Barcelona, Spain
Barcelona was a highlight of our March 2025 swing through Europe — we settled into a Modernist apartment in the Sant Pau area on Carrer de la Garrotxa for a week before moving on toward Munich.
Our experience
The Catalan capital is endlessly photogenic: Gaudí's fantastical architecture, the medieval Gothic Quarter, broad boulevards like the Rambla, and the Mediterranean right there at the city's edge.
We love the food culture — tapas crawls, the Boqueria market, late dinners — and the way the city mixes beach, mountains and dense urban life within a single afternoon's walk.
It's a place that rewards both museum days and aimless wandering.
Construction on the Sagrada Família began in 1882 and work is still continuing. The exterior of the central Tower of Jesus Christ was completed in 2026, while further construction continues on other parts of the basilica. The Nativity façade and crypt have been part of UNESCO's "Works of Antoni Gaudí" World Heritage listing since 2005.
Must-sees and must-dos
- Sagrada Família — Gaudí's landmark basilica; book a timed ticket in advance.
- Park Güell — his mosaic-covered hillside park with city views.
- The Gothic Quarter — the medieval maze at the city's core, layered with Roman and Gothic history.
- La Rambla & La Boqueria — the famous promenade and its bustling food market in the historic center.
- Casa Batlló & La Pedrera — more Gaudí masterpieces on Passeig de Gràcia.
- Barceloneta beach — Mediterranean sand right beside the city.
Our pro tip
We've learned to book the big Gaudí sites — especially Sagrada Família and Park Güell — online well in advance, since popular time slots can sell out.
Stay in a central neighborhood and use the metro. Keep an eye on belongings on the Rambla, and eat dinner late like the locals.
If you want to see two of the biggest Gaudí sights together, a combined tour can cover both. Planning several major attractions? A city pass can bundle options such as Sagrada Família, Park Güell, Casa Batlló and La Pedrera.
Book a Sagrada Família and Park Güell tour on Klook that includes both landmarks.
If you're planning several major attractions, the Klook Pass Barcelona can include options such as Sagrada Família, Park Güell, Casa Batlló and La Pedrera.