Three Good Days of Barcelona :)

If you're looking for the most colourful and fun place to spend a weekend away in Europe, this is your city!

I went to Barcelona with many other exchange students, on a trip organized by the AEP. Because of travelling with so many others, it was hard to see real side of Barcelona (AKA: the side with no tourist shops, expensive cafe chains or long line-ups for famous sites). Regardless, the side that I did see was pretty spectacular.

Here are my four favourite things about Barcelona, followed by my top highlight and lowlight:

Favourite Thing Number 1: The Hike in Park Guell

Park Guell began to be created in 1900 by the ever famous architect, Antoni Gaudi, more well-known as solely Gaudi. The inspiration, provided by Eusebi Guell, behind the park was to create a neighbourhood for well-off families, giving them a great view over Barcelona to the Balearic Sea and beyond. The park was given, and remains given, an English name as to make it feel more like a beautiful park in Britain. Gaudi himself moved into the park in 1906. When the main funder of the park, Eusebi Guell, died in 1918, his heirs decided to sell the park to the City Council of Barcelona, officially making it a public area. In 1984, it was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

We were able to explore the park on our own for a few hours. My favourite part was doing the mini-version of the hike to the top of the park where we could see the oh-so-famous view over the city. I loved Gaudi's work which was so colourful and creative that you could easily point it out from anything else in the city!

Favourite Thing Number 2: Bar Otto

In Spain, most cafes double as bars and all bars turn into nightclubs once the clock stricks midnight. With that being said, when we went, it was just a little past midnight.

Going out to Bar Otto was one of my favourite nights as they were the first bar since my arrival to Spain that actually played American/Canadian music. Well, any English music at all actually. They didn't only play English music, as the bar offered two floors. The bottom dance floor blasted all my favourite songs that I had missed so much from home, and the top floor hosted a DJ with a more reggatone (Spanish) playlist. With a full house and good music anywhere we went, I would say this bar is still one of my favourites.

Favourite Thing Number 3: La Boqueria Market

When coming to Barcelona with my student group, I was prepared for endless tourist-filled attractions, one after another. So, you can imagine how caught-off guard I was when we landed in the Boqueria Market for lunch! Sure, lots of tourists. But alknow it's good.
so tons of locals! Which is how you

Next surprise - SO CHEAP! I paid under 5 euros for a bowl of fresh strawberries, a homemade cheese and tomato empanada, and a sangria icecream for dessert! Smoothies and fruit juices galore were 1 euro each. Spices, fresh vegetables, meat, fish and anything else edible and delicious could be found just around the next corner. It reminded me lots of Seattle's Pike Place Market, being so maze-like and filled with wonderful, colourful stands. I am giving my gold star sticker to La Boqueria, and recommend it to anyone who enjoys filling up their tummy and fun tank at the same time.

Favourite Thing Number 4: Mont Juic

I'll be honest, I had no idea what this was until I arrived. Even now, I'm not so sure (you can see I'm a really great tourist). However, with a quick google search, I've learned that it is a famous hill which overlooks the Barcelona harbour. While now it is solely a tourist destination, it was historically used as part of the defence system for the city.

As I'm not really sure what part of Mont Juic I saw/walked along, I'm going to include it here in picture form. My friends and I strolled around the hill and enjoyed the view before walking to Poble Espanol and a knock-off version of Oktoberfest. There is some climbing up and down stairs, but nothing to make you sweat on a sunny early October day. Plus, the music from the local buskers helps you feel good about being out and exploring my favourite city.

Brightest Highlight: Poble Espanol 

I know, I've said a lot of things on this trip were unexpected, but this one is the cherry on top! Poble Espanol is labelled as an outdoor interactive museum, but don't let this boring label fool you. Inside the tall brick walls is a real-looking and real-feeling representation of each region in Spain. For 10 euros of entry, you can stroll the streets and feel as the atmosphere changes with each region you enter into. Each region has its own shops and restaurants that are typical for that area. My friends and I made an adventure into finding Navarra, our home province while we we're here, just so we could find the pintxo bar.

In the centre sits a market that sells homemade food from each region. Needless to say, my lunch of chicken and mushroom empanadas was worth the entry price just in itself. I recommend this location to every person of every age and ability!


The Lowlight: La Sagrada Familia

I know. I'm shocked too.

After seeing Gaudi's work in Park Guell and at La Casa Mila, I was incredibly keen to see the creative designs on the ever-famous cathedral. Walking up, I could see the beautiful, soaring spirals pointing into the clouds. Our tour guide explained the intricade, carefully considered meaning put into the details of the cathedral.

But, in all honesty, it's a lot of construction. With a lot of cranes in the background and limited access to some viewpoints because of construction sites, it was hard to appreciate La Sagrada Familia in it's entirety. I think at this point, it is not worth a visit, though I am definitely eager to return when it is complete!

True kudos to you if you made it this far :) Thank you so much for listening to my lengthy chat about Barcelona!

Until the next post,
Al