Everyone who wants to visit this city for the first time has the curiosity to know what are the things to do in Barcelona. 

So, here is the list of places which are within one hour’s distance away from Barcelona and makes your visit unforgettable. Take some time on your trip to discover these beautiful places to visit near Sagrada Familia, Barcelona. 

Montserrat

Montserrat is a must-see nearby attraction of Barcelona. This lovely monastery is embedded in a beautiful and amazing mountain range. It is the place where Catalonia’s patron saint (Virgin of Montserrat) once lived. 

Girona 

It takes one and a half hours to reach Girona from Barcelona. This beautiful and small city is famous for being the location for the hit TV show Game of Thrones. People also come here to explore the ancient historical monuments and dreamy landscapes. Girona is also famous in the world for kept Jewish neighborhoods. 

Sitges

Just at a distance of 40 kilometers from the south of Barcelona, There is a most stunning and incredible coastal town called Sitges. Sitges is considered once as the town of Fisherman. The tourists on the way to their trip to Barcelona, hardly miss visiting Sitges. Sitges offers the number of beaches, Mediterranean cuisine and low rises on the beachfront. The famous festivals of Barcelona, Carnival to Barcelona is celebrated here every year. Sitges also hosts the Sitges International Film festival. 

Also Read: Versailles Palace Tour in France

Dali Museum

The Dali Theatre-Museum is one of the most recommended trips from the city of Barcelona. This famous museum near Barcelona is famous for the collections of Dali paintings. It is located in Figures which is the hometown of Salvador Dali who was a world-famous Spanish and Surrealist painter.  Spend some extra days in luxury hotels in Barcelona and explore the beautiful paintings of Dali. 

Penedes Region 

Vilafranca del Penedes or Penedes Region is located in the west of Barcelona. As the name suggest it is the place where the Penedes wines and cava are produced. Visitors come here to see and learned about the Penedes wine which is one of the most famous wines in Catalonia. 

Costa Brava

On heading north to Barcelona we find one of the beautiful places of Catalonia, Costa Brava. The Costa Brava offers the most beautiful and mesmerizing views of beaches and coves. There is an arrangement of coastal towns Palamos, Pals, Calella de Palafrugell or Cadaqués. At this place, the famous painter and architecture Salvador Dali lived here for many years and worked. 

Nuria Valley

If you are a nature lover, then this place is for you. Nuria Valley offers the beauty of the Pyrenees to the visitors (A chain of mountains between France and Spain). In the winter season, you can enjoy the ski slopes 

Port Aventura and Ferrari Land

If you are on the trip to Barcelona or planning a trip to Barcelona, then this is the most recommended for you. Port Aventura is the most famous and most visited amusement park in Spain. The Ferrari Land is a brand new park just one hour away from the city of Barcelona. 

Costa Daurada (Golden coast)

Also famous as a Golden coast, Costa Daurada is located at a distance of 100 km towards the south of Barcelona. It is one of the most visited tourist attractions sites in Catalonia. There is an array of golden beaches and resorts Salou, Cambrils, and La Pineda. 

These are the list of beautiful places to visit near Sagrada Familia Barcelona. So, next time whenever you book online tickets to visit Barcelona, take some time to explore these beautiful nearby places.  

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So, Here is the list of seven best luxury hotels in Barcelona, Have a look.

Hotel Arts Barcelona

Located just near the beach of Barcelona, The Hotel Arts is a five-star hotel with modern facilities. This hotel attracts tourists for its location and best sea views from the balcony of the rooms. The hotel has all the facilities that a tourist wants on their way to travel. It consists of a good-sized swimming pool, beautiful gardens, a small children’s pool also sits here. A well-mentioned gym and spa are also available in the hotel for the fitness freaks and beauty conscious people.  You will get the food of your choice in the hotel within the five restaurants of the hotel. 

Hotel Mandarin Oriental 

This hotel best suites to the art aficionados, avid shoppers and those who want all the things in a stylish way. known for its smart and bigger room and excellent staff services, hotel rooftop offers panoramic views to the guests and also has a pool. The first floor consists of the Mimosa garden area where guests can relax. The hotel also provides a box of chocolate to greet the guests on arrival.

