Toledo is one of Spain’s most magnificent and storied cities. Positioned on a hill overlooking the Tagus River, the attraction-packed gem is a popular day trip from Madrid and a highlight of travel to Central Spain.

Much of Toledo’s beauty lies in its pretty church-speckled streets, its decorated synagogue walls and its tucked-away mosques. With its monument-laden core, Toledo is a testament to the harmony which once existed between the world’s three monotheistic faiths. As a result, mosques, cathedrals and synagogues cram into the city’s dense and compact core.

Walking in the footsteps of these religious treasures remains the most compelling thing to do in present-day Toledo.

DAY TRIP FROM MADRID TO TOLEDO

I organized a day trip to Toledo with my future mother-in-law, following a whirlwind five days in Barcelona, Andorra and Madrid. Toledo is one of the most popular day trip destinations from Madrid both because of its proximity, and because of its wealth of historical attractions.

If at all possible, visiting the city should be a top priority when traveling to Central Spain.

GETTING FROM MADRID TO TOLEDO

Toledo lies roughly 75km from Madrid. Its close proximity to the Spanish capital makes it easily reachable using a variety of public transportation methods and organized tours. Since we wanted to explore the city at our own leisure and didn’t want to deal with the hassle of renting a car, we opted to take the train.

High speed trains between Madrid’s Atocha Station and Toledo are both frequent and convenient. The train journey takes about 30 minutes and costs roughly €14 each way. Buses traveling the route are a bit cheaper, but take upwards of an hour for the same journey.

Our train ride to Toledo from Madrid was fast, comfortable and convenient. Seemingly in the blink of an eye, we found ourselves standing in front of the Moorish-influenced train station, just a stone’s throw away from the gates of Toledo’s old city.

THINGS TO DO IN TOLEDO SPAIN

From the Toledo Station, we headed through the Puerta del Sol, into Toledo’s old town. Immediately, we found ourselves lost in a maze of intriguing side streets, hidden churches, lively plazas, and shops selling delectable sweets.

Toledo is teeming with things to see and do—from sampling marzipan pastries, to shopping for knives, to discovering historical relics. It is no wonder that the UNESCO-laden gem is such a popular day trip from Madrid.

We had little in the way of an organized itinerary before visiting Toledo. And yet, by simply wandering through Toledo’s streets and alleyways, we stumbled upon many of its top attractions regardless.

• VISIT ZOCODOVER SQUARE

We began our self-guided walking tour of Toledo at the lively Zocodover Square. A central gathering place, the square has long been the hub of Toledo’s old town. From the 1400s until the 1960s, Zocodover was the scene of the city’s Arab Souk al-Dawab. 

Today, though the square shows no indication that it was once an Arab market, it is nonetheless a nice place to visit and a good starting point for tours of the old city center.

• LOOK UP AT THE ALCAZAR

Towering over the city’s labyrinthine streets and a few paces from Zocodover Square, looms the foreboding Alcazar.

The Alcazar of Toledo is a stone fortification located in the highest part of the city. Originally constructed as a Roman palace, the since-remodeled structure became the site of a ten-week siege during the Spanish Civil War in 1936. The siege—which resulted in the capture of some 2,000 people and culminated in the hostage-taking of Colonel Jose Moscardo’s 16 year old son, Luis—made the building a centerpiece of Spanish lore and a symbol of the country’s nationalism.

Today, the imposing Alcazar houses Toledo’s military museum.

• GAPE AT THE TOLEDO CATHEDRAL

From the Alcazar, we walked to the Toledo Cathedral–a masterpiece of Spanish architecture. The cathedral dates back to the 1200s. Its unique architecture contains a melting pot of styles, including Gothic, Mudéjar and Renaissance.

Armed with the regrettable attitude that a church is a church is a church, we chose not to pay the cathedral’s €10 entrance fee. Later, however, after seeing images of the church’s alter and vaulted ceilings, we realized we had made a mistake.

Travelers who—like us—would like to get a glimpse of the church’s interior without paying €10, can peek into the cathedral using a small side door that provides access to one of its chapels.

• VISIT THE REYES MONASTERY

The imposing 15th century Reyes Monastery sits in the heart of Toledo’s Jewish quarter. Constructed by Catholic monarchs Isabel and Fernando, the Franciscan Monastery was built with the intention of demonstrating the supremacy of Christianity.

The highlight of the monastery is is a two-level cloister that surrounds a manicured garden. The cloister reminded me of the courtyard in Lisbon’s Jeronimos Monastery. It boasts elaborate stonework, intricate arches, and vaulted ceilings.

Entrance to the Reyes Monastery costs €3.

• ADMIRE THE SANTA MARIA LA BLANCA SYNAGOGUE-TURNED-CHURCH

From the Reyes Monastery, we entered the exquisite Church of Santa Maria la Blanca. The delicate structure—originally known as the Ibn Shoshan Synagogue—is a synagogue-turned church that dates back to the 1100s.

