Barcelona is one of the largest cities in Spain and one of the most visited by tourists. Every year millions of visitors walk its streets and visit its most emblematic places. The city offers a considerable offer ranging from monuments and historical sites to bars and restaurants, without forgetting its multifaceted nightlife.
If you have little time to visit the city, we tell you what you can see in Barcelona in a weekend, so you can organize your visit efficiently. But, first of all, you will need to get to your destination quickly by taking a train from Madrid to Barcelona. In just 3 hours you will be in the center of Barcelona.
How to get to Barcelona
Although many people are in favor of using the plane to get to Barcelona, traveling by train from Madrid to Barcelona has become one of the most attractive options. With this means of transport you only need three hours to get to the center of the city and, all of this, at a reasonable cost. However, it is essential that you make your reservations in advance if you want to get the lowest prices and the best schedules.
Monuments and places of interest
To start your visit to the city we will highlight some of the monuments and places of interest that you should know. The first of these is the Sagrada Familia. This famous Basilica, Gaudí’s work, has been under construction since 1882 and thanks to the latest advances offers an image very close to what the Catalan architect expected of it.
When you leave the Sagrada Familia you can take a stroll along the Ramblas, where you can undoubtedly breathe the essence of Barcelona. Here you will find stores, bars and restaurants, as well as a wide sample of the cosmopolitan image of the city. Something similar to what you will find in one of Barcelona’s most famous parks, Park Güell, designed by Gaudí and home to places such as the hall of 100 columns or the Greek theater.
If you want to continue your stroll, we recommend you take a look at the Casa Mila; it is located next to the Diagonal and is visited by more than a million people a year. Our recommended places to go for a walk end with a visit to the Gothic Quarter and the Cathedral of the city. This neighborhood has a complex network of narrow streets where some of the city’s most attractive restaurants and nightlife venues are hidden. Also here, places such as the City Hall and the Palace of the Generalitat are located.
Catering and nightlife
There is no doubt that Barcelona’s gastronomic richness is undeniable. Therefore, its restaurants offer both samples of the most traditional Catalan cuisine, as well as new cuisines from abroad, and there are even some places that merge both. Anyway, the most popular in Barcelona are the tapas bars, among which we highlight the following.
- El Xampanyet – Carrer de Montcada, 22
- Bar Mut – Carrer de Pau Claris, 192
- La Cova Fumada – Carrer del Baluart, 56
- Can Paixano (La Xampanyeria) – Carrer de la Reina Cristina, 7
- El Vaso de Oro – Carrer de Balboa, 6
If, on the other hand, you prefer to go to restaurants you will find places like Mana 75, which has the largest paella line in Europe or 7 Portes, the oldest restaurant in the city and which has become famous for its rice, paella and cannelloni. Can Cortada is also very interesting. This farmhouse, located in the center of Barcelona, offers an extensive menu of meats in an unusual setting in the city. However, if you prefer a more sophisticated place where you can enjoy rice dishes, starred eggs and croquettes typical of Catalan cuisine, be sure to visit Alba Granados.
Regarding the nightlife of the city, the most important and remarkable thing is that in almost any neighborhood, you will find pubs and places where you can have a beer or enjoy the bustle. Most of these premises are located in the Gothic Quarter, as we have mentioned.
It is also easy to find numerous discos and clubs, especially in the areas of Gracia and Sant Gervasi where you can find places like Luz de Gas, Sutton or Bling Bling. All this without forgetting classics like Pacha Barcelona, Sala Apolo or Moog, where the party doesn’t end until dawn.
In conclusion
Thanks to the new train connections it is easy to enjoy a quick getaway in Barcelona. An occasion to enjoy its beaches, its culture, its gastronomy and its lively nightlife and to gradually get to know the city and all that it offers to the visitor.
