A Quick Vist to Barcelona

I woke up dying to be in Barcelona. Maybe I was hungry and the thought of freshly stuffed croissants from a Catalan bakery was enough to make me want to have breakfast half way around the world. It may have started as a daydream of pastries and cappuccino, but the dream of traveling continued on my drive into work.

I want to go tapas bar hopping on Passeig de Gracia and shopping in the Barri Gotic. I would rather be at an amusement park on the top of Tibidabo overlooking what may as well be the whole world.

If I were to plan this trip in chronological order I would start with the airline tickets. However, it is far enough away that I will likely have the entire trip planned before I buy the tickets.

If I were doing Barcelona for the first time, I would surely need to make all of these stops...

Plaça Catalunya should be the beginning of all Barcelona vacations. Prepare yourself for a lot of walking, don't feel rushed to take it all in at once, because you will certainly be back to Plaça Catalunya a time or two or more. Within walking distance (depending on your definition of walking distance) you will find the Barri Gòtic. Don't miss City Hall or shopping on Portal De L'Angel.

In the heart of the old city you will find the Picasso Museum. The museum contains a great deal of Picasso's early work (from when he was just a teenager). The most known painting hanging in this museum is Las Meninas. The museum also contains a great deal of "erotic" paintings. (disclaimer: the top floor of the Picasso Museum in Barcelona may not be suitable for children)

If art is your thing don't miss Barcelona's Museum of Modern Art or the Miró Museum

Speaking of art, architecture in Barcelona is artwork at its absolute finest.

You absolutely cannot leave the city without a visit to Parc Güell. It's likely that getting to this remarkable park filled with Gaudi's work will be an adventure on it's own, but whatever you do, don't miss it! Barcelona is full of Antoni Gaudi's work. The Sagrada Familia, though still under construction, is an architectural must-see. Another Gaudi original is La Pedrera. This website I found doesn't do it much justice. It's located on Passeig de Gracia- which is a great place to go tapa bar hopping. It's near the Plaça de Catalunya.

If you play your cards right, you can explore La Rambla, (if you did not see La Rambla you did not see Barcelona) and the Bari Gotic, get some shopping done on Portal de l'Angel (don't forget to buy some Turrón, or torró as the Catalanes say, while you're there..there's an awesome place right on Portal de l'Angel),stop by Spain's mega department store, El Corte Inglés, discover the amazing architecture of La Pedrera and go tapa bar hopping all in a day's work!

Port Olympic - lunch by the beach is a must and bar hopping there, though mainly a tourist attraction, is a blast. If you're in the mood to take in the city, start at the port and work your way up La Rambla.

Grab your hiking shoes and head to Montjuic for the day. Way up there on top of the city you will find the Olympic Stadium. If you're not worn out after that, spend your evening in Plaça d'Espanya

For a more relaxing day head to the top of Tibidabo. Overlook the city as you have a drink at Mirablau. This has got to be one of my favorite Barcelona experiences. It's so relaxing and breathtaking all at the same time. If the amusement park is open, get on that ferris wheel and see the city in a whole new light.

Like all great cities Barcelona has a wonderful zoo and aquarium! Though I would make those a last priority, when choosing from this list of "must-sees."