The exquisite building displays the Mudéjar style of architecture. Characterized by ornamentation and Islamic-influenced motifs, the style was popularly used by the Muslim, Christian, and Jewish builders who lived in parts of Moorish Spain.

Muslim architects built the Ibn Shoshan Synagogue on Christian soil. Its construction reflects the religious tolerance of Medieval Toledo.

In the early 15th century, Christians renamed the structure and turned it into a church.

Today, Santa Maria la Blanca has been deconsecrated, beautifully restored, and opened to the public as a museum.

• DINE IN ONE OF TOLEDO’S TRADITIONAL EATERIES

Toledo may be a small city, but it punches above its weight when it comes to food. In 2016, the city was deemed Spain’s Capital of Gastronomy.

In Toledo, stews made of rabbit, venison and partridge, are common fare. After a morning of sightseeing, we chose to stop by a lovely outdoor restaurant in Toledo’s old town for a bite of traditional food. My mother-in-law and I shared a meal of partridge and rabbit. The food was delicious and beautifully presented.

Toledo’s gastronomical appeal extends to its sweets. According to Spanish folklore, the nuns at the Convent of St Clement invented Marzipan during the 16th century. And while the veracity of the claim has been contested, residents of Toledo have embraced the sweet almond paste as entirely their own.

As a result, Toledo is chock-a-block full of shops selling marzipan in nearly every shape and form.

Needless to say, we made several stops to sample the sweet confections.

• RELISH THE BEST VIEWPOINT IN TOLEDO

The Mirador del Valle is Toledo’s best-known viewpoint. It sits across the river from the city’s downtown core, located a half hour on foot from the train station. Due to poor lighting, we chose to skip the Mirador del Valle. We realized that if we wanted to stop by the viewpoint, it would have been best to visit in the morning, immediately after arriving in Toledo.

In the afternoon, the sun’s position casts shadows over the city—making Toledo’s most photogenic viewpoint unfavorable for photography.

Instead, we realized we were better off soaking in the city’s skyline views from the Idelfonso Church Bell Tower.

The view from the bell tower is one of the finest in Toledo and well worth the €3 entrance fee.

ADDITIONAL THINGS TO SEE IN TOLEDO

For being such a small city, Toledo packs a lot of punch. A UNESCO World Heritage Site that boasts  some of Spain’s finest monuments, it merits at least an overnight visit.

Since I only had time to visit Toledo as a day trip from Madrid, I was not able to experience all the top things to do in Toledo firsthand.

If I could go back in time, however, I would have done a few things differently in order to ensure I made the most of my day trip.

First off, I would have purchased a €10 tourist wristband that allows for entrance into six of the town’s top monuments. The wristband includes three of the sites we visited (the Church of San Idelfonso, the Church of Santa Maria la Blanca and the Reyes Monastery), as well as access to the Iglesia del Salvator, the Mosque of Cristo de la Luz and the Church of Santo Tome.

Each site costs €3 to visit individually, making the combination ticket a fantastic value for money.

In addition to the sites that can be accessed with a wristband, I wish we would have entered the Toledo Cathedral and visited the El Transito Synagogue.

When we traveled to Toledo, we knew we wanted to visit a synagogue. What we didn’t know, is that Toledo houses two within spitting distance of each other. And while we enjoyed setting foot in the lovely white-arched synagogue-turned-church of Santa Maria la Blanca, we would have loved to see the stucco decorations of El Transito as well.

EVENING IN MADRID

After our unforgettable day trip to Toledo, we headed to Madrid’s Mercado de San Miguel for dinner. The market—adjacent to Plaza Mayor— is a foodie-lover’s paradise that overflows with an enticing variety of tapas and cocktails.

Once we filled our bellies with an assortment of savory treats from the market’s food hall, we headed to the nearby San Gines Chocolateria for a tasty dessert of churros and chocolate.

Following our indulgence in some of the tastiest Spanish foods, we had a few hours to enjoy the jovial atmosphere of Madrid’s historic downtown.

Madrid is a city that exceeded my expectations. For some reason, I’d always viewed Madrid as second to Barcelona. As a result, I only really considered visiting the city with the intention of using it as a gateway to Toledo.

Yet my limited time in Madrid made me realize that Spain’s largest city is not merely a financial and political hub. On the contrary, an ideal Madrid itinerary includes visits to regal buildings, pleasant streets, world-class museums and leafy parks.

Between Madrid’s nightlife, its jovial atmosphere, its pretty aesthetics and its vibrant food scene, Spain’s capital city quickly made me feel as though I’d set foot in one of Europe’s most livable cities.

Fortunately, prior to our day trip to Toledo, we had a half day to wander Madrid’s parks and visit its exceptional Prado Museum.

Still, the lack of time we dedicated to Madrid meant we were only able to skim the surface of what the city has to offer.

As a result, I now have every intention of using Madrid as a launching point for future visits to Spain.

