First day in Barcelona
My friend Olivia is starting her next cruise from Barcelona and came up with a great idea: why not arrive a few days earlier — just the two of us — and explore the city together?
Luckily, there’s a direct morning flight from Florence — which meant we practically had three full days to enjoy Barcelona.
Barcelona is one of those cities where the old and the new coexist in perfect harmony. Wandering through its medieval streets, you suddenly stumble upon an avant-garde building, and along the seafront, modern art installations guard the waves. It’s no wonder so many travelers fall in love with this city over and over again.
Antoni Gaudí’s whimsical yet brilliantly thought-out creations are everywhere — and since I visited his student’s Tarot Garden in Tuscany earlier this year, it felt even more fascinating to see where this fantastic world began.
Sagrada Familia – A Dream Still Rising
Gaudí’s masterpiece, the Sagrada Familia, is simply unmissable. This breathtaking basilica has been under construction since 1882 and, if all goes as planned, will finally be completed in 2026 — on the 100th anniversary of Gaudí’s death.
Thankfully, I bought our tickets in advance (here’s the link where you can do the same), because this is the most visited site in Barcelona — and the lines can get long.
From the outside, the cathedral seems to grow organically toward the sky, while inside, the colorful stained-glass windows create an otherworldly forest of light.
Park Güell – Where Stone Tells a Story
Another of Gaudí’s iconic creations, Park Güell, is a true explosion of colors and shapes. Winding paths, vibrant mosaics, and playful architectural details make you feel as if you’ve stepped into a fairy tale.
It reminded me a little of the Tarot Garden, yet the atmosphere is completely different — Mediterranean, open, and full of sunlight. From here, you’ll find one of the best panoramic views of Barcelona.
Since the park is a bit far from the city center, we started our day here. Set on the hillside of the Gràcia district, the 17-hectare park offers a stunning view of the sea and the city below. The tree-like columns, the famous undulating “serpent bench,” and the storybook gates and houses all show that Gaudí didn’t just design — he dreamed in stone and tile.
Olivia pointed out that the serpent reminded her of the dragon sculpture in Florence’s Orticultura Garden — and she was right. They share the same imaginative, playful spirit.
Recinte Modernista de Sant Pau – The Human Side of Modernism
After the park, we took a pleasant walk down Avinguda de Gaudí, lined with cafés and small restaurants, until we reached the Recinte Modernista de Sant Pau.
Built between 1901 and 1930, this complex is a true gem of Modernist architecture: twelve separate buildings connected by underground tunnels and surrounded by a garden courtyard.
It served as a functioning hospital until 2009 and still preserves its original charm. Inside, exhibitions showcase its history and the human-centered philosophy of Catalan Modernism. From here, it was only a few minutes’ walk to the legendary Sagrada Familia — a sight so surreal you have to see it to believe it.
Casa Batlló and Montjuïc – The Highlights of the Day
After about an hour’s walk, we reached the Passeig de Gràcia and explored the beautiful surrounding streets. Since the day was already dedicated to Gaudí and architecture, we couldn’t skip Casa Batlló, designed in 1901 — a building that seems to ripple and breathe in color and form.
Later, we hopped on the L3 metro and got off at Paral·lel, where we took the funicular up to Montjuïc Hill. From the top, the views over Barcelona and the sea are absolutely breathtaking. The Montjuïc Castle, the Mirador, and the late-afternoon Mediterranean light made the perfect ending to our day.
It’s Vermut Time in Barcelona
“Vermut time!” — that’s what you’ll hear around the city in the late afternoon. Barcelona’s vermouth culture isn’t just about drinking; it’s a social ritual that brings together food, history, and community.
Here, vermouth is served on ice with an orange slice and a green olive — often accompanied by classic tapas like anchovies, olives, or potato chips. The result? A bittersweet, herbal, lightly alcoholic delight that perfectly awakens the appetite.
We had dinner at La Tasqueta de Blai, and honestly, I’d give the tapas a solid 5/5. Because that’s what Barcelona evenings are about — flavors, light, laughter, and that special zest for life you can only find here.
💫 Day One in Barcelona
Our first day was all about following Gaudí’s footsteps, exploring Modernist architecture, and soaking up the Mediterranean spirit. A city where the past and future walk hand in hand — and every corner tells a story.