Areas to explore
La Sagrada Familia
Started and designed by renowned architect Antoni Gaudi in 1882, this gothic church is old outside and quite futuristic inside. Apparently, it’ll only be completed in 2026
Park Güell
Another Gaudi creation, this is one of the best public gardens I’ve seen but I would urge you to take a taxi that drops you closer to the gardens entrance, because my girlfriends and I happened to go on a day where the escalators on the street (that leads up to Park Güell) were not working and we had to walk up a steep hill on 35+ degree heat levels. It was unnecessary cardio on holiday.
Montjuïc Cable Car
A fabulous way to see the city of Barcelona from a bird’s eye view
Greatest memory
Watching Jay Z perform Song Cry on the OTRII tour inside Estadi Olimpic de Montjuïc.
Worst memory
There are certain parts of Barcelona that reminded me of Joburg – from the graffiti on the street to a tinge of something nefarious in the air, but not out and out dangerous – one of them is the transport system. Even on a night where the world’s biggest entertainer, Beyoncé, was performing, the trains still stopped at midnight as they usually do. When the concert ended, we were left stranded and had to walk back to our Air bnb house for more than two hours. Thank goodness for my bestie, Annaleigh, for encouraging me to keep going and not leaving me behind or else I would’ve collapsed into a heap from the pain from my feet. Don’t wear All Stars if you’re going to walk for miles
Where to stay
We stayed around Rambla del Raval in the Old Town, which is close to two of the busiest roads in Barcelona and near the underground so it was an ideal location for us
La Boqueria – the restaurant in Parktown North – is named after this dazzling Barcelona market. There are places to buy produce if you’re staying at an Airnb joint but otherwise try any of the many restaurants around the city and have a sangria, some potata bravas and paella.
Any tips for new travellers
Get an underground card if you’re staying for more than three days
If you’re from South Africa you’re generally vigilant but don’t act too chilled, there are chancers lurking in the streets of Barcelona but if you’re from a big city nothing will scare or surprise you about the chancers
Try squeeze in a trip to Mallorca if you can but beware of the mild racism that exists there. It won’t ruin your trip but if you’re black and brown, expect delays in service