***

While I spent the first part of my Spain vacation revisiting places I had seen nearly a decade prior, I was excited to add a new Spanish city to my travel repertoire.

And Toledo didn’t disappoint.

Toledo is one of the most beautiful cities in Spain and an easy day trip from Madrid. It is the type of place that feels frozen in time. The type of place where artisans have perfected their craft for centuries. The type of place where culinary traditions are alive and well.

As I walked through the city’s streets and admired its monument-crammed core, it wasn’t difficult to imagine a time when Toledo was one of Spain’s most important cities. Or a time when interfaith cooperation in the city meant that the world’s three monotheistic religions coexisted in harmony.

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Montserrat Mountain lies at the heart of Catalan identity.

Sculpted over millennia by wind and frost, the mountain is instantly recognizable. Its knobs and rock formations protrude skyward, like gnarled fingers that extend from weathered hands.

Amidst its jumble of rocky turrets and spires, Montserrat conceals some of Spain’s most revered icons, paintings, and scenic vistas.

MONTSERRAT IN SPAIN: AN OVERVIEW

Montserrat lies 50km northeast of Barcelona and 150km south of Andorra, in the Spanish breakaway region of Catalonia.

Its name, ‘serrated mountain’ in Catalan, describes the rock spires and jagged conglomerate formations that have made it a centerpiece of the region’s folklore and identity.

The Montserrat Monastery—nestled amongst the rocky spires of its namesake mountain—is a popular day trip from Barcelona. I spent half a day in Montserrat during my trip to Barcelona, and immediately wished I could have stayed longer.

There are a number of things to do in Montserrat Spain. Top places of interest include visiting the Benedictine monastery, touring the Montserrat Art Museum, and hiking the area’s network of trails.

THE ABBEY OF MONTSERRAT

The Benedictine Monastery of Montserrat lies halfway up the rocky mountain. Adjacent to its courtyard, sits a small cathedral that houses the area’s revered Madonna.

The statue, often referred to as the Virgin of Montserrat or ‘La Moreneta‘, represents one of the world’s most famous depictions of the Black Madonna. Contrary to popular belief, this particular statue does not portray a Black African Madonna. Historical records indicate that the statue likely darkened over time due to prolonged exposure to candle smoke.

The 12th century statue stands above the cathedral’s high altar, overlooking the interior of the Montserrat Basilica. The Madonna is said to bestow fertility on those who kiss her hands.

MONTSERRAT MUSEUM

The Montserrat Museum lies adjacent to the monastic complex and cathedral. It is one of the finest museums in Catalonia. Inside, you’ll find a range of valuable artifacts—from Egyptian mummies, to Orthodox icons, to fine canvases painted by Caravaggio, El Greco and Picasso.

The museum does not contain artifacts from the mountain or Abbey, but it nonetheless boasts an impressive collection of art from some of the world’s most famous painters.

Entrance to the Montserrat Museum costs €8.

THE BOYS CHOIR OF MONTSERRAT

The Montserrat Boys Choir (Escolania de Montserrat), is world-renowned. It is one of the oldest choirs in Europe, with performances dating back to 1223. There are now 50 boys in the choir.

The choir holds two daily performances in the Basilica of Montserrat. You can purchase tickets online in advance to reserve a spot for the performance.

SANTA COVA DE MONTSERRAT

Santa Cova is a hillside cave on Montserrat that is accessible on foot or by funicular.

The cave was home to the Virgin of Montserrat during the Moorish conquest of Spain. In 880, the rediscovery of ‘La Moreneta‘ turned the entire mountain into a pilgrimage destination. The Santa Cova Chapel, erected in the 17th century, was built around the cave in order to protect the statue.

A funicular connects the monastery with the Santa Cova Chapel.

Though we could see Santa Cova from a distance during our trip to Montserrat, we chose not to visit due to lack of time.

SAN JUAN FUNICULAR

The Sant Joan Funicular connects the Montserrat Monastery with some of the mountain’s best hiking trails. .

There are two reasons why you might decide to take a journey on the Sant Joan funicular: either for the views of Montserrat, or as a starting point for some of the walks around the natural park.

Even if you don’t plan on doing any hiking at Montserrat, the views from the top of the funicular are absolutely worthwhile.

HIKING IN MONTSERRAT

Numerous manicured paths—many of them leading to small churches and sanctuaries—criss-cross Montserrat’s Joshua-Tree-like jumble of boulders and rock spires.

The area is truly spectacular. Even for travelers with a mere three days in Barcelona, the mountain and its surroundings merit a visit.

You can take the Sant Joan funicular to the top of Montserrat Mountain. From there, trails afford birds-eye views of the area from above.

I regret not doing much hiking in Montserrat. I completely underestimated the beauty of the area and did not budget the extra time into our day trip.

Popular hikes in Montserrat include the Sant Jeroni loop trail (9km) and Hermites Way path (6.7km).

