A Virtual Trip to the Beautiful Barcelona, Spain
Explore one of the most vibrant cities in the world from the comfort of your living room – Barcelona, Spain. While staying home goes against the nature of traveling, luckily, there are still ways to explore the world.
I've been using my extra time at home to look through my personal gallery from one of my first European adventures and selected pictures from the most amazing places I visited. I hope this virtual travel guide will inspire you to experience Barcelona's rich architecture, mind-blowing art, and lively atmosphere in person some day.
Are you ready? Start your virtual trip to the beautiful Barcelona, Spain now:
Tour La Sagrada Familia
Get ready to travel back in time by visiting Antoni Gaudí 's architectural masterpiece, La Sagrada Família. This breathtaking church has been in construction for 137 years and is inspired by nature and elements Gaudí saw in his life. From the plant-filled doors to the tree-like columns, it is indeed was one of the MOST magnificent sites I've ever toured.
Explore Park Güell
Step into another magical world created by Gaudí and explore Park Güell. In the late 19th century, Spanish entrepreneur, Eusebi Güell, commissioned Antoni Gaudí to build a garden city and nature-inspired homes. Its architectonic elements, curvy mosaic walls, and other animal-shaped structures are not ones to miss in Barcelona. It even offers the most amazing views of the city. Needless to say, Park Güell was one of my favorite parks in Spain.
Go out for a stroll at Las Ramblas
Las Ramblas is a hot spot for both tourists and locals. This street stretches for almost 1 mile, and it's filled with cafes, art galleries, bars, souvenir kiosks, and so much more. We stayed at an Airbnb near this street, so my boyfriend and I walked around this area a lot. We even enjoyed a hot breakfast croissant a couple of times. Las Ramblas can get overcrowded, but it's a must-do.
Grab a snack at La Boqueria
Take a peek inside Barcelona's most popular food market, La Boqueria. This is a must-see in Spain. There is a lot of fresh food, local flavor, and mouthwatering sweets to choose from. Good thing I came hungry! I wanted to try everything.
Enjoy the scenery at Placa de Catalunya
Walking around the city can be exhausting. A great place to take a break and sit down is at Placa de Catalunya. It has gorgeous sculptures, flowers, and fountains. I do have to say that this square is not only visited by many tourists but also many pigeons.
Eat and drink at the Barceloneta Beach
Barceloneta Beach offers a plethora of restaurants and bars. They are a little pricey, but the views of the ocean make it oh so worth it! We had a wonderful time eating a delicious paella and drinking a refreshing Sangria right on the beach. It might not be the most beautiful beach, but the energy of this place is quite irresistible.
check out the W Barcelona Hotel
Located in the heart of Barceloneta beach, W Hotel is a must-see for all visitors. Its unique sail-shaped form makes it stand out in the city. I didn't stay at this luxurious hotel, but I had quite the view of the stunning building, and amongst other things. LOL.
Wander in Gothic Quarter
Walking around through the narrow streets and alleyways in the Gothic Quarter was probably my favorite part of the trip. There were so many little plazas and streets to explore. It was like a labyrinth!
Visit the Barcelona Cathedral
One of the most visited landmarks in the Gothic Quarter is the Cathedral of the Holy Cross and Saint Eulalia, also known as Barcelona Cathedral. This Roman Catholic cathedral serves as a place of worship and celebration for both locals and tourists. What mesmerized me the most was its Gothic architectural exterior. I found myself gazing at the little geometric details. It was truly remarkable.
Take a self-guided tour to Casa Lleó, Casa Amatller, Casa Batlló, and Casa Milà
This virtual vacation will not be complete without stopping by Casa Lleó, Casa Batlló, Casa Amatller, and Casa Milà. These buildings are hard to miss when walking the roads of Barcelona. Each has its striking beauty, interesting history, and unique charm.
You don't have to be a fan of architecture to see that Casa Lleó i Morera is one of the most artistic buildings in Barcelona. This modernist building is designed by architect Lluis Domenech i Montaner.
Take a quick or a long look at one of Gaudí's most admired works, Casa Batlló. This building's skeleton-like balcony and curvy reptile roof are some of the rarest things I've ever laid my eyes on. Seeing the front facade's textures, colors, and imagery in person should be on everyone's bucket list! It is quite mindblowing.
Just right next to Casa Batlló is another incredible modernist building, Casa Amatller. Its quirky sculptures and Catalan-inspired decorations makes it a hidden gem of the city. I wish I toured the inside of this place. I heard they served the guests delicious hot chocolate!
The last stop of this Barcelona tour is Casa Milà, also known as "La Pedrera." It's also one of Antoni Gaudí's famous and extraordinary buildings of the Modernisme. It's no wonder the city declared it to be an architectural work of art!
Now that you've caught a glimpse of Barcelona, where will you go first?!