If you’re planning a holiday in Spain, Barcelona is, in my opinion, the ultimate destination. Combining a great beach and gorgeous food with an incredible number of cultural attractions, it has pretty much everything you could wish for on a holiday!

Actually, it has so many things to do and see that it’s quite hard deciding where to go – especially if you’re only going to be there for a week. That said, there are some things you really can’t miss, which I’ve listed below. Bear in mind this is by no means an exhaustive list; it’s well worth doing a little research of your own before you jet off – you never know what you might find!

Buildings and parks

One of my favourite things about Barcelona is its architecture – and I know I’m hardly alone on that front. It’s packed with stunning Gothic buildings (it has one of the largest concentrations of this style in Europe), but it is the work of renowned architect Antoni Gaudi that really steals the show.

Famous for his weird and wonderful designs, Gaudi created some of the most exciting buildings in the city – and certainly among the most memorable I’ve ever seen. His most celebrated contribution is the unfinished Sagrada Familia – a vast cathedral in L’Exiample.

While you can see it from the outside from a distance, it’s well worth paying to get in and have a close-up look at the amazing facades, which depict various biblical scenes. Inside, you’ll be greeted by intensely colourful stained glass windows and a glorious ceiling designed to resemble a rainforest canopy.

Take the lift to the top of the building if you can – it only cost a few euros extra, and the views are amazing. What’s really exciting about it, though, is that you get to walk all the way back down via the narrow, winding stone steps, peeping out of small windows and balconies along the way. This one’s probably not for people who are scared of heights, though!

Another must-see is Casa Batllo. Unlike the Sagrada Familia, this is a residential building – and it will possibly be the most unusual you have ever seen. Its exterior looks like it’s covered in multicoloured fish scales, while its balconies resemble bony jaws.

It is also worth heading out to some of the city’s amazing parks. Park Guell, which was designed by – you’ve guessed it – Gaudi, is a must, but bear in mind that as it’s free, it’s usually packed. It is still lots of fun strolling around the wooded grounds, which are dotted with strange structures, but don’t expect it to be a quiet outing.

Food

If you’re a bit a foodie, Barcelona is basically paradise. Its fabulous seafood, huge paellas and wonderful little tapas dishes should all go straight on your list of essentials – as should lashings of sangria.

Perhaps the best surprise I had during my stay, however, was the hot chocolate. Thickened with cornflour and egg white, it is guaranteed to be the thickest, most comforting hot chocolate you have ever had. Even if the temperature is soaring outside, make sure you try it – you won’t regret it.

Among the best places to do so is the Museu de la Xocolata – or Chocolate Museum. As you wander around, you’ll get to see loads of sculptures made entirely of chocolate – including a pretty impressive one of the Sagrada Familia – before settling down in the cafe.

The beach

One of the great things about Barcelona is that, while it’s a massively cosmopolitan city with heaps going on, there’s also a decent beach. It’s the perfect place to give your legs a chance to recover from traipsing from one attraction to the next, and there are lots of little bars perched right on the sand, so you never need stray too far for a refreshing glass of water or a mojito.

Joe is a huge fan of Barcelona and Spain in general, he plans to move there one day, but for now he’s looking forward to his Lanzarote holidays later this year!

Even though we are accustomed to celebrating Valentines Day in February, in some places this traditional celebration takes place slightly later. One such place is Barcelona, where the lovers day is celebrated on the 23rd of April under the name “La Diada de Sant Jordi” and commemorates the patron of Catalonia, of which Barcelona is a capital.

There are certain customs associated with the celebration. Women receive red rose on the day and for men there is a book which ties the day with another celebration in the region, The Day of the Book. As a result nearly four million roses and a million books are sold on the day in the city. Many barcelonians are taking a day off to celebrate “La Diada de Sant Jordi” and go on to the streets and squares around the city to enjoy the festive day. Streets are also filled with performers, concerts and many other events commemorating the event. In the evening, party atmosphere moves to various cafes, venues and bars.

Tips for Perfect Valentines Day in Barcelona

If you are planning to come over to the city to celebrate both “La Diada de Sant Jordi” and the Day of the Book, here are some ideas for planning your day there.

Start off with a morning walk at the La Ramblas to welcome the day. One of the morning attractions there are many live statues, mimes that move only if given a coin. You can enjoy a light breakfast in one of the many cafes and restaurants that will be open on the morning of the 23rd of April. Many of them will offer a special holiday menu, including many Spanish specialties. And of course, you can buy a rose a book to your partner.

The evening should be reserved for a fancy dinner in many of the wonderful restaurants around the city. Torre delta Mar, situated on the top of the Sebastian Tower is one of the best places to go to. Not only you can savor great food but also enjoy a 360 degrees view of the city from this place located on the 75th floor. A word of warning though, the restaurant is on the pricey side so be prepared to spend some money there.

If you are into more romantic things than just bars and clubs, they Liceo Theatre with its famous opera shows is a good idea to go for. This magnificent theatre, named one of the most beautiful opera houses in the World used to be the home of many popular opera singers, including Placido Domingo, Montserrat Caballe, Jose Careras and others.

Valentines Day in Barcelona is definitely one of the most spectacular attractions of the world, and definitely one to witness at least once in a lifetime.

Photo credit: Βethan via Flickr

Barcelona offers plenty for anyone. It is a family friendly city, ideal destination for couples and a great spot for a weekend getaway with friends. With great tourist attractions, restaurants, bars and clubs, there is something for anyone.

Barcelona is also one of the most popular city breaks destinations. Thousands of tourists each year arrive to the city to spend their short holidays there. In this article I want to highlight some of the top things you could be doing while vacationing in the city.

1. La Rambla La Rambla is without a doubt one of the most popular boulevards in the World. Even if you are coming to Barcelona for a day or two, you must stroll down the famous street and experience a unique atmosphere of the place. Tourists, artists, musicians, fortune tellers , food stalls, restaurants, it’s all there. If you want to buy some original Catalan produce, you can do so at the La Boqueria market or sit down for a coffee at one of the amazing cafe’s. Just a warning, watch out for people inviting you to play a game of card or something similar on the street. You can never win but you can lose big.

2. Montjuïc A bit hard to reach, this beautiful hill offers some true visual delights to those who attempt to climb it. Once you get to the top of Montjuïc, you can admire the Castell de Montjuïc, the former garrison and a prison at various points of the city’s history.

Apart from the beautiful fortifications, other great things that you can visit on Montjuïc are: a museum devoted to Joan Miro, botanical gardens and the museum of ethnology.

3. El Raval This seedy ghetto is a must visit for anyone interested in literature. The shady surroundings have been the background for many novels, including The Thief’s Journal by Jean Genet.

If you get hungry while recounting those literary sceneries, you can grab tapas from Els Tres Tombs.

4. The Churches of Barcelona Whether you are religious or not, you will definitely appreciate the splendor and beauty of the Churches of Barcelona. The Sant Pau del Camp, located at El Raval, is a true example of the Romanesque architecture whereas the basilica of the Santa Maria del Mar is perhaps the best surviving example of Catalan Gothic.

A trip to Barcelona is definitely one of the best ideas for a city break. And, with such an abundance of things to do, I am sure your short holiday will be filled with memorable moments.

Photo credit: Martin & Julia