Home to one of the most famous basilicas in the world, Barcelona has become the most popular tourist destination in Spain. When it comes to sightseeing, this city wins the game. The famous architect Antoni Gaudi left his mark on Barcelona, which can be seen in many of the avant-garde buildings this city has. Some of them are even UNESCO listed. If you are visiting Barcelona anytime soon, make sure to add the following places to your must-see list:
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1. Parc de la Ciutadella
This is probably one of the most popular parks to visit in Barcelona for free. Built by the end of the 19th century, it was the first place that was designed and opened as a public park. The park is a perfect spot for all kinds of family-friendly activities. More than a hundred types of plants, including century-old trees, can be seen in Parc de la Ciutadella. Owing to the incredible sculptures this park has, it is often considered an outdoor museum. You’ll hardly find any place in Barcelona without the touch of Antoni Gaudi, and the same can be seen in the park. There is a monumental waterfall, and it is believed that Gaudi (when he was very young) was behind the decoration of the waterfall.
2. Santa Maria del Mar
It took only 55 years to construct this grand basilica that represents the perfect Catalan Gothic Style. The construction of this church is not like other buildings in the city. As it took only 55 years, you can notice that the exterior of Santa Maria is very uniform with no mix of different architectural styles. You can learn more about its history and construction during the guided tour if you opt for one in English. The guide will take you through a detailed tour of the church that also includes terraces from where you can enjoy stunning views of Barcelona.
3. Picasso Museum of Barcelona
Witness more than 4000 works of the world’s one of the famous painters ‘Picasso’ in his museum that was built by himself. Picasso spent many years of his life in Barcelona. Therefore, several works from his youth can be seen in the museum. Queues of crowd gather outside to enter this museum every day from Tuesday to Sunday. The museum also often hosts exhibitions of Picasso’s collection. The museum was founded with the help of donations by Picasso’s close friend Sabatés. He donated his series Las Meninas (1957) to the museum in the loving memory of his friend Sabatés after his death.
4. Camp Nou Stadium of FC Barcelona
If you are a football fan, you wouldn’t want to miss visiting Camp Nou – FC Barcelona’s home ground. Imagine catching a live game here while hearing over 99,000 people cheering with passion; like a dream come true that only a true football lover can understand. You should not miss out on the Camp Nou Experience, which allows you to visit the areas frequented by players. The ticket for Camp Nou starts from USD 31 and can go up to USD 386 depending on the type of tour you’re buying.
5. Montjuïc Castle
Last but not least on the list is Montjuïc Castle – often regarded as a symbol of repression that the city faced in history. The Castle was severely damaged during the war, and it was reconstructed again in the middle of the 18th century. It was also used as a prison and a base to launch bombing raids on Barcelona several times. Apart from the painful history, the Castle offers beautiful 360-degree views of Barcelona. Today, luckily, the Castle belongs to the public, and a large number of crowds visit the Castle throughout the year. Watchtower, Reservoir, and Jail Cells in the Castle are closed to the public, but you can visit them through a guided tour.
