Gazing at Gaudi. Photo by Jeannie Evans

For a story in this week’s Let’s Eat section, I wrote about a hands-on cooking class my daughter and I took this summer in Barcelona, Spain. While the class was a highlight of our trip, we found much more to savor.

We enjoyed shopping at stores such as Zara and especially at a collection of artisans’ booths we stumbled upon next to Museu d’Història de Catalunya. That’s where I found my favorite souvenirs, a necklace and matching earrings inspired by the work of the architect Antonio Gaudi.

Speaking of Gaudi: His colorful, fantastical buildings are scattered throughout the city — La Sagrada Familia, a still-unfinished cathedral that’s been under construction since 1882, is well worth a visit –  but our favorite spot was Parc Guell, an almost magical park dotted with whimsical structures perched on a hill high above the city.

The city contains enough museums to occupy a week or more of sightseeing. I browsed through three. The chocolate museum, Museu de la Xocolata, featured scenes made of chocolate and had exhibits on the history of chocolate. It wasn’t as interesting as I had hoped, but the gift shop was superb. (I should have bought more of the dark chocolate with candied orange peel.) The Picasso museum, Museu Picasso, demonstrated what made Pablo Picasso the artist he became.

While the Picasso museum draws more visitors than any other in Barcelona (and had the crowds to prove it), my favorite museum was far less crowded. It is the Museu d’Història de la Ciutat de Barcelona, a royal palace dating from the eighth and ninth centuries built atop archaelogical remains dating to the 1st century BC. The remains have been excavated, and vistors can walk through them, suspended on glass walkways just a few feet over an ancient town. It’s a fascinating glimpse into the past.

Biking in Barcelona. Photo by Jeannie Evans

We had gotten our first glance at the Barcelona History Museum a few days earlier. The courtyard outside was the first stop in a four-hour Fat Tire Bike Tour (led by a St. Louisan, Jonathan Ellis of University City). The tour was great, a street-level look at the city. We rode up to La Sagrada Familia and down to the beach, with stops at many places of interest in between. We learned a lot, had fun and bonded with the other tourists on the tour.

We also got out of town one day, taking an easy 40-minute train trip to Sitges. The beaches there are cleaner and less crowded than those in Barcelona. They’re also safer. Crime is a huge problem in Barcelona. A recent survey by TripAdvisor.com found that La Rambla, the main street for tourism, is the most likely place in the world to be the victim of a pickpocket. Thievery is everywhere. In fact, our carry-on bag was swiped before we even reached our lodging. We never saw it taken, although it was at our feet. In Barcelona, you’ll be able to relax only if your valuables are secured in a pouch around your neck or around your waist.

Despite being robbed, we had a wonderful week in Barcelona. We felt we only scratched the surface of things to see and do. I’d love to go back.