• SANT JERONI LOOP TRAIL

At 1236 meters above sea level, Sant Jeroni is the highest point on the Montserrat massif.

You can reach the viewpoint via a trail that begins at the San Juan funicular drop off. The path is partially paved and not particularly steep, with epic views of Catalonia below.

Along the way, the Sant Jeroni Loop passes by several abandoned hermitages and caves, some of which are over a thousand years old.

• ST MICHAEL’S CROSS

St Michael’s Cross (la Cruz de San Miquel) is another of Montserrat’s iconic viewpoints. The walk begins behind the Santa Cova funicular and takes about 20 minutes each way.

• STAIRWAY TO HEAVEN

The Stairway to Heaven sculpture has become a Montserrat bucket list attraction thanks, in large part, to Instagram. The statue consists of nine large concrete blocks that ascend toward the sky in a helical pattern.

At one time, tourists would climb to the top of the statue for photos.

Today, a safety fence surrounds the art installation for both preservation and safety purposes.

WHERE TO STAY NEAR MONTSERRAT

While most people choose to visit Montserrat Monastery as a day trip from Barcelona, there are places to stay within the park as well. Overnighting at the mountain allows you to enjoy the monastery in the mornings and evenings, when the area is quieter.

The Hotel Abat Cisneros Montserrat lies within the park. Guests can enjoy beautiful views over the mountains and the Llobregat Valley from its property.

Outside the boundaries of the park, you’ll find the small municipality of Monistrol de Montserrat. The town contains a few accommodation options including the Guilleumes Montserrat and Casa Iaia.

Otherwise, you’ll find a wide range of hostels, hotels, and guesthouses in Barcelona.

MONTSERRAT TOURS

While visiting the Montserrat Monastery independently is relatively straightforward, you can also visit the area as part of an organized tour.

Some tours of Montserrat focus solely on the mountain and its monastery, while others include lunch and wine tasting.

If you want to make the most of your limited time in Catalonia, you can join a basic half-day morning or afternoon tour of the monastery.

For ambitious travelers, there are also tours that encompass Girona and Costa Brava in addition to Montserrat.

GETTING TO MONTSERRAT FROM BARCELONA

There are multiple ways to travel to Montserrat from Barcelona—both independently and as part of a tour. My mother-in-law and I opted to travel on our own in order explore the area at our leisure. Travelers with limited time, however, may want to check out guided day tours of Montserrat instead.

The main way to travel independently between Barcelona and Montserrat involves taking a train from Plaça España to Monistrol, followed by either a cable car or rack railway to the monastery.

Combination tickets to Montserrat cost roughly  €30, regardless of whether you choose to take the rack railway or the cable car. We chose the rack railway due to time constraints and are glad we did. While I’m sure aerial views of Montserrat from the cable car are spectacular, we could see long lines of people waiting for their ride to the top.

In contrast, our journey to the monastery using the rack railway was both seamless and scenic.

WHEN TO VISIT MONTSERRAT

Montserrat is a year-round destination for hikers, pilgrims, and sightseers.

As with most of Europe, summer is the busiest time to visit Montserrat. High season falls between May and September.

If you’re traveling during peak season, expect long lines and crowds.

Winter is low season at the Montserrat Monastery. And, while visiting during the slower months can be rewarding, you should note that the mountain is also significantly cooler and windier than the lowlands. Be sure to bring extra layers.

*****

The gnarled hulk of Montserrat Mountain lies a stone’s throw from Barcelona’s world-renowned tourist attractions. A popular day trip destination, it teems with natural beauty and cultural significance.

Tourism in Catalonia revolves around the pulsing metropolis of Barcelona. And rightly so. The bustling city is absolutely teeming with architectural marvels.

But if you want to dig deeper into Catalan heritage, then traveling to the iconic mountain and its monastery is absolutely worthwhile.

The post Visiting the Montserrat Monastery in Spain appeared first on Erika's Travels .

With whimsical fabled architecture and some of the liveliest streets in Europe, Barcelona lures party-seekers, history enthusiasts, and everyone in between.

The city houses a staggering wealth of architectural masterpieces and cultural highlights—weaving a tapestry of iconic buildings, resplendent plazas and winding alleyways.

As the largest city in Catalonia, it represents the best of Spain’s breakaway region in a nutshell. It is boisterous yet classy, worldly yet idiosyncratic.

THREE DAY BARCELONA ITINERARY

Following a brief side-trip to Andorra, I met my mother-in-law in Barcelona for a three day visit to Antoni Gaudí’s homeland.

During my three days in Barcelona, I took the opportunity to retrace the footsteps of my previous visit to Spain in 2010, while adding a few new destinations to the mix.

With numbered days and a limited budget, I photographed Barcelona’s modernist buildings, relived the city’s vibrant atmosphere, and took a day trip to the iconic Montserrat Mountain.

DAY 1: THE GOTHIC QUARTER AND EIXAMPLE

On our first day in Barcelona, we toured the Gothic Quarter and the Eixample, orienting ourselves with the layout of the city’s core.

