A busy summer in Barcelona.

During the Middle Ages, Barcelona was one of the most prosperous cities in Europe. Many magnificent Gothic cathedrals, impressive in scale and aesthetic value, were built during this period. Among them, the Barcelona Cathedral stands out. More recently, the 1992 Summer Olympics in Barcelona provided the impetus for the construction of many avant-garde, bold buildings that subsequently transformed the entire landscape of the port city.

But even though Barcelona boasts the best-preserved medieval quarter in Europe and is always mentioned in films about exemplary urban planning, it is still best known for the works of Gaudi. The late 19th century is considered the birth of the modern architectural movement, with architect Antoni Gaudi as a master of the field. He is the one who made his city different from all other cities in the world. Catalans always say that you can't walk down the street without encountering a Gaudi design.

While Casa Vicens is decorated with ceramic art, La Pedrera impresses with its walls made of hundreds of undulating stone slabs, Casa Batlló is considered a typical example of Catalan Art Nouveau architecture, and La Sagrada Familia remains the wonder that made Gaudi's name famous worldwide.

Ninety-one years after the death of architect Antonio Gaudi, the Sagrada Familia Basilica – Barcelona's iconic architectural masterpiece – is still under construction. Inspired by the natural world, the cathedral bears the hallmarks of Gothic style with its soaring roofs, while also reflecting the somewhat eccentric personal style of the great architect, with his boundless love for the imaginary world and wild nature. Many believe the cathedral will be completed in 2026, approximately 140 years after construction began.

To get a panoramic photo of the La Sagrada Familia facade, remember to cross the opposite park, Placa de Gaudi, and find a vantage point on the other side of the lake. By cleverly utilizing the surrounding trees, you can "trick" viewers into thinking the unfinished structure is complete.

Lost in La Rambla

Spanning approximately 2 kilometers, the street connecting Catalunya Square to the Christopher Columbus monument in Vell Harbour is a bustling pedestrian zone, lively day and night. It's filled with countless outdoor cafes, restaurants, flower shops, and souvenir shops.

No matter what time of day you visit La Rambla, you can always find a stop at Boqueria Market to recharge your energy. Not only tourists, but also office workers from nearby businesses and professional chefs from around the world come here to dine, admire premium ham, discuss olive pickling techniques… Or simply to experience the bustling atmosphere of this market, which dates back to 1217.

The fascinating thing about La Rambla is that you can't know where it will lead you. From here, visitors can branch out into intersecting streets, beginning their journey through the two neighboring neighborhoods, El Raval and Barri Gòtic. Your companion is no longer a phone with GPS or a tourist map. All you need is to piece together the directions and willingly let fate guide you. With that same mindset, I stumbled upon a secret garden within the grounds of the Catalunya Library, just a few steps from the Boqueria market.

As soon as you step inside, you'll be overwhelmed by the lush greenery created by rows of trees lining the centuries-old arched corridors. Pull up a chair and quietly watch the locals engrossed in reading, close your eyes and enjoy the subtle fragrance from the branches laden with tangerines, or become an audience member at a giant chess game nearby… these are all worthwhile experiences for your trip.

Regarding seafood restaurants at the port.

After all, Barcelona is still a port city with endless stretches of sand. Since I had already booked lunch at La Fonda del Port Olimpic, I decided to take a local bus and follow the coastal road towards Port Olimpic. If I had more time, I would have walked to explore Barceloneta Beach and see the seaside art installations.

The reason I rushed to the restaurant was because La Fonda del Port Olimpic is famous for serving the best seafood in Barcelona, ​​and it's not easy to get a reservation on a Saturday like the one I visited. Even the most discerning Mediterranean food connoisseurs would probably be confused when ordering. They have all the favorite dishes here, from marinara mussels, squid, tagliatelle pasta with salmon, pan-seared prawns, garlic prawns, and, of course, the traditional paella.

