Barcelona, España (Spain) has been on my Eurotrip bucket list for quite sometime. Brimming with history and little secrets, I have been very excited to see what art, architecture, and vegan food awaits in this vibrant Catalan city… And it truly lives up to its charm.

When I was in high school, I took three years of Spanish. By the time I was done, I could read at a sixth-grade level… And then I didn’t use the language again for 20 years. Now I have been practicing Spanish every day for the past two months.

The thing is that in Barcelona, the main language is Catalan. Barcelona is the capital of Catalonia, a semi-autonomous region that has its own distinctive language, flag, parliament, and traditions. It enjoyed autonomy before the Spanish Civil War. But today, the Catalonian nationalists believe their tax money gets invested more in other parts of Spain than what they get in return. Today, there’s still a push for independence–even though the majority of residents didn’t vote for it 2014.

Signs in Barcelona display three languages: Catalan as the main one, then Spanish, and then English. The locals seem to be fluent in all three. I don’t know any Catalan, so I did my best with the Spanish that I knew. Still, the locals seemed pleased that I was trying. I was surprised by the number of people who speak English, but I preferred not to use it this time. 🙂

Where I stayed and how I got around in Barcelona

I stayed at the hip hostel, Generator, which was set in the neighborhood, Grácia. It’s close enough to see the important stuff while being at the edge of the little side streets. In the side streets, the shops and eateries offered more reasonable prices and far less crowds than, say, La Rambla (the main touristy street).

Barcelona, like most major European cities, has a very efficient transportation system. A 4-day metro pass costs €31. I think it pays for itself quickly.

When I wasn’t taking the metro, I was walking through the streets of Grácia, discovering beautiful street art around corners and in random places.

The renowned architect, Antoni Gaudí

I’ve heard of Antoni Gaudí’s architectural work, and it seemed like a world away.

Park Güell

Gaudí worked in numerous styles, ranging from Catalan Modernisme to Neo-Gothic. Park Güell (pronounced “Gwell”), an Art Nouveau and Modernisme attraction, was inspired by nature, as the organic shapes and structures show. The curves and slopes integrate with the mountain, as the Mediterranean vegetation blends seamlessly with the whole park. It feels so alive here, almost like it’s living and breathing. Colorful mosaics and glass tiles give the park an extra whimsical touch, further making it a beautiful wonderland.

Casa Batlló

Casa Batlló boasts motifs inspired by bones and teeth on the exterior, and even iridescent dragon scales for the roof. Inside, the curving lines and structures are reminiscent of the Mediterranean Sea, the stained glass windows borrowing from the likes of turtle shells, sea mollusks and the flowing nature of water. Gaudí brilliantly uses light and color to blend with the organic structure of the house.

Not only is this building aesthetically pleasing, it’s also quite functional! There’s a sophisticated ventilation system that is disguised as gills of a fish, as to promote airflow and keep the building cool during the hot summer days. In the sun-filled atrium, the further you go up, the tiles slowly change to a darker blue and the windows gradually get smaller. This is so that every floor has equal lighting.

La Sagrada Familia

La Sagrada Família is by far Gaudí’s most famous work. While it’s unfinished, you cannot deny that it’s quite impressive. When I left the subway station, I turned around…and there it was.

The Neo-Gothic basilica has so much detail on the exterior that you could spend hours surveying the intricacies and still discover something new the next time you look at it. Gaudí planned everything that you see down to the last detail–whether it’s the story of Jesus Christ, Biblical scenes, or the symbolism behind some of the animals that you see.

To say that the interior of La Sagrada Família was a real treat is an understatement. Inside, no straight lines exist as the ornate columns twist and turn towards the vortex of the ceiling. Rainbows drench the interior of the basilica through the colorful stained glass windows, illuminating the entire space with light and color. It almost felt like even the interior was singing, like I could see sound!

It costs about €30 to get in, and it’s worth it. This is Gaudí’s most talked about masterpiece, and for good reason.

Moco Museum in Barcelona

The Moco Museum (Modern and Contemporary Art) showcases many contemporary artists such as Andy Warhol, Yayoi Kusama, Banksy, Guillermo Lorca, and more.

The exhibit was called, “In Art We Trust.” Inspired by the past and based in the present, the artists here create art that evokes the kind of future that we can all live and breathe in. Through thought-provoking work, these artist envision a world that’s better for everyone.

Here are some of my favorite works.

Yayoi Kusuma’s “Night of Stars”

“My life is a dot lost among thousands of other dots.”

Yayoi Kusama

Andy Warhol’s “1 Colored Marilyn”

It’s Andy Warhol’s iconic Marilyn Monroe screen prints, except the colors are in reverse.

Banksy’s “Forgive Us Our Trespassing”

Banksy, the infamous anonymous street artist, has always made his mark in the world. Here, “Forgive Us Our Trespassing” depicts a young boy praying by a colorful, graffitied church. Here, this boy has his belief system and sacred place. There’s a sweetness about his practice, since he thinks that praying will make life work out for him. And that’s one reason why many people pray: to have solace and peace. And if you don’t fit in, make your own.