The Gothic Quarter, or Barrio Gotico, is the heart of Barcelona’s old city. It is a historic district that consists of narrow labyrinthine streets and alleyways. Tapas bars, boutique shops and art galleries line the streets of the historic neighborhood. The Gothic Quarter is the oldest part of the city and home to the Barcelona Cathedral and Plaça Reial.

Many of Barcelona’s most intriguing places to visit lie just a stone’s throw away from the neighborhood—including the Picasso Museum, the Mercat de la Boqueria, the Palau de la Musica and Antoni Gaudí’s oft-overlooked Palau Güell.

The Eixample lies just north of the Gothic Quarter. It houses many of the city’s most heralded architectural marvels. The neighborhood dates back to the 1800s, when Barcelona’s uncurbed growth led to the city’s need for expansion. As a result, the early 20th century saw the construction of many new buildings and neighborhoods during a time when the Catalan modernist movement was in full swing.

Some of Antoni Gaudí’s most prominent masterpieces lie sprinkled amongst the stately apartment buildings of the Eixample.

PLAÇA REIAL

Home to restaurants, nightclubs, and Barcelona’s famous jovial atmosphere, the Plaça Reial is a popular place to visit within the city’s Gothic Quarter.

Sprinkled with shade-giving palm trees and surrounded by a string of arched doorways that frame a covered walkway, it provides a spot to relax during the intense afternoon heat. Plaça Reial’s twin square—the Plaza Garibaldi—lies nearly 6,000 miles away, in Mexico City.

The Plaça Reial comes alive at night. It is worth making a detour to the historic square after sunset, while strolling the Rambla.

BARCELONA CATHEDRAL

The Barcelona Cathedral may play second fiddle to Barcelona’s yet-to-be-finished Sagrada Familia, but it is nonetheless one of the top places to visit in the city.

The imposing 14th century cathedral, dedicated to Santa Eulalia, lies sandwiched amongst the narrow alleyways of the Gothic Quarter. It is one of the grandest places of worship in Catalonia.

The Barcelona Cathedral is the official seat of the Archbishop of Barcelona and is known for its Gothic-style architecture.

You can visit the roof of the cathedral for views of its Gothic Spires. Entrance to the cathedral costs €9.

PICASSO MUSEUM

The Picasso Museum, located in the Gothic Quarter, contains one of the most extensive collections of artist Pablo Picasso’s works. The museum’s highlights include an extensive collection of Picasso’s early sketches and paintings, as well as some of his later pieces.

Entrance to the museum costs €15.

PALAU GÜELL

The Palau Güell, designed by Antoni Gaudi for the industrial tycoon Eusebi Güell, dates back to 1886. It is situated a block from the Rambla, near the Gothic Quarter (technically in El Raval).

The Güell Palace is not as well known as Gaudí’s other creations, but it is worth visiting when you’re in the Gothic Quarter.

I did not pay to enter the UNESCO-recognized Palau Güell (€ 12), but very much enjoyed admiring its exterior during my visit to the area.

PALAU DE LA MUSICA

The Palau de la Musica is a jewel of Catalan modernist architecture. Listed as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO alongside the quirky Hospital de Sant Pau, it is among the top things to see in central Barcelona.

Built in the early 20th century for the Orfeo Català musical society, the brick structure represents a high point in Barcelona’s modernism movement. Its ornate artisanship boasts stained glass, florals, mosaics, and intricate sculptures.

While you can attend concerts at the historic music venue, you can also enter its ornate concert hall via a €20 guided tour.

MERCAT DE LA BOQUERIA

The covered Mercat de la Boqueria lies just off La Rambla, near Barcelona’s Gothic Quarter. With its banquet of fresh local produce, its jovial atmosphere and its distinctive modernist design, the 800 year old market is among Barcelona’s top landmarks.

Even if you aren’t looking for anything in particular to buy, the historic market is a worthwhile place to visit during your Barcelona itinerary.

Casa Batlló is open daily from around 9am to 8pm. Tickets cost €29 per adult.

EVENING STROLL ON THE RAMBLA

After our self-guided walking tour of the Gothic Quarter and Eixample, we headed to the Rambla in order to walk along one of Europe’s most beloved pedestrian promenades.

Flanked by palm trees, La Rambla is a broad boulevard that swarms with people until the wee hours of the night. It is Barcelona’s most famous street and one of the most lauded landmarks in the city. The Rambla is a gathering place for young and old, tourists and locals, street performers, acrobats, strolling lovers and occasional pickpockets.

While touristy, visiting the Rambla is one of the best free things to do in Barcelona. It is simply a fantastic place to take a stroll and watch the world go by.

DAY 2: CONTINUING IN GAUDÍ’S FOOTSTEPS

While our first day in Barcelona gave us a taste of Gaudí’s unique style, our second allowed us to continue in the architect’s footsteps.

