John Thorp
Inspiring, sun-kissed Barcelona is a European city like no other. Sitting between rolling Catalan hills and the breeze of the Mediterranean Sea, its history, culture, architecture, and artistic legacy attract and inspire millions of visitors every year. From a trip up the surrealist spires of the Sagrada Familia church, then back down to earth for the markets and street art of La Rambla, soaring on cable cars, or exploring lush parks, there is no shortage of things to do in Barcelona for first-timers. Music and traditional festivals, fresh food, and acclaimed galleries await visitors, whatever the season.Barcelona: Tips for first-timersMany of Barcelona’s top attractions, including Sagrada Familia, sell out of tickets weeks in advance, so it’s important to book ahead online. Other popular museums and galleries sometimes offer free admission hours. For example, the Picasso Museum is free from 5:00 PM on Thursday evenings.Restaurants in Barcelona offer late lunches, beginning around 2:00 PM, before closing and reopening for dinner, often as late as 8:30 PM. If you are wandering the city, stock up on snacks for the time in between.