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Barcelona has many open air markets, but the most famous is the Mercat de Sant Josep de la Boqueria–La Boqueria, for short.

This market has been in use for centuries, and today it’s a favorite among tourists and locals alike.

From brightly colored fruit to the freshest fish, fragrant spices to fine wines, and even candy, everything Barcelonians want to eat is in La Boqueria.

With all the fresh food to tempt you, you’ll probably get hungry, so get a bite to eat from one of the market’s stalls or restaurant. There are even tapas bars where you can eat standing up.

Even though the market has gained an international reputation in recent years, it still has a strong connection to the community.

The quality of the produce makes it a favorite among Barcelonian cooks, both home and professional, and many of La Boqueria’s stalls have been owned by the same families for generations.

Even if you’re not visiting the market for your groceries like the locals do, it’s worth a visit! You’ll see beautiful produce on display and merchants hawking their wares while locals go through their daily routines.

There’s no better way to get a feel for Barcelona’s history and community than a walk through La Boqueria.

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Up on the El Carmel hill, high above Barcelona, is Park Güell–one of the biggest architectural sites in southern Europe.

Originally meant to be a housing complex for the wealthy when it was designed in the early 1900s, it was instead made into a public park, free to enjoy even today.

Only two houses were ever built, so the garden dominates, with greenery and wildlife alongside incredibly detailed statues and architecture.

The park was designed to have a relaxing, natural atmosphere, with terraces and shaded walkways, pillars that look like trees, and a long bench shaped to look like a snake.

But the park also stimulates the imagination with stunning Art Nouveau structures and colorful mosaics made from broken tile.

You can just wander the paths and relax, or go on a hunt for all the park’s delightful oddities. The welcome center has suggested routes for getting the most out of the park.

While you’re there, visit the Gaudi House Museum, where the celebrated Spanish architect Antoni Gaudi, who designed the park, once lived.

Though Gaudi didn’t design this house, he did design the furniture inside it, as well as many of the decorations and drawings on display.

Whatever course you take, be sure to spend a few hours in Park Güell.

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Towering over Barcelona is the famous Spanish architect Antoni Gaudi’s greatest, yet unfinished, masterpiece, the Sagrada Família.

The basilica wasn’t even consecrated until 2010, over a century after construction began in 1882.

This ambitious project is still unfinished, and yet it is already one of Barcelona’s most remarkable pieces of architecture.

The original plans include a total of 18 spires, the completion of which will make the Sagrada Familia the tallest church building in the world.

As it is, there’s already a lot to take in, so set aside plenty of time. You might even want to bring binoculars to get a good look at the details.

See the Nativity facade on the eastern side of the building. It’s divided into three porticos, meant to represent the virtues of hope, faith, and charity, illustrated with statues depicting elements of life and nature. It’s also the oldest of the facades, and is the best representation of Gaudi’s original vision.

The Passion facade on the western side features porticos representing the same virtues as the Nativity facade, but here the depiction is stark and austere, invoking the suffering of the Passion.

Inside, see the light cast by the stained-glass windows, and the hand-carved columns made to resemble trees rising to support the high ceiling.

The Sagrada Família is a stunning combination of Gothic and Art Nouveau architecture, and its beauty and uniqueness makes it one of Barcelona’s most famous landmarks.

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In Barcelona, traditional cuisine competes with the new, but you don’t have to pick sides.

On the traditional end, you can’t go wrong with 7 Portes. It’s been around for well over a hundred years, and has stood the test of time for a reason. High-quality seasonal ingredients are used to create simple, classical dishes.

Tasting menus and molecular gastronomy are also very popular in Barcelona’s high cuisine scene, and there are a lot of great restaurants specializing in these trends.

For innovative New Catalan cuisine, visit Comerç 24 to try celebrated chef Carles Abellán’s new takes on traditional tapas.

Manairó is another great choice for gourmet ingenuity, with uniquely prepared dishes in a refined setting. But for elegance and delicious innovation at a more palatable price, try Coure.

Another good deal is Cinc Sentits, where the Catalan-Canadian head chef creates delicious fusion cuisine.

For seafood, Cal Pep is said to serve the best of the best on their tapas-style menu.

Or, for a more casual atmosphere, visit La Paradeta, where fresh seafood is set out on ice so you can pick what you want cooked for you.

Finish with an unforgettable dessert or three at Espai Sucre, the restaurant dedicated entirely to desserts. Satisfy your sweet tooth with one of the tasting menus, or just get the dessert tapas.

From dessert to dinner, traditional fare to molecular gastronomy, no matter what you like, you’re sure to eat well in Barcelona.

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You’ll want to explore Barcelona’s streets yourself, but the traffic makes driving ill-advised. Fortunately, there are plenty of options for when you need to make a trip beyond walking distance.

For shorter trips, rent a bicycle. There are plenty of bicycle lanes in central Barcelona, and there’s even a bike-sharing system that will let you use a bike for free, for short trips.

If you don’t want to worry about navigation, carrying things, or prefer the comfort of a ca, it’s best to take a taxi.

They aren’t too expensive, and they’re easy to hail in the street–just remember, if the green light on the roof is lit, the taxi is available.

Taxis are convenient, but for a quick, cheap trip, the metro is the best. It’s easy to use even for visitors, and it goes all over the city. To find a station, look for a red sign with a large “M” surrounded by a diamond shape.

To stay above ground, try the buses and trams, which aren’t as quick as the metro but still cover most of the city.

For a guided trip, try the Bus Turístic, which will take you to all of Barcelona’s major tourist sites. You can get off to explore at any point in the ride, and then get on a later bus to continue the tour. A round trip takes only a few hours depending on traffic.

As long as you know your options, getting around in Barcelona is easy.

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Sunny Barcelona is a tourist destination year-round for good reason — the Mediterranean climate is fairly mild for most of the year.

August is the one month you should try to avoid, because it gets so hot and humid that even the locals leave. August is the month when Barcelona is a sticky tourist town with few restaurants and stores open.

If you want to hit the beach, try May, June, or September. The weather will be warm but not sizzling, and the temperature of the water will be just right for swimming.

Winters are cold, but rarely freezing, and there’s never much snow or ice.

January and February are usually pretty sunny and see fewer tourists, making it a great time to enjoy the city’s atmosphere.

Though Barcelona is known for its pleasant weather, there’s still a good chance of rain any time of the year, so always pack an umbrella just in case.

You’ll also want to book in advance no matter when you’re going, because Barcelona is always popular.

But as long as you come prepared and avoid visiting when Barcelona is at its hottest and most touristy, the best time to visit depends on what you want to get out of your stay.

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Barcelona has more museums than you’ll have time to visit.

Start with the History Museum of Barcelona and tour the museum’s massive archeological site to get an idea of what Barcelona was like in ancient times, as far back as its Roman foundations.

Then, visit the National Art Museum of Catalonia, located in the majestic National Palace, to see some of the best examples of Catalonian art. It’s especially known for its collection of Romanesque artwork, from woodcarvings to frescoes.

See masterpieces like Las Meninas, The First Communion, and The Harlequin at the Picasso Museum. This museum is spread across five renovated Renaissance palaces and contains thousands of Picasso’s early works.

For sculptures, visit the Frederic Marès Museum — this museum houses the finest collection of medieval Spanish sculptures around, along with a variety of other fascinating historical objects, from toys to ceramics.

If you’re interested in modern art, you can’t skip the Contemporary Art Museum of Barcelona, which covers a broad range of Spanish modern art dating from the 40s to the present. The building that houses the museum is a work of modern art itself, with astounding architecture that stands out in an otherwise old-fashioned neighborhood.

Another great collection of modern art can be seen at the Joan Miró Foundation which has the world’s best collection of famous surrealist artist Joan Miró’s works.

These great museums are only the beginning of what Barcelona has to offer — Barcelona is a fantastic place to experience some of the world’s best art.

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It’s easy to see that Barcelona has sought to innovate since ancient times.

The Old City, is home to many of Barcelona’s attractions like The St. Mary of the Sea Cathedral which has stood in this part of town since the 1300s. The Cathedral remains a striking example of Gothic architecture.

Take a walk through the Gothic Quarter to see more of the preserved medieval buildings, then walk down the famous street La Rambla to visit the Boqueria market for fresh food and local flavor.

If you’re an architecture buff, Barcelona is home to many of the celebrated architect Antoni Gaudi’s buildings. See the unfinished Sagrada Família basilica which is still being worked on and is on its way to becoming the world’s tallest church building.

Casa Batlló is another of Gaudí’s most famous works, admired for its creative, irregular design.

La Pedrera, also called Casa Milà, is a much larger building, but it features the same unique style.

In Parc Güell, you can see more of Gaudí’s work in the artful landscaping he designed.

And, for more nature, head to the Parc de la Ciutadella, where you can relax by the lake, admire the fountains and statues, see the Catalan Parliament building, and visit the zoo of Barcelona.

Finally visit Montjuïc, home to the old fortress Castell de Montjuïc, along with a variety of museums and park — AND, one of the best views you can get of all of Barcelona.

You can’t really take in Barcelona all at once, but you can make sure to visit the best it has to offer.

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With historic neighborhoods full of character, Barcelona is a city meant to be explored slowly.

The Old City, is Barcelona’s oldest district. Barri Gòtic is the oldest section of the old city, and some ancient Roman architecture still remains. It’s also a completely pedestrian part of the city — so you can walk about freely.

The La Ribera neighborhood boasts some of the best Gothic architecture in the city, including the Basilica of Santa Maria del Mar.

In El Raval, take a walk down the famous La Rambla boulevard, which is always lively with flower stalls, street performers, and tourists and locals alike.

Barceloneta has seen a lot of modern development, including a newly opened harbor where you can hit the beach–or the clubs.

When you’re ready to slow down and take a break from the tourists, visit the picturesque neighborhood of Gràcia. Take a walk through Park Güell, or just stroll the streets to admire the architecture, which includes some of Barcelona’s famous modernist buildings.

The Eixample is another neighborhood where you can see great examples of Barcelona’s modernist architecture, including the celebrated Catalan architect Antoni Gaudí’s greatest work, the Sagrada Familia.

The neighborhoods of Montjuïc and Tibidabo rise above the city and offer stunning views. The best view of Barcelona is from Tibidabo, but, Montjuïc — on the other hand — is home to some of Barcelona’s best museums, including the Picasso Museum, The Joan Miró Foundation, and the National Art Museum of Catalonia.

Visit each of these 8 diverse and special neighborhoods for a different taste of Barcelona.