Sun City: A 3-day guide to Barcelona

The best time to visit Barcelona is September, early October. In these months, the flow of tourists has subsided, it is easy to find a good place to live, there are no huge queues to restaurants (yes, yes, but this is a little later), the prices for many things fall, and in general it is more pleasant when the people are smaller and there is no crazy exhausting heat.

Arrival at El Prat Airport

Upon arrival, you will need to go through the standard procedures: passport, pick up your luggage and go to the common room. Next you need to find the descent to the level below and find the A1 bus.

This is very easy to do, there are “Bus” signs everywhere, just follow them. The bus costs about 6 euros, it is advisable to have small money with you.

This bus will take you to the heart of Barcelona’s Plaza Catalunya. By the way, this bus is the best way to get to the airport for departure. Just be careful which terminal you leave, there are two A1 and A2 buses at El Prat airport, respectively.

All the interchanges of buses, subway and intercity trains converge on the square. From here you can get to almost any point in Spain. The most optimal variant of movement is the T10 pass.

You can buy it at the entrance of any subway station. A pass gives you ten trips on the subway, buses and trams, and if you use it, then the next hour can go on everything. By changing the transport, you mark the pass as if it were a normal payment, but you are not being charged for the trip. The number of remaining trips is printed on the back side each time.

By the way, I recommend you to install the Moovit app on your smartphone – your assistant in choosing the route in public transport with the help of which it is very convenient to watch the better to go and measure the time from point to point.

Get a local SIM card. Lebara or Orange will do great. To do this, you need a passport and a little bit of language skills to explain that you need a mobile internet connection for a few days. Mobile Internet is very helpful in orienteering in the field.

Plaza Catalunya

It’s the heart of Barca and the city’s largest transportation hub. When you get to Plaza Catalunya you will see people from all over the world. The huge Rosa Vetrov adorns the center of the square, next to a very beautiful fountain, which in the evenings is lit up. One of the attractions of the square is the pigeons – there are a million of them and they are not afraid of people.

Local traders sell grain in bags specially for tourists to feed birds and take a few pictures to remember. However, they sell it at an unrealistic price for a cake of grain. You can buy food somewhere in advance and save on it, and you can not bother, here at your discretion.

A cafe on the top floor of the Corte Ingles

The square has a huge shopping center Corte Ingles. There is an interesting location in it, which is not in plain sight, but definitely worth attention. If you enter the mall from the entrance at the specified point, you can get to the elevators and go up to the top floor.

There is a restaurant upstairs and a self-service café next to it. And there and there is a stunning view of the square.

La Rambla

I’m giving a dot at the cafe, at the very beginning of La Rambla, from which you can slowly walk down to the sea. This street is very picturesque, it has a constant flow of people at any time of day.

On the left hand – the Gothic quarter, narrow streets, monuments, bars, cafes and shops with souvenirs. On the right more trading part with emphasis on shops. I suggest that you take a leisurely stroll along the Ramble for hours, if not half a day.

There’s plenty to see and do from left to right from the main street. Below is a list of things I recommend you to see during your walk and in the evening afterwards.

Holy Cross Cathedral

Then I recommend crossing the Rambla and going deeper into the narrow streets on the way to the Cathedral of the Holy Cross.

This cathedral is definitely worth a visit and a tour inside. Do not spare money for the entrance and you will be amazed by the medieval architecture and beauty of this place.

Santa Maria del Pi Cathedral

Then, while walking through the streets of the Gothic Quarter, continue your journey towards another cathedral. This time it’s Santa Maria del Pi Cathedral. The cathedral is remarkable for its antiquity and the huge stained-glass window on the front side. But the highlight of this place is in another.

A virtuoso flamenco guitarist gives a concert a day later in the small prayer hall. The combination of the ancient walls, the Spanish guitar and the colour of what is happening makes you feel goosebumps.

You can buy a ticket right at the entrance to the cathedral by simply asking the staff and explaining that you want to attend a guitar concert. I advise you to come here a little early in the evening to take a good seat in the hall.

Boquería Market

You’re probably hungry, aren’t you? Then you’re hungry here. Without exaggeration, this market is one of the most colorful in the world. From the entrance, the variety of delicacies offered amazes even the most exquisite imagination.

Do you want a vintage ham? Or maybe tropical fruits? Or maybe the freshest oysters with a glass of wine? All this and much more can be bought and tasted right on the market.