Top 5 Cultural Experiences in Barcelona, Spain
Last updated on July 14th, 2023 at 01:07 pm
Barcelona is a culturally rich city which dates all the way back to the 1st century when the Romans established a colony called Barcino. Nowadays, it lies in the semi-autonomous Spanish region of Catalonia. There are so many great things to do here, it can be hard to narrow down the list. I know we certainly had trouble! In this post, I present my top 5 experiences you won’t want to miss out on in Barcelona. My hope is that it will inform and inspire you and you plan your own travels!
Fun Fact: The city’s name has its fascinating history. Just a few variations from over the years include: Barcilonum, Barceno, Barchelonaa, Barna, Barchinona, Barçalona, Barchelona, and Barchenona. 😀
***Disclaimer: Always be sure to check the current restrictions for Spain and any activities you wish to participate in before booking any part of your journey!
1. Learn How to Make Traditional Spanish Dish: Paella
So, right now, you might be saying “I went on vacation to avoid cooking!” And, I get that. But, this is about more than just learning how to cook a traditional Spanish dish. This is about learning culture and history through the medium of food. It’s about drinking your fill of Spanish Cava and wine and while making new friends from around the world. Honestly, this was one of the most wonderful experiences we have had, not just in Barcelona, but on any of our trips so far. We had a blast and the end result was a delicious meal, excellent conversations, and lots of wine.
What is Spanish Paella?
Paella is a traditional Spanish dish which traces its roots back to Valencia. It is composed of savory saffron rice cooked in olive oil and broth with your choices of toppings (meat, veggies, seafood, etc.). Paella is prepared in a shallow bottomed pan and simmered over a long period of time.
There are a few different theories on where the word Paella comes from. The most likely is that it comes from the Valencian word for pan, paellera. Another legend states that it comes from the phrase “para ella” which means “for her” in Spanish. Once a year, the men would cook a dish for their wives, utilizing leftovers from the previous day.
But, not matter the name’s origin, one things is for sure: its deliciousness. Even if you decide not to make it, eating it during your trip to Spain is an absolute must.
Booking Your Paella Course
We booked our paella course at The Paella Club through AirBnb experiences in Barcelona. We were more than 100% satisfied with it. If you would like to book the same tour, please visit this website.
2. Discover the Wonderful World of Spanish Tapas
Maybe you haven’t heard, but tapas are a big deal in Spain. It’s more than just food; it is a social experience. But, what exactly are tapas and how can you know which ones to try?
What are Tapas?
Tapas are small plates of food served either before or between meals. There are many theories as to where the tradition comes from. But, one that seems most likely is that Spanish people tend to eat dinner rather late (like 9pm or 10pm!). Therefore, tapas serve as a perfect little snack and social gathering between meals.
Throughout Spain, you find that traditional tapas from the different regions varies considerably. For example, traditional Andalusian tapas will include lots of fish or gazpacho. Comparatively, in Aragón you have ternasco (tender roast lamb marinated in a wine-based sauce) and cured meats. And, Basque Country is where pintxos originated. The good news for you is that you can find examples of these all over Spain! So you don’t necessarily have to travel to each different region.
Tapas Experiences in Barcelona
There are a few ways to go about this. First, you can do some research and compose your own list of tapas restaurants in Barcelona. Second, you can find a list someone else has made. Third, you can go on a guided tour led by a local who will also explain the foods to you.
We chose to go on a tour with a local and it was absolutely worth it! Our tour was through the company Food Lover Tour. (Insider Tip: They have tours all over Spain, not just Barcelona!!) On this tour, we discovered a large variety of dishes, many of which I might not have even though to try if I had visited the restaurants all by myself. Plus, we got to learn more about the preparation of foods we were eating as well as their significance in Spanish culture.
Our tour guide, Carla, was so much fun and brought a lot of energy to our tour. Altogether, we went to four different tapas restaurants and each one provided our little group with a unique tasting experience. As you can see from the photos, we got to try a large variety of foods accompanied by high quality drinks.
This is the link if you would also like to book the same tour through AirBnb experiences in Barcelona! You won’t regret it if you do!
3. Immerse Yourself in Gaudí’s Unusual Architecture
Perhaps architecture is not really your thing. But, you will NOT want to miss out on a visit to the famous Antoni Gaudí sites in Barcelona. He was a one of a kind man, inspired by both nature and his faith. Throughout his buildings, you will discover ingeniously designed areas, bright colors, and amazing new perspectives. These colorful homes and buildings are like a pathway leading you into a new world of discovery and imagination. This is one of the top experiences you will definitely not want to miss during your visit to Barcelona.
To learn more about the top Gaudí sites in Barcelona, check out my post: Discover the Best Gaudí Architecture in Barcelona
Top Three Places to Experience Gaudí Architecture in Barcelona
There are 7 Gaudí buildings throughout Barcelona. If you don’t have enough time to visit all seven, here is my own top three list. Honestly, I think it’s worth it to go to all three of these to really get a sense for his creativity and ingenuity. But, if you only have time for one, I recommend the Sagrada Familia.