Cotton house hotel

With huge sized bedrooms and rain showers, the cotton house hotel is located in the former headquarters of the city guild of Barcelona. The modern arts and beautiful colors of the hotel are a great compliment. In the good weather, you can have your breakfast on the hotel terrace. The dining room has a cocktail bar for the guests. Interesting thing is that guests can also have their drink in the library if they are not eating.  

Majestic Hotel and Spa

The majestic hotel is one of the most popular hotels in the city of Barcelona. A lot of tourists attracts to this hotel because of its name. For a long time, it is famous among the locals to dine or drink. Built-in the old sense, this hotel has all modern facilities. The rooftop of the building offers DJ nights for the guests to entertainment and to feel relaxed. There’s an excellent spa placed within the hotel with a number of dazzling treatments. Dining rooms on the first floor is where the guests served with a delicious breakfast with champagne.

The famous dish of the hotel is wild mushrooms and pig’s trotters filled with foie gras which all visitors should try here. 

Grand Hotel La Florida 

This five-star hotel in Barcelona is situated at the top of Mount Tibidabo offers panoramic views of the city of Barcelona. The large pool and the terrace of the Grand Hotel La Florida offer privacy and tranquility. The hotel also provided the guests, a moment of relaxation and romance with its luxury dining rooms. All the rooms in the hotels have underground heating and beautiful marble bathrooms. There is also a bar and pool outside the hotel. 

Hotel Neri 

This delightful hotel is located just near Gaudi’s Sagrada Familia cathedral. Famous for its style and location, this small hotel has only 22 rooms. You can have your drinks on the roof of the hotel Neri which have a terrace filled with plants. With candles flicker the terrace offers the romantic nights for the guests. The rooms of the hotels are managed beautifully with wooden floors, colorful paintings, and quartzite-walled bathrooms. So, book Sagrada Familia tickets onlin and explore the Gaudi’s most incredible creation while staying in the Hotel Neri.  

Grand Hotel Central

Famous for its unique charm and beauty, Grand Hotel Central was built in the 20th century. One thing which puts the hotel different from others is its fabulous rooftop infinity pool. The hotel attracts guests with its spa and fitness center. The hotel also has an art gallery on the ground floor which has the collection of a masterpiece of famous Italian architects. The rooms of the hotel are decorated with wooden floorings,  soft, natural colorings, and modern fabrics. This is one of the best hotels in Barcelona for visitors from all over the world. 

So, choose your best hotel in Barcelona and enjoy the city attractions in the most comfortable way. Guys, when are you planning to book online tickets for Park Guell, Casa Batllo to visit Barcelona. Let us know in the comment section 

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How to buy tickets for Sagrada Familia

Tickets to La Sagrada Família can be bought directly from the ticket offices located just outside the monument but there are great advantages if you buy your tickets online. Not only you will be able to purchase your tickets in advance, but it will save you a lot of time and money. 

The ticket prices are as follows:

1. Regular ticket: 18€ at the ticket office or 15€ online. Retirees pay 14€ or 11€, and students pay 16€ or 13€, respectively. Free entry for children under 11 years old age. This ticket does not include a visit to the towers and a guided tour.
2. Guided tours: 29€ at the ticket office or 24€ online. Retirees pay 23€ or 18€, and students pay 27€ or 22€, respectively. The guided tours will be available in English, French, Catalan, Spanish,  Italian or German.
3. Audio guide: 26€ at the ticket office or 22€ online. Retirees pay 21€ or 17€, and students pay 24€ or 20€respectively. There are audio guides also, available in the same languages as the guided tours are given.
4. Top Views (visit to towers included): 35€ at the ticket office or 29€ online. Retirees pay 28€ or 22€, and students pay 33€ or 27€, respectively. This ticket provides you an audio guide. 

[Note: The towers are sometimes closed to the public due to construction work so make sure to check online before purchasing your tickets.]

