Roaming around the streets of Barcelona, we could not help but capture photos of the various beautiful sights we laid our eyes upon every now and then. In fact, if we had to describe the city in 3 words we would say that, apart from being vibrant and colourful, it is also incredibly photogenic.
Below, we have compiled a list of our favourite photos from the trip which will help you understand why it has left us so impressed.
1. Paella
It is always nice to get a taste of this traditional Spanish food once you get to Barcelona. The bright orange rice mixed with seafood and chicken, known as Paella, is a must when you visit the city. It is served in every restaurant you’d come across and it tastes even more glorious with a glass (or two) of Cava Sangria; a yellow Sangria which originates from Catalunya.
2. Tapas
Another must when it comes to food are Tapas. They consist of a wide variety of appetisers and are really practical if you are travelling with a group of friends as you get to taste every dish. On our second day in Barcelona we went for dinner at "Ultramarinos’ in Las Ramblas and we ordered a wide selection of tapas. The restaurant served us all kinds of dishes; from shrimp to nachos – and it was all delightful. The serving of tapas is designed to encourage conversation, because people are not so focused on eating an entire meal that is set before them.
3. Churros
Having been blessed with a sweet tooth we couldn’t help but try the famous Churros. Imagine sugar-coated doughnut pastry dipped in warm chocolate – bet that made you hungry.
4. La Boqueria Market
The food market has a very diverse selection of food: chocolate, fruit, macaroons, sweets, smoothies, tapas, paella, raw fish; all displayed in the most "instagrammable’ way.
5. Sagrada Familia
However, we can reassure you that there’s more than just glorious food to Barcelona. In fact, this city is also highly renowned for the masterpieces the great Catalan architect, Antoni GaudÃ, left for us to stare at with awe; the most popular being "La Sagrada Familia’. Apart from having a uniquely-crafted façade and a stunning interior with all its multi-coloured stained glass, it also offers spectacular panoramic views from its towers. So when deliberating which ticket to go for, we definitely suggest the €29 one which allows you to experience all this.
6. Parc Güell
Another must-visit attraction in Barcelona is Parc Güell, more specifically its monumental zone which consists of benches covered in colourful mosaics as well as other uniquely-shaped houses which almost look like gingerbread houses. Thus, this place would certainly top our list of the most photogenic spots in Barcelona. A very crucial point to keep in mind when planning to visit the monumental zone is to book your ticket in advance as only a specific number of people can enter. The rest of the park can be accessed free of charge. Also if you’re taking the metro prepare yourself for a good cardio session as there’s a long uphill walk to its various entrances.
7. Turó de la Rovira (aka Bunkers del Carmel)
This spot is quite close to the previous but unlike Parc Güell, it is not really a tourist attraction. This made our visit even more special. Basically, from up here you could enjoy a bird’s eye view of the city – all the way to the coast – considering it has an altitude of 257m.
8. Casa Batlló
This is undoubtedly GaudÃ’s most creative work of art and an attraction any art enthusiast would not want to miss. This mystical house conveys GaudÃ’s strong sense of imagination through its animal-inspired designs. Moving through the house, we were constantly surprised by the details which we discovered with every step; our favourite room being The Dining Room which you can see in the picture.
9. Magic Fountain of Montjuïc
Another place you should include in your travel plan which clearly compliments Casa Batlló’s sense of enchantment is the Magic Fountain of Montjuïc. The best time to visit would be in the evening since that is when the spectacular display of light, colour, music and water acrobatics take place.
10. Parc de la Ciutadella
If you’re looking for a more peaceful and relaxing place to get away from the hustle and bustle of Barcelona, we suggest paying a visit to this alluring park which is full of fresh air. The best part about our visit here was definitely the boat ride we took around its small lake which is home to several types of birds, including some beautiful swans which make the scenery even more fairy-tale like. (Bonus: the boat ride was super cheap…it only cost us around €3 per person!)
11. Camp Nou
Last, but certainly not least, when in Barcelona you simply cannot forgo a tour around Camp Nou (FC Barcelona’s stadium) even if you are not a football fanatic. As soon as we stepped into the stadium we were overwhelmed when looking at its enormity and thinking about its history. If you’re lucky enough to be in Barcelona when the team is playing "home’, you should definitely try to get tickets. But even if you do not manage to do so, you can always keep an eye out for Espanyol’s fixtures (the other football club in Barcelona). For instance, we managed to watch a match between Espanyol and Real Madrid and needless to say, the experience was unreal!
Here’s to hoping that we were helpful enough if you were indecisive about where your next adventure should take place!
Photo Credits: Claudia Casha, Christine Casha, Lara Zerafa
Article Editing: Louise Camilleri
