Barcelona (1st trip)

What I did:

Looked at Gaudi's works-
Antonio Gaudi has had a significant influence on the city of Barcelona. His unique signature style can be seen in many different locations throughout the city.

La Sagrada Familia-
The most famous of Gaudi's work, La Sagrada Familia Cathedral is the most impressive building I have been in. It has been in construction since 1882, and is scheduled for completion in 2026 (144 years after breaking ground, and 100 years after Gaudi's death). However, many jokes are made about the likelihood the Cathedral will be completed on schedule.

Sandemans free walking tour-
Sandemans is a company that offers free walking tours through many major cities, mostly in Europe. The tour is a great way to get an overview of the city and add historical context. Also, the tour guides will give recommendations for your time in the city. I would recommend doing a Sandemans free walking tour in any city they are offered, and the tour in Barcelona has been one of my favorites. Also, the only charge is the amount you decide to pay at the end of the tour.

Beach-
La Barceloneta Beach is a nice place to sit and relax by the ocean. However, be prepared for extremely heavy summertime crowds.

La Rambla-
La Rambla is a Main Street that runs through Barcelona. There are many street performers and vendors along the street. There have been reports of pickpockets along the street, but I did not experience any difficulty myself.

La Boqueria-
La Boqueria is the market located off La Rambla. It is one of the best markets I have ever been to. There is an immense amount of great food to eat on the spot, as well as a great selection to purchase to take home/AirBnB/hostel and cook.

Parc Guell-
Parc Guell is another one of Gaudi's works, and it also offers great views of the city.

Where I stayed:

I stayed at St. Christopher's Barcelona Hostel and Kabul Party Hostel Barcelona. St. Christopher's was very nice, but did not have the same community feel I have felt at other hostels. Kabul is a "party hostel," and even though I'm not a huge party person I decided to stay there due to its high ratings and awesome location right off La Rambla. I wasn't a huge fan, but if you are going to Barcelona to party, Kabul might be a good fit for you.

What I ate:

Restaurante Salamanca-
Located across the street from the beach, it offers traditional Spanish dishes such as paella. However, due to the proximity to the beach, be prepared for higher prices.

Brunch and Cake-
Possibly the best breakfast place I have ever been to. While not a traditional Spanish breakfast spot, I highly recommend Brunch and Cake to anyone visiting Barcelona. Be prepared for a bit of a wait, but the food is well worth it.

Bodega Biarritz 1881-
Great tapas place not too far off La Rambla that is over 100 years old. It is a small place so I had to wait to get in, but it was well worth the wait. I was able to order wine while waiting, as well as meet and chat with some interesting people that were also waiting in line. I let the chef choose my food for me, and I was not disappointed.

Al Passatore-
I went on a recommendation from my Sandeman's tour guide. Al Passatore, like many other restaurants in Spain, has a lunch "Menu del día." For around ten Euros you can get a full three course meal including a drink.

How I got around:

While in Barcelona I got around by walking and taking public transportation. The metro system in Barcelona is very good and fairly inexpensive.

Favorite thing:

My favorite part of Barcelona is simple the all around depth of the city. It is a city with amazing culture, a comfortable climate, interesting history, good transportion/walkability, and Mediterranean beaches. There are not many cities in the world where you can be a five minute walk from a beach, a gothic cathedral, an amazing historic site, and a great meal. Overall, Barcelona is one of my favorite cities in the world.

Least favorite thing:

I have been to numerous beaches in my lifetime, but La Barceloneta Beach in Barcelona is the most crowded beach I have ever been to. In the summer it can be a challenge to even find a place to sit down or lay out without bumping into someone.

For next time:

Due to the crowds at La Barceloneta, I would like to check out some of the beaches outside the city. I have heard they are significantly less crowded than La Barceloneta. I would also like to buy some food from La Boqueria that I can cook. Last time I was in Barcelona I was not staying in accommodation with a kitchen, so I was unable to take full advantage of the amazing market. I would also like to visit Montjuic next time, which I have heard good things about.