Casa Mila – La Pedrea entrence to parking garage design

4 Hours to see the top sights in Barcelona.

With only 4 hours to show my partner Barcelona I had to choose wisely because, there is no doubt it is the most culturally rich city in Spain. Our goal was to get a grand overview, and create the excitement of “I want to see and experience more” so we could plan to come back again and again to this city.

Grab a free map and set your day

Map our your day, pick the sites you want to see.

Circle the top spots you want to see

It has vivid landscape, one that is reminiscent of both, Catalan Art and Islamic Architecture that have resulted in a beautiful and diverse culture, filled with tradition and architecture.  While visiting Barcelona, chart out a route which to include certain spots, sights, landmarks. These spots are no doubt an iconic representation of Barcelona. Just a sample and a quick look at the landmarks will show you why this city is so beautiful, unique, and deserves more than four hours.  I knew we had a lot of ground to cover, and would have to miss some of my favorite spots, but I made the decision to go, see, and do as much as we could. Knowing there would be much more ahead for us.

Get your first glimpse of Gaudi with your first stop La Sagrada Familia

It’s a good idea to start at La Segrada Familia

Simply put, active travel is for individuals who want to grow themselves at every opportunity and have a passion for adventure and knowledge, according to https://active-travel.uk/blog/exploring-different-types-of-active-travel. I enjoy traveling to different locations and learning about various cultures. I decided to start our quick city tour at La  Sagrada Familia. We jumped in a cab and went early to see this amazing work by Antoni Gaudi. Although we couldn’t spend time inside, I do suggest if you have more than four hours you don’t want to miss inside. A travel hint, try to book tours before you travel to Barcelona to save time and money. Once we saw the wonder of La Sagrada familia, I knew my partner would have a strong desire to see more of Gaudi. So we did jump in a quick cab ride up the road and took a stop at even went inside to see, La Pedrea – Casa Mila.  Commissioned in 1906 by a businessman you will be amazed by the way the light moves through the balconies and windows. You must go to the top and walk around, each detail is design with function in mind, but it’s the attention to style just looking at the chimneys, and skylights give you a look into the genius of Gaudi. There is information and more on the floor below and it’s worth a look at. I was in love with the massive iron gate that is on the main level and provides access to the garage and basement. To me it’s a living work of art, like a watercolor seen here.

Don’t miss some more of Gaudi’s work

From top of the roof to the parking garage – this is worth walking into and seeing..

All this can be seen in under an hour, we jumped in a cab – but you could walk up to Casa Batllo.  This is known as the house of bones, one you see it you will understand why. On our quick tour we did not have time to visit inside, but outside you will see 3 amazing properties all in a row. Each one beautiful and magnificent.  This street is the Passeig de Gracia you will find many of the top retails in the world along this street. From here you can walk up to Plaza Catalunya, along the way you have passed Diagonal Avenue.

Three main area’s are in the center of town

You might miss this if you walk too fast down the streets

If you are mind mapping the city on foot, you are bound to come across the all famous Gothic Quarter. It stretches from Via Laietana to La Rambla and represents pure Catalan art movement. Seeing the imposing facade of Palace of Catalan called Seau Cathedral of Santa Eulalia will make you want to just stand there for few minutes because of its intricate, gripping details and beautiful stone magnetism.

The Cathedral of the Holy Cross and Saint Eulalia, also known as Barcelona Cathedral, is the Gothic cathedral and seat of the Archbishop of Barcelona, Spain

Many sites to see while your around the Cathedral

While walking around the cathedral, you will also come across street musicians playing pure Catalan music within Gothic Quarter, just outside Catalan Palace.  You have some time to spend here and waling run into Paseo del born. Walking around you will see City Hall Square, Plaza del Ayuntmiento, there are the 3 neighborhoods the Raval, Gothic and Born.

Picasso thought of Barcelona as his home –

Picasso’s first art show

In this quick tour you will not have time to stop inside and visit the Picasso Museum. but you can swing past where Picasso had his first art show,  Els Quatre Gats, literally meaning The Four Cats, derived from a Catalan proverb that suggests ‘only a few people.

It’s a bit or walking back and forth but you can make your way up to Las Ramlas and immerse yourself in diverse marketplace of La Bqueria. If you are hungry, you can grab a coffee a few steps ahead at Placa Reial, a famous square worldwide renowned for Gaudi’s famous lampposts.

The market place – amazing pick up a fresh snack..

We ate a quick snack and walked up to finish the day at a beautiful view of sunset at La Barceloneta, a magnificent beach the sight of which will own the day for you. Have a perfect dinner with your loved one beside a waterfront view. There are opportunities to enjoy nightlife as well. If you love clubbing, do not miss to try out bars near Hotel De Arts.

Take a walk out on the waterfront of Barcelona

It can be done, and knowing you have just skimmed the service of what makes Barcelona one of the most interesting and amazing cities to visit in the world… What did I miss, could you do this in four hours?