Guillermo Lorca “The Little Gardeners”

Guillermo Lorea’s large surreal works have so much going on. Blending magic and surrealism, the fairy-tale settings look violent at first glance. I had to stop and see what the narrative might be. A lot of it was up to the viewer’s interpretation, since there was a delicate balance between nature and humankind, and darkness and hope.

In “The Little Gardeners,” carnage unfolds as fierce animals compete amid large blooming pink poppies. The two little girls seem totally unfazed by the violence going around them, as if this is all a part of life and survival. But they are clearly not casual bystanders to the action. The girl with the blue butterfly wings seems to be undergoing a transformation, perhaps growing out of innocence.

Digital Immersive Art in Moco Barcelona

There’s also a digital immersive art exhibit that was my favorite part. This room here is by Studio Irma. The colors of the lights change to the beats of the tranquil music, offering a warm and safe place in the universe.

Intermission: God Is An Astronaut in Barcelona

When I embarked on this journey, most of it was planned out. Sometimes it’s better to not have everything set in stone, in case you need some leeway. In this case, I saw a concert for the first time internationally.

God Is An Astronaut is an Irish post-rock band that I’ve been listening to since 2013. I’ve always wanted to see them, yet they didn’t come to Seattle the last time they toured in the U.S. My new travel friend Desline that I met in a Paris hostel mentioned they were on tour. I checked the tour dates, and sure enough, they were going to be in Barcelona the same time as my visit! I immediately bought tickets four days before the show.

It can be hard to describe GIAA’s music. Their older stuff is ethereal and existential like you’re moving through life in the cosmic greatness of the universe. The music is pensive and evocative, taking you through past and future lives. I listened to them so much in my mid-to-late 20s, as I navigated through the complex trauma in my life.

Their newer music is heavier and more raw, and to me, it sounds quite different. GIAA played songs from throughout their 20-year career. I happened to be in the front and center of the stage, watching those guys pour their souls into the show.

By the time, they played one of my favorite songs, “Dust and Echoes,” it felt like I was connected with every soul in the audience. Never mind that I don’t know Catalan, or that I’m not quite yet fluent in Spanish. The music is what we were all there for; this shared sense of humanity is what ties us all together.

Vegan Food in Barcelona

Barcelona offers a plethora of vegan food within walking distance. It’s extremely easy to eat vegan here, whether you’re looking for tapas or the Spanish national dish, paella. As I mentioned earlier, having a base in Grácia meant that many vegan options were just a stone’s throw away.

Tapas are like an appetizer or a small dish. You can order two or three to have as a full meal. In many restaurants in Barcelona, it’s easy to order grilled vegetables for tapas. I have also discovered tangy tomato-based romesco sauce to dip these veggies.

You may notice that many establishments close for a couple hours in the afternoon, as part of the Spanish tradition of the siesta, or afternoon nap. They do tend to stay open later into the night though. It’s the Spanish way.

Vegetalia

I needed to try paella somewhere, especially since it’s a new dish. Vegetalia in the Gothic Quarter delivered the savory vegan dish with faux chicken strips and chunks of veggies in yellow seasoned rice. I had the smaller portion and had a small salad with it.

La Besneta

La Besneta is a pastelería (a shop that sells pastries) that offers many vegan pastries that were so rich and tasty that you wouldn’t believe they’re vegan. Pictured here are little tarts with fresh berries and edible flowers.

Xurreria Trebol

Xurreria Trebol offers several vegan churros. I tried the chocolate-cream-filled one, and it sent my dopamine receptors firing to the moon and back! I don’t remember the last time I’ve had a churro. I’ve always been under the impression that they’re not vegan, and I found out that they traditionally are!

Vegan Junk Food Bar

Vegan Junk Food Bar is a Dutch-based vegan restaurant that has a location in Barcelona. I asked for the Daddy Burger, and it has vegan chicken strips, cheeze, pickles, lettuce, tomato, and a special blue Daddy Sauce that tasted like mayo–all inside a pink sesame seed bun. The flavor is just as vibrant as the colors–which is proof that being vegan is definitely not boring!

Vegan Junk Food Bar truly is a vegan heaven with its décor, food, and stylish ambience. I really wish they would expand to the United States; more specifically, Seattle.

Nabucco Obrador Vegetarià

Nabucco Obrador Vegetarià is a warm vegan cafe just blocks away from the hostel in Grácia. I wanted one last thing to remember this friendly neighborhood by, so I asked for one of their vegan cashew cheesecakes with fresh berries on top. It kept me satiated through the train ride to Madrid.

More important things in Barcelona: Cats

Of course, I needed to have a cat fix. Espai de Gats in Grácia has several cats for you to hang out with while you sip coffee or nibble on a pastry. This cat cafe promotes feline welfare by having the cats sterilized and vaccinated, so they’re healthy when they get adopted into their new home. Many of these cats were found abandoned or malnourished, and have been nursed back health. This cat cafe also hosts workshops about feline care and welfare, so the public can be educated on building a more compassionate world for these wonderful animals.

Leaving Barcelona

I took one last look around Barcelona. I even swam in the warm waters of the beautiful beach, my first time swimming in the Mediterranean Sea.

Barcelona is a city that offers its gems with pride, and yet there are more where you’re willing to look. From art and architecture, to colorful vegan food and cats, this is a very friendly city that I must return to one day.