Barcelona for the Israeli traveler - all the recommendations and attractions, where you should travel
Barcelona, one of the most desirable destinations in Europe, the city with the extraordinary architecture thanks to the genius architect and artist Antoni Gaudi, whose buildings make Barcelona what it is for many, a unique place with original architecture.
If you are looking for a warm destination, a city that also has beaches for a relaxing vacation, shopping options, tourist sites and museums, and most importantly colorful nightlife, amazing cuisine, bars, clubs and more, we guarantee you will find all this and more in Barcelona, a city with a free atmosphere , many events, festivals... what more can you ask for from a city vacation.
If you are a food lover, you are going to enjoy the street food, as well as the dozens of restaurants holding Michelin stars for those looking for fine dining.
In this article, we will give you all our recommendations, where you should visit, what are the main tourist sites that are a must, an article that is in terms of "cut and save" for your trip to Barcelona.
What not to miss In Barcelona?
Las Ramblas Las Ramblas
It is impossible to get to Barcelona without walking along its spectacular boardwalk, the boardwalk starts from Plaça de Catalunya and continues all the way to the Columbus monument, tourists enjoy walking near the waterfront during the day or in the evening, this is one of the most enjoyable walks in the city.
The city promenade stretches along several kilometers. You can walk along it for over an hour. In the summer, the boardwalk bustles with life, you will find food stalls or stalls selling all kinds of items, there are street performances by musicians, bands, acrobatics or magic shows, this is the perfect place to watch passers-by, enjoy delicious street food or ice cream and look at the sea.
Sagrada Família Sagrada Família
One of Antoni Gaudi's artworks. This is a basilica that took over 140 years to build, long after Gaudi, who started it, passed away.
However, in light of the surprise, the construction was not finished until this very day and it continues to strive to be the tallest church in the world, its appearance is far from being a classic church, the strange design is a combination of several styles, both classic Catalan style, with modern touches, both Art Nouveau style and Gothic design Befitting Gaudi's style and stamp, but when it comes to Gaudi's architecture, it is very difficult to fit his works into one rigid definition, his designs are so special, that it is difficult to find a style that can be compared to them. What is certain is that his designs will leave you speechless and you won't be able to stop looking at the buildings he designed, falling in love with Gaudi's works is a complete and passionate infatuation and it is forever.
Casa Batlló
Another one of the places that is a must visit and this place was also designed by the genius, the master, Antoni Gaudi, it is a complex of apartments, the complex was built even before Gaudi's touch, he renovated the building and gave it the stamp and uniqueness that characterizes it. Do not be satisfied with seeing the building with the strange tiles, only from the outside, it is recommended to take a tour to tour the inside of the building, Gaudi simply could not be anything but special, you will hardly find symmetry in the building, but every detail in this building required thought and creativity, the ceilings, the floors, even The mushroom-shaped fireplace, the whole design will make you want to live in this building.
Casa Milà or by its other name La Pedrera
This building by Gaudi continued to be built years after his death and was completed in the 20th century, this building is a symbol of Catalan architecture, befitting the capital of Catalonia, this means that the design is modern and ahead of its time, this building joins Gaudi's masterpieces that have been recognized as part of UNESCO heritage sites And, this is the last structure that Gaudí managed to design in Passeig de Gracia.
The modernization and thinking behind the construction of the building surprises even the most contemporary architects. It is also recommended to enter this building with a tour to get an impression of it from the inside, together with the furniture in it today, it is a sight not to be missed and you really don't have to understand architecture or design to enjoy the tour.
La Boqueria La Boqueria
It is impossible to visit a European city, without visiting one of its markets, the Boqueria market in Barcelona is an old market that has been operating for 200 years, dating back to the Middle Ages, the market received its contemporary design in the twentieth century, this is the place to wander, see the locals, taste local delicacies, shop And shop from clothes to hats, scarves, coats and of course, see a lot of people and tourists, in one of the most colorful and lively places in Barcelona. The walk along the market is appetizing, you will come across not only fruits and vegetables, but also fish and seafood, local pastries, sausage and cheese stalls that go well with cold, chilled beer and many more appetizing food stalls, those who love cooking, definitely must take an introductory tour of this old market.
Camp Nou - Camp Nou - the football stadium
A tour of the stadium
If you are a football fan, and especially a fan of the Barcelona team, you must book a tour to the iconic stadium located in the Les Cortes neighborhood, the spacious stadium contains no less than 99,000 seats, and has been the city's playground for many years, since 1957.
