In terms of appeal, Barcelona is akin to Paris in the realm of European cities. Nestled along the Mediterranean Sea, it serves as a good starting and end point for exploring Spain. Though massively appealing, the size of the city might be intimidating to newcomers. So for those on a time crunch here are my recommendations.

1. Go on a Free Walking Tour

Walking tours are abundant in many European cities. They serve as great introductions to major historic sites and are a life saver for the time-crunched traveler. On top of this, many of the guides will give specific recommendations for places to see, eat, and drink.

The tours in Barcelona are no different. Our guide instructed us around the old Gothic Quarter that focused heavily on religious events that shaped the city. However, keep in mind that tours do vary on subject matter, and I do recommend exploring as many as possible.

2. Visit Antoni Gaudi's masterpieces

Antoni Gaudi left an indelible mark on the already vibrant city. An untouchable visionary of the Art Nouveau variety, his ostentatious projects serve as living landmarks to his colorful imagination. Park Guelle, Sagrada Famillia, Casa Batlló, and others are marvels of the artistic world. Casa Batlló has a fluid character that touches both the modern and classical realms, creating an almost 'science-fiction-esque' vibrancy. I recommend bookmarking at least two days to view these UNESCO Heritage sites.

3. Practice your photography in the Gothic Quarter

Terrible at night photography? Want to practice early morning sunrise photos that capture the relationship between natural and artificial luminescence? Great, I know the place for you! The intricacy of the building structures allows you to hone both your micro and macro skills for finer details.

Light reflections from the avenues create great nighttime pictures. Add some movement, and you may produce your own masterpiece. A diverse layout also allows for greater forgiveness of mistakes. As focus can easily be shifted to other interesting structures.

4. Venture through the Hillside Gardens

Located around the Museu Nacional d'Art de Catalanya. Several gardens serve as aesthetic mazes that lead to other historic locations. This includes the Montjuïc Castle and several botanical gardens. These spots also allow for great panoramic shots of the city. From multiple vantage points you can see La Sagrada Familia, and truly grasp the hillside layers that stretch away from the coast. Just make sure to wear comfortable shoes for the hike.

5. Visit the Camp Nou

Home to one of the biggest sporting club's in Europe, the Camp Nou offers a rich offering of Barcelona's athletics traditions.This includes wandering through the vast trophy room, walking on the crisp, green pitch, and even stopping by for a lounge in the posh skybox. Sure, most folks will be focused on the big football icons of Messi, Ronaldhino, Cruyff, and Zubizarreta. But other sports, such as hockey, have their own showcase. Even Lakers fans will be able to look at Paul Gasol's basketball display.

Looking back at the experience, it's really not surprising that the Eiffel Tower was originally meant for Barcelona. Spending nearly a week hoboing in the city wasn't enough time. Even after exploring chunks of both the center and periphery, I can't get enough of what the city offers.