As a Colorado girl, I’ve always been partial to friendly people, beautiful landscapes, and endless days of sunshine. Barcelona, Spain—a Mediterranean heaven I can only describe to my fellow Americans as the California of Europe— had all this and so much more. Below, I’ve mapped out my itinerary for the two amazing weeks I spent in the city—not including a couple of sick days spent on the couch with a cold!

Must See: The Gothic Quarter

While it’s almost impossible to hit every nook and cranny of the waterfront-adjacent Gothic Quarter, I did my best to defy the odds by spending several days walking up each cobblestone street and alleyway. With its maze of Venetian architecture and charming storefronts around each corner, the area seems almost like a Spanish take on Italy. Be sure to spend a bit of time here after dark, as that’s when the Spaniards come alive and the magic truly begins. I ended my nights here eating tapas, watching local kids play football (aka soccer) and basking under the warm glow of the one-of-a-kind iron streetlights.

Must See: The Sagrada Familia

Somehow, this Gaudi masterpiece manages to appear even crazier in person than it does in pictures. I had to crane my neck just to try and catch a glimpse of the top spires. The structure itself is so massive it seems to encompass several city blocks and consists of decades upon decades of construction, seen through the juxtaposition of the original brown section with the brightly colored new build. In summary, it’s wild! Pictures can’t even begin to capture all the hues and finite details of this gigantic church. The surrounding area is as vibrant as the building, and worth taking a walk around. For a true city tour, stroll all the way down to the waterfront pier.

Must See: Park Guell

Another Gaudi masterpiece, the Park Guell is unique in that it is home to several designs by the world-famous architect (can you tell I’m a fan?). After climbing two large hills and several flights of stairs, I finally arrived at the entrance to this sprawling greenspace. Between the fountains, palm trees, wildlife (including countless nests of parrots), and whimsical benches, houses, and carvings, this was easily one of my favorite places in the city. Every twist in the dirt path lead to some new discovery, from an expansive city view to a salamander fountain. It’s a bit like Central Park on steroids!

Must See: Monserrat 

For those unfamiliar, Monserrat is an ancient Spanish monastery built into the side of mountains just outside Barcelona. As tranquil as such a place may sound, this is actually quite a lively destination. In addition to the monastery itself, the grounds feature hikes, stores, restaurants, a museum and even a local farmers market. I managed to keep myself occupied for the better part of a day here without ever setting foot in the monastery. For those who do want to venture inside, make sure to dress appropriately (aka fully covered). There are a few different ways to reach this destination, but taking the tram (basically a giant gondola) up to the top is in my opinion the most fun. However, those of you with claustrophobia may want to drive!

Must See: Tossa de Mar

In order to have the full Spanish experience, a trip to the beach is a must. This small town not only has a huge beach and turquoise water, but miles of downtown streets and a castle on the brink of the ocean. The whole area (including the castle) is fully walkable and never loses sight of the ocean. I hiked along the beach and up the short hill to the castle, which was still fully in tact and featured beautiful sea views in all directions. It’s easy to lose track of time here, but I do recommend leaving early enough to eat dinner elsewhere—affordable, high quality restaurants are the only thing the town lacks. 

I fell in love with Spain and can honestly say it’s the easiest foreign country I’ve ever visited. Everything felt natural, from interactions with locals to getting around. By the end of my trip, I felt like I wasn’t ready to leave this place, a place that ultimately had come to feel just a little like home.