This photoset features 10 places that I recommend visiting when you're in Barcelona. I feel so lucky to have arrived to study abroad here in September, as I had the chance to experience La Mercè, one of the biggest and most colorful festivals in Barcelona. I will share with you the places I visited and the activities I enjoyed during La Mercè. 

Starting the day at the Wall of the Kiss in Barcelona. 

I love walking around, exploring different corners of the city bathed in gentle sunlight, and immersing myself in new cultures. During La Mercè, I made sure to do as much of this as possible. The festival lasted almost five days, from Friday afternoon to Tuesday night. There were various activities for everyone to enjoy, including museum visits, concerts, workshops, and dancing. One of the most exciting experiences was the correfoc, which I saw for the first time in real life. Several groups dressed as devils lit fireworks while marching through the streets. In my home country, fireworks are not allowed to be lit by individuals, so watching the correfoc was a thrilling highlight for me. 

Correfoc on the street.

The closing fireworks of the festival were also fantastic! The display in front of Plaça Espanya lasted 30 minutes, accompanied by music, and it was truly wonderful and memorable. I also attended a drone show at the beach during La Mercè, which was another unique experience. 

Firework at Plaça Espanya closing out La Merce 2024. 

In addition to the festival, I visited the Cathedral of Barcelona, which has stunning architecture, as well as the Picasso Museum, Casa Batlló, and Casa Amatller. I particularly enjoyed Casa Amatller because of the fascinating story behind every detail in the house's design. 

The Cathedral from outside. 

The inside of the Cathedral of Barcelona. 

I visited Casa Batlló, one of Gaudí’s masterpieces. 

I visited the Picasso Museum. These are the small photos of his works that are inside the museum. 

“Casa Amatller” translates to “the house of the Amatller family.” In Catalan, "ametller" means almond tree, which is pronounced similarly to "Amatller," the name of the house owner. Inspired by this connection, the architect incorporated numerous almond blossom patterns, featuring the five-petaled flower, into the house's design. I love this so much, and this detail really impressed me. 

Dining room of Casa Amatlleur, my favorite house to visit. 

As I mentioned, I love walking around to discover hidden spots, and during one of my walks, I stumbled upon a beautiful place to watch the sunset: the Jardins del Teatre Grec. I wouldn’t have found this gem if I hadn’t wandered around. 

Sunset at Placa de Sant Jaume. 

I found a spot to enjoy the sunset at Jardins del Teatre Grec.