BARCELONA

1. Holy Family

We are almost forced to start this list with the symbol of the city and the great (and unfinished) masterpiece of Gaudí and Catalan modernism. The Expiatory Temple of the Sagrada Familia began to be built in 1882 and is still surrounded by cranes and workers (they say it will be finished around 2026).

The most striking thing about its architecture is its originality: Gaudí designed a church that looks more like an enormous sand castle growing towards the sky and about to collapse. He also wanted to integrate the shapes of nature into his design, so everything here will make you feel like you're in an enchanted world, with columns that transform into forests, curves, colors and beautiful details.

2.Casa Batlló

Colorful, curious and unique, we are looking at another of Antoni Gaudí's masterpieces. It is located in the heart of Passeig de Gràcia, one of the main arteries of Barcelona today, and chosen by many rich people to establish their residences in the early 1900s.

This specifically belonged to the industrialist Josep Batlló i Casanovas, who left the comprehensive renovation of the building in the hands of Gaudí . As it could not be otherwise, the great master displayed all his magic, turning it into an unrivaled modernist architectural jewel, to the point of being a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Stop across the street to first admire the colorful façade , perhaps the most striking and spectacular element of the entire house (that roof reminiscent of the skin of a colorful dragon _). And once you go through the door you will enter a crazy, different and wonderful universe.

Furthermore, several of its spaces have recently been used to create new interactive displays , which make the visit a complete sensory experience.

3.Casa Milà (La Pedrera)

A short distance from Casa Batlló, on the same Passeig de Gràcia, is Casa Milá, another of Antoni Gaudí's masterpieces. It is named after the businessman who ordered its construction, but it became popularly known as La Pedrera (not without some criticism), due to the appearance of its undulating façade , reminiscent of a quarry.

It was built between 1906 and 1912 with the idea of ​​creating a housing space for rent , around a central patio. During its more than 100 years of life, many tenants have passed through here, some of them famous people from Barcelona, ​​and even today there are still neighbors who share their daily lives with hundreds of tourists.

What is striking about its interior is that you will not find corners or right angles . In this way, the wavy relief of the façade is also transferred to the interior of the building, something that we assume would drive the tenants themselves crazy to simply decorate their homes.

During your visit you will tour these apartments, which seem anchored in the beginning of the 20th century, and you will especially enjoy its roof terrace . From there the views are magnificent and, in addition, you can take selfies with the “warriors” of the House . And when you leave, nothing better than having something at the beautiful Café de la Pedrera .

4. Ciutat Vella, one of the best places to visit in Barcelona

We momentarily leave Antoni Gaudí aside to travel to the heart of Barcelona. But first we ask your permission to make a little trick: at this point we will not talk to you about a single essential place to see in Barcelona, ​​but about the historic center of the city , the Old City ... or “Ciutat Vella” in Catalan.

Among its cobbled streets, behind its historic walls, next to small and large churches, we will find a lot of little corners where you will end up falling in love with Barcelona .We momentarily leave Antoni Gaudí aside to travel to the heart of Barcelona. But first we ask your permission to make a little trick: at this point we will not talk to you about a single essential place to see in Barcelona, ​​but about the historic center of the city , the Old City ... or “Ciutat Vella” in Catalan.

Among its cobbled streets, behind its historic walls, next to small and large churches, we will find a lot of little corners where you will end up falling in love with Barcelona .

5. Montjuic

Montjuïc Mountain is another must- see in Barcelona, ​​no matter what, and once again we are forced to cheat a little (we are very careful scammers). Understand us, we are talking about a mountain, or rather THE mountain!

Its location and elevation have been important in the history of the city's defense, as exemplified by the Montjuïc Castle at the top. After the war times, this space has been used to promote culture and the arts, housing some of the most important museums in the city, such as the MNAC (in the impressive National Palace), the Miró Foundation (for contemporary art), the Poble Espanyol (a Spain in miniature) or at its feet the CaixaForum .

It was also the place chosen as the epicenter of the 1992 Olympics, and from those good times the Olympic Stadium (with the legendary cauldron), the Palau Sant Jordi  and the Telecommunications Tower, the work of Calatrava, have remained .

If you want a recommendation, to get there take the Montjuïc Cable Car (the views are brutal) and from the top, after visiting the Castle, begin the descent on foot passing through all the emblematic places, until you reach the Font Màgica ( times ). If you have to make a little time for the start of the light and sound show, there is no better place than the panoramic terrace of the MNAC.

6. La Rambla, the neighborhood that never sleeps

More than 100 years have passed since the San Miguel Market was inaugurated as a food market. Currently, this historic building is one of the main gastronomic markets in the world, as it allows its visitors to take a tour of the essence and flavors of each of the corners of Spain.

From the best Iberian ham or the freshest seafood arrived daily from Galicia, to Mediterranean rice dishes or the most special cheeses from Castilla, Asturias or the Basque Country. In the San Miguel Market you will find the highlights of Spanish gastronomy throughout more than 20 stalls that have in common their commitment to quality tapas.

7. La Boqueria , one of the best markets in the world

A brief description of the market "We are a food market that offers fresh, high-quality products. This, and the possibility that you can also find products from all over the world, has always been our intention because we think it is what should differentiate us from the rest of the food commercial spaces in the city. And if what you are looking for is not there, leave it in our hands and we will bring it to you, as we have always done.

La Boqueria is an open market and a landmark in Barcelona. We are in the heart of the city and we have clients from the neighborhood, from the entire city and from other towns in Catalonia. Furthermore, as we are in the historic center, on La Rambla, many people visit us who take advantage of their stay in Barcelona to get to know us and enjoy the dishes prepared in our bars and restaurants with market products. The entrance is always open for those who want to meet us and buy at our stalls"

There is a classroom Located on the third floor of the market office building, it is conveniently equipped for holding courses, workshops and events related to cooking and gastronomy.

8.Passeig de Sant Joan, Arc de Triomphe and Parc de la Ciutadela: a 3 in 1

The Arc de Triomphe of Barcelona does not have a military character like others around the world, and we already love this. This was built as the main entrance gate to the Barcelona Universal Exhibition of 1888 . The most curious thing about the monument is that its architect, Josep Vilaseca, decided to use a neo-Mudejar style and build it with brick and white stone friezes . The sculptures refer to science, art, agriculture and commerce.

It is located at the end of Passeig de Sant Joan  , which was declared by Times Out as the second best street in the world (after Smith Street in Melbourne ) and which we recommend walking slowly, stopping to recharge your batteries in one of its many trendy restaurants.

And finally it drives towards the Ciutadella Park , one of the green lungs of the city 

9.Royal Square

It bears the name "royal" and it is so because of its beauty. With an elegant aftertaste accentuated by the fountain, street lamps and palm trees, Plaza Real is one of the most bustling and vital in Barcelona, ​​especially at night. And it is also the most appreciated of the arcaded squares in Barcelona.

Around 1835, as a result of the confiscations, many of Barcelona's religious buildings disappeared. This was the case of the old Capuchin convent, which passed away, leaving a large plot of land free. There, a few years later, the current Plaza Real will be urbanized. The architect in charge of the work was Francesc Molina, who conceived a luxurious plaza with the purpose of exalting the monarchy. King Ferdinand VII, monarch of the time, was to be immortalized in the center of the square with an equestrian statue. The monument was never built and in its place we found the fountain of the Three Graces. On both sides of the central fountain there are two street lamps, a youthful work by Antoni Gaudí, which are crowned by a winged helmet and a dragon and which were installed in the square in 1879. Around them, the royal palm trees adorn the enclave and give it an exotic touch. The square is closed by a series of stately buildings, uniform and porticoed, in which we can see decorations made of baked clay. They housed the homes of important Barcelona families, although today this luxurious character of the square has been tempered by a more bohemian atmosphere.

10.Tibidabo (and Carmel Bunkers)

If you are looking for the best views of Barcelona , ​​or at least the most amazing panoramic points, you should not miss Tibidabo Hill. Not in vain, it is the highest point around Barcelona, ​​with its more than 500 meters above sea level.

At the top, in addition to the incredible views, you can spend a few hours entertained in the vintage attractions of the Tibidabo Amusement Park .

There is another place closer to the center of Barcelona and accessible on foot (although it is quite a walk) from where you can have a bird's eye view of the city, for us, unmatched. These are the Carmel Bunkers , a defense battery built by the Republican resistance during the Civil War.

Of course there are a lot of interesting places left. If you have enough time and want to explore the city, don't forget to take ask us. As always, if you have questions, we are here!