BARCELONA
Güell Park
This park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The twisted stone columns supporting curving colonnades or merging with the natural structure of the hillside makes it a magical site. Its peak is marked by a large cross, and offers an amazing panorama of Barcelona and the sea beyond.
Gothic Quarter
The Barri Gòtic, or Gothic Quarter, is the oldest part of Barcelona, and the most liveliest. It is known for its beautiful Roman and Medieval-era architecture and the many shops, restaurants, cafes, bars and clubs that line this neighborhood's narrow roads and picturesque plazas.
Sagrada Família
From 1882 up until his death in 1926, Catalan major artist, Antoni Gaudí, devoted himself to the construction of La Sagrada Família (Church of the Sacred Family), a towering Gothic-style church. And even then, he was unable to finish; Gaudí was known for saying "My client (God) is in no hurry."
Barceloneta Beach
Located in the neighborhood of the same name, this beach with fine-grained sand is popular among locals and tourists for its nightlife facilities. The promenade is lined with many restaurants serving fresh seafood and traditional Catalan and Spanish dishes. You should also try Sangria - a popular drink consisting of red wine and fruit.
Palau de la Música Catalana
Barcelona's Palau de la Música Catalana is considered to be a masterpiece of Catalan art nouveau. Built by architect Lluís Domènech i Montaner, the palace earned the title of a UNESCO World Heritage site for its striking architectural features. Outside, make sure to snap a few photos of the intricate mosaic pillars and the busts nestled atop some of them, which depict famous musicians such as Bach and Beethoven.
Casa Milà
The nickname, La Pedrera (meaning "The Quarry") is appropriate for Antoni Gaudí's stately, fortress-like Casa Milà. It is known for its wavy stone façades and intricate carvings that can only be attributed to Gaudí's quirky style.
Camp Nou Stadium
Even if you're not a fútbol (soccer) fan, Camp Nou is worth a visit to experience the pride Catalans have for the FC Barcelona team. Able to hold nearly 100,000 screaming fans, which can be quite intimidating for visiting teams, Camp Nou is the largest stadium in Europe.
Museu Picasso
While most people know Pablo Picasso for his distorted portraits, this museum displays his work on a timeline of sorts, allowing you to follow his progression from the more controlled works of his early years to the very whimsical paintings and sculptures from the end of his career.
La Boqueria
The Boqueria Market is Barcelona's first local market, having opened in 1840. But its foodie history spans much earlier than that. The first food peddlers were said to have been around as early as the 13th century selling meat on the streets.
Las Ramblas
This bustling thoroughfare is one of the city's major tourist hubs. So much so that if you're visiting Barcelona, you're bound to end up here eventually. Las Ramblas is a pedestrian-friendly pathway situated right smack dab in the middle of the city, so expect it to be busy all hours of the day and night.