10 Fun Things to Do in Barcelona
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I had a great time in Barcelona and wanted to share some adventures that rounded out the trip.
Barcelona reminded me of Paris in lots of ways: the buildings, the twisty-turny side streets, the grand thoroughfares, and the dozens of cafes lining every street.
Lemme go ahead and set the tone here
But it was decidedly very different. The Mediterranean replaces the River Seine as the city’s main waterway, the food had a much different focus, and the city itself has wayyyy different attractions. Including a few things you can’t do, get, or see anywhere else in the world.
Here are a few things I loved about Barcelona.
10 Fun Things to Do in Barcelona
1. La Sagrada Familia / Gaudi Architecture
Dear light of heaven, this place was gorgeous. And you really will see the light of heaven if you go during the afternoon. That’s when the sun shines through the ornate rainbow-colored stained glass windows and streams over the otherworldly architecture, including massive pillars that will remind you of being in an enchanted forest.
Words can’t do it justice
It’s hard to describe how massive and beautiful this place is. The amount of details you’ll find are incredible.
Close-up of the stained glass
And from the outside, you’d never guess how beautiful the ceiling is. It’s soaring.
Amazing details of the ceiling
Here’s one more:
Make sure you have plenty of room for pictures on your camera!
When you get in there, you’ll go crazy snapping away. As the sun moves through the sky, different colors are accentuated within. So it changes constantly. And every nuance is beautiful.
Pro tip: Buy your ticket online. We bought ours and texted the PDF of the ticket to ourselves with the hotel’s wifi. And then pulled it up on our phones. Skip the massive lines outside. And go during mid-to-late afternoon when the colors are at their best. Although any time is a good time to see this place!
Gaudi’s architecture is everywhere in the city. Keep your eyes peeled for his influence in every corner of Barcelona.
2. Tapas & Sangria
You’ll be tapas’d out when it’s said and done. Tapas are hard to avoid. And they come in all varieties and qualities.
My advice: Try several. I didn’t regret one thing I tried.
If I had to give a recommendation based on my limited experience, I’d say head to Secrets Del Mediterrani near the Arc de Triomf.
Tapas and sangria at Secrets Del Mediterrani
It’s a small place with only a few tables set in the back of what looks like a market or grocery store. So you have to look for it a bit.
The service was so intimate, so attentive, and so delicious. Plus, you can stroll around the Arc de Trimof afterward.
Sangria every day. NOM!
Oh, and sangria! I was torn between the Spanish red wines and the sangria. My solution was to double-fist ’em both. 
