Weekend in Barcelona

In Barcelona, you will undoubtedly find the best entertainment for both a long-awaited holiday or a short city break. Whatever the season, it offers an excellent and unforgettable experience. Wondering if it is feasible to explore leading sites within one weekend? Yes. Of course, it is! During the weekend you will see the flagship sights like Sagrada Familia or La Boqueria and experience the atmosphere of this unique city without a trace of doubt.

The Uniqueness of Barcelona City: Brief History

Barcelona is one of the oldest cities in Spain. Already in ancient times, it was an important port and trading centre. An ancient myth tells of the founding of the city by Hercules 400 years before Rome was built. 15 BC, the Romans designated the Carthaginian city as a castrum (Roman war camp). Under Roman rule, it was a colony called Faventia or Colonia Faventia Julia Augusta Pia Barcino.

Barcelona has always been a stronghold of Catalan separatism and the scene of many uprisings. In the 1950s, it was the scene of sporadic demonstrations against the Franco regime. Today’s Barcelona is Spain’s cultural centre and has retained its linguistic Catalan character since the 1970s. It was the site of the 1992 Summer Olympics, arguably the most successful modern games.

The Olympic Games resulted in an ambitious urban renewal and planning programme, which turned Barcelona into one of the world’s centres of unique design. However, its solid pillar was the work of the famous architect and artist Antoni Gaudi.

Barcelona: Top 5 Facts You Need to Know

1. Catalonia is not Spain (at least as defined by the Catalans). Probably everyone has heard this phrase at least once, but few of you actually know what it means in practice. The inhabitants of this region consider themselves to be Catalans… not Spaniards! And by extension, Catalans have their own language. In Catalonia, everyone is bilingual, which means that students or pupils are being taught in both Catalan and Spanish, while in offices, documents are usually written in Catalan.
2. Chocolate with churros. Churros are a Spanish pastry made of steamed dough, deep-fried. It is usually served accompanied by thick and delicious chocolate. Nowhere will you find such a wonderful and sweet drink as in the Barcelona establishments known here as “granjas“. The churros dipped in it are truly delicious! This is the leading region for this delicacy. You can find it in almost every restaurant and even in bars and pubs.
3. Barcelona is a city of artists. Works of art are on almost every corner here. Gaudi’s work, including Casa Batlló and Parc Güell, is the most popular. The attention of visitors to Barcelona is captured by the originality of the architecture, which is not seen anywhere else! It is primarily due to one person – many of the buildings were designed by the Catalan architect Antonio Gaudi. When walking around, the houses Casa Mila, Casa Calvet and Casa Batllo are sure to catch your eye.
4. When you think of Spain and its distinctive dance, flamenco probably comes to mind. Great! But did you know that in Catalonia you can also see another kind of dance, La Sardana? You can see it under Barcelona’s cathedral.
5. The image of a dragon. Although it is associated with fairy tales and childhood stories, its motif is omnipresent in the Catalan capital. And all thanks to the famous legend of Saint George fighting the dragon, who has also been the region’s patron since the 15th century.

Top Spots You Must See During The Weekend

When searching for Barcelona city breaks opportunities, you should start sightseeing from the most traditional Catalan spots. We have prepared a list of the most appealing tourist attractions that you should put on your bucket list – especially if you want to make the most of your time and enjoy your weekend in Barcelona.

An Amazing Architecture of Barcelona

1. There are certain places or buildings in Barcelona that make an electrifying and unforgettable impression. The magnificent, sesquicentennial church of La Sagrada Familia, which has been under construction for several hundred years and is still not finished, is a must-see place. The turn of the 19th and 20th centuries was a time when extraordinary buildings were raised in Barcelona, without which, in our opinion, the city would not have the same charm and uniqueness. And we are of course talking about modernist buildings… But what a modernism it was! Exceptional, because it was Catalan. If you would like to see all the works of this artist in just 4 hours, you should choose The Best of Gaudi Tour with Mr Shuttle.

The Landmarks of Barcelona

2. Barcelona is full of many exciting places, buildings or parks. Apart from this, you have an excellent opportunity to explore the majestic port or taste local dishes in fancy restaurants in Barcelona. If you crave to see other top attractions of Barcelona, including the famous Cathedral of Barcelona or Gothic Quarter, take your beloves ones with yourself and go for Barcelona Highlights with Mr Shuttle. We will show you the landmarks in less than just 5 hours, so don’t worry about insufficient time to taste local food. Barcelona is great for a walk with your beloved ones during the evenings too!

Impressive Montserrat

3. If you want to see areas outside Barcelona, Monserrat is worth a visit. This mountain massif has a unique, almost mystical significance for the local Catalan community. Here you will find a Benedictine monastery and the statue of the Black Madonna of Montserrat (Virgen de Montserrat), who is widely believed to have performed numerous miracles. The figure of the Virgin attracts millions of tourists from all over the world. Montserrat Guided Tour is also available so you can enrich your city break with this choice.

Game of Thrones in Barcelona?

4. If you are a fan of Game of Thrones, you should take into consideration a visit to Girona! Located in the northeast of Spain, Girona captivated the creators of the TV series Game of Thrones, but when you visit it, you’ll discover many other fantastic, non-series-related places and attractions that you won’t soon forget. Now, all of it is possible thanks to the Girona Game of Thrones tour organized by MrShuttle. Your holiday is bound to be double-exciting!

Weekend in Barcelona: Catalan Culture and Tasty Tapas

We prepared the above tips to make your visit special. The best places in Barcelona are within your reach. The public transport of Barcelona is well-communicated, which means that you can easily get to the next place on your bucket list if you don’t want us to drop you off once the tour is completed! You can search for any restaurants or ask us about a top-rated museum or best places with live music including Plaça de Espanya. There are many bars, pubs etc. where you can spend your leisure time until late at night!

We believe that all city breaks should be fulfilled with both top tourist attractions and local entertainment to get familiar with any place. Plan your trip to Barcelona with Mr Shuttle and discover the top of Barcelona’s spots and stroll along famous streets (Rambla de Catalunya, Parc de la Ciutadella or Passeig de Gràcia). It’s up to you how to spend your time in this amazing city!

Do you have any questions related to your visit to Barcelona? Don’t hesitate and let us know if you need more tips on your trip including the airport shuttle. We’ll help you with pleasure!