Sightseeing in Barcelona: Budget Travel Guide

For the first couple of years that I lived in Barcelona, La Boqueria (or “Mercat de Sant Josep de la Boqueria”, as it’s formally known) was my main market. I went there two or three times a week for fresh fruit and vegetables, fish, meats, and cheeses, and then hauled everything back to my apartment in » Read more

I’ve said many times that I don’t swim in the waters splashing up on Barcelona’s beaches. I spend a lot of time along the city’s shoreline but rarely in a bathing suit. Some of my friends swim in Barcelona’s stretch of Med regularly and they think I’m overly concerned. Am I? When it comes down » Read more

Dotted with Roman architecture and medieval buildings, Barcelona’s Gothic Quarter should be at the top of your “must visit” list when visiting the city. Boutiques, restaurants, bars and museums abound in this central neighborhood, which is always bustling with tourists and locals. The city’s most famous drag, La Rambla, divides the Gothic Quarter and El » Read more

In 1984 UNESCO declared Barcelona’s Park Güell a World Heritage Site. It is one of the most impressive Gaudí projects in the city, and well worth the extra effort it takes to get up to the park from the city center. A visit to the park takes planning and the better part of a day. » Read more

Barcelona has no shortage of neighborhoods to choose from, each providing its own vibe and experiences. Today I’d like you to get to know El Born, one of my favorite ‘hoods in the city, through the photos and tips below. • Also see our complete list of Barcelona neighborhoods in our city guide. Where to » Read more

Most come to Barcelona for the urban excitement it offers. But what if you’re not much for cities? The crowds, the noise, the pollution… sometimes an escape is needed. Lately, I’ve been feeling burned out on the metropolis’ din and have spent most of the summer’s weekends hiking. Many hiking trails in Catalonia require a » Read more

Remember the good old days when Spain didn’t have 27% unemployment and social and cultural services were free and easy? Yeah, well those days are gone. Welcome to the new Barcelona, where two of our favorite freebies have decided to start charging entrance fees. The first is Caixa Forum. This is a museum run by » Read more

If you just have a week in Barcelona, then it’s best to stay put and just see the city, which is large and packed with entertainment, distractions and foodie bliss. However, if you have a bit more time in Catalonia, or just have a yearning to get out of Dodge, then consider these easy day » Read more

Do you still need to be sold on visiting Barcelona? From its fascinating history to mind-blowing Gaudi architecture, the city offers so much for those in search of a rich cultural experience. Meanwhile, its affordable restaurants, bars and tapas spots make it a top destination for culinary tourists. Even those into more active vacations will » Read more

I live in Barcelona, and mostly I love the city. Sometimes, however, I want to see trees, blossoms, birds that aren’t pigeons… and that’s when the day trip comes in. Although I do have access to a car, I often take day trips by train, and La Garriga, located about a 40-minutes ride north of Barcelona, is » Read more

Like any major tourist destination, Barcelona has its share of attractions that promise too much, but deliver too little… while usually draining your budget. These, my friends, are called “tourist traps.” They’re usually easy to spot (just look for crowds of tourists with nary a local in sight), but their allure can still be too » Read more

By Regina W. Bryan in Barcelona— In Barcelona, and in fact all over Spain, the party seems to go on forever. While there are holidays, long vacations and festivals year-round in Spain, December is an especially merry month offering up nine days of “fiesta” instead of just the 25th and 31st/1st. So merry, it’s scary, » Read more

The Sagrada Familia or Holy Family, is one of Barcelona’s “Oh-My-Gawd” sights and is a real must-do. It’s impressive, it’s wacky, it’s Gaudí’s last project, and it’s a basilica now, thanks to the Pope. If you see no other Gaudí buildings in Barcelona, see this one. Due to the fact that it is awesome, in » Read more

For many, Europe = plazas, or squares. Cobblestone plazas corralled by cafes, grand plazas with state buildings looking down on passersby, and intimate, hidden plazas with bubbling fountains sprouting from their centers. Certainly, Barcelona has its fair share of city squares. The neighborhood with the most plazas in town is Gracia, where the famous Plaça » Read more

By Regina W. Bryan in Barcelona— Throughout the summer Barcelona neighborhoods throw local bashes which are something like a block party on steroids. Everyone from the barri, or “neighborhood,” gets involved in the festivities. Usually these parties will go on for a weekend or in some cases an entire week. It’s now too late to » Read more

In my six years in Barcelona I’ve been to Park Güell twice. Both times when I have gone up there I’ve promised to come more often because it really is a fabulous park, but the bus ride is so long to get up there that I rarely follow through. I adore its weird mosaics, spooky » Read more

By Regina W Bryan in Barcelona— You have a coffee, munch a croissant, ride the bus and buy a postcard for your mom and BAM!…. another €10 is gone! This is a city where it is very easy to spend money at a rapid clip. Here are a few places where it pays to lay » Read more

No box of chocolate See’s, no tacky stuffed bear, no lovey-dovey cards from Hallmark. Nope. The Catalans have an entirely different way of celebrating love: with books and roses. Men give one red rose (instead of a dozen) to their sweetie on St. Jordi’s Day, Barcelona‘s most romantic day of the year. And women? They » Read more

By Regina W. Bryan in Barcelona—Barcelona is not known for its harsh winters. As I write this, it is 6 degrees celsius out – or about 43ºF – not exactly beach weather but also not a typical cold winter wonderland. However, it’s easy for Barcelona visitors who are in the mood for frolicking in the snow to » Read more

By Regina Winkle-Bryan in Barcelona— Santa is secondary in Barcelona. The big day for the Spanish, and Catalans, is King’s Day, January 6. Still, there is plenty of festivity going down this month in Spain’s second-largest metropolis. Here are some of the best events to look for this holiday season: The Santa Lucia Christmas Market » Read more

What’s on your shopping list? Some chubby prawns? Sweet potatoes for fall dishes? Candied almonds and dried figs? All of this and much, much more can be found at the local outdoor market in Barcelona. The many markets of Barcelona Every barrio or neighborhood in Barcelona has its own market. Some are historic, others are » Read more

At first glance, Barcelona may not seem particularly family-friendly. However, if you know where to go, the city offers plenty to entertain adults and kiddies alike. Here are a few choice places to visit in the city with children in tow: Glass Tunnels and Sharks: The Aquarium Right on Barcelona’s central Port Vell, a visit » Read more

June 11, 2010. I recently read that out of 36 countries examined by Manpower Inc. for hiring expectations, only four have a negative employment outlook. Those were (can you guess?) Italy, Ireland, Greece and Spain. This bad news is reflected in the large cuts in the public sector in Spain. June was rife with protests » Read more

I have lived in Spain for over four years now, though I’m originally from Portland, Oregon. In my native city, secondhand and vintage clothing boutiques are as common as rainy days. When I lived in Portland, it was all the rage to shop secondhand. From frocks to socks to records and costume jewelry, purchases were almost » Read more

Despite its lack of snow, fir trees, and reindeer, Barcelona still tries to put on a good show come Christmas time. The city government has hung elaborate lighting displays throughout the streets and, as a local here, I am excited for the evening to come when they will illuminate the city, inaugurating the holiday season. » Read more