How to Reach Sagrada Familia

The Sagrada Família is located at Carrer de Mallorca, 401. The easiest way to get there is by using the metro train- the purple (L2) or blue (L5) line metro. You can also get there by using buses number 19, 33, 34, 43, 44, 50, 51, B20 and B24.

Opening Hours

The Sagrada Família has different schedules during the whole of the year. 

• November to February – 9 am to 6 pm
• March – 9 am to 7 pm
• April to September – 9 am to 8 pm 
• October – 9 am to 7 pm 
• The Sagrada Família is one of the few monuments that remain open on the 25th and 26th of December and also on the 1st and 6th of January from 9 am to 2 pm.

History of Sagrada Familia

Sagrada Familia is a large unfinished Roman church in Barcelona. It was designed by Antoni Gaudi, a Catalan architect who is famous for creating many masterpieces known all over the world. Gaudi constructed the church with his unique Nouveau and Gothic art style. Sagrada Familia’s construction was interrupted by the Spanish Civil War and after that, it was progressed slowly. 

Unfortunately, Gaudí passed away before the cathedral was finished, and the work was picked up by different architects. Gaudí’s technique has raised lots of controversies because of which some of the architects have decided to venture away Gaudí‘s original style.

The Sagrada Família has been declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. The fact that it has been under construction for over a century is part of its history. It is estimated that the construction will end in the year 2026. Hope the wonder will do justice to people’s imagination.

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Sagrada Familia: Unfinished Cathedral

La Sagrada Familia is one of the most creative works by Antoni Gaudi in Barcelona. A large unfinished giant Catholic Church is under construction since 1882 has become the most popular tourist attraction in Barcelona.

 Basilica has three main façade

• Nativity Façade – Birth of Jesus Christ
• Passion Façade – Passion of Jesus Christ
• Glory Façade – Celestial glory of Jesus Christ

You can buy Sagrada Familia tickets and a guided tour on reaching there or you can buy it online.

Park Guell: Gaudí’s Wondrous Park

Elegant and impressive design by Gaudi is now considered one of the best public parks in the world. Eusebi Güell was the man to whom the Park was named and constructed but due to an unsuccessful project for residential purpose, Park was, later on, became the property of the city.

A guided tour of 1 hour offers in different languages will drag you back to the 19th century and you will be able to know how Eusebi Guell wants to construct and how Gaudi deploys his creativity and imagination.

Also Visit: Siam Park

Casa Batlló: Gaudi’s Masterpiece

Casa Batllo is another outstanding architecture designed by Gaudi in Barcelona. From the outside architecture looks like it has been created with bones and skulls where bones are pillars and skulls are balconies of the building.

Inside Casa Batllo, you will see

• The Loft – Used as laundry and storerooms
• Noble Floor – Was the residence of Batllo Family
• The Roof Terrace – Famous dragon back style

For Visiting Casa Batllo you have to buy tickets or video-guided tours.

Casa Milà – The stone quarry

Also known as La Pedrera was the last private residential building designed by Antoni Gaudi. From outside Limestone stone facade, finished with beautifully designed curves and twisted haunting chimneys gives a stunning view to this building.

What to see?

• Hall and courtyards
• Patios
• Interior, gates
• The Attic
• The Apartment
• Furniture
• The Roof and Chimneys

For visiting La Pedrera, you can book a ticket online.

Las Ramblas – Barcelona Walk

La Rambla, A Street in central Barcelona has been the first choice of tourists to start their Barcelona tour. During tourist season La Rambla can be very crowded and one can sense how people love walking through this street.

Federico García Lorca, The Great Spanish Poet once said that “the only street in the world I wish never ends”

Things to do in La Rambla:

• Walking Tour – Walk and explore the hidden secrets of this place.
• Museu de l’Erotica – Erotic Museum of Barcelona.
• Miró Mural – Walking on Miro Mural and see Jason Mirao artistic work.
• Human Statues – Most of them looks a real human.
• Bike Ride – Rent a bike and ride through the city.
• La Boqueria – Famous grocery market in Barcelona.
• El Corte Inglés – A perfect shopping place where you can get everything.
• Restaurants and Café – Historic restaurants and delicious food.
• Centre d’Art Santa Monica – Visit beautiful art galleries.

Port Cable Car

Built in 1929, Port Cable Car towers were once used to defend the port during the Spanish Civil War. Due to the increase in the number of tourists in Barcelona, it was operated again in 1995 and now it is the most popular ride in Barcelona, offering a fantastic aerial view.

Montjuïc Mountain – Magic Mountain of Barcelona:

Located just next to the sea, Montjuic Mountain is now becoming one of the best tourist spots in Barcelona.

Montjuic Cable Car: Passing over the city with mindboggling panoramic views, Cable Car covers a vertical distance of 100 meters to get to the Montjuic Castle from Av. Miramar (where the port cable car drops you).

On Reaching Montjuic Mountain you can visit

• Montjuic Castle
•  Fundacio Joan Miro
•  Montjuic Municipal Pool
• Teatre Grec
• Olympic Stadium

Most Visited Beaches

There are many beautiful beaches in Barcelona but the question arises which one is best suited for you. Check out some of the best beaches in Barcelona

• Barceloneta Beach – The most popular and crowded beach in Barcelona. You can have your meals there and it also surrounded by so many seafood restaurants.
• Nova Icaria – Because of peace and less crowd it generally attracts family people. You can enjoy Ping-Pong and volleyball.
• Bogatell – More clean and calm beach and was made for Olympics games in 1992. It is often forgotten by people due to the extra walk.
• Marbella Beach – Also known as Nudist Beach, very popular among young people and gay crowd.
• Sitges Beach – Fabulous coastal town Sitges is a small town of Barcelona and you can reach there in 35 minutes by train.

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Top 10 Unknown Facts about La Sagrada Familia: 

1. In 1882, the initial plan and crypt were started by Vilar but due to some conflicts he resigned from the project and Gaudi came into the picture. Ace architecture Antoni Gaudi took over the project in 1883 and made radical changes to the original plans.
2. Sagrada Familia was an idea of Book Seller named Josep Maria Bocabella. After visiting numerous churches in Vatican he got an idea of building Sagrada Familia in Barcelona.
3. The complete name of La Sagrada Familia is Basilica I Temple Expiatori de la Sagrada Familia and According to reports, Sagrada Familia attracts more than 5 million visitors every year.
4. Sagrada Familia is still under construction and expected to complete in the year 2026. As of October 2016, this basilica is estimated to be 70% complete.
5. Without the use of computers, it couldn’t be possible to speed up construction. As in the past architectures had to rely on paper sketches but thanks to the invention of computers in the 20th century and as result progress speeded up rapidly.
6. Money for constructing Sagrada Familia comes from the sale of the tickets and private donations. The annual cost for constructing this basilica is around 25 million Euros and the maximum amount is coming from the sale of tickets. In other words, all visitors who are coming to visit La Sagrada Familia are contributing to the construction.
7. Gaudi was very religious and wants manmade structures should be shorter than god made structure. Montjuic hill is the highest point in Barcelona of 171 meters and decided the basilica height should be 170 meters.
8. On its completion, it will be the tallest religious building in the whole of Europe with a remarkable 170-meter height.
9. During the Spanish civil war in 1936, most of Gaudi’s plans and models were destroyed by revolutionaries and anarchists.
10. Being not a big fan of straight lines, Gaudi said that nothing is straight in nature and he has done exactly in this church by making radical curves, patterns, sculptures, and pillars with freehand.

Want to visit Sagrada Familia? Then book your tickets in advance and free yourself from standing in long queues. Guided Tours are also available in different languages which help you to explore Gaudi’s work in this cathedral. After visiting Sagrada Familia we bet you will want to see Gaudi’s other creations in Barcelona which are Park Guell, Casa Vicens, Casa Batlló, Casa Calvet, Colonia Guell, and Casa Mila.

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