Organizing a trip for someone else can be difficult. A visitor has a limited amount of time he or she is in a city. It is important to show them the main aspects. When showing someone Barcelona, it can sometimes be hard to chose where to take him or her. There are so many attractions.
When a visitor is coming for a short period of time, it is important be a “tour guide”. Before he or she arrives in Barcelona, these four steps are important to do:
- Plan the events ahead of time. A guest will appreciate that the trip has already been organized and thought through.
- Schedule any tours ahead of time. Booking tours online can avoid long lines and possibly offer a cheaper price.
- Map out an easy route to a destination before going. It is easy to get lost and it will save time to know how to get somewhere.
- Do the research. Make sure the site is worth taking a visitor. Their time is valuable.
Take Mary and Malinda for example. Mary has been studying abroad in Barcelona for almost three months. A few days ago, her best friend from home arrived from Chicago. Malinda will be staying with her for one week. Mary revealed how she showed Malinda Barcelona in a few days.
Putting together Mary and Malinda’s experiences, here is an ultimate guide when it comes to being a “tour guide” in Barcelona.
Montjuïc
Montjuïc is a large hill overlooking the city of Barcelona. The hill has few main elements to show your visitor. The metro stop Espanya can be taken to the Magic Fountain. Built in the 1920’s, fountain has become a popular site among tourists.
After passing the Magic Fountain, there are many stairs leading to Palau Nacional. This is the national museum of Catalan art. Inside the massive building is art from the early 1900’s.
Pass the museum and farther up the hill are venues that held the 1992 Summer Olympics. Occasionally, Estadi Olímpic Lluís Company will be open to take pictures. This stadium held the opening and closing ceremonies of the 1992 Olympics. Originally, each of the buildings were built in 1927 as Olympic arenas, but this was cancelled due to the Spanish Civil War.
Lastly, a guest may want to visit the Montjuïc Castle. The cable car to castle is highly recommended. The cable car costs around 12.50 euro. It comes with a ride above high views of the city of Barcelona. It is only 2.50 euro to enter the castle. At the top, more views of the ocean and the city are available. The castle was originally built in 1640 but was renovated many times due to certain events that happened.
Tibidado
Tibidado is the tallest mountain to overlook the area. The mountain has two impressive features. First, the mountain has an amusement park placed on top. This amusement park is one of the oldest in the world, dating back to 1899. A ferris wheel, roller-coaster, and a red airplane ride are just a few of the rides that are available.
Second, is the Sagrat Cor church built in the late 1900’s. It is free to step inside but costs to go to the top. An elevator can be taken to the top of the church. Though, that is not the highest you can go. Two separate, spiral staircase can be climbed to get to the next levels. The views at the top are the highest point of Barcelona.
Sagrada Famillia
The most popular church in Barcelona is Sagrada Famillia. The creator of the church is Antoni Gaudí, who has designed many of the buildings in Barcelona. The church began in 1882 and is still undergoing construction. The building is hoping to be finished by 2030. Planned tours with a guide or audio is also available. The long lines can be avoided by purchasing the tickets ahead of time online.
Food
The guest has to eat. From Spanish food to American food, Barcelona has great options. Spain is known for their tapas and paella. There are many restaurants that serve both. The beach is said to have some of the best restaurants and also has a nice view of the ocean while eating. Popular tapas can be patatas bravas, tomato bread, or croquettes. Sangria is usually added to any tapas meal.
Nightlife
It is important to show your guest a good time. Barcelona is known for having the best nightlife in all of Europe. Here are a few suggestions of where to bring a guest at night in Barcelona.
Bars: The Room, The W Hotel, Chupitos
Last week, Lillie came from Chicago to visit her friend, Kara, who is studying in Barcelona. Kara played “tour guide” for Lillie and documented one of their days. Here is a sample of a day that could be spent by someone and his or her guest.
Have more time? Here are a few more recommendations to bring a visitor in Barcelona.
Kara's Travels 