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If you’re planning to visit Spain this summer, or perhaps you want to see as much of Europe as possible in one trip, you might be wondering whether Barcelona is still worth visiting.
Barcelona is the most visited city in Spain, but also the most famous.
But Barcelona has also been in the news time and time again this year, and not always for the right reasons.
Last month the mayor of Barcelona promised that completely abolish short-term holiday homes by 2028.
At the beginning of this year it was announced that Barcelona would increase their tourist tax (again!) from October. There is also a separate tax for cruise passengers into the city.
And now the city is shops forbid selling souvenirs considered ‘tacky’ in an attempt to attract ‘quality tourists’. So if you’re looking for a Barcelona penis magnet for your collection, you’re out of luck!
Despite all this, I love Barcelona, and it is one of my favorite Spanish cities. This is why I think Barcelona is still worth visiting this summer, despite its well-documented problems with overtourism.
A lively cultural center
In many ways, Barcelona is a victim of its own success. Every year so many millions of travelers want to visit because it is such a beautiful and welcoming city, because it is easily accessible and because it acts as the perfect gateway to the wider Catalan region.
And these are all still good reasons to visit!
Perhaps the main reason I love Barcelona is because it is a vibrant cultural center.
The historic district has a fascinating medieval heritage and you won’t find a cathedral like the Sagrada Familia anywhere else in the world. If you’re interested in exploring the works of Gaudi, there really isn’t anywhere better to go.
Although it is a paradise for tourists and can be busy in high season, one of my favorite places in the city of Park Guell is the Gaudi Park.
This is a beautiful green space that has been declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO, but what I love most is the intricate tiles and vibrant colors. Every time you visit you will notice something different.
Despite the crowds, this is a place where I feel calm and relaxed. Entrance to Park Guell costs 13 euros ($14) per person, and I recommend booking in advance because on busy days tickets can be sold out.
A city and a beach
There are a few fascinating towns in Europe that have their own beach access. Dubrovnik is a clear example. Lisbon too. But there is no European beach city bigger than Barcelona.
Spain is hot in the summer. And Barcelona is even hotter. So it is a huge attraction that you can visit museums and galleries all morning; then you are just a bus ride away from the beach in the afternoon.
Barceloneta Beach is probably the easiest to reach, but also the most famous, and is a vibrant spot for sunbathing and swimming.
Named after the fishing district that can still be found here, Barceloneta is a hugely popular and vibrant place buzzing with locals who gather to eat seafood, relax on the seafront and catch up with friends.
If you want to immerse yourself in local life in Barcelona in summer, this is the place to be.
I recommend walking to Barceloneta from the city’s famous walks if you want to see as much of Barcelona as possible.
It takes about 25 minutes and you will see the harbor area, the Museo Maritimo de Barcelona and the Barcelona Head statue, created by Roy Lichenstein for the 1992 Olympic Games, which stands outside the entrance to Port Vell.
Summer is a great time to visit Barcelona
I don’t wear rose-colored glasses. I know that Barcelona is a victim of overtourism and that the crowds in the city can sometimes be unbearable.
But in my experience, the summer months are a great time to visit Barcelona. Sure it’s hot and sticky, but that goes for any Southern European city.
The real secret is that the hot weather drives away many locals. So the city feels quieter than usual, provided you can avoid the main tourist attractions.
My top tip is to get off the beaten tourist track a little, and you’ll find that many parts of the city are just as beautiful, but completely devoid of tourists in the summer.
For example, just 5 minutes away from the Rambles you will find the Cathedral of Barcelona. Entry is free and we visited one morning in August and found we were the only visitors inside.
And if you want to see some of the more obvious attractions like the Sagrada Familia (and I recommend you do), make sure you get there early before the tourist buses arrive from the coast. That way the crowd will be so low you’ll wonder what everyone is whining about!
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This article originally appeared on TravelOffPath.com
The opinions expressed here are solely those of the author, and not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved, or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included in the post.
