really is Hannah! Thanks for reading. 🙂
Thank you Marcella! Hope you make it back to Spain someday! 🙂
Such stunning photos, wow! I would really love to go to Barcelona again as I went twice as a teenager and definitely didn’t appreciate the amazing architecture like I would today 😉 Thanks for showing me around!
Wow!! Their architecture truly is amazing! 🙂
How very stunning! Makes me want to go back right this moment. Parc Guell stays my fav. Thank you for sharing!
Ursa from The Cheerful Wanderer
I have not even been for 24 hours in Barcelona, but your pictures showed me once again how beautiful it is.
Such a gorgeous place!
This is absolutely beautiful, Daisy! It’s wonderful how varied the styles are and how you can experience so much in one city
Your photos are so stunning Daisy! The architecture is exquisite – I especially love all the tiling detail! The cathedrals are absolutely breathtaking. I’ve only ever visited Barcelona in transit, but its long been on my travel wish list! Now even more so! Xx