Originally originating from Muslim migrants who arrived in Valencia in the 15th century, paella is a dish that combines all kinds of locally sourced ingredients. The most popular recipes include seafood paella, spicy sausage paella, and chicken patou. In other traditional Catalan dishes, you'll find more unusual combinations such as seafood with meat, fruit and poultry, smoked ham with caviar, and more.

And to complement a colorful plate of paella, I ordered a glass of red sangria. This is a signature Spanish cocktail, made with wine, sweeteners (honey, sugar, syrup, or orange juice), chopped fruits (oranges, lemons, apples, melons, pineapples, grapes, peaches, kiwis, or mangoes), and brandy. Don't be fooled by the fruit slices; a glass of sangria can easily make you tipsy!

If you want to celebrate, you can also order cava, a sparkling wine that undergoes a second fermentation in the bottle, similar to the process used to make champagne. Up to 95% of all cava in Spain is produced in Catalonia, and the grapes used are primarily grown in the Penedès region. It would be a waste to miss the experience of tasting cava in its birthplace. Personally, the next time I return to Barcelona, ​​I'll look for a paella cooking class on Eat With so I can make it myself using seafood from my hometown of Da Nang.

Watching the sunset at Parc Guell

I was impressed by Parc Guell after seeing the scene in "L'Auberge Espagnole" (The Spanish Inn) where the main characters date on colorful benches made from hundreds of mosaic-style ceramic pieces. But now, Parc Guell offers me an experience that goes beyond the visual allure of the film.

Following the arrangements of our local friends, Maria and David, we climbed the Three Crosses hill within the grounds of Parc Guell in the late afternoon. For them, this was the best spot to see Barcelona, ​​with the deep blue sea and sky stretching out before us, and Monjuic, the parks, and green spaces scattered throughout the city.

Beneath the Three Crosses Hill, the scenery suddenly becomes remarkably clear and distinct. Most noticeable is the towering La Sagrada Familia, towering above the square buildings of the Eixample district, or at the end of the bustling La Rambla, the majestic statue of Christopher Columbus pointing toward the New World.

Christopher Columbus had his own destination, and so did I. It was at that moment, standing on the Three Crosses Hill, that I experienced a feeling of fulfillment, having finally achieved a wish from my Erasmus exchange student days: to visit my dear friend Maria Angeles Castillo in her homeland and enjoy a breathtaking sunset together.

Additional information:

+ Journey:From Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City, you can fly directly to Barcelona with Vietnam Airlines. Qatar Airways, Turkish Airlines, and Air France also offer connecting flights from Vietnam to this destination.

Things to do when you arrive at Barca:

-Wawas Barcelona (El Born area): Where you can find charming little souvenirs - Souvenirs: Handwritten paella recipes or handbags with shard patterns reminiscent of Gaudi's architectural works.

- Picasso Museum: Barcelona is a destination for lovers of Spanish art. The Picasso Museum houses the world's most complete collection of the artist's early works. In addition, there is MACBA, a pioneering museum of modern art.

-Travel vocabulary: Up to 60% of Catalans want Catalonia to become an independent country in Europe, and they also prefer speaking Catalan. Therefore, simply carrying a few simple phrases like "Bon día" for good morning and "Adéu" for goodbye will earn you a friendly smile from the locals.

+ Information channels:Spotted by Locals (www.spottedbylocals.com) is a useful travel information channel, promising unique experiences thanks to advice from local people. Official travel information from the city's tourism office can be found at www.barcelonaturisme.com

+ Cuisine:Tapas are appetizers and snacks favored by Spaniards, made from various ingredients such as sausages, ham, smoked meats, and fried seafood. Some popular tapas dishes include patatas bravas (potatoes in spicy tomato sauce), calamares fritos (fried squid), boquerones (anchovies), chorizo ​​(pork sausage), and berenjenas gratinadas (grilled eggplant with cheese)...

Article by: Trang Ami

Photo: Multiple authors

The Thanh