Day trip to Barcelona
Barcelona is a young and dynamic city and the capital of Catalonia. Whether you like architecture, history, shopping or beaches, you should definitely make a detour to Barcelona during your stay in Lloret de Mar.
Discover our programme to see the city in one day!
Modernist Barcelona
The Park Güell is the best way to start off your day trip to Barcelona. In the morning there are fewer tourists and the heat will be less suffocating. Located in the higher parts of the city this park affords a beautiful view over Barcelona.
Take advantage of this trip to (re)discover Gaudi’s modernist works. And do not forget to look up: in the palm trees you will see some very talkative green parrots who nest there! Please note that you must now pay to enter parts of Park Güell: in season you may have to queue for a long time.
Late morning, who not continue your visit with the Sagrada Familia! Here again, the later you arrive, the longer the queue. Best to buy your ticket online and to make sure you present your ticket at the stated time. A visit to the Sagrada Familia is a unique experience: the light coming through the stained glass windows, the symbols living in the building along with the modernist decor will leave you with unforgettable memories. Beneath the choir, you will notice the remnants of the original church on which Gaudi built his famous basilica.
Next stop is the Passeig de Gracia, the Champs-Elysées of Barcelona. Here luxury shops can be found alongside more affordable brands. It is one of the 5 top places to go shopping in Barcelona. On this avenue you will continue with your discovery of modernist Barcelona. Do not miss the Pedrera and the Casa Batllo, two “houses” designed by Gaudi. You will be able to spot them from afar thanks to their shapes and décor as well as the crowds gathering in front. There is a charge to visit both venues and you will be given an audio guide.
At lunchtime you will find many options around the Passeig de Gracia. We recommend that you go for some tapas on a terrace or inside the Ciutat Comtal which is on the Rambla Catalunya (an avenue parallel to the Passeig de Gracia). There you will find traditional tapas along with many other good suggestions.
Those who are tempted by a drink or tapas on the main Ramblas should avoid it. It is better to keep away from this tourist route if you want to eat well.
Enjoy your holiday in Catalonia to the full:
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Barcelona and the sea
In the afternoon why not go down the Ramblas towards the sea! This long street, which may sometimes be dangerous because of the crowds, leads to the Port of Barcelona. On the way down enjoy discovering the districts along the avenue: on the right, the Raval, on the left the Gotic. On your right you may also spot the famous Boqueríamarket. Here tourists enjoy the colours of fresh fruit displayed on the market stands.
Further down the Ramblas, on your left is the Plaça Reial. Very touristy, this square is nonetheless charming with its palm trees and covered colonnade.
Once you reach the end of the Ramblas, you will come across Christopher Columbus, proudly perched on a column surrounded by lions. This is one of the emblematic monuments of Barcelona which recalls the significance of its maritime history.
Once you get to the sea, you will be able to go back up the Passeig which goes along the marina to Barceloneta. This is Barcelona beach. Needless to say, in summer it gets very busy. You will find a wide range of restaurants as well as the famous W hotel in the shape of a sail.
Do you fancy a drink or a great meal to end you day on a high note? Stop at Maka Maka! They serve good burgers and salads and their chips are delicious! If it is full, you will find other “chiringuitos” (beach restaurants) a little further along.
Historic Barcelona
An alternative to the modernist morning or an afternoon on the beach is to visit two historic districts in Barcelona: the Gotic and the Born. Located on either side of the ancient roman road, the Via Laietana, you will be enticed by these districts’ narrow and shady streets leading to small squares. Very popular with tourists, these narrow alleyways are often crowded.
In the Gotic district, make you way first of all to Barcelona Cathedral. Do not miss the cloisters guarded by the resident geese. Then wander down the streets to Generalitat Square where you will find the city hall. The Gotic district is also home to a variety of small shops and a market near the plaça del Pi.
Not far from there, in Carrer de Petritxol, is a great place to enjoy “churros con chocolate”: la Granja Pallaresa. The ideal place for a big mid-afternoon snack.
To round off your day in Barcelona, cross over to the other side of Via Laietana and into the very trendy (hipster) Born district. Here you will find many boutiques and restaurants. In the “Born CC” cultural centre, view the ruins of old 18th century homes and find out about life in modern day Barcelona. Do not miss the “Palau de la Música Catalana” either, a true gem of modernist art. Find out more on their website: you may be able to attend one of the many flamenco shows or Spanish guitar concerts which are staged at that venue. A lovely way to discover this palace. Just opposite, the Bar Alsur Café serves excellent tapas in a lounge ambiance.
Guided tours of Barcelona
Barcelona is a city with plenty to see and do. It will be difficult to see all of it in one day, even two days might be pushing it. If you’d rather have a guided tour of Barcelona, here are a few suggestions:
- Explore the city by bike. There are various options on offer. Bike Tours Barcelona offer a 3h bike tour including the gothic district, the sea front, the Passeig de Gracia and the Sagrada Familia. The price is 22€ per person.
- Amongst the Barcelona cycle tours, Bamboo Bike Tours offer an original alternative with recycled bikes built from bamboo. An activity which hipsters and all those who prefer to stay off the beaten track will love. Two itineraries are available: one goes past the main sites in Barcelona; the other is on the theme of street art. The opportunity to discover an alternative Barcelona in the less popular districts of Poble Nou and Sant Marti. A truly original visit!
- Another option consists of taking a tourist bus. A good idea, especially if you are visiting Barcelona as a family. This will avoid long queues in front of monuments and endless walking for young ones. On these buses you can hop on and off whenever you want! You just need to get a ticket and to choose from the forty or more stops on your circuit. There are three different tours, all with an audio guide. The price per adult is 27€ and the tour costs 16€ for children.
Of course there are other ways of visiting Barcelona and it would be difficult to describe them all here. In the same way, among the different monuments to be seen and districts to visit, we have only chosen a few. It is up to you to give your Barcelona visit a personal touch!
How to get to Barcelona from Lloret
- By car: you can take the C-32 or the AP-7 motorway to get to Barcelona. You need to allow for about one hour’s drive. You should be aware that it is very difficult to park in the city and that you will have to park in a private car park which is often quite expensive.
- By public transport: regional bus company Sarfa has daily links to Barcelona.