A fleeting trip to Barcelona

Barcelona: a city that’s architecture conforms to a strict configuration on equally sized octagons, making the aerial view so perfect and precise. Having never seen a city laid out in this way, I was surprised at how efficient this made transport , both on foot and by vehicle. Whilst this is a smart way to make the city pretty easy to navigate, it’s equally easy to get lost in, as everything looks the same, and without Google Maps, I definitely would have been walking around thinking, “I’m certain I’ve seen this block of buildings before!”.

Aside unique layout of the city centre, Barcelona is known for its significant art and history. Situated almost randomly through the modern city, the distinctive works of Antoni Gaudi can be so easily spotted. Both Casa Milá and Casa Batlló are located so centrally, that as I walked down the streets I could easily have missed them if I didn’t know they were there. The irregularity of both of these buildings perfectly highlights Barcelona’s uniqueness.

The most famous of Gaudi’s works is La Sagrada Familia, located roughly a 30 minute walk from La Rambla (Barcelona’s main shopping street). Bursting with rich culture and history, this masterpiece defines what Barcelona is all about! Despite starting the construction in 1892, this church isn’t expected to be finished until 2026, but this doesn’t make it any less magical.

Every aspect of this building has been designed with such consideration and care. From the stained glass windows that have been placed to catch the light at different times of the day, to the beams in the centre to represent the Four Gospels; Gaudi has succeeding in creating a cathedral that differs to any other!

In a fleeting visit of only two full days, I found that the best way to explore Barcelona was to walk down the small side-streets. Known infamously in the Gothic Quarter, the maze-like network allows tourists to safely explore off-the-beaten-track. It was down these side-streets that I experienced some of the most beautiful apartment buildings, churches and markets. Most of the light-stone buildings were covered in flowers of pink, yellow and green, and it really made me feel like summer was still upon us. Visiting Barcelona outside of the summer season was something that I’m so glad I did. The tourist-y aspects of the city still remained accessible, yet without the hustle and bustle of so many people, I was really enriched by the vast history and culture that this city has to offer.