A prevalent city right across the Atlantic, where you get a mixture of European culture, city life and beach scenery is the lovely city of Barcelona. Filled with history, sangria, architecture and all the paella you can eat, this Spanish city is perfect for a long weekend trip and well worth a stop while traveling in Europe. Whether you are visiting in the dead of winter, middle of summer, or late fall you are sure to be awed by what the city has to offer. Although I couldn’t hit the beach, my sister, (who was studying abroad here at the time of my visit) was able to show us around the city, including some of her favorite spots she discovered while living in Barcelona. Let’s head back to the pre-Covid days (literally we visited here in February 2020 right before the world basically ended for two years) and discover how to spend your next trip to the Catalan City of Spain.
Number of Days to Stay: 3-5 Days
Expenses: $$-$$$
Best Time to Travel: Any time of year. If you want a mix of relaxation and exploration, travel during the warmer months to hit the beach. If you want to avoid the city heat and are looking to check out the amazing architecture and many museums, visit during the winter and fall!
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Where to Stay:
Gothic Quarter
If you are looking for the most popular neighborhood to find an accommodation in Barcelona, the Gothic Quarter is the perfect area to stay in. Whether you are exploring museums, dining at the best restaurants, sightseeing architectural masterpieces, or sipping on some Spanish wine, you will find yourself awed in every corner of the Gothic Quarter.
Eixample
Eixample is the biggest and newest neighborhood of Barcelona making it also the most expensive. If you are looking to stay in a city atmosphere, look for a hotel or Airbnb in this neighborhood. Filled with the best shops, great restaurants, and entertaining bars, you will find yourself immersed in all of the ways to blow through your money in the best way possible. Fortunately, this neighborhood is huge so you can either stay in the luxury parts or the more affordable section. My Mom and I decided to find a rental apartment in the more affordable part of Exiample when visiting my sister.
La Barceloneta
Sick of the city and are looking to stay somewhere near the water? Barceloneta is the perfect neighborhood if you want to escape the city streets and relax oceanside. There are many authentic seafood restaurants as well as nightlife in this area. This is one of the more quiet areas to stay in with a short distance to lounge in the sun. Unfortunately, it isn’t the most budget friendly, but I listed some accommodations below worth checking out.
EL BORN
Do you want to stay close to the city and the beach while living like a local? El born is the neighborhood for your vacation! Nestled in between Gothic Quarter and Eixample, this will give you easy access to the most popular areas of the city without all the hustle and bustle! Not to forget, it is considered the trendy neighborhood of Barcelona filled with unique boutiques, artist, and chic tapas bars.
Where to Eat:
Restaurants:
- Bo de B ($) – One of the cheaper restaurants to eat in Barcelona known for their sandwiches and Patatas Bravas (French fries.)
- CDLC ($$$) – Catalan fusion restaurant, also has amazing sangria and great for brunch
- La Plata ($) – Local restaurant for wine and their fried anchovies
- Cecconi’s ($$$) – Although a famous restaurant in the U.S., this was actually the first time I ever tried the delicious Italian food of Cecconi’s and highly recommend dining here
- Robata Sushi & Grill ($$$) – My sister recommended this restaurant as the food was amazing, especially the sushi
- Brunch and Cake ($) – We got brunch here and it was absolutely delicious. If you are an Avo Toast fan, this is a must try
- Cañete ($$$) – If you are looking for fresh seafood and Catalan cuisine make sure you book a reservation at this family owned restaurant
- Casa Maians ($$) – Great restaurant by the beach for seafood
- La Pepita ($$$)
- Batea Barcelona ($$-$$$)
Tapas:
- Moro Fi ($$) – If you are looking for pregame bites or to fill up on tapas, this restaurant is perfect with the bar atmosphere and delicious small plates
- El Xampanyet ($$) – This restaurant has been around since the 1920s and is known for their sparkling wine and tapas menu
- Can Paxiano – Tapas bar recommended by a friend, make sure to order at the counter
- Bar Bodega Quimet ($) – This bar serves some of the best tapas that locals can’t get enough of and sitting at a bar and eating tapas is very popular in Barcelona
- Cal Pep ($$$) – If you want to spend money on some tapas, then the famous Cal Pep is one of the most famous tapas bars to eat at
- Jai Ca ($) – The most affordable and delicious tapas bar in Barcelona serving amazing small dishes
Paella:
- El Xiringuito Escriba ($$$) – If you don’t mind dropping some money on the best paella you will eat, than make sure to dine here as there are many types of paella to choose from
- Mana 75 ($) – This restaurant cooks the paella traditionally and right in front of guest. This restaurant is not only known for flavor, but the prices can’t be beat at €25/person (minimum of two people)
- Can Fisher ($$) – You cannot go to Barcelona without eating paella and luckily this is situated right on the beach for a beautiful view
- 7 Portes ($$$) – This restaurant has been around since the 1820s (yup, you read that right) and has some of the most famous traditional rice paellas and starters. The rest of the menu may be expensive, but the paellas are priced fairly inexpensive
- Can Sole ($$$) – Although the menu is on the pricey side, the paella is priced at €17/person (minimum of two people) and is rated the most authentic classic paella in Barcelona
Vegetarian/Vegan Recommendations:
Barcelona is very vegan/vegetarian friendly, there are so many places to dine from restaurants to cafes.
