Dec. 25, 2022 by: Luke Baum
If you are like me, seeing the beauty of continental Europe has always been high on your bucket list - the art, architecture, and cultural history are enamoring to say the least. With this list of personal rankings of the top five best places in the city, visit one of the most popular destinations in Europe (and the most visited city in Spain) with over 23 million visitors every year: Barcelona.
Barcelona Backstreet, Las Ramblas. 2019 Luke Baum
5. Casa Batlló
Built by Barcelona native Antoni Gaudí in 1904, Casa Batlló is a beautiful staple of Barcelonian architecture, entirely stylized with a tangible passion for art in standing structures. Tour the inside of this original Gaudí apartment building or simply admire the architectural design from the outside, but you won’t want to miss this beautiful building in the heart of Barcelona.
Apartment-turned-museum designed by Antoni Gaudí: Casa Batlló in Barcelona, Spain. 2019 Luke Baum
Just a short walk to the onomatopoeic Las Ramblas (which stands on this list at #2), on my journey throughout the city, I found Casa Batlló acted as an excellent landmark. With its unique external features and its convenient location directly at the start of La Rambla street, use Casa Batlló not only as an excellent attraction to tour and admire but also as central point leading into the historical, charming bustle of the Gothic Quarter in Barcelona.
4. Catedral de la Santa Creu i Santa Eulàlia
Seek this fourteenth century Cathedral northeast off the bustling pedestrian road of La Rambla. In the large open square down the steps of the Catedral de la Santa Creu i Santa Eulàlia (or Cathedral of the Holy Cross and Saint Eulàlia in English), you’ll find performers, vendors, and other tourists enjoying the beautiful view of classic Barcelona architecture in a 360° view. You’ll know you’ve reached the cathedral when fully greeted by the energy of hundreds of tourists gathered in an open town square in front of the elongated, ornamental architecture of the Cathedral of Barcelona.
Catedral de la Santa Creu i Santa Eulàlia. 2019 Luke Baum
Dedicated to the patron Saint of Barcelona, Eulàlia of Barcelona, the Cathedral holds centuries of Barcelona history and secrets. Tour the inside of the cathedral and gaze upon the vaulted ceiling interior accented by the signature Barcelona ornamentation
3. Basílica de Santa Maria del Mar
Don’t miss the hidden gem among the backstreets of the Gothic Quarter: the Basílica de Santa Maria del Mar. This resilient Basilica is the last remaining example of pure Catalan Gothic architecture having survived at least two fires and the devastation of earthquakes.
Interior of the Basílica de Santa Maria del Mar. 2019 Luke Baum
After making your way through the maze passages through the city, find the Basílica de Santa Maria del Mar standing the test of time at the historic edge of the Barcelona coast of the Mediterranean Sea. I highly suggest taking the tour on the inside of this still functional monument. The well-learned guides take you through the Basilica in an intimate and informative journey through the church and up through the tours, along the balconies, and over the roof, which displays a stunning 360° view of Barcelona from which several destinations on this list may be seen.
Pictured above is series of shots taken from the Basílica de Santa Maria del Mar in Barcelona, Spain. 2019 Luke Baum
Life Packs Hack
While noting the history and details of the great building and its significance to the city, taking guided tours is an excellent way to grasp the energy and history of a city, and I always tend to get a greater feeling of the underlying complexity of a city after I am taken on a guided tour. Don’t miss out on experiencing the finer details of the places you visit!
2. Las Ramblas
It’s no surprise that Las Ramblas is high up on our list. This popular busy street in Barcelona runs from Casa Batlló all the way to the Columbus Monument at the port in Barcelona from which the famed explorer disembarked on his journey West across the Atlantic Ocean.
All down the street you’ll find cafes, street vendors, and restaurants, all selling anything from churros to sun hats.
Media from Wix of Las Ramblas in Barcelona, Spain
Barcelona Backstreet, Las Ramblas. 2019 Luke Baum
Tread down the main pedestrian track La Rambla through the adjacent streets of the neighborhood to grasp the whole energy of Las Ramblas. Don’t be afraid to venture off, get side tracked, and discover new places in one of the most energetic districts in Barcelona. The streets and backroads are an excellent indication of what the city is like as a whole.
Pictured above is a photo taken of a garden courtyard connecting two paths on the intricate streets of Las Ramblas. 2019 Luke Baum
Beware of Las Ramblas Back Streets After Dark
Make your way out of the maze that is Las Ramblas before dusk falls, or else navigation back to your hotel or restaurant will be a bit trickier and potentially more dangerous. After the sun had set and the people retreated from the back streets of the Gothic Quarter all of the stalls on the streets had closed, and the scene was eerie and in deep contrast to the bustling streets of that same afternoon down the same roads. I walked through a now cold and darkened maze next to the shops that were once open and filled with patrons now barred by metal garage doors. Las Ramblas is a bit unsettling at night, so I recommend you make your way to safety before you are submerged by nightfall.
1. La Sagrada Familia
Marking the top of my list of the top five best places to visit in Barcelona is undoubtedly La Sagrada Familia. The sacred Basilica was designed by Barcelona architect Antoni Gaudí and construction on this iconic Spanish Temple began in the year 1882 and is still under the process of its creation. There have been numerous architects that have influenced its gothic design style, which is represented in its varying displays of catholic doctrine in personal striking detail, and in 2010, Pope Benedict XVI consecrated La Sagrada Familia, declaring the Cathedral a minor basilica.
Up the steps of La Sagrada Familia in Barcelona, Spain. 2019 Luke Baum
From the moment I walked into the cathedral and set eyes on the warm-toned stained glass set on the western side of the La Sagrada Familia filtering in the light from the setting sun, I realized that my eyes had been opened to a color spectrum that I had never resonated with before. The reds, oranges, yellows, and greens warmed my spirit and compelled my eyes to cry for its beauty. I could finally see with my own eyes.
Above is a series of photos taken of both the interior and exterior of La Sagrada Familia. 2019 Luke Baum
Spend as much time as you can learning about this beautiful cathedral; the history alone involved in the creation of this place is worth the visit. When I visited La Sagrada Familia, I took the audio tour, which detailed every decision in the architecture and construction of this famed monument. It is well worth it to glimpse into the nuances of this cathedral dedicated to the Sacred Family of Jesus Christ.
Conclusion
Barcelona was the first city in Europe that I had the privilege of visiting. Its unique history of Catalan culture offers a glimpse into the complexity of Spain and the European continent, and I’m so grateful to have been able to visit in 2019 before the global pandemic. While the world has changed over the years, these destinations retain their historical relevance and culture, and I hope you readers may use this guide to help mark some destinations on the map when planning your visit to one of the world's leading cities in art, history, and unique architecture
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