Barcelona - Ideal for a Cheap City Break

24 Hours in Barcelona

The city of Barcelona has everything you need for a fantastic cheap city break. With stylish shops, distinctive architecture, sumptuous cuisine and some of the best nightlife spots in the world you really will be spoilt for choice on a Barcelona city break. What's more sun worshippers will not be disappointed whilst in Barcelona with great beaches on the doorstep.

If time is in short supply Barcelona is a great city break choice, the airport is situated just eight miles from the city and transport links are excellent. The city is divided into several areas, all easily reachable using the metro, or by foot.

Sightseeing & Culture for a City Break in Barcelona

There is a wealth of cultural activity in Barcelona but there are some things which are simply unmissible. If you're coming to Barcelona for the Guadi experience La Pedrera, Parc Güell and the Sagrada Famila are a must see whilst on your city break. Parc Güell's public areas such as the gardens and the overall basic structure was designed by Gaudi at the beginning of his career. The entrance to the park has a somewhat magical ambience, with an array of what look like ginger-bread houses. Inside the park, stunning architectural structures flank the natural hillside. The combination of Guadi's unusual design, beautiful gardens and a view to die for make Park Güell the ideal place to spend a lazy afternoon. La Pedrera is an apartment block with a difference, supposedly the whole structure contains no straight-lines or right angled corners, and is built using columns and arches with no need for supporting walls, it also contains a reconstructed Modernista style flat which is exquisite. The Sagrada Familia is probably Guadi's most famous work, still unfinished it is nonetheless a magical temple. With so much character, design and grandeur this city really is a feast for the eyes. If you have time on your city break in Barcelona, you can climb the tight spiral staircases (not for those with vertigo!) for the fabulous views at 170m.

The Picasso Museum is situated in the bustling back streets of the city on the edge of the Born area of Barcelona. Displaying work created throughout Picasso's life (1881 - 1973) it provides a comprehensive insight into the life and inspiration of this intriguing artist.

Other popular attractions include the Nou Camp football stadium, home to FC Barcelona and the largest stadium in Europe and the Cathedral of Barcelona, with some parts dating back as far as the 13th Century it is a magnificent structure, well worth a visit on a city break to Barcelona.

Shopping on a City Break in Barcelona

The majority of the shops in the city are located in the Old City and Eixample area. For expensive, designer head towards Eixample, and the middle of the Diagonal area. The Born district is home to many boutique style shops owned by recent design graduates, and the Barri Gotic provides a concentrated mix of unusual, one of a kind shops, stores and work-shops. Many of the popular high-street names can also be found around this area. If cheap vintage and retro is your thing than the Raval area is well worth a trip.

Nightlife in the City

When on a city break, a night out in Barcelona starts late, with most bars staying open until 3am and clubs until almost breakfast time. The choice is vast with different areas of the city sporting alternative vibes and attracting different crowds. One of the most popular attractions is drinking alfresco, and there are plenty of chances to do so, particularly in Gracia and the Old Town.

In the summertime the beach bars of Barceloneta to Poblenou known as 'Chiringuitos' open for business. With live music, ranging from chill-out to up-beat party the atmosphere is jubilant throughout the day into the early hours.

Clubs in Barcelona change their names and design rapidly to keep up with the latest fashions. Some of the most famous include "La Paloma" were pretty much every music genre is embraced with everything from hip hop, salsa, and old-school dance hall being played. "Café Royale" is a popular way to start a night on the town, with a glamorous mix of funky soul in the trendiest of surroundings. Or for outdoor fun try "Le Terraza" which allows partying in the city, under the stars into the early hours.

With such frequent cheap flights to Barcelona from the UK, you can be enjoying a city break in the city in no time. Book your cheap flights to Spain online with Jet2.com the low cost airline.

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