I've lived in Barcelona for years. Here are 6 things tourists should skip — and what they should do instead.

• I moved from the US to Barcelona about five years ago and love so much about the city.

• Enjoy views of Sagrada Familia from a nearby rooftop bar instead of crowding in front of it.

• Try Montjuïc instead of Park Guell or Badalona instead of Barceloneta Beach for fewer crowds.

With the picturesque beaches, Gaudi architecture, and mouthwatering tapas and wine it's no wonder Barcelona is one of the world's top tourist destinations.

After all, many of these things are what drew me here in the first place. Although I'm originally from Los Angeles, I have been lucky to live in Barcelona for about five years.

Here are some of my favorite things to do in Barcelona if you're looking to dodge crowds and experience local culture.

If you want to visit a park with scenic views, try Montjuïc instead of Park Guell.

Park Guell is one of Antoni Gaudi's many masterpieces. Perched on a hill above Barcelona city it offers great views and some intriguing Gaudi designs.

In the summer months, though, the park can feel sweltering due to its location and usual crowds. Plus, you also have to pay to enter it by buying a ticket in advance.

Instead, consider checking out Montjuïc, located on a hill overlooking the Mediterranean Sea. It's also a park with priceless views, except it has free entry and typically millions fewer visitors a year.

You could easily spend a day here taking in all that Montjuïc has to offer, from touring a centuries-old castle to eating at restaurants with tapas and tremendous views.

For a more authentic experience, explore the streets of Born instead of the famous Las Ramblas.

Las Ramblas is a busy pedestrian street that connects Plaza Catalunya to the ports of Barcelona and is bustling with shops, restaurants, and street performers.

It's popular with visitors, but you won't find many locals visiting the shops or dining at the restaurants, which can feel overpriced and geared toward tourists.

Instead, try visiting the nearby historic neighborhood of El Born. There, visitors can get lost among the alluring narrow streets filled with adorable artisanal shops and cozy tapas bars.

I've found it's a great place to find unique treasures to bring home and dine at historic eateries.

Consider exploring markets aside from the famous La Boqueria.

Most of Barcelona's neighborhoods have their own large marketplaces filled with fresh fruit, vegetable, and seafood stands.

They typically also have a few tapas bars where you can order the freshest croquetas and an ice-cold Spanish beer.

One of the most famous ones is La Boqueria in the Ciutat Vella district. Although it's nice, it draws massive crowds with its tens of millions of visitors a year.

Instead, head to Santa Caterina market in El Born. It has the charm of La Boqueria but typically far fewer visitors, making it easier to stroll about the market in peace.

Be sure to check out the restaurant attached to the market, Cuines Santa Caterina, which serves delicious local fare and succulent wines.

Instead of snapping photos in front of La Sagrada Familia, enjoy its beauty from a nearby rooftop bar.

Sagrada Familia is definitely worth visiting — and, if possible, make a reservation to see its interior. It's truly magnificent to see Gaudi's masterpiece up close.

The outside is mesmerizing as well, but instead of pushing through crowds to snap a photo from the ground, make a reservation at the terrace at Sercotel Rosellón.

From this nearby hotel bar, you can enjoy the beauty of Sagrada Familia from a higher, less-crowded perspective while sipping on a cup of cold cava.

Skip the crowds at Barceloneta Beach and instead enjoy the sands of Badalona.

Barcelona is home to fabulous white-sand beaches with turquoise seas. One of the more well-known is Barceloneta Beach — but during high season, visitors pack into it like gridlock traffic on an LA freeway.

Not only is there little space to spread out, but also it's hard to find peace and quiet on the city's most-visited beach.

Instead, I like beach days in Badalona, a neighboring town to Barcelona that's accessible by a quick train ride. Here, I can still enjoy mesmerizing seas and beautiful beaches but often with fewer crowds and more serenity.

Instead of only eating paella at popular spots, have pinchos on Blai Street.

Although paella — a traditional Spanish rice dish served with seafood, vegetables, or meat — is an incredibly tasty staple here, many other local classics are worth trying.

I especially love pinchos, which are slices of baguettes topped with various toppings, such as cheese, ham, meatballs, or seafood.

At only a few euros each, they're also an affordable way to try local cuisine. Some of my favorites can be found on Blai Street in the Poble Sec neighborhood.

I suggest spending an afternoon stopping at the charming restaurants along Blai and trying a pincho in each.

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