- Cactus Cat ($$) – Catalan cuisine
- Eqvuilibrium Café ($$) – Great for breakfast foods and smoothie bowls
- Teresa Carles ($$) – Mediterranean cuisine
- Cream BNC ($) – Vegan ice cream
- El Vato Loco ($) – Original and fully vegan Neapolitan style pizzeria.
- Santa Vegana ($) – Sandwiches and pastries
- Chez Kessler ($$$) – Fine dining Mediterranean
- Little Fern Cafe ($$) – Vegan and vegetarian options, coffee and cocktails!
- Veggie Garden ($)
- Teresa Carles ($$)
- The Green Spot ($$$)
- Pastan Barcelona ($$)
- Monchito ($$)
- The Vegan Corner ($$)
What to Do:
Activities
- Wine & Cheese Tasting – One of the more popular activities to do in Barcelona if you are short on time and want to taste as much Spanish wine and cheese as possible
- Tapas Tours – Another popular tour to take while visiting the famous Catalan city to eat as many small plates as your heart desires
- Shop on Passeig de Gracia – This is the 5th avenue of Barcelona where you can find many luxury shops and European fast fashion retailers
- Catch an FC Barcelona game at Camp Nou – FC Barcelona is arguably one of the most popular soccer franchises in Europe and especially Spain. If you want a true fan sports experience, there is nothing like a FC Barcelona home game
- La Sagrada Familia – The most famous church in Barcelona, known for being under construction for over 100 years and is set to finish in 2026! Gaudi was one of the architects to design and it is known for its different styles in the front and back
- Barcelona Cathedral – If you are looking for gothic architecture, this cathedral is not to miss in the center of the Gothic Quarter. Not only is it beautiful on the outside, but for only a couple of euros you can tour the fascinating décor inside the church
- Park Guell – Another famous Gaudi design and popular destination to visit in Barcelona. It has a beautiful view of the sunset and is a great spot to wander, sit and sip on a bottle of wine while enjoying the views
- Hike Montserrat – If you are looking for adventure with a great reward, the hike to the monasteries at Montserrat is said to be absolutely stunning
- Walk around Gothic Quarter – There is so much to see and explore in this section of the city as there are many shops, restaurants, bars and small streets, as well as art and sculptures in some of the squares
- Visit Mercado de La Boqueria in Las Ramblas – If you are a foodie and looking to try small portions of different foods then visiting Mercado de La Boqueria is a must! There were so many food stands to try as well as buy fresh produce and meats, desserts or snacks
- Bunker of Carmel – This spot used to be an abandoned aircraft defenses and is now turned into one of the best views of Barcelona especially during sunset
- Visit Arch De Tromp – This is a quick stop to take a photo and marvel at one of the 15 Arc De Tromps around the world. This one is especially my favorite as it is surrounded by palm trees and steers away from the traditional white marble color.
