Hola, Barcelona! Situated on Spain’s Mediterranean coast, the capital of the Catalonia region is known for white sandy beaches, bustling boulevards, tapas bars and of course, futbol.
Things to do:
Las Ramblas
Las Ramblas is the pulse of Barcelona. This is truly the street that never sleeps! Designed exclusively for pedestrians, Las Ramblas is the perfect spot for a leisurely afternoon stroll. Watch the street performers, have lunch at Mercat de la Boqueria, and visit the Columbus Monument.
Picasso Museum
Take an unparalleled glimpse into the development of Picasso’s genius. Bringing together works that span the prolific Spanish artist’s entire career, the museum traces the evolution of Picasso’s art from his realism-based schoolboy exercises of the1890s and Blue Period in 1904 to his remarkable late work. A series of 1950s oil paintings shows Picasso’s explorations of Velazquez’s Las Meninas, in which he transforms the original into a perspective-shifting explosion of color and line.
Sagrada Familia
This breathtaking church, said to be the master-work of architect Antoni Gaudí, has been under construction since 1882 and is not expected to be completed until 2026! When you see the level of detail that goes into every facet of its construction, you’ll see why it’s taken so long! Even in its unfinished state, the church’s striking colors, intricate sculptures, and 18 spindle-shaped towers make the Sagrada Familia a seriously impressive sight and perhaps the most famous feature of the Barcelona skyline.
Park Güell
This magnificent park overlooking the city lets you further explore Catalan architect Antoni Gaudí’s fantastical style. Take your time exploring the intricate mosaic designs and reality-defying curves and shape while taking in views of the sprawling cityscape.
Things to eat:
Tapas
Tapas purportedly originated when bartenders set a small plate or piece of bread over patrons’ sherry and wine to cover (tapar in Spanish) the the glass and keep the flies out. The bartenders starting piling the plate or bread with cold cuts, olives, or salad, and thus the tapa was born. Over time these working-class snacks have become more elaborate, with each region adding its own specialties and cooking techniques to create unique tastes and combinations.
Paella
One of the most popular and well-known food dishes in Spain, Paella is a Valencian rice dish with ancient roots that originated in its modern form in the mid-19th century near Albufera lagoon on the eastern coast of Spain. Although many paellas are seafood-based, the original version features rabbit, chicken, and different types of beans. The rice gets its yellow-orange color from Spanish saffron.
Staff tip:
“Ask for the socarrat, which is the crispy, caramelized layer that forms at the bottom of the shallow paella pans. This is where the most flavor resides!”
Lukas Tillmann, Client Experience Manager, San Diego office
Wanna go?
Let Explorica help! Check out our Barcelona itinerary and fill out a contact form to get started with a personal program consultant.
P.S. check out our Barcelona tour video on YouTube!