Capital of Catalonia, Barcelona is the second largest city in Spain after Madrid. It is a destination very loved by Italians. We have identified some reasons why Barcelona is always a great success.
First of all, for the mild climate and proximity to the sea and beaches, then for the ancient and modern architecture, but also for the nightlife. Furthermore, with low-cost flights it is even more comfortable in addition to being a nearby destination, perfect for a weekend.
What to do in Barcelona
First of all, you should not miss the historic neighborhoods. From the Plaza de Cataluña you directly enter the Gothic Quarter, the historic center of the city, made up of very narrow streets and old buildings. And then, the Plaza Real, with all its tapas bars, and the Cathedral. Don't forget to also take a walk through La Ribera, taking a look at the craft shops full of curious objects.
Away from the center, a must visit Sagrada Familia, symbol of Barcelona, designed by Antoni Gaudí. The Catalan architect is also the author of the beautiful Parc Güell, an ideal destination to relax outdoors among art and nature, and numerous other incredible buildings in the city, such as Casa Vicens, the architect's first creation of a private home, Casa Battló and Casa Milà, also known as Pedrera. .
Also worth a visit are the city's two hills, which can be reached by funicular, from where you can enjoy a unique view of Barcelona: Tibidabo, also known as "the magic mountain", where there is an amusement park , and Montjuic, where the castle and numerous museums are located, including the Mirò Foundation.
The day inevitably ends in Barceloneta, a nightlife center, offering numerous clubs full of young people until late at night. Many tourists love Barcelona precisely for its nightlife.
Where and what to eat in Barcelona
The city is full of nightclubs and restaurants of all kinds. It is certainly original to go to eat at the stalls of the Boquería covered market, where, among an explosion of colors and smells, you can find all the typical products of the region and of Spain in general.
If you are in Barcelona avoid ordering a paella. It is true that it is the symbol of Spanish cuisine, but the original is Valencian and has nothing to do with Catalonia. Therefore, we recommend some typical dishes such as Catalan seafood dish, an elegant, refined and very tasty dish. These are steamed crustaceans seasoned with a white onion-based sauce. Fish dishes should be accompanied with a bottle of Cava, a white wine with bubbles, while meat dishes with a good red wine.
The perfect Spanish lunch should end with the typical Barcelona dessert, the famous Catalan cream, prepared with fresh eggs and vanilla beans, served with caramelized sugar in a typical terracotta cup.
When to go to Barcelona
Any time of year is perfect to visit Barça. Here, the mild climate allows you to be outdoors practically 365 days a year.
How to get to Barcelona and how to get around the city
Barcelona can be reached quickly by plane from Italy. Flights last between two and three hours depending on the departure airport, you can still get there by car or train, but it is not recommended if you are only staying for a weekend.
From El Prat airport you can reach the city by plane easily and economically. bus in about half an hour. The stops are Plaça Espanya, Gran Via, Plaça Universitat and Plaça Catalunya. Otherwise you can take the metro line L9S (orange).
Where to sleep in Barcelona
In the city there are countless accommodations of all types and prices. Hotels of all categories and countless apartments to rent. If you are only staying for a weekend, we recommend looking for it in a central area, such as gothic quarter where you can get around on foot, by bicycle, by metro or even by taxi, which is cheap.
