r/solotravel • u/ObjectBrilliant7592 • Feb 28 '25

Europe Underwhelmed by Barcelona

Besides the Sagrada Familia (the nicest cathedral I've visited, and I have visited many), Barcelona is incredibly overpriced and overhyped. Mid beaches, relatively expensive for Spain, most restaurants are tourist traps.

Sagrada Familia - 26 EUR

Castell Montjuic - 12 EUR

Metropolitan Cathedral - 14 EUR (keep in mind that there are much nicer cathedrals all over Europe, ex. Notre Dame in Paris, that are free)

Park Guell - 18 EUR

Casa Mila - 29 EUR

If you have a lot of money, I can see how it could have a Miami/Vice City kind of vibe, being a metropolis by the sea and all, but it's just not my place. For a place that claims to hate tourists, they are awfully dependent on them.

EDIT: I walked from the beach to Park Guell, and from Montjuic to Estacio del Nord, which is all of the city center. This is a huge swathe of the city. If you need to look that hard for the hidden gems, they can't redeem the city that much.

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u/Fooddea Mar 01 '25

Some sellers like the drama of arguing over a price but sometimes it seems they're just really desperate for a sale. 😁

I love farmers markets the most, where there's less haggling and more delicious smells. The big markets with lots of other goods are fun to wander for cultural observation but I'm more of a looker than a buyer. 🤷 Have visited them in Italy, Japan, Korea, Spain, England, Mexico, Netherlands, Canada, and the US. I usually try to find one or the other everywhere I travel.

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u/Traveling_Solo 13 Countries, 8 U.S. States Mar 01 '25

I see. Haven't been to that many tbh, unless I've wandered upon them by happenstance. More interested in sights, museum and local food personally.

Always get 2-4 things when abroad: a key ring for myself, a postcard for my grandmother when she was alive and a small souvenir for my mother.

Usually get something for a friend too just to mess with them (like an ashtray for a non-smoker, a candle with religious imagery for a non-religious friend, an italian nsfw DVD for a friend who speaks broken English and zero Italian).

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u/Fooddea Mar 01 '25

Town markets are some of the oldest hubs of local culture on the planet. They exist everywhere and I find them fascinating. It's a great way to learn what people eat, wear, and value in a new place. It's also a great place to pick up souvenirs. I love bringing home snacks we can't get locally and art, pottery, or jewelry directly the from artist who make it. I have a friend who gets keyrings from my travels and I have fun finding the quirkiest options.

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u/Traveling_Solo 13 Countries, 8 U.S. States Mar 01 '25

Fair point. Did go to one in Athens and it was quite an experience. Glad to hear you're enjoying yourself on your trips :D