Barcelona Must-See Sights
A trip to Barcelona is filled with many opportunities to see the beautiful art and architecture. The city is rather large and has a population of about one and a half million people. Many of the areas of the city were renovated when Barcelona hosted the Olympic Games in 1992. What this means is that even though the city has a somewhat modern feel, evidence of its distinct past is present as well.
What To See
Barcelona is filled with magnificent fountains, ancient palaces, and streets that wind through the city. You can easily spend days just walking around the city and taking in its spectacular beauty. If you have the opportunity to visit Barcelona, there are some sites that you should definitely see.
La Sagrada Familia
Over 3 million people visit La Sagrada Familia each year. Its unique construction and the sheer size of it are what draw so many visitors. Catalan architect, Antoni Gaudi designed it more than 100 years ago. Before his dreams could become a reality, he was tragically killed by a tram. The interior is fairly new and was completed in 2012, but the outside is undergoing renovations and isn’t expected to be completed for another 8 years or so. The goal is to have it completed by 2026, the 100th anniversary of Gaudi’s death. Visitors are free to visit the outside and stay as long as they’d like. For those that want to see the inside, they will need a ticket. The line to get tickets tends to be very long and it’s not uncommon for individuals to stand in line for over an hour. Once inside it takes about 2 hours to see everything there is to see. Despite the fact that La Sagrada Familia remains unfinished, it’s still one of the most popular tourist attractions in Barcelona.
The Font Mágica Fountain
The Font Mágica Fountain, known as “The Magic Fountain”, receives over 2 million visitors each year. During the summer months, visitors can watch a beautiful show of light and music that incorporates the water from the fountain. The Magic Fountain was built for the Barcelona World Fair in 1929 and has remained a popular attraction over the years.
Montjuic Hill
Montjuic Hill is a favorite spot among tourists as there’s a lot to do. Some of the top activities include visiting the fort that’s on top of Montjuic Castle or spending the day in the village of Poble Espanyol. Montjuic Hill has a rich history that is still present in this Spanish Village. Visitors will not only find shops with many handmade items but a variety of restaurants, clubs, and events going on throughout the year.
Las Ramblas Street
Las Ramblas Street is not your ordinary road. It encompasses many streets and is a pleasant area to stroll down during the day to see some of Barcelona’s rich architecture. There are a variety of shops and eateries along the way. It begins at the Plaza Cataluna and stops at the Monument of Columbus. The street in and of itself is not that spectacular, but the surrounding buildings and people make it a necessity for any traveler going to Barcelona.
Modernist Park Guell By Gaudi
This park is a UNESCO World Heritage site and considered to be one of the greatest works of Gaudi. Visitors will have to trek up Carmel Hill a bit to see it, but it’s definitely worth the walk. The original design was for a residential garden city that included 60 houses. However, there was not much interest in this project’s completion, so, in 1923, it became a public park. Those that visit the park will feel like they stepped into a piece of artwork, considering all of the park’s vibrant colors.
You really need to spend a few weeks in Barcelona just to try to see everything. We always recommend a tour if you plan to visit any part of Europe. This is because that there’s so much to see in the region that it can get overwhelming trying to figure out what you should visit now and what you should save for a trip at a later date.
For more photos and information, please click on our more detailed post, Must See Sights in Barcelona.