We started at the Casa Viçens and then finished our day at two of Barcelona’s most iconic landmarks.

CASA VIÇENS

The second phase of our self-guided Gaudí tour began with a visit to the little-known Casa Viçens.

Casa Viçens was Gaudí’s first masterpiece. It represents a new chapter in the history of Catalan architecture, as well as the beginning of a successful career for the visionary architect.

In designing the house, Gaudí mixed together a variety of incongruous patterns and materials. With his wacky design, he broke away from tradition and created a style that was uniquely his own.

As with Casa Mila and Casa Batlló, I chose not to buy entrance tickets to the house due to long lines and lack of time.

I do, however, hope to return to Barcelona in the future and set foot in the architect’s bizarre and quirky creations.

PARC GÜELL

Aside from the Sagrada Familia, Parc Güell is Barcelona’s most popular tourist destination. Located near Casa Viçens, the whimsical Gaudí landscape blends modernist architecture with the natural environment. The fairytale wonderland of candy palaces and gingerbread houses looks like a scene straight out of Sintra.

Strolling through its gardens is among the top things to do in Barcelona.

During our visit to Barcelona, we hoped to spend a few hours at the popular park destination. When we arrived at the park, however, I learned that a lot has changed in the past decade. While most of the park is still free and open to the public, Parc Güell’s most famous monuments have been cordoned off and require an entrance fee.

Don’t make the same mistake I made by waiting till the last minute to purchase your tickets. You can book your skip-the-line tickets online, in advance.

Unfortunately, tickets to Parc Güell’s paid monuments were sold out during our visit.

And so we chose to spend the morning admiring the park’s free attractions, passageways and viewpoints.

THE SAGRADA FAMILIA

The Sagrada Familia is Barcelona’s most famous landmark, Gaudí’s most remarkable vision, and the highlight of nearly every Barcelona itinerary. The unfinished Roman Catholic basilica has been under construction for over a century and is projected to be completed in 2026—on the centenary of the architect’s death.

The cathedral represents Gaudí at his whimsical, nature-inspired peak.

We attempted to visit the Sagrada Familia for an early afternoon tour, following a leisurely walk through Parc Güell. I was eager to revisit the Sagrada Familia and view its interior. I wanted to see the progress that had been made since my previous visit in 2010.

But on the day of our tour, the Sagrada Familia was closed all day for a private event. Even though we had bought advance tickets online and delayed the next part of our vacation in order to step foot in the cathedral, we remained barred from entering. 

Disheartened, we accepted a refund and admired the exterior of the church as best we could from outside the entrance gates.

The Sagrada Familia’s exterior consists of three primary facades—the Nativity Facade, the Passion Facade, and the Glory Facade.

The Nativity Facade depicts the birth of Jesus. Its intricate stonework consists of exuberant ornamentation, including animals, flowers and fruits.

Opposite the Nativity Facade, stands the Passion Facade. The two are in stark contrast to one another. While the former is ornate and bursting with images of life, the latter is bare, minimalistic and representative of Jesus’ death.

The church’s yet-to-be constructed Glory Facade was little more than a blank canvas when we visited.

FREE EVENING

On the evening of our second day in Barcelona, we returned to the Rambla for a relaxed evening of sangria-sipping and people-watching.

Though we’d strolled along Barcelona’s famous promenade during the first day of our Barcelona itinerary, we were anxious to spend more time reveling in the city’s jovial atmosphere.

If you feel satisfied with the time you spent on Barcelona’s main drag, this would be the perfect time to choose your own adventure. You can head up to Montjuic Hill, relax on Barceloneta Beach, or return to your favorite Barcelona attraction for a more in-depth visit.

• MONTJUIC

Monjuic is a scenic wooded hill in in southwest Barcelona. It lies between Plaça Espanya and the commercial port. In Catalan, the name ‘Montjuic’ means ‘Jewish Mountain.’ The area was once the home to the city’s Jewish community.

Montjuic boasts several noteworthy Barcelona attractions. Specific places of interest include the Montjuic Castle, the National Museum of Catalan Art, the Olympic Ring, and the Magic Fountain.

• BARCELONETA BEACH

If you’re a lover of sand and sun, you don’t have to travel far from Barcelona’s city center to get your fix. From the waterside end of La Rambla, it’s a 15-minute walk to Barceloneta. The popular Barcelona Beach is absolutely packed with people and has a lovely promenade.

Considering all the noteworthy attractions in and around Barcelona, I didn’t include it in my three day itinerary (though I’d visited on a prior trip to the city).

However, if you’re looking for a few hours of beach-bumming during your trip to Barcelona, the popular beach is a convenient option.

DAY 3: MONTSERRAT MONASTERY DAY TRIP

With only three days in Barcelona, you’ll face a tough choice: stick around the city for more sightseeing, or take a day trip to somewhere nearby.

