Sagrada Familia, Barcelona, Spain by Ramon Llorensi

City Highlights

This excursion gives you the chance to see the areas and landmarks of Barcelona that have made the city famous and characterise it to this day. Seeing the city on foot is also a great way to really immerse yourself in the local culture and engage with local residents as well as other travellers. Some of the highlights of this trip are the Gothic Quarter and the Spanish Village and two unforgettable places are the religious sites. The 600-year-old, quintessentially Gothic Cathedral of St Eulalia is built on the site of a former Roman temple to Hercules. The world-famous Sagrada Familia, designed by Gaudi, is spectacular despite still not being completed to this day.

For Football Fans

One of Barcelona’s greatest highlights is its football team. It’s renowned worldwide for its success, both nationally and internationally and usually fields a team of some of the footballing world’s best players. Their home is at the Nou Camp stadium, known locally as simply the Barca and a guided tour is a great way to soak up a real feel of the team and the ground. This tour allows you to pass through the visiting team’s changing room, down the tunnel and on to the pitch, as well as seeing other areas such as the press and interview rooms. There is also a great chance to wander round the Barca Museum, which houses memorabilia from the club’s immensely successful past.

Nou Camp stadium, Barcelona, Spain by Börkur Sigurbjörnsson

Sun and Sea

A chance to make the most of Barcelona’s coastal location is offered by the nearby town of Sitges, accessible by a 45-minute coach journey. This quaint town with its whitewashed houses has plenty on offer, from winding lanes with little shops to explore to seventeen beaches where you can relax, catch some sunshine and enjoy a cool drink. There is something for everyone in Sitges, whether you’re looking for sedate sunbathing or a frolic in the waves. If playing in the water is what appeals to you and your family, then a visit to Isla Fantasia is a must. It’s a giant water park with countless slides, splashdowns and a children’s area. A day at Isla Fantasia will be one that you won’t forget in a hurry.

Into the Mountains

For those who want to see the surroundings of Barcelona, a trip to Montserrat is a great starting point. Literally meaning ‘jagged mountain’ in Catalan, Montserrat is a striking feature of the local landscape and lies only a short distance from the city. One of the most interesting features is the 1000-year-old monastery nestled at the foot of the mountain which hosts the sanctuary of the Black Virgin of Montserrat a site of pilgrimage in the region. From the monastery, it is possible to take the rack railway to the summit of the peak, which is over 4000-feet high and offers spectacular views across the local area.

Any trip to Barcelona will allow you to experience cultural attractions, many great landmarks and hopefully some glorious weather too.

Post by Tony, a UK based travel blogger on behalf of cruise.co.uk.

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