A Little Bit of Everything – Unique Experiences in Barcelona

Tourists from all over the world throng to Barcelona for its world-famous architecture, mouth-watering cuisine, thriving nightlife and long sandy beaches. Depending on what you’re looking for, this incredible city has something for you. So, pick and choose from this list of activities for unique experiences in Barcelona perfect for you.

Architecture

If you are a self-professed architecture nerd, Barcelona was made for you. Keep your camera ready because you will need it to capture the countless modern masterpieces and hidden architectural gems at every corner of the city. While the list of architectural attractions is never ending, here are some that you absolutely cannot miss:

Basilica da la Sagrada Familia:

This icon of Barcelona is the city’s most recognizable piece of architecture and also the most visited (and for good reason). Designed by the late Catalan architect Antoni Gaudi, this extraordinary Roman Catholic Church is 135 years into its construction. Its exterior of the church has three unique themes (East, West and South) that together form the incredibly intricate façade you see today.

The inside of the church shows Gaudi’s style of taking inspiration from nature and resembles a forest canopy that is beautifully illuminated in the day by the coloured sunlight streaming in through the tall stained glass windows. Your ticket will cost anywhere upwards of 20 Euros(and worth every cent) and will fund the completion of the project. If there was only one thing you could see on your trip, this should be it.

Casa Batllo:

Another one of Gaudi’s incredible masterpieces, this colourful modernist building is one of his strangest most intriguing creations. Its external skeleton-like façade(giving it the name ‘casa dels ossos’ or house of bones) is adorned with coloured tiles, skull-like balconies and irregularly shaped windows and, in my opinion, looks like an underwater hallucination.

Barri Gòtic (The Gothic Quarter):

This architectural treasure chest will make you feel like you’ve gone back in time. Marvel at the stunning gothic building that dates back to medieval times, or lose yourself in the narrow streets, rustic building and cobbled pathways. The Gothic Quarter is home to a number of historic landmarks that are the architectural gems in this treasure chest. Some that you can’t miss are: La Catedral, the Church of Santa Maria Del Pi, and the Basilica of Our Lady of Mercy.

Food

Tapas, Paella, Pa amb Tomaquet and Crème Catalana – food in Barcelona ranges from simple bread with tomato purée (Pa amb Tomaquet) to the more complicated rice slow cooked with mussels, prawns and other seafood (Paella). Barcelona is jam-packed with restaurants to cater to your every craving. But for a truly immersive food experience, head to a local’s house for a home-cooked meal or better yet, learn how to cook it yourself and save the recipes to impress your friends back at home! For more information, visit withlocals and viator 

Nightlife

Whether it’s a party on the beach, at a high end nightclub or in a hidden local cocktail bar, the nightlife in Barcelona is thriving.  If you’re finding it difficult to choose where to go, head on over to one of the many pub crawls to experience a little of everything but make sure you tread carefully as Barcelona is known for its pickpockets and sadly most of them are nocturnal.

Beaches

Your trip to Barcelona will be incomplete without a visit to the beach and with nine Mediterranean beaches all along the coast, you are spoilt for choice. All the beaches are easy to get to as they are a short fifteen-minute walk from the nearest metro station (all the beaches can be reached by taking the yellow metro line).

The waters are shallow and calm and perfect for a nice refreshing swim after a long day of sightseeing but be prepared for the crowds of tourists and locals alike. Each beach offers a unique experience from the bustling Barceloneta Beach known to the more tranquil Caldetes Beach to the nudist Mar Bella Beach, there’s something for everyone so take your pick!

Barcelona is a city that is overflowing with life sure to fill your appetite for all things travel worthy so what are you waiting for? Check out these unique experiences in Barcelona, and eat your heart out! But remember to keep in mind these unusual laws.