15 Reasons to Visit Barcelona as Told by a Local

Barcelona, a city known for its sun and sea, Sagrada Familia, food, and nightlife. I could tell you that these are reasons to visit Barcelona — because, well, they are — but you already knew that. This article is here give you 15 reasons why you should visit and experience Barcelona, from a local’s perspective, because I can tell you for sure we don’t dance around Sagrada Familia like the Ed Sheeran song suggests. Here are 15 reasons to visit Barcelona (as told by a local).

1. There’s a whole street dedicated to delicious and cheap pinchos.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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A post shared by La Ruta del Pincho (@larutadelpincho) on Oct 28, 2018 at 5:05am PDT

2. You could spend hours wandering the narrow and mesmerizing streets of the Gothic Quarter.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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A post shared by Visit Barcelona (@visitbarcelona) on Sep 21, 2018 at 3:45am PDT

3. Bunkers El Carmel offers exquisite 360 degree views of Barcelona, and is also a great spot to head to with friends and a couple bottles of wine to watch the sun set and city light up around you.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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A post shared by Khan Porter (@iamkhanporter) on Nov 21, 2018 at 12:17pm PST

4. There’s a whole park dedicated to cacti and tropical plants.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Cactus lovers paradise right in the city. 🌵 . . . . . #cactus #cactuspark #cacti #exploremore #barcelonastravel #lightroomedits #visitbarcelona #parksofinstagram #naturelovers

A post shared by Christa Adams (@spiritedexplorer) on Sep 16, 2018 at 7:08am PDT

 

5. There always seems to be a festival going on.

One of the best is La Mercè, Barcelona’s city festival, which features a firework run where ‘devils’ twirl fireworks down Via Laietana and pedestrians run and dance in the street with them.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Correfoc Mercè 2018 – Barcelona #correfoc #diables #barcelona #bcn #barna #catalonia #catalunya #barcelonacity #igersbarcelona #merce #festamajor #festapopular #foc #lamerce #festesdelamerce #tradicio #bcnfun #photography #lamerce2018 #diablesicorrefocs #igersdiables #culturapopular #cremantlanit #canon #canonphotography #diablesdesants

A post shared by Lluc Miralles (@lluc.miralles) on Nov 25, 2018 at 2:15am PST

6. There’s plenty of rooftop bars with exquisite views.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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A post shared by Christa Adams (@spiritedexplorer) on Jun 6, 2018 at 12:07pm PDT

7. It’s full of the quirky modernist architecture of Antoni Gaudí.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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A post shared by Christa Adams (@spiritedexplorer) on May 14, 2016 at 8:53am PDT

 

8. You can wake up early and watch the sunrise over the beach.

The sun sets over the land, but the sunrise is gorgeous.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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A post shared by Christa Adams (@spiritedexplorer) on Jun 26, 2018 at 1:21pm PDT

9. There’s lots of funky dive bars. Like this bar Nevermind has a literal skate park inside of it.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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A post shared by Nevermind Bar (@nevermindbcn) on Nov 27, 2018 at 5:41am PST

10. Most museums are free on Sundays or the first Sunday of every month.

But arrive early to secure your ticket! See more details here.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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A post shared by Sergey Malygin (@malygin.sergey) on Feb 28, 2017 at 11:52pm PST

 

11. You can find craft beer if look hard enough.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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A post shared by garage beer co (@garagebeerco) on Jun 13, 2018 at 4:30am PDT

 

12. But the vermut and pinchos combination is still better.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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A post shared by Gabriel Cavalcante (@gabrieldamuda) on May 18, 2018 at 6:10am PDT

13. Because the Catalan region is full of culture.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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A post shared by Ada Colau (@adacolauofficial) on Sep 23, 2018 at 10:59am PDT

14. It’s full of vintage shops and flea markets.

One of the best is held at Ovella Negra of Poblenou where everything costs €1. It runs once a month and you can find more information about it and other markets here.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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A post shared by Ellinor Ødegård Staurbakk (@ellinoras) on Nov 5, 2016 at 8:50am PDT

15. There’s tons of quality street art.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Game of Thrones, anyone? Amazing work from @axe_colours in Barcelona!! Bummed that several of my favorites have been graffitied over, but lucky to see this one still intact. 👏

A post shared by Christa Adams (@spiritedexplorer) on Jan 25, 2018 at 7:13am PST

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Any other reasons to visit Barcelona that I didn’t include in my 15 reasons? Share in the comments below!