CATALUNYA

AKA Catalonia is an autonomous community in Spain, where Barcelona is. I’ve been to Barcelona several times (2004, 2007. 2012. 2013, 2017), and one of the amazing things is to see Sagrada Familia* church evolve.

*I don’t know if this has changed already, but four years ago we had to search for an ATM so we could buy our tickets for Sagrada Familia. Buy them in advance or take cash.

This post also features other activities you can do in nearby towns.

BARCELONA

I consider this city one of the most visually-inspiring. Antoni Gaudí’s architecture stands out in places like Casa Milá, Casa Batlló, Sagrada Familia and Parc Guell, which makes everything look like a surreal fairy tale. I find the lamp posts in the street and these colossal heads at the rooftop of Casa Milá the most amazing (which are also the helmets of the centurions in the facade of Sagrada Familia).

LA XAMPAÑERIA

A friend recommended this place to have lunch when I visited Barcelona in 2007. It is mostly crowded, but it’s quite cheap to eat delicious AND get drunk (a bottle of Rosé wine costs about 1 euro, so we had 4 bottles and fell asleep on a couch in the street with a view of the ocean).

FIGUERES

This town is about an hour from Barcelona. It’s main highlight is Salvador Dalí Museum. The whole building and exhibit is incredibly surreal, so if you’re a fan of the painter, its definitely a most.

CADAQUÉS

Another hour further is one of the most romantic places I have visited. This small town in “Costa Brava” has a beautiful mediterranean vibe, with delicious food, cute white buildings and a beautiful view of the ocean. And to continue the surreal adventure, Dali’s house is a must!