The Capital of Catalonia. The City of Counts. Barcelona has many names because it's famous for many reasons. One of the reasons behind Barcelona's popularity is its size; Barcelona is the second largest in all of Spain and the largest city in Catalonia.
Big cities always have plenty of things to see, do, wear, hear, and eat, and Barcelona is no exception. From the popular spots to some of the hidden gems in Spain, you can easily explore the city!
When you visit Barcelona for 4 days, expect your schedule to fill up insanely fast; between annual festivals, live concerts, and street fairs, Barcelona is sure to keep you busy. This is doubly true if you're a football fan. This city is the home of the world-famous FC Barcelona club after all!
A trip to Barcelona is definitely a trip to remember. You could cruise through the city in a car or on a bus… or you could take a walking tour of Barcelona. When on foot, you get to savor every sight and make the most of every moment.
Drop your heavy bags at a Barcelona luggage storage spot and start walking! Here are some of Barcelona's best attractions that you can only experience on a walking tour of the city.
Our walking tour of Barcelona starts at Casa de la Caritat, also known as Barcelona City Hall. This is where the City Council convenes to plan out projects and activities throughout the year. As you might've guessed, you can only tour the inside of Casa de la Caritat on special occasions.
The good news is that you can explore City Hall's exterior pretty much any day of the week! Casa de la Caritat features breathtaking Baroque architecture from the 19th Century. A walking tour will let you take your time and appreciate every fine detail of this building.
Santa Caterina Market
The Santa Caterina Market is the next stop on our walking tour. You might work up a thirst or develop an appetite during this trip. The Santa Caterina Market is the perfect place to buydrinks, snacks, and fresh produce. Visitors might even be able to find a few souvenirs here.
The Santa Caterina Market has been around for many years. It didn't become the roofed superstore that most folks know it as today until 2005.
Architects Benedetta Tagliabue and Enric Miralles made it their mission to revitalize the market. Based on this venue's popularity, you have to congratulate them on a job well done.
Source: Pxhere.
Museu de la Xocolata
The Museu de la Xocolata, aka the Museum of Chocolate, is the third stop on this walking tour. This center is dedicated to all things chocolate. Here are just a few of the museum's most prominent attractions:
Chocolate replicas of Barcelona's landmarks
Vintage chocolate-making machines
Classes that let you create your own sweet treats
A chocolate shop of epic proportions
The Museu de la Xocolata is a must-visit for individual travelers and groups of families and friends alike. Stop by the museum's website to see which special events are coming up.
Arc de Triomf
The Arc de Triomf (Arc of Triumph) is the fourth stop on our walking tour. This iconic structure is the work of architect Josep Vilaseca I Casanovas. Casanovas built the arc for the 1888 Barcelona World Fair.
The arc features an extravagant Neo-Mudéjar design. The sculpture on the front of the arc reads “Barcelona rep les nacions,” which is Catalan for “Barcelona welcomes the nations.” The Arc de Triomf is also the gateway to the next stop on our walking tour.
Parc de la Ciutadella
Also known as Citadel Park, Parc de la Ciutadella is actually the park where the 1888 World Fair was held. Many of the structures, statues, landmarks, and attractions built for the fair are still here. Look out for the following:
The Citadel military compound
The “Cascada” waterfall
The Barcelona Zoo
The Museum of Natural Sciences of Barcelona
This park is easily one of the city's most famous and cherished venues. A walking tour of Barcelona wouldn't be complete without a stroll through Parc de la Ciutadella.
Source: Pxhere.
Granja Petitbo
Are you in the mood for a plate of hummus? How about a slice of avocado toast or an order of fish and chips? Granja Petitbo has you covered; this café-style restaurant blends Mediterranean cuisine with European dishes. Granja Petitbo serves breakfast, brunch, lunch, and dinner!
Many long-time patrons highly recommend Granja Petitbo's burgers, pancakes, and caesar salad. You can look up the café's restaurant online to see what's on the menu!
MIAM Brunch & Coffee
MIAM Brunch & Coffee is another restaurant with a great reputation. Whereas Granja Petitbo is more famous for its lunch and dinner items, people flock to this restaurant for its delectable brunch menu. A few extremely popular items are:
Avocado Toast
French Toast
Eggs Benedict
Roast Beef Sandwiches
Miami Club Sandwiches
The coffee here is also stellar. If you start feeling drowsy during your walking tour, you should definitely stop by this restaurant. They've got coffee, tea, and smoothies that'll put the pep back in your step.
Sagrada Familia
At long last, we've reached the end of our walking tour. We figure that it only makes sense for Sagrada Familia, Barcelona's most iconic and beloved landmark, to be our final destination. Construction on this Roman Catholic basilica first began in 1882. Progress halted when the Spanish Civil War broke out in 1939. A great fire incinerated Sagrada Familia's original design documents, hence its largely unfinished state.
Construction resumed in the late 1950s. Much of what visitors see today are the result of the hard work of thousands of builders and construction workers. You're highly encouraged to explore as much of the basilica as you can! Sagrada Familia also features a park where you can stretch your legs after a long day of touring Barcelona.
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