Barcelona, Spain ⋆ Get Out and Travel

Barcelona, Spain

This beautiful port city holds a special place in our hearts. While the history and beauty are paramount, the fact that it was our first European city as a family is probably the real reason. Having been to other cities around the world, Barcelona is still one of our favorites.

Know Before You Go

A significant portion of the citizens of Barcelona are Catalan first and Spanish second. Catalan is frequently spoken here and is NOT the same as Spanish. In fact, we STRONGLY recommend that you take a picture of your address (hotel or apartment) and have it ready to present to your taxi driver. None of our taxi drivers spoke English and despite our son speaking Spanish well, communication with taxi drivers was difficult. As you navigate around Barcelona, be sure to carry a couple of credit cards and some cash (euros) because there are times when the credit transactions will not go through from time to time. This is also true in most places that we travel outside the U.S.

Renting an apartment in the neighborhood near La Sagrada Familia, proves to be the best way to accommodate a family of four. Purchasing food staples from the local grocery store, breakfasts and snacks are much easier and less expensive. The neighborhood is full of small markets, great restaurants, and shops. Food prices are reasonable in this areas and the red wine is wonderful. TIP; There are no sulfites in the wine which is the source of headaches for Karen and many others. Within a few blocks, of the apartment, we could see the famous Sagrada Familia.…

Gaudi

This beautiful feat of architecture is Gaudi’s unfinished vision of a magnificent church. While he did not complete the church, the continued construction and details follow his meticulous plans.

Around Town

We find that the Hop on Hop (Ho Ho) bus is an efficient way to familiarize yourself with the city. TIP #2; We usually buy the 2 day pass which allows you to see most of the main sites on day one and decide which things you feel like seeing in greater detail on day two.

Parc Guell, a park created by Gaudi is one of the main attractions. Parc Guell is located outside the city, so you will need to ride the Ho Ho bus, taxi, Uber, or public transportation to get there. The park is very large and requires a lot of walking to get around. Be sure to wear comfortable shoes with sturdy soles. There are multiple photo opportunities and you can spend several hours wondering around. There is an amazing panoramic view of Barcelona from the parks highest points. The artistic expression in everything from ceiling murals to the supports for bridges is very detailed.

Touring Camp Nou, the home stadium for Barcelona’s famous football (soccer for those in the US) club, is incredible. The stadium tour is amazing and we considered attending the game versus Real Madrid that evening, but the ticket prices are very high. Eating pizza and watching the game from our apartment is an acceptable substitute. La Ramblas is a very touristy but famous street. La Ramblas is full of shops, street performers, artists, and people. It is very crowded and you need to wary of pickpockets and scammers, but it is definitely worth a visit. As you tour the city, you will notice Gaudi’s architecture around almost every corner.

Eating

There are wonderful restaurants all around Barcelona. We suggest that you eat with the locals in the neighborhood restaurants and cafes. In addition to the expected restaurants, there are delicious chocolate shops around the city. The creations ranged from whimsical to decadent.

In conclusion, Barcelona is full of art, history, culture, and fun. This one of our favorite places in the world. Karen often states “If we could relocate to Barcelona, I will pack up and go today”

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