Yes, you read that right from the title—my day trip to Barcelona. Amidst the process of buying a house and undergoing extensive renovations, as detailed in my previous posts, I made a conscious effort to incorporate budget-friendly trips into my routine.
Having worked tirelessly for over four and a half years without a single day off, I embarked on another day trip this year, this time to Geneva for the Christmas Markets.
I was wondering how to secure these elusive day trips. They’re quite rare, and to keep costs under £100, swift action, thorough research, and prompt booking are essential. Using Skyscanner, I navigated through various options and stumbled upon a reasonably priced day trip to Barcelona. I snagged round-trip flights from Edinburgh Airport for just £32. Note that this cost doesn’t include seats, so you may want to budget around £11 more depending on the airline.
After securing flights, the next step involves calculating the actual time you’ll spend at your destination and assessing its worth. Consider the hours required at the airport before and after the flight, along with transportation from the airport to the city centre. Utilize Google Maps or Apple Maps to streamline this process. Once you’ve narrowed down the details, it’s simply a matter of hitting that ‘buy now’ button.
I compiled a list of places I wanted to visit, then utilized both Apple Maps and Google Maps to assess their proximity to each other. This helped me narrow down my options to a few places conveniently situated on a pleasant route, considering my time constraints for the day trip. Despite having a generous couple of hours, I decided to make the most of my visit by allowing time for strolls and exploring additional interesting spots along the way. With my refined list in hand, I was all set for my adventure.
Upon landing and disembarking from the plane, I noticed the weather was cloudy and chilly. Instantly, I anticipated a cold day trip. However, as the day unfolded, as evidenced by the subsequent pictures, it gradually cleared up and became quite pleasant. While it remained a tad cold, it was significantly warmer than the weather in Scotland.
The Sights
La Sagrada Familia
As soon as I left the airport and grabbed a taxi, this was my first stop. Everybody I spoke to who has been to Barcelona, or has any research on some of the sites, said this was the first stop to go to. Due to timings, unfortunately, I didn’t get inside, which I’ve seen from pictures is stunning. You have to book your tickets online for a certain time. You can do this via their main app or their website. It’s around about £30 per person. But what I could see from standing outside was stunning. You could spend hours here, looking at every single detail, and probably still miss things. This place is absolutely stunning and highly recommended if you visit here.
La Pedrera-Casa Milà
At another stop, I encountered the work of Antonio Gaudi, a renowned Spanish architect and designer. Though time constraints prevented me from exploring the interior, the exterior of the building, known for its intriguing design, was captivating. The structure’s unique and flowing design garnered admiration from onlookers, showcasing Gaudi’s distinctive style that sets it apart from other architectural wonders.
Casa Batlló
Near La Pedrera, Casa Mila is Casa Batlló, also designed by Antoni Gaudi. In my opinion, it surpasses La Pedrera, boasting even more intricate details. Unlike La Pedrera, you can explore the interior of Casa Batlló, which functions as a museum. The stunning design of this place is truly exceptional, making it a must-see, and the level of detail is something you won’t find elsewhere.
Arco de Triunfo de Barcelona
I made sure to visit the Arc de Triomphe in Barcelona, having seen the ones in France and Romania. Similar to its counterparts, this structure is equally stunning, and the surrounding area is beautifully designed. Whether you choose to sit and enjoy people-watching or stroll down to the nearby park, the experience is delightful. Like everything else on my trip, this building is filled with incredible details that could keep you captivated for quite some time. Once again, it’s worth a visit.
Parque de la Ciutadella
Apart from La Sagrada Familia, another must-visit place for me was Parque de la Ciutadella. I’ve heard many people praise its stunning beauty, so I had to explore it myself.
Upon arriving at the park, I experienced mixed feelings. There were a few homeless people and some litter, but aside from that, it offered a pleasant walking experience. Additionally, they have a section resembling a small botanical garden with a fantastic layout that I found enjoyable to explore. The park boasts amazing statues, and if you continue further, you’ll discover an impressive water feature area. When I first arrived, I could hear music in the background, and as I approached, as evident in the pictures, there were numerous people on the first level, all engaged in lively dancing, which was very cool.
Continuing to approach, I ascended the steps to the tallest peak, visible in the picture above. Inside, once again, there was more dancing happening – perhaps dance lessons or simply a joyful gathering. With the sun shining, people dancing, and music playing, this section of the park became truly incredible and brought smiles to everyone present. It stood out as a fantastic highlight of the day, alongside some other spots I explored. If I were to return to Barcelona, this part of the park is one I would gladly visit again.
Mercat de la Boqueria
I had initially considered visiting this place but refrained from adding it to my list to be cautious about time constraints.
Fortunately, I stumbled upon it by accident, and I’m grateful for that. I enjoyed a leisurely walk through it, and there were a few things I would have loved to sample.
However, my time was running short as I approached the point of grabbing a taxi back to the airport. The market turned out to be massive, bustling with people, and the aromas from every counter I passed, especially the meats, were truly amazing.
If I visit Barcelona again, I plan to return here and indulge in sampling various delights.
Overall Thoughts…
Overall, my day trip was delightful.
I successfully visited all the places on my list and even explored a few additional ones. While strolling through Barcelona, I encountered some truly charming areas as well as a few less appealing ones affected by shop closures and slightly dirty side streets.
Nevertheless, it was a generally pleasant day. I’m content to have checked off my list, and should I return, I aim to explore things I couldn’t manage in just a day trip.