About a year ago, I began reading multiple articles on traveling, from the best way to pack your suitcase to places to travel on a budget. One thing I became increasingly aware of is that other travelers, like me, had taken to less popular activities specific to their interests as much or more so than the major tourist sites. Barcelona, Spain is definitely a city that you can easily explore based on your own personal interests, because art, sports, history, politics, and beaches are all central to the city's culture. This post will not only help you understand what category(s) you fall in to understand what you may like to do in Barcelona specifically, but also what activities to schedule for other future travel experiences.
1. Sports Fan
In Barcelona, one sport matters above all others: fútbol (soccer). The major attraction for sports fans, therefore, is Camp Nou Stadium, the largest stadium in Europe with a capacity of nearly 100,000. Host of the 1992 summer Olympics, Barcelona is also home to an Olympic Park, which houses several Olympics-related activities: the Olympic Stadium, an Olympics and Sports Museum, and more to explore. If you want to be active in Barcelona, a bike tour through the city is an easy way to explore the beaches, sights, and architecture while still getting your exercise in!
2. History Buff
Barcelona's unique political position as the capital of Catalonia, a cultural region of Spain with some push to establish itself as an independent state, allows for a rich history to be explored. The cathedral district or Barri Gotic, is the best place to do this, strolling through one of the oldest parts of the city and its charm, including the cathedral La Seu. Barcelona also has a museum that highlights the city's history, the Museau d'Historia de Barcelona, and history lovers would also find themselves interested in Gaudi's architectural works around the city.
3. Art Enthusiast
Art is one of my passions, so it's one of the first things I look for when traveling. I definitely was not disappointed in Barcelona. The Museau Picasso houses some of the painter's most exciting masterpieces, and the city's well-noted architect, Gaudi, used artistic detail everywhere in the unfinished Sagrada Familia cathedral and beautiful Parc Güell (shown above). Thankfully for lovers of art, beauty is not hard to find in Barcelona, and can be seen by simply looking around as your walk the streets.
4. Shopaholic
Barcelona has amazing shopping opportunities, from cheaper prices at your favorite stores from home or one-of-a-kind items from local shops. Walking Las Ramblas is the most well-known shopping method, but great shopping can be found just about anywhere in downtown Barcelona. La Boqueria, the market well-loved for its local food sold by butchers, farmers, and bakers, is also downtown, featuring amazing food to try while shopping.
5. Beach Bum
Born and raised in Michigan, I have always been partial to lakes over the ocean, but Barcelona's amazing beaches definitely excited me more than most oceanside beaches. The beach in Barcelona is the perfect way to enjoy the not-too-hot weather and relax after sightseeing with gelato, a book, and the beautiful view of the Mediterranean.