Barcelona is like no other place I’ve visited.
The city is full of amazing art and architecture.
It shares a fresh energy and vibe.
There are signs of artists like Antoni Gaudí and Salvador Dali at nearly every turn.
Our cab driver picked us up outside of Barcelona’s cruise terminal and dropped us off in front of our hotel right on the Las Ramblas.
After checking in, we tried to get settled. Buutttt we couldn’t figure out how to turn on the lights in our room!
Travel Tip: If you’re in Europe and can’t figure out how to turn on the lights in your hotel room, look for a slot on the wall next to the door. Put your key card in it and then try the lights.
We ended up having to call maintenance for help. Turns out we had to put our key card in a slot near the door and THEN flip the switch. (So embarrassing)
After finally figuring out how to work the lights, we headed out into the city.
We walked down Las Ramblas to the Plaça de Catalunya, window shopping along the way.
That’s where we caught the “HO-HO” bus.
The “Hop On, Hop Off” bus is a quick, fairly cheap, and easy way to see a large number of sites in any given major city.,
There are two bus companies offering these tours in Barcelona. This one and this one.
The ticket for each bus starts around €26, but you also have the option of buying a ticket that is good for more than one day, so find one that best suits you. These tickets are available to purchase on board the bus, at your hotel or at stores around the city.
Each company drives you along a predetermined route, showing you different sites along the way. You will be handed a pair of earbuds as you board. Plug them in next to your seat and chose your language. The tour will describe the landmarks you’re moving past. Sagrada Familia, Futbol Club Barcelona stadium, Casa Batlló, the port, even the zoo, they buses will take you to all of those sites — and more.
The bus stops at the majority of the city’s big landmarks. You can get out and wander around as long as you’d like. Then walk back to the bus stop and get on the next bus that arrives. Use the bus to explore the city. Look at the map and figure out what else you’d like to see around each stop.
Travel Tip: There’s no point buying a Ho-Ho ticket AND paying for public transportation to go back to the same area. Use the tour bus as your ride, if possible.
The only way to top our day of sightseeing in Barcelona was the perfect dinner we shared on the Las Ramblas near our hotel. In the evening, the Las Ramblas turns into a fantastic open-air restaurant space. Restaurant after restaurant spills out onto the pedestrian street.
We selected a table and sat down to order. The waiter served giant mugs of sangria and appetizers. Giant skillets of paella followed. There is no way we could eat everything we ordered.
After enjoying more than our fill, we groaned our way back to our hotel and geared up for our journey home the next day.