- La Sagrada Familia – A beautiful cathedral which has been under construction for over 150 years. It is magnificent both inside and out. I highly recommend the ticket with the guided tour. It’s just a few euros extra and it’s worth it to have the explanations and storytelling.
- Park Güell – A beautiful park with many areas to explore. Inside the park you will find the Greek Theatre, the Turó de les Tres Creus, the Hypostyle Room, the Casa del Guarda, the Dragon Stairway, and more! (And, don’t forget to say hello to the Gaudi lizard! <3)
- Casa Batlló – A fantastically unique home with many beautiful underwater motifs. Your tour includes a digital pad that allows you to explore the house like never before. As you move through the rooms, you can witness elements of the room coming to life on the screen. For example, a window might just become a turtle that gracefully swims away. On top of that, the narration of the audio guide is fantastically done and really sets the mood for the experience.
4. Admire a Rousing Flamenco Show
Flamenco is a passionate dance that originated in Spain. It can be traced back to the Roma people, Gitanos, who migrated to the Andalusia area of Spain. For a long time, it was mostly performed in small parties where people gathered intimately around a small stage to watch and admire. This is called a tablao.
The upper classes once considered Flamenco to be a vulgar spectacle, performed by gypsies. But, over the years, the opinion of that has changed and this artful dance has been elevated to a level of honor and respect for its unique cultural qualities. Nowadays, Flamenco is considered to be such an important part of Spanish culture that UNSECO has named it in the list of the World’s Intangible Cultural Heritage.
Musicians, typically guitarists and singers, set the mood for the dance through their cante, or song. These historical cante tell stories of everyday life: love, longing for home, hardships, passion, joy, and celebration. Intricate, rhythmic clapping accompanies and creates a base for the song and dance. The dance itself involves elaborate heal tapping, dramatic arm movements, and passionate swishing of skirts.
How to Experience a Flamenco Show in Barcelona
There are venues all over Barcelona (and Spain for that matter). We were incredibly impressed with the show we attended at Tablao Flamenco Cordobes. The dancing, singing, and guitar playing were passionate, dramatic, and it was so much fun to watch. It was obvious that they all love what they are doing. For me, I think that’s what has made it one of the most memorable experiences we had in Barcelona.
If you are interested in booking at the Tablao Flamenco Cordobes, you can visit their website or purchase tickets through Get Your Guide.
Pro Tip: We chose the ticket option of the show with a drink (not including the dinner). Instead, we did the paella course I mentioned above right before the show. It was the perfect combination of events since they are just a 5-7 min walk away from each other.
5. Wander Around the Gothic Quarter While Eating Churros
The Gothic Quarter is the oldest part of Barcelona. It actually dates back to the original Roman settlement. This settlement was surrounded by a 60 foot tall wall and had 78 tours to guard it. Here, you will find the magnificent Barcelona Cathedral, the famous La Rambla, the Jewish Quarter, and much more! One of the best things to do is explore the little shops and restaurants in the quarter. And don’t forget to stop in at Picasso’s old haunt: Els Quatre Gats.
Find a Tour
There are many ways to visit the Gothic Quarter. Personally, we just walked around. But, if you are looking for something more formal here are some suggestions.
- Click here for a self guided tour. It is about 2 hours long and includes 15 different stops.
- If you are looking for a free guided tour, click here. Just remember it is always polite to tip your guide at the end!
- The last option is a paid guided tour. You can book these through websites such as Get Your Guide, AirBnb, and Viator.
Discover Delicious Churros
If you’re in the mood for something sweet and delicious, be sure to stop in at Banys Nous 8 in the Gothic Quarter. Here you will discover delectable Churros with thick chocolate dipping sauce (which has a bit of a pudding-like texture). This suggestion was given to us by our tapas tour guide and it did not disappoint!
In Conclusion
I hope you have a wonderful time exploring Barcelona, Spain and all the wonderful experiences it has to offer! I would love to hear about your favorite things to do in Barcelona in the comments section below!
Happy Travels,
<3 Christine
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2 Comments
Matt and Carla from Barcelona
My dear Christine, just read your really nice review on airbnb and then get to this link you left and that really well written post you’ve left! Thank you sooo much.
I know you did the tour through airbnb, but it would help soo much if as our friend of Paella Club, you could maybe not instead but at least let your readers knows about us directly? this would help a lot our little company to keep on the good work. I’ve left our website in the fields, you’ll see that our tapas crawl is the one you’ve done. We are the Food Lover Tour, that’s the company I have created few years ago and Carla who you’ve done the tour with, is one of our top guide of course! hehehehehe.
So yes, i really don’t want to be pushy or so ever, but if you could just add us into your article, we would be really happy of it and will of course also be able to link it to our social networks (insta, twitter, facebook etc..) actually I’m going to add your instagram account right now!
Kind regards,
Matt
christinetravels
Hello Matt,
Yes, I would love to help you out in this way! I am happy to add the changes now. 😀