Five must-see places if you’re passing through Barcelona

If you are lucky enough be visiting this picturesque city and want to take full advantage of your stay but don’t know where to begin, there are multiple option for short-term rental apartments where you can stay. Being such a thriving and lively city, you are likely to be close to a central point of interest no matter where you are in the city. Continuing our series from ShBarcelona, here are five places you won’t want to miss during your visit to the Ciudad Condal.

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What not to miss in Barcelona

Plaza Cataluña and las Ramblas: This mythical and fascinating street starts at Plaza Cataluña, the most well-known plaza in the city, and continues until the Columbus monument close to the sea. This street is one of the most highly-visited tourist destinations in Barcelona, with a number of artistic attractions such as human statues, acted out by artists in beautifully elaborate costumes who aim to delight passing people with their act. Here, you can also find bars, kiosks, flower stands and fine restaurants. Another spot to check out is the Boqueria Market and the Plaza Real: Here, you can take advantage of being on las Ramblas and visit the beloved Boquería Market. This is a produce market with fresh fruits, vegetables and tons of other products such as fresh fish, spices and handmade items. Along with the loads of tourists that come to visit this iconic market, you can also find locals weaving through the crowds trying to do their regular shopping. This is the largest market in Catalonia, with a wide spread of local and international products.

Ciutat Vella, Gótico and el Raval: This is the oldest district in the city and a point of fascination for thousands of tourists. Las Ramblas can again be a point of reference, as it crosses this neighborhood and divides it into two parts: the Gothic and el Raval neighborhoods. The Gothic neighborhood is located on the right side down las Ramblas, and is formed by thin, labyrinth-like streets. El Raval is one of the most diverse areas in Barcelona with the city’s largest immigrant population, and has a number of exciting, well-priced bars and restaurants. Both of these areas are easily accessible and well-connected to the rest of the city, making it a breeze to get there either on foot or by metro, with the most famous stop being the one that joins the two skyscrapers in the city. At the beach there are a variety of great restaurants where you can enjoy delicious paella and drinks. You can also visit the Costa Brava, an hour’s car ride away to the north.

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Ciutadella Park: This is an impressively large park located a 15 minute walk from the Columbus monument. There is a good amount of green space in the park as well as a pond in the center, where you can rent a small boat to take out on the water. This park is a great place to take an afternoon walk, especially on Sundays, when hundreds of family members with people young and old reunite to spend time together and watch the jugglers in the park. In addition, you’ll also find the Barcelona Zoo, as well as the Palace of the Catalan Parliament. These are five of the best destinations that we recommend visiting in the Catalan capital, and while you are planning out your trip, be sure to check out the various vacation rentals offered by ShBarcelona for you to stay during your trip.

*Main photo by Jean-Phi92 via VisualHunt 

What are your top recommendations for what to see in Barcelona?