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.
2. You could spend hours wandering the narrow and mesmerizing streets of the Gothic Quarter.
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.
4. There’s a whole park dedicated to cacti and tropical plants.
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.
6. There’s plenty of rooftop bars with exquisite views.
7. It’s full of the quirky modernist architecture of Antoni Gaudí.
8. You can wake up early and watch the sunrise over the beach.
The sun sets over the land, but the sunrise is gorgeous.
9. There’s lots of funky dive bars. Like this bar Nevermind has a literal skate park inside of it.
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.
11. You can find craft beer if look hard enough.
12. But the vermut and pinchos combination is still better.
13. Because the Catalan region is full of culture.
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.