Barcelona, capital of Catalonia is a Spanish city steeped in history, culture, beautiful architecture and delicious food. The city has many attractions to draw visitors and allow them to discover the best the magical city has to offer. On this guide to traveling to Barcelona, you´ll find the key aspects you should consider before you visit, so you make the most of your experience in the Catalan capital.
The Must Knows (For Trivial Pursuit)
- Currency: Euro €
- Population: 1.6 MILLION (2015)
- Language: Catalan & Spanish (English is well spoken)
Climate (how to prepare for Barcelona)
- Autumn/Winter: Mild. December, January & February are the coldest months averaging temperatures around 16°C.
- Spring/Summer: Summer lasts for around six months! From May-October, temperatures reaching a high of 28-29°C.
What To Pack when visiting Barcelona
- A camera, either your smartphone (minus the selfie stick) and/or your camera, there are plenty of locations to take amazing pictures in Barcelona.
- Clothes? Think Urban | Casual | Chic ∼ there is certainly a relaxed and laidback atmosphere in Barcelona.
- Swimwear, if you are planning to head to the beach unless you really want to look British in the middle of the city.
- A zip-close bag and a refill bottle of water ∼ tapas and water fountains are widely available in Barcelona.
Top 10 Things To Do in Barcelona that are safe and fun!
- Visit Barcelona’s unique beachside, which is wonderful for an afternoon or day of relaxing by the ocean.
- Take a walk around a Food Market, filled with a variety of stalls, selling a range of products as well as delicious foods for taking away or to eat at the ¨barras¨, a perfect setting for a fresh lunch. While the most famous market is La Boqueria, you can also visit Sant Antoni or Santa Caterina which are less touristic.
- Have a coffee or sit in a cafe in one of the Gracia neighborhood’s squares. Enjoy delicious food or drink, while watching the people go past the beautiful architecture of this genuine area in Barcelona.
- Hire a bike and ride around the city, taking in the beautiful sights, including the famous Sagrada Familia, which began construction in 1882, or the Montjuic Magic Fountain of Montjuic for a show of music, water, and lights, or any Barcelona Park.
- Join a food tour in Barcelona and immerse yourself in the traditions and history of the city tapas scene, for an unforgettable evening full of delicious foods and local wines accompanied by genuine people who make this city so amazing.
- Spend an afternoon walking around Park Güell, a park which opened in 1926, admire the colonial architectural views of the cities and surrounding areas.
- Walk around the magic Barcelona Gothic district and admire the perfectly preserved architecture from medieval days.
- Take in the spectacular views of the city from the 1448 Barcelona Cathedral (Cathedral of the Holy Cross and Saint Eulalia), admire the views of the entire city, or join local Barcelona celebrations all year long.
- Admire the view from the Alcaide viewpoint in Montjuic, over the seafront, El Port Vell, El Moll de la Fusta, Maremagnum, and twin towers.
- Visit the Centre de Cultura Contemporània de Barcelona museum, locally known as CCCB, which focuses on art, culture, and society.
Try These Tasty Dishes and Eat Like a Local
- Paella – Paella is a rice dish, made with white rice, greens beans, seafood, and vegetables originating from the Valencia region of Spain. If you need to know where to find traditional, fashionable paella and tapas restaurant take a look at this article about Paella in Barcelona.
- Fideua – Fideua is a dish similar to paella, but made using noodles instead of rice. The best restaurants to eat this dish are located at La Barceloneta, and most of them boast spectacular views and amazing Mediterranean cuisine. Xiroi Ca La Nuri or Barraca are good choices.
- Albondigas con Sepia – Albondigas con Sepia is a meatball dish, sometimes made with pork or beef and a type of fish all mixed in a tomato sauce. Just go to El Sortidor de la Filomena Pages restaurant which is also one of Barcelona’s oldest restaurants and let your five senses open.
- Ham and bread with tomato. Catalans ultimate dish is very simple and it is called “pa amb tomaquet”, it is a toasted thin bread that you shall rub with tomato and garlic, and splash some olive oil. Just pair it with Bellota Ham and a glass of wine, you’ll never forget the deliciousness of this mix.
About the author:
Andre is a an avid traveler and food enthusiast. He has visited 50+ countries in the world and loves eating with the locals, there is no food market he has missed. He is currently based in Barcelona where he takes curious travelers around the city most delicious corners through is company: Barcelona Eat Local. You can follow his publications on Facebook and Instagram.