The tour also includes a visit to the museum where you can learn about one of the best teams in the world, of course the tours are only possible on days when the team is not playing, so unfortunately you may not meet the players face to face, but you will definitely get as close as possible to them, as well as see the room where they play Press conferences for the media, you will see trophies from all the years, photos of all the highlights, you will hear secrets from the dressing rooms and you will hear personal and spicy stories.
Park Güell
Barcelona's park, which contains the house museum of the architect Gaudi, is also a must-visit, beyond the fact that it is one of the most spectacular places in the city and you will see some of the most beautiful views in the city from the balcony of the park, Gaudi's museum is fascinating, it was actually his house, so you can get a glimpse His house that was frozen in time and still contains the furniture and all the items that he himself designed.
A trip to the park is delightful, throughout the year, in fall or summer, you can sit on one of the benches, stroll among the statues and fountains, the entire garden is designed by the architect whose immortal works adorn this beautiful city.
Gaudí's unique style can be seen from every corner of the park, it is definitely recommended to dedicate a few hours of your day to it on a clear and beautiful day.
Barcelona City History Museum
A visit to a European city would not be complete without a visit to one of the museums, visiting a museum in Europe is always an experience, whether you are interested in history or not, you will enjoy this museum and it is definitely a recommended activity for a cloudy or rainy day, but even in the summer, in our opinion, it is highly recommended to devote some hours. The History Museum is a fascinating museum that reveals Roman sites that were excavated and the Gothic quarter of the city was uncovered, you will see the Temple of Augustus and meet the fascinating history of Barcelona over the years, you can get a glimpse of the city, many years ago,
When you see the remains of buildings, parts of the streets of the old city really remain intact, the parts of the walls of the old Barcino, which were once shops, bakeries or laundries.
The museum covers a large area where the historical sites were located, in total you can walk over 4,000 square meters, so there is a lot to see and explore.
In the museum you can also see what used to be the seat of the medieval kings of Barcelona.
Montjuïc
Barcelona's artistic quarter, which was originally established due to an international exhibition, is the part of the city that includes many museums, among the most important of which, you will find the National Museum of Catalan Art, the Museum of Archeology and the Museum of Ethnology.
Even if you don't understand art, we recommend devoting a few hours to the art museum which is simply jaw-dropping and breathtaking, in a way that is very difficult to explain in words, it is a sight that you have to see with your own eyes. The advantage of this museum is that it is also located in one of the most beautiful parts of the city and when you enter it, the best views in the city will also be reflected between you. Every half hour after midnight in the museum there is a sound and light show from the fountain on the weekends, it is recommended to come to see it after dark.
Not far from the museum is a citadel from the 16th century, from where they fought in the Catalan rebellion and the civil war, the citadel later became an infamous prison and today you can simply visit it and it is a popular tourist site located on the hill, also from there there are excellent views of the city.
Fundació Joan Miró
We have talked so much about Gaudi in the context of Barcelona, but there is another equally famous artist, but less known to Israelis, and his name is Joan Miro, he was a very important Catalan artist and he also left his mark on the design of the city of Barcelona, his style and legacy are still alive in the city and projected from all sides.
The Fundació Joan Miró is a museum established by him to spread contemporary art, he collaborated with the architect Josep Lluís Sert and together they both designed the structure of the museum.
The museum includes a collection of sculptures, paintings and other important works such as drawings, all by the great artist.
The museum does not only contain his works, but includes temporary and permanent exhibitions of contemporary art, just like the vision and legacy he wanted to instill, therefore you will also see modern works from the 21st century by many Spanish and international and Catalan artists. The museum is also an educational place and runs many projects and workshops.
Gràcia
An area that in the past was not part of the city of Barcelona at all, but the suburbs of Catalonia, but starting from the twentieth century became a district and another area of the city, this magical and colorful neighborhood does resemble a village, with small squares, today it is a stronghold of the young, you will see many students and mostly twenty-somethings , there are many trendy shops, cute cafes, it is a cosmopolitan place where you can meet different cultures, it is a pleasure to walk under the colorful umbrellas that decorate the main street and sit in one of the excellent restaurants.
Plaça de Catalunya Square Plaça de Catalunya
The famous square is located right next to the prestigious Passeig de Gracia and next to Las Ramblas, this is the area where you can shop, spend the evenings, look for a fine restaurant, the square is a meeting place for young and old, tourists and locals alike.
In the square you will also find a tourist center, which will provide you with information about the city and a map to start your tour of Barcelona.
Palau de la Música Catalana concert hall Palau de la Música Catalana
One of the most prominent buildings in the city is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
It is a concert hall designed by the artist and architect Lluís Domènech i Montaner, who was one of Gaudi's biggest competitors.
Rich people would pay architects and artists to build impressive buildings, but this concert has been operating since the beginning of the century until today, it hosts symphonies, opera performances with the best artists in the world, who come to perform in the magnificent hall
If you are interested in concerts or opera, it is recommended to look at the performance schedule and of course book a performance well in advance, as this place is extremely popular.
Shall we move to the sea?
The beaches of Barcelona
Sant Sebastià beach It is located in the western part of the city and it is a beautiful and very popular beach, so the chances are that it will be packed to the brim during the touristy summer days, you will see many tourists, as well as locals crowding it, but this is also a highly recommended area, as the beach is clean and beautiful, along the beach there are many shops and houses Trendy and inviting cafes where you can sit outside and watch the sea from the beautiful balconies of the cafes.
Ciutat Vella beach, Near the port, it is also a recommended place, which offers about a kilometer of sand stretching up to the W Hotel, which is an observation point on the entire coastline, you can walk to the Olympic port, there are also swimming pools in the area.
Llevant Beach- A more isolated area, mainly because it doesn't have many restaurants and services, there is room for those looking for peace, in addition there is a wide area for parking, if you happen to enter with a car.
There is still a lifeguard on the beach, and a volleyball court, you can rent umbrellas and deck chairs.
Nova Mar Bella beach - It is a lovely beach and it is also the favorite of young people, it is also a beach that is accessible to the disabled.
Nova Ikaria Beach - One of the most popular beaches, 400 meters long, located in the center of the city's coastline, both this beach and Bogatel Beach, are quiet and less crowded beaches, you will still find all services, sports options, showers and more.
What to eat in Barcelona?
The food in Barcelona is excellent, besides specialties of Catalan cuisine, there are also plenty of international restaurants from Italian food to Japanese-style noodles.
There are quite a few changing trends, but there are some delicacies that you must taste during your stay in the capital of Catalonia, one of the delicacies is called pintxos, a kind of snack served with fish on bread that is eaten with a toothpick.
No matter which restaurant you enter, you will see the bread that has been hijacked and is called Pa amb tomquet, bread that combines tomato butter and oil., a sauce that is mandatory in a sandwich.
The classic dish is of course the arròs negre, rice combined with seafood. Barcelona also excels in meats and of course how can you do without tapas restaurants for the perfect bite.
We recommend taking at least one culinary tour in the city to get an impression of the diverse cuisine, a culinary tour will whet your appetite, introduce you to hidden places that you won't hear about and won't get to on your own, you'll discover hidden gems with a traditional dish, the best pizza or hamburger in town and of course how can you do without desserts and ice cream Gentle with fruit.
Beyond a culinary tour, it is also recommended to take a guided tour of the city, because that way you will learn about the history, the culture, you will know where you should spend time, you will get to know the whole city and you will also know what you should avoid.
You can do a cooking workshop or a culinary tour in Barcelona
You asked - we answered!
To really see and enjoy the city of Barcelona, you need at least 3-4 days. If you spend four days, you can also enjoy the attractions such as buildings and museums and see Barcelona in more depth, as well as experience the atmosphere in the city and its nightlife and cuisine.
A hop on hop off tour is definitely recommended in order to visit all parts of the great city and not to miss all the tourist sites in the city of Barcelona. Instead of taking a map and trying to locate all the important points in the city, you can reach all the worthwhile destinations, sites and attractions by traveling by bus. This way is also excellent for those who have difficulty walking such as the elderly and the disabled.
It is recommended to walk or use convenient public transportation such as metro, tram and FGC, there are tickets for several days and a week or more. Riding a bicycle is also an excellent way to get around the city.
Dinner is usually served between 9 and 10 p.m., as the locals tend to go out and eat late, while on the weekends you will see many sitting down to eat even at 23:00 p.m. or at midnight, since on the weekends the city is lively and busy, there are long lines in restaurants, so it is recommended to make reservations for restaurants In advance.
