Traveling to Barcelona on a Tight Time-budget

Barcelona should be enjoyed like a fine wine, appreciated and savored. Does that mean you cannot enjoy Barcelona when time is short? Not at all! It just means that you have to have a discerning eye so you can see the sights, hear the sounds, and taste the flavors that make Barcelona one of the most beloved cities in the world. If you find yourself with only a few extra hours to enjoy this vibrant city, here’s what you need to see.

Spend the morning visiting Barcelona’s world class museums. The Catalan National Art Museum is a treasure. You will see the best collection of Romanesque and Gothic art in the world, and the National Palace is a work of art in itself. Visit the Museu Picasso to see the work of Spain’s most famous artist: from sketches he completed as a young boy to his late works, you will see a new side of this extraordinary artist.

Now it’s time to shop. Visit El Born, one of the best shopping spots in the city, or take a convenient tour via the luxurious Tombbus to Barcelona’s best shopping districts. Luxury awaits. If you’re looking for less upscale prices, check out Zara or Bershka on Avinguda Portal del l’Angel.

All that art and shopping can make one quite hungry. Good thing Barcelona has some exquisite cuisine – and you can enjoy some of it even in a time crunch. Go to La Rambla, a beautiful, tree-lined street full of shops and street performers. The atmosphere is bright and lively. Visit the Mercat de Sant Josep de la Boquería (Barcelona’s famous street market) and buy some fresh foods for lunch. Sit and enjoy the sights. When you’re done, simply stroll down to the Centre d’Art Santa Monica, a premier contemporary art museum, or tour the Gran Teatre del Liceu, one of the world’s finest opera houses.

After the business of your morning, relax and enjoy some of Barcelona’s natural beauty. Port Olimpic, built for the 1992 Games, offers lovely scenery and a chance to walk along the waterfront, watching the yachts or Frank Gehry’s wonderful fish sculpture. You can also ride a short way outside Barcelona to the Museu Monestir de Pedralbes. This is a medieval monastery with a gorgeous gothic church. Peaceful, both of these locales will restore your tranquility.

Winding down into evening, you must visit Barri Gotic. This is the Old City, a perfect place to soak in the Barcelona atmosphere. Another must for any trip to Barcelona: tapas. In Barri Gotic, you can find the best tapas in town. Try patatas bravas, gambus al ajillo, or calamares fritos. Finish with a dessert of mel i mato, which is goat cheese topped with honey and sprinkled with walnuts or raisins, and a glass of Moscatel, a sweet dessert wine. Delicious!

Barcelona is a treasure, and if you have a day, or even an hour, in this wonderful city, it will enchant you. We have to warn you though; a day in Barcelona can lead to a week in Barcelona once you see what you are missing.