Barcelona
We haven't hit all of the most popular sites in Barcelona, yet, but we have a list of our top destinations and things you might be able to skip.
Sagrada Familia
Of all the benchmark things to see in Barcelona, the one you really can't miss is Sagrada Familia. We purchased our tickets for a guided tour ahead of time. This is a once in a lifetime experience that you really should not miss. If you just walk up to it you might walk away thinking it's a red hot mess of a basilica. If you get the tour or audio the real magnificense of Gaudi is revealed.
After a tour of Sagrada Familia, to discover more of Gaudi's work head to Park Guell or find one of the three homes he designed: Casa Batlló, known for its dragon-like roof and bone-like balconies; Casa Milà (La Pedrera), famous for its wavy stone facade and surreal chimneys; and Casa Vicens, his first major residential project with colorful tilework.
On our recommend to see:
Walk around the Gothic Quarter and El Born and visit the Picasso Museum and Moco Museum nextdoor. Go wandering and enjoy gelato along the way.
Mercado de La Boqueria - is a gem and arguably the single best market in Spain.
https://www.boqueria.barcelona/home
You can also find tours of Mercado de la Boqueria and other martkets.
Cable car to Montjuic
https://www.telefericdemontjuic.cat/en
Check out the nighttime tour of La Pedrara, one of Gaudi's
The Double Decker bus is good if you want to jump on and off in an orderly tour, but if you want to use it to go to a specific site it's better to use public transit or another method, as it takes a long time because of the route and stops.
Want to add a little history, check out El Born Centre de Cultura i Memoria.
Can Skip
You will get plenty of tapas, paella, and delicious food anywhere in the region so don't feel the pressure to hit this common recommendation in Barcelona. Find food away from tourist centers with locals eating at them.
Las Ramblas is well known as a touristy street. You may experience more pick pockets here or harassment of tourists. It's not been high on our Barcelona list.