Bar-tha-lone-uh

Please note, our trip to Barcelona was on September 24th, 2017- 

When it came to Barcelona (or "Bar-tha-lone-uh" as the locals pronounce it) we came for one reason and one reason only - all things Gaudi.

Mom picked an airbnb which proved to leave a lot to be desired (like comforters and soap), however the location was fabulous and gave us walking access to some great restaurants and all the sites.  

Our first morning in Barcelona included a visit to Park Guell, which was designed like a magical gated community by the famous architect Antoni Gaudi.  Mom paid extra to get us in before the crowds which ended up being a good call because an hour after the photo below was taken you couldn't even see the stairs there were so many people.  

The entrance to Park Guell

A sample "home" from Park Guell

Rooftop at Park Guell

The park was built in the first two decades of the 1900's with the idea being that people would actually live there.  It's not a shocker that folks weren't flooding to move in (though designed for "practicality" it looks like it was also designed by someone tripping balls on acid).  It opened as a public park in 1926 and UNESCO declared it a World Heritage Site in 1984.  

If you end up in Barcelona, don't leave without seeing it.  

Our next Barcelona Gaudi stops included Casa Mila (where people still actually live!) and the infamous Sagrada Familia.  Growing up, raised, and educated Catholic (and having spent a fair amount of time backpacking Europe), I've seen a number of Cathedrals.  I am convinced nothing has or will ever come close to the beauty of La Sagrada Familia - Gaudi's true (and still as of yet unfinished) masterpiece. 

The outside of Sagrada Familia

This photo doesn't do it justice

The gothic side 

We paid for a tour at the Sagrada Familia and it was well worth it.  I would love to come back in 2026 when they expect it to be complete and see the finished product. Even unfinished though, it's worth a few hours of your time to have your breath taken away.

Our next day, Gaudi sites complete, we hit the tourist heavy Boqueria and La Ramba for some sangria and treats!  Though a typical spot where people stay, I was glad Mom had opted to stay where we did.

The Boqueria proved to be a fun spot though and we enjoyed our fare share of bites!

Sangria, so good!

Just a small sampling of some of the fun stuff you can find at the Boqueria 

These actually looked better than they tasted

Smoothie heaven! These actually tasted even better than they looked!

Yeasss!!!!

3 days in Barcelona proved to be perfect.  Mom was moved to tears at Gaudi's masterpieces and I got to chug Sangria like it was going out of style.  By day three, however, after seeing what we came to see - the heavy amount of tourists and the hefty price tags proved to wear on us and we were ready to move on.  Hondarribia was calling!