On our final day in Barcelona, we chose the latter option and headed to the Montserrat Monastery that lies nestled in a gnarled mountain. The half-day trip was a highlight of our Barcelona itinerary—giving us the opportunity to explore hiking trails, admire art, and soak in the beauty of one of Catalonia’s most impressive landmarks.

The recognizable mountain has been sculpted over millennia by the elements, giving it a unique oblong shape with rocky knobs and towering outcrops. Its serrated turrets extend some 1200 meters high, like gnarled fingers.

Teeming with natural beauty and home to a museum and monastery, Montserrat is a wonderland for hikers and art enthusiasts.

MONTSERRAT MONASTERY AND CATHEDRAL

The Benedictine Abbey of Montserrat lies nestled amidst the rock formations of Montserrat Mountain. A cathedral that houses the revered Black Madonna of Montserrat lies adjacent to its courtyard.

The statue, often referred to as the Virgin of Montserrat or ‘La Moreneta‘, represents one of the world’s most famous depictions of the Black Madonna.

The 12th century statue stands above the cathedral’s high altar, overlooking the interior of the Montserrat Basilica.

MONTSERRAT MUSEUM

The Montserrat Museum lies adjacent to the monastery and cathedral. It is one of the finest museums in Catalonia, boasting displays that range from Egyptian mummies, to Orthodox icons, to fine canvases painted by Caravaggio, El Greco and Picasso.

HIKING TRAILS IN MONTSERRAT

Numerous manicured paths—many of them leading to small churches and sanctuaries—criss-cross Montserrat’s Joshua-Tree-like jumble of boulders and rock spires.

You can take the Sant Joan funicular to the mountaintop for birds-eye views of Montserrat from above.

I regret not doing much hiking in Montserrat. I completely underestimated the beauty of the area and did not budget the extra time into our day trip.

Popular hikes in Montserrat include the Sant Jeroni loop trail (9km) and Hermites Way path (6.7km).

The area is truly spectacular. Even if you only have three days in Barcelona, the mountain and its surroundings merit a visit.

WHERE TO STAY IN BARCELONA

There are accommodation options in Barcelona for every budget and travel style. You’ll find everything from cheap party hostels to swanky and opulent hotels.

Top-rated options for solo travelers visiting Barcelona on a budget include the Ten to Go Hostel and the Yeah Barcelona Hostel.

The Hotel Jazz is a centrally-located midrange option with a stylish rooftop pool and fantastic reviews.

And among the city’s high end hotels, the ME Barcelona, the Cotton House Hotel and the Mandarin Oriental are popular choices.

BEST TIME TO VISIT BARCELONA

Touristy Barcelona is no stranger to crowds. So no matter what time of year you visit, you’ll be greeted with droves of other travelers who are keen on experiencing Catalonia’s dynamic and lively city.

Weather-wise, May and June are the best months to visit Barcelona. In early summer, sunny days and little rainfall mean you’ll likely have prime conditions for sightseeing.

As the summer progresses, pleasant temperatures give way to sweltering heat. July and August bring high temperatures and large crowds.

Winters in Barcelona are warm relative to the rest of Europe, so the city can provide a nice break from the frigid temperatures of nearby countries.

*****

During our three days in Barcelona, I fell in love with the city all over again. Catalonia’s largest city is replete with things to see—including iconic buildings, sun-kissed beaches, verdant city parks and narrow labyrinthine streets.

Sprinkle in some world-class museums and nightlife that pulses until the wee hours of the morning, and you’ve got a city with a personality that soars higher than the spires of the Sagrada Familia

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Renowned for its plethora of banks and high end shopping malls, the minuscule nation of Andorra seems an unlikely destination for lovers of nature and the outdoors. The country is a tax haven and a duty-free shopping mecca. In summer months, it lures hoards of day trippers from France and Spain with its favorable prices and luxurious escapes.

But beyond its bustling capital, Andorra la Vella, the country’s idyllic landscapes reveal an astounding wealth of natural splendor. Situated at the heart of the Pyrenees Mountains and sandwiched between Spain and France, the small principality boasts craggy mountains, tumbling valleys, idyllic cow-speckled pastures and some of the best ski slopes in Europe.

THREE COUNTRIES IN ONE DAY TOUR

I traveled to Andorra from Barcelona, during a week-long trip to Spain with my future mother-in-law. Our joint plans included spending three days in Catalonia, followed by a few additional days in Madrid and Toledo.

I arrived in Spain two days prior to the official start of our vacation.  Knowing that we would spend the following days in Barcelona and Montserrat, I began looking into various day trips farther afield.

One trip, in particular, caught my eye: a tour that offered the opportunity to travel into the heart of the Pyrenees and visit three countries in one day.

The ‘Three Countries in One Day Tour’ is a popular excursion from Barcelona. The tour costs roughly €120 per person and includes roundtrip transportation and a guide. Though I found the price a bit steep considering it excluded lunch, it still proved to be a good option for exploring Andorra as a day trip from Spain.

The tour’s whirlwind itinerary leaves Barcelona at 7am and returns in the evening. It takes visitors to the picturesque towns of Baga in Spain and Ax-les-Thermes in France, before continuing onward to the tiny country that lies wedged in the Pyrenees.

• BAGA, SPAIN

Baga is a quintessential Catalonian town nestled below the peaks of Cadi-Moixero National Park. It is sleepy and photogenic, with a handful of monuments that date back to the Middle Ages. Though it isn’t packed with particular must-see sights, the town as a whole gives a glimpse into small-town Catalan life.

Our hour-long visit to Baga consisted of a breakfast stop at one of the town’s local bakeries, followed by a short walking tour of its historic core.

First, we stopped briefly at the St. Esteve de Baga Church. Then, we meandered through the town’s historic houses and found ourselves in Plaça Porxada—a Medieval market square built in the 13th century.

In Baga, yellow ribbons were everywhere—tied to statues, spray painted on sidewalks, hanging from balconies and dangling from lamp posts. Our guide explained that the ribbons adorned the city in order to bring awareness to the political prisoners that were detained during Catalonia’s independence referendum.

I’d seen some ribbons hanging from the buildings in Barcelona too, but it was easy to forget about politics in such a touristy city. Traveling to the sleepy town of Baga, on the other hand, brought the region’s independence struggles to the fore.

• AX-LES-THERMES, FRANCE

From Baga, we crossed the French border and headed deeper into the Pyrenees Mountains, toward the village of Ax-les-Thermes. We arrived in Ax-les-Thermes just before noon and were given an hour and a half to eat lunch and enjoy its quiet streets.

Ax-les-Thermes is a beautiful village surrounded by the Pyrenees. It is a popular resort town that attracts visitors from around France with its thermal spas and access to the outdoors.

During my short stay in France, I took advantage of the town’s geothermal features and soaked my feet in the groundwater-fed pool that lies adjacent to its main square. The healing waters of Ax-les-Thermes are said to cure rheumatism and skin diseases.

After soaking my feet, I bought a few french pastries, wandered the town’s streets, and followed a footpath along the Ariege River.

• ANDORRA: HEART OF THE PYRENEES

While Baga and Ax-les-Thermes proved to be good places to get out of the bus and stretch my legs, Andorra was the true highlight of my day trip into the Pyrenees. Prior to visiting Andorra, my knowledge of the country was relatively proportionate to its size (in other words, I didn’t know much).

The pint-sized country, however, is a fascinating place. Legend has it that Charlemagne founded Andorra so that it could act as a buffer state and keep the Moors out of France. In subsequent years, the country changed hands between Spain and France on numerous occasions.

In the 13th century, France and Spain agreed that the principality would be neither Spanish nor French. They accepted joint leadership of the area, establishing the world’s only co-principality. This unique arrangement survives to this day. And, while leadership is divided between the president of France and the bishop of Urgell in Spain, Andorra clings to its official status as an independent country.

As we crossed the border from France to Andorra, we had some time to step off the bus and soak in the views of the Pyrenees mountains. The bucolic countryside stretched before us, speckled with grazing cows and flocks of sheep.

Our day trip to Andorra consisted of a scenic drive through mountain passes, followed by a visit to Andorra la Vella—the country’s capital city.

Aside from its ski slopes and hiking trails, shopping is Andorra’s main tourist draw. More than 10 million visitors pour into the country annually, in order to buy tax-free luxury goods and electronics.

Travel writers and bloggers have been quick to point out that Andorra la Vella retains the charm of a luxury shopping mall. And it isn’t difficult to see why. A walk down the city’s main street passes by store, after store, after store.

Yet, while shopping is the name of the game in this modern mountain metropolis, the city houses a charming mix of monuments worth visiting. Particular points of interest in Andorra la Vella include the Sant Esteve Church, Salvador Dali’s melting clock sculpture, and the 16th century Casa de la Vall.

The Barri Antic, which means ‘old town’ in Catalan, is the oldest part of Andorra la Vella. It has been the heart of the city since the principality was little more than a village. The Barri Antic has the winding layout, cobbled streets and a cluster of attractive stone houses that date back to the Middle Ages.

I only had about an hour to explore Andorra la Vella, but I could have easily spent more time in the city. With its walkability and manageable size, I found it to be a modern and pleasant gateway to the Pyrenees.

***

My day trip to Andorra gave me a passing glimpse of three distinct countries—all within the span of a mere 12 hours. The whirlwind tour itinerary may not have been filled with must-see sites or big-name attractions, but it was a worthwhile excursion nonetheless. It gave me an overview of Catalan independence struggles, taught me a little bit about Andorra’s peculiar history, and allowed me to admire some of Europe’s most attractive scenery.

Rick Steves once mentioned that he traveled to Andorra so that other people wouldn’t have to.

But, for once, I disregarded his advice and traveled to Andorra anyway.

And what’s more?

Despite my aversion to shopping, I thoroughly enjoyed it.

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