One Day in Barcelona: Top Things to Do for a Perfect Day

Barcelona is one of the most unique cities in Spain, if not all of Europe. Boasting an eclectic mix of Spanish and Catalan culture, this city is a must stop on your travels. Only have a short amount of time to visit? Well, one day in Barcelona is better than nothing. Keep reading for the must see sites on your visit

La Sagrada Familia

For those of you who aren’t familiar with Antonio Gaudi’s pieces, the closest thing I can compare it to is one of Dr. Seuss’s many eccentric worlds. La Sagrada Familia is a large Roman Catholic Church that is an absolute must see. Trust me you will never see a church like it again. The outside is magnificent and grandiose and the inside is hauntingly beautiful with many geometric patterns and a whirlwind of beautiful colors. I had to practically be dragged out as I was content to just sit there and stare all day. Short on time? Allot one to two hours to fully appreciate the church. Avoid the lines by buying tickets here.

Casa Batlló

Casa Batlló literally took my breath away and is a must stop regardless of if you are a Gaudi lover or not. The ticket prices is a little steep at 22.50 euros but it is worth every penny. Your admission ticket comes with an audio and an extremely unique visual guide that allows you to leave your surroundings and transports you into the world of Guadi. The outside looks like it has been made from skulls and bones. The “skulls” are actually the balconies while the “bones” are the supporting pillars.

Once inside, you will pass through the many rooms and learn Gauid’s thoughts behind each and every one. Towards the end of the tour you will make your way to the terrace on the roof. During my visit, the sun was setting and I had a beautiful panorama view of Barcelona. It was one of those I think I’m going to cry this is so beautiful moments. Luckily for the sake of others and myself, the tears were kept at bay. But seriously, stunning and a must see. I would say you need a full two hours to immerse yourself in Casa Batlló

Park Güell

This park is known as one of the most famous parks in the world. It is considered a very important site in Barcelona and one of Gaudi’s masterpieces. During your one day visit, I would allot an hour to view this park. With your limited time, it is imperative that you buy tickets in advance so that you are not waiting in the queue only to find out that the next time you can enter the park is in a couple of hours. Trust me, this happened to me.

While the park is beautiful, I am going on record and saying that this isn’t my favorite piece of Gaudi’s. I know I know, you’re gasping in shock. The reason for that is that there aren’t as many Gaudi pieces in the park itself. There are the iconic benches, the giant ceramic dragon (or is it a lizard?), and a couple of towers but if you are looking to be surrounded by Gaudi your best bet is Casa Batllo or La Sagrada Familia.

Las Ramblas

Las Ramblas is the central street that cuts though the hear of the city centre. It boasts a vibrant and lively atmosphere filled with Barcelona action. This is a great street to walk through if you are short on time and don’t have much time to explore the other streets of the city. You’ll find plenty of restaurants and a few markets to walk through. Be mindful that this street does get crowded and pickpocketers are a thing in Barcelona. Keep on eye on your purse and stick out your tongue at any seedy character (just kidding!).

Though you could spend a lifetime uncovering the many treasures Barcelona has to offer, with a visit to the main sites will you give you a nice overview of the city. Then you can start planning your return trip.

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