A Year Ago Abroad

Alexandra Post
Sigma Delta Tau

A year ago around this time I was abroad in Spain. I had been living in Barcelona for a month already and had just returned from a weekend in Madrid. My sister was coming to visit and she was only staying for four days. As someone who had become obsessed with touring Barcelona, I wanted to make sure my sister would see all the important tourist sites and my favorite places.

It seemed overwhelming at first to get everything done in that time. But don’t underestimate my amazing abilities to navigate my city. I should officially be a certified Barcelona Tour Guide on speed. We did everything that Barcelona has to offer, plus a little more in the time allotted.

Day 1: Wake up at 8:00 a.m. and get to Placa Catalunya around 9:30-10:00 a.m., eat breakfast at and walk around La Boqueria which is halfway down Las Ramblas. Walk down the rest of Las Ramblas taking pictures of all the people dressed up (make sure to tip them or else they will harass you in Catalan). Stop at Placa Reial (the Gaudi square) on the left side of Las Ramblas, then on the right stop by the gorgeous Opera house. Continue down Las Ramblas and then ta-da, you’re at the Christopher Columbus statue. Then walk across the Maremagnum Bridge and walk through Port Vell. Stop and eat lunch at a hidden locale, La Champagneria. Walk up Via Laietana towards Placa Urqiunaona. From there you can take a bus to the famous Gaudi Park Guell. Then a bus back down to Paseig de Gracia and visit Casa Batllo, Casa Amatler, Casa Mila and The Sagrada Familia. Now it’s dinner time and you can get a traditional tapas dinner at Cervecería Catalana.

Day 2: Wake up and walk down Port Del Angel and go shopping at the three different H&Ms. Then go to La Catedral. After walk around and get lost in the Gothic Quarter. The Jewish quarter is within these walls, but is not necessary to see, the graffiti is beautiful though. Then go to the Santa Maria Del Mar Church and walk around the Born District. You could also go to the Museum of Barcelona History if you’re into that stuff. Then walking around Barceloneta and eat some paella along the water. It is expensive, but delicious! After walk all the way down to the beach, go from the W Hotel to the Olympic Port (you’ll know you’re there when you see the giant goldfish statue). 

Day 3: Plaza Espanya and then climb all the stairs to the Montjuic castle. Go into the Museum of Catalan Art. Walk around the surrounding Olympic gardens (one of them is closed on the weekends which was a major problem for me). Go to the Miro Museum and the Olympic stadium and surrounding areas. And then, when the sun goes down around 8:00 p.m. go to The Fountain Show.  

Day 4: Visit the Labrynth Park and the Industrial Park. Just sit and read and relax because you deserve it. Then eat dinner at Cuines Santa Caterina restaurant which is attached to the market in Jaume.

For those of you who have friends abroad, are abroad or want to go abroad; use this as your guide. But, if I could really suggest something it would be to spend four months there. Even after four months, I wish I had more time there because there is so much to explore. Also, I could tell you that any person would say that same thing about the city they were abroad in, but Barcelona is the best.