Barcelona in the spotlight: The city full of architecture, gastronomy and a sparkling ocean

Barcelona is part of our Pied à Terre and City Collection and we are so in love with this city full of beauty. It is one of the rare European cities where you can surf in the morning, do a master tour of Gaudí’s surreal buildings (Sagrada Familia and the Parc Güell), eat the best Spanish tapas of your life after hiking in the mountains and getting lost strolling the majestic streets of the Barrio Góthic.

Barcelona is so full of incredible architectural buildings, world-class cuisine, Gothic alleyways, and Mediterranean beaches. It has so much to offer for those who want to revel in history, architecture and the arts. Spend your days filled with activities and outdoor ventures out on the Montserrat mountains where you can hike and walk in the Spanish terrain. On more relaxed days, you can enjoy the sun and 4km of sandy beaches - explore water sports, diving, swimming or simply sunbathing - Barcelona accommodates it all.

Culinary delights

The staggering architecture and endless golden beaches are arguably the main reason to visit Barcelona, another top reason is definitely the culinary scene in this beautiful Spanish city. It’s simply unbeatable. There is so much offering for every taste, occasion and budget. Imagine all the best Spanish tapas, Michelin star restaurants, delicious street food and everything in between. One of our favourite things to do is stroll around the food halls and try different local cuisines. If you are heading to Barcelona, you must visit Mercat de la Boqueria, Mercat de Sant Antoni, Mercat de la Boqueria, El Mercat del Ninot or Santa Caterina. If you’re looking for a food market near the beach, pop to the Mercat de la Barceloneta and pick up some budget-friendly goodies for a day on the beach.

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Outdoor and nature

It goes without saying that football is embedded in the culture of Barcelona. The Camp Nou Stadium attracts many visitors every year, as it is the home of Barcelona Football Club - considered one of the best known and most successful football clubs in the world.

There are a plethora of other outdoor activities in Barcelona: rent a jet ski, book an outdoor cinema (check out Grec Festival), dinner with stars in the Fabra Observatory, free concerts in parks (Música als Parcs), Poble Espanyol, Magic Nights at Casa Batlló, hike on Montserrat or head out kayaking. You are spoiled with choices in Barcelona, we are sure you’ll find your favourite things to do in no time.

Architectural wonders

Visit Gaudi’s landscaped gardens in Park Guell - we love visiting it on an e-bike to get over the hill above Gracia district. The iconic views from the terrace won’t disappoint you! If you book the official bike tour, you’ll also get to see the Hypostyle room and Dragons Stairway without taking the underground. You can also enjoy the scenic La Sagrada Familia as well as Casa Batllo and Casa Mila. Finish your tour off with rooftop drinks on top of the hotel Casa Fuster.

Another wonderful way to take in the breathtaking views is to take the cable car to Montjuïc. You can visit the castle, Olympic Stadium, the Joan Miro foundation as well as the gorgeous Botanical Gardens.

Day trips

If you’re heading to Barcelona for a longer period of time and want to explore the glorious surroundings, you have plenty of options! We recommend checking out Sitges seaside town with mountains as a backdrop, or head to the picturesque Costa Brava, Andorra or Girona. Discover the medieval towns near Besalú or explore the Montserrat Monastery. The scenic Penedes Wine Region, known for its famous Cava, also makes a great day trip. For more adventurous travellers, head to the Montseny Natural Park to enjoy a 1-hour hot air balloon ride! There are also overnight ferries to Ibiza which makes a great weekend getaway.

If you’re looking to buy a holiday home in Barcelona, we still have a few shares available in our Pied à Terre Collection. Speak to our Advisors to get all your questions answered. We are here to make your holiday home dream come true.