Barcelona City History MuseumThe History Museum preserves a few Roman sites across the Gothic Quarter, such as the temple of Augustus and the Funeral Way on Plaça de la Vila de Madrid. But Plaça del Rei is where you can see Barcelona’s ancient history in detailed layers. La BoqueriaThis is an iconic sight and educational experience in one. Read more about buy likes on instagram here. There’s been a Boqueria market in Barcelona since medieval times, though this exact spot has only witnessed trade for about 200 years. Casa BatllóAnother of Antoni Gaudí’s most postcard-friendly creations, this apartment block wasn’t created from scratch but was a remodel undertaken at the turn of the 20th century.

Covering nearly 5 acres, these public gardens once belonged to an aristocratic Belgian family that settled in Barcelona in the 1700s. The manicured lawns are still surrounded by a wrought-iron wall, and when you walk through the gate, you’ll be transported into a world of beauty and grace. Collserola Natural Park is also rich in Catalan culture, particularly architecture.

Once upon a time, the area of Gràcia was an independent town that sat on the edge of Barcelona. However, it was later annexed by the city in the 19th century. The Passeig de Gràcia is the historic route that connects the two areas and has drawn comparisons with the Champs-Élysées in Paris for its abundance of designer and luxury boutiques. Pablo Picasso moved to Barcelona when he was a child and attended the prestigious La Llotja art school before acquiring his first studio in the Gothic Quarter. The city remained an important place for the artist throughout his lifetime, and the Picasso Museum is a testimony to this important relationship.

The inside of the old hall has been compared to the interior of a Faberge egg. Travelers who are fond of art nouveau will definitely want to put Sant Pau Recinte Modernista on their Barcelona bucket. The former hospital, with a façade that resembles a church, is the top-ranked art nouveau site in Europe. Sant Pau Recinte Modernista was built in the first third of the 20th century as a hospital and healthcare research center.

The historic village of Sant Cugat del Vallès lies 28 kilometers from Barcelona in a verdant valley. This site has been occupied for millennia; archaeological artifacts from 2000 BC to 1500 BC have been found here. The town boasts interesting remains from the ancient Roman era, most notably the Castrum Octavianum fortress.

The whole waterfront area was remodeled way back in 1992 for the Barcelona Olympics, and today, this long strip of sand is a firm favorite with both tourists and locals alike. After you’re caffeinated, head back out to Las Ramblas and make your way to Mercado de La Boqueria, the most famous of Barcelona’s markets. Or if you prefer going off the beaten path, from the MNAC walk instead your way through the melancholic Laribal gardens and head back to the cable car lower station. There you can take the Funicular back into town to explore the tapas bars of the Poblesec and trendy restaurants of Sant Antoni districts. The Costa Brava is callingWith the better part of a week in Barcelona, you can enjoy any kind of city tour you'd like.