Five Must-Have Experiences in Barcelona for First-Timers

As a first-timer planning your trip to Barcelona, you may be overwhelmed by the number of things to see and do in Barcelona. Having recently returned from my first trip there, here are some places which you shouldn’t miss, along with tips to help you plan a memorable stay in this impressive city.

1. Sagrada Familia

If you have done your research, you will know that the Sagrada Familia is the top attraction in Barcelona and wouldn’t want to go home without visiting this work-in-progress masterpiece by Gaudi.  Give yourself at least 3-4 hours to spend here as there is a lot to learn and see.  

To make the most of your time here, join a guided tour or rent an audio guide to get an in-depth explanation of the different symbologies found throughout Sagrada Familia.  The cost of the normal ticket to Sagrada Familia is €12.50 and the audio guide is an additional €4 which is well-worth the price. 

Also if you have time, visit the Towers.  You get a bird’s eye view of Barcelona and it’s simply stunning.  To get to the Towers, you will need to buy a ticket to take a lift up and it costs €2.50.  Here is an overview of their admission charges for the Sagrada Familia. 

Tip:  The line for the ticket is usually long but it goes relatively fast.  To avoid the lines, you can purchase tickets online from this link that is given on their website. However, there is a premium for this and a normal ticket bought in advance costs €13.80. Note that the lift tickets cannot be bought online. 

2. Casa Batllo

Another attraction by Gaudi is Casa Batllo. This house is inspired by many elements from the ocean. It’s obvious that Gaudi ‘s work is nature-inspired and you will see this concept in yet another Gaudi project mentioned later. 

In Casa Batllo, there are nets and light blue colored tiles all reminiscent of being in the ocean rather than in a house in the center of Barcelona.  The rooftop feels like you have reached an enchanted world with dragon and dinosaur like chimneys awaiting your arrival. 

An audio guide is included with the general admission ticket (€18.15) and gently guides you from one point of interest to another. 

Tip: You can also purchase the ticket for Casa Batllo online and get a 5% discount for doing so. 

3. La Rambla

Not one but a few people have advised me to keep an eye on my belongings while strolling La Rambla.  It’s a crowded place and like everyone else who is visiting Barcelona, you want to say you have walked La Rambla.  

Here you will see stalls selling souvenirs and café outdoor areas and while there is not much else besides the stroll, it’s just to say you have gone down this path.  If you walk down the entire stretch of La Rambla, ending near Port Vell, you will come across the Mirador de Colom, a column with Christopher Columbus pointing to a distant land.  Where could he be pointing to? 

Tip:  Take a slight detour from La Rambla and visit Mercat de la Boqueria near the Liceu metro stop. This place is also a tourist stop and not surprisingly, often very packed. The variety of food you find here is staggering and you are constantly at awe as you navigate from one stall to another.  If you like markets but not the crowd, you will prefer Mercat de Santa Catarina which is near the Jaume I metro stop.

4. Park Guell

“It’s a hike up to get there”. That’s what I have been told and to save yourself all that effort take a taxi. Park Guell is situated further away from the other attractions which can usually be reached on foot.  Here is information as to how best to get to Park Guell.  As for us, we rented a scooter which struggled uphill but got us right to the entrance.

There is no entrance fee and this is where you will again see Gaudi’s use of broken mosaic . Nature was Gaudi’s inspiration and this is indisputable in this park with the pillars looking like tree branches and blending in with the scenery.  While there were no dinosaurs here, the salamander at the entrance is the symbol of Park Guell. 

Tip: You could take the metro to Lesseps but passing by on the moped, it was still quite a walk to Park Guell. To avoid the uphill walk, you would be better off taking the bus or a taxi. 

5. Montjuic

Getting to Montjuic is an adventure in itself!  You can take the metro to Espanya and make your way up to Montjuic but why not enjoy an aerial view of Barcelona with a cable car ride to Montjuic? 

If you are up for some adventure, take the metro to Barceloneta and make your way to Torre di San Sebastia.   You can easily see it and just walk in that direction.  For those who are afraid of heights, you may be hesitant to do this but you will have a thrill of your life.

Keep in mind the Teleferico del Puerto only gets you to Miramar.  This will not get you to Castell de Montjuic (Montjuic castle).  There’s a different cable car for that.    

If you intend to take the cable car to the Castle, take the paved path on the right when you come out of Miramar. It is a slight uphill walk, to the next cable car station, Teleferic de Montjuic  and a welcome alternative to walking all the way to the Castle. There is no entrance fee to visit the Castle and you get a spectacular view of sea and the mountains from this attraction.  

Since you have taken the cable car up, consider walking down from the Castle to the Museu Nacional d’Art de Catalunya. This is all downhill and will allow you to pass by some gardens and Fondacio Joan Miro.  If you have time, drop by these attractions. 

Once you reach the Museu Nacional d’Art de Catalunya, you will be treated to a beautiful view of Placa d’ Espanya.  Simply majestic.  From here, don’t forget to visit the Magic Fountain. Unfortunately on the day we were there, it was not in operations.  Nonetheless,  the view and the walk on that stretch was consolation enough. 

Tips: The Teleferic del Port from San Sebastia to Miramar and vice versa only accepts cash.  

Check the opening hours of the Museu Nacional d’Art de Catalunya as they are closed on Mondays and have shorter hours on Sundays.  

Also if you want to catch a glimpse of the Magic Fountain in operation, here are the hours.

Bonus:  Hot Chocolate and Churros or Porras

If you are in Barcelona in Autumn or Winter, order chocolate and churros.  Better yet, try porras with hot chocolate. They make a great start to your day in Barcelona!

About the Author: Diana at BrowsingRome blogs about all things Italian and shares the good, bad, ugly and beautiful things in Rome and Italy in general. Although she knows there is no place like Rome, Diana is an avid-traveler and enjoys venturing beyond The Eternal City to explore the beauty of Europe, one town and city at a time. She is a regular on Twitter @browsingrome and offers a glimpse of Rome, Italy and beyond on Facebook.