- Santa Maria Del Mar Church – This church, like many of the others in Barcelona, has amazing architecture both in the interior and exterior. If you have time to make a stop and grab a quick glance, it is very worth it
- Ride the cable car to Montjuic Castle – The castle is beautiful and dates to the 1600s. Not only is the architecture amazing, but there is a spectacular view overlooking the city
- Visit the fountain Gaudi made at Ciutadella
Museums/Architecture
- Museu d’Art Contemporani de Barcelona (MACBA) – The home to many art pieces from El Greco and Picasso
- Picasso Museum – Learning art history was a little bit of a bore in college, but it was really exciting seeing the famous art pieces of Picasso in person and learning the history of the famous artist. This museum has the most pieces of art by Pablo Picasso and even if you are not a fan of art (like my mom, who I dragged with me) you can’t help but admire his work
- Moco Museum – Like the museum in Amsterdam, Moco Museum in Barcelona holds all contemporary art for you to marvel at. Discover art pieces by famous artists like Banksy, Andy Warhol, Jean-Michel Basquiat, Keith Haring, Yayoi Kusama, an Immersive experience and some exhibitions that maybe showing for a limited time
- Casa Mila – If you are walking around Exiample, you will pass Casa Mila which is one the few famous buildings built by Gaudi in Barcelona. There is even a chance to climb to the top of the building and get a look of the city from the roof
- Casa Battlo – Near Casa Mila is another famous Gaudi architectural piece called Casa Battlo. This spot is also an easy stop on the street to take a quick snap and admire it’s beauty
- Casa Vicens – This is the very first house that Gaudi designed and built in Barcelona
Nightlife
Rooftop Bars:
- Terraza Ayre Rosselló – If you are visiting La Sagrada Familia and want a perfect view of the bar, make sure to go here. You can sip some amazing sangria and enjoy the view while avoiding the crowds
- Hotel Colon Rooftop – When we needed a break from walking around the Gothic Quarter, we stopped at Hotel Colon to grab a couple of bites and enjoy the view of the Cathedral. The rooftop has two floors, so if you want a panoramic view of the Gothic Quarter make sure to snag a table at the top
- Eclipse Rooftop at the W Hotel– If you want a beautiful view of the ocean and Barceloneta this is a great rooftop to go too especially if you are looking to party all night.
- NH Collection Barcelona Gran Hotel Calderón – Here you can hang poolside and enjoy chill vibes with a 360 view of the city
- Carolinian Museum Rooftop – If museums are just not your thing, but looking for a rooftop with nice views grab a seat at the rooftop of the Carolinian Museum overlooking the yachts in the harbor.
Bars:
There are so many unique bars in Barcelona to visit, which I will make a different post highlighting all the different bars and experience you can have. For now, below is some of the top bars to highlight that are worth visiting your first time in Barcelona.
- Chupitos – If you are looking for a fun place with exotic shots, this is the place for you. There are over 600 shots you can order, but some of the most famous ones are the Monica Lewinsky or The Viking. This place is very popular so it can get crowded, but worth going to for the experience.
- Dow Jones – This bar is modeled after the stock market and the prices of drinks vary depending on what people are buying. When the market crashes it is the most fun. The concept overall is very cool, but it isn’t executed properly.
- Absinthe Bar – If you are looking to try absinthe (which is illegal in most countries), then this is the bar to get your first taste.
- Paradiso ($$) – Hidden behind a fridge door (almost like a speakeasy at a Pastrami Shop in El Born, you will find a bar that makes every drink with an astounding detail whether it’s smoke, fire, dry ice or whatever your heart desires.
- ClubHaus ($$) – If you are looking for a cool atmosphere where you can find the best espresso martini, the walls are covered in Graffiti Art, and you want to challenge your friends in some games, ClubHaus is a must stop for a drink.
- Polaroid Bar ($) – If you want a 1980s bar where you can find Vinyl, VHS Tapes, and Polaroid cameras, (I hope our Gen-Z workers know what at least some of these are) this bar scene is great to chill and rewind in time.
- Bobbyl’s Free – The barber shop façade of Bobby’s Free is deceiving, but once you enter and say the secret password (which you can find on their Instagram or Facebook) you will enter a 1920s vibe bar with an amazing selection of cocktails and gin.
- Futballarium – You can’t go to Barcelona without watching a Barcelona game in person or on TV. If you are looking for the ultimate soccer bar with FC Barcelona fans, make sure to catch a game here
Clubs:
If you are into EDM, you will find some of the best clubs to visit in Barcelona. Please note that unless you have table service you will be charged €10-€20 for an entry fee.
- Razzmatazz – This is the biggest club in Barcelona with five rooms to dance in and high energy house music. Sometimes big names in EDM like Diplo will play here.
- La Terrazza – Another popular spot to listen to house, techno, and dance music, but it is only open from April to September
- Shoko – This is the club I went to when visiting Barcelona. Located right next to the beach, the space is huge and there is an outdoor area to chill at if you need fresh air
- Sutton – Located in Exiample, this is another fun club to visit that will host good DJs to play house music
- Opium – One of the expensive clubs in Barcelona, but if you are looking to dance to some house music and radio hits, it is worth the trip
- Pacha Barcelona – If you are missing Pacha and can’t make the trip to Ibiza, there is no worry as there is one located in the city! Come here for one of the most iconic club brands in history of dance music and listen to a mix of Hip Hop, Dance reggaeton and house music
- Disco City Hall – If you are looking for a dance club with local DJs, this spot will have you moving and grooving all night with the locals
- Moog – If you want a mix of house and pop music, this is a great club to visit as it is separated by three floors, one of them being a mirror room!
- Sidecar – If you are not into dance, techno or pop, Sidecar plays just about every other type of music