8 Things to Know Before You Go to Barcelona
Barcelona is one of Spain's most incredible cities, thanks to its otherworldly Gaudí architecture, sunny coastal location right on the beach, delicious wine and tasty tapas. Here are eight things you should know before visiting so you can make the most of your time there.
1. Las Ramblas Is Touristy and Overcrowded
If it's your first time in Barcelona, you may be desperate to see the famous avenue known as Las Ramblas. Just be aware that it's extremely touristy and not particularly beautiful. You'll see the same street vendors selling the same things street vendors sell in every other city — think fast food like kebabs and burgers, and a walkway that's crowded and full of litter. There's also a big chance you'll get pick-pocketed on this street, especially if you do anything to make yourself stand out and look like a tourist. The real Barcelona is located off this street, so skip this touristy walk unless you're truly dying to see it. If you do go, take good care of your belongings, and if you need an escape, nearby Plaça Reial is a lovely spot to duck into.
2. Buy Tickets for Tourist Attractions Online
Barcelona's tourist attractions are pretty epic, which means the lines for them can often be very long. Many people line up in the morning to check out the Parc Güell, with its stunning Gaudí mosaics, but only a certain number of visitors are allowed in per day, so buying tickets ahead of time online will ensure you get to be one of the lucky ones. Visiting the park around dusk will also bring you fewer crowds and gorgeous sunset views of the city.
Speaking of Gaudí, as the Sagrada Família gets closer to its projected finish date, the more visitors it seems to get, so make sure to buy your tickets online if you want to see the cathedral that's considered to be the architect's magnum opus. And always plan to arrive a few minutes before your chosen time slot — if you miss it, your ticket won't be honored at all.
3. Check the Time With the Sun
You can discover these cool solar clocks all around the city, so keep your eyes peeled. There's one in the Botanical Garden, one in the Plaza del Sol, one at Casa Marti Trías in Parc Güell, one on the façade of the Lluïsos de Gràcia cultural center in the Plaça de Nord, one on Sant Josep Church in the Plaça de Lesseps, and the list goes on. See how many you can spot in this city of sunshine.
4. Stroll Through the Secret Labyrinth Park
Parc Güell gets all the attention in Barcelona, and while it's an amazing spot, Parc del Laberint d'Horta is much less visited but just as lovely. The 18-acre gardens, said to be the oldest in the city, were once part of a private estate owned by the Desvalls family. Construction of the gardens dates back to 1791, and the park was opened to the public in 1971.
Besides the carefully trimmed bushes and hedges that have created maze-like pathways (just under seven feet high) for visitors to wander through, the park is also home to small temples and pavilions, lots of statues (mainly of Greek gods and goddesses) and a quaint pond with a small bridge. Entrance costs about 2 euros (~$2) and make sure you get there early as only a certain number of visitors are allowed to enter daily between 10:00am and dusk.
5. Skip La Boqueria and Head to More Local Mercados
While La Boqueria market is neat, it's no longer where Barcelona locals shop or hang out. Geared entirely toward tourists, the market is crowded, expensive and often the site of crimes like pickpocketing.
If you really want that local shopping experience, head over to Santa Caterina Market. Although it's been renovated recently, the market is only a few years younger than La Boqueria — Santa Caterina, which was the first covered market in the city, opened in 1848. Besides exploring the 100 or so market stands filled with fruits, meats, veggies, and pastries, head away from the market and crane your neck to get a view of the roof, which is covered in 325,000 ceramic tiles in more than 60 different colors. Another great option is Mercat Princesa, a trendier market hidden in away in a small square. The 17 or so stalls there feature a mix of traditional Spanish, Catalan and international food and host live music as well as other events.
6. See Something Weird at a Wacky Museum
You can actually visit a whole bunch of strange and creepy museums, if you're in the mood for something completely different. For starters, there's the Funeral Carriages Museum, with a collection of funeral carriages used in the 18th century to carry bodies to cemeteries, the Erotic Museum, which should be fairly self-explanatory and the King of Magic Museum. You can also check out scents dating back to 1961 at the Museum of Perfume or learn everything you ever wanted to know about pot at the Hash, Marihuana & Hemp Museum.
7. Visit an Underground Air-Raid Shelter
It's no secret that Barcelona is touristy, and while the main attractions are incredible, you may also want to get off the beaten path for a while. For an alternative tourist attraction, visit an air-raid shelter used during the Spanish Civil War. There's one below the Plaça del Diamante that can hold up to 200 people. Tours take place at 11:00am on Sunday (by reservation only) and cost 3 euros (~$3). To get a look inside, call 34 932 196 134 or email tallerhistoriagracia@gmail.com beforehand. You can also reserve tours for the Refugi 307, another underground raid shelter, through the History Museum of Barcelona.
8. Go Beyond La Sagrada Família
While the unfinished Sagrada Família is truly awe-inspiring, it's not the only beautiful church in the city. The Cathedral of Barcelona is a Gothic church dating back to 1298 that you shouldn't miss. The Expiatory Church of the Sacred Heart of Jesus is covered in turrets with a statue of Jesus at the very top, eyeing the city of Barcelona from a high hilltop. The Royal Monastery of Saint Mary of Pedralbes has a picturesque courtyard surrounded by arch after arch, all dating back to the 14th century. The Basilica of Santa Maria del Mar is also a special building in the city's Ribera district that was built in the 1300s. If you have a trip planned to Barcelona, reading the novel Cathedral of the Sea by Ildefonso Falcones just before you go will make your trip and visit to the Santa Maria church even more special.
What are some of your favorite things to do in Barcelona? Tell us about them, below.
Featured image courtesy of Yin Jiang / EyeEm via Getty Images.
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There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits.Pros
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- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
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| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
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| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
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You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after spending $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.Annual Fee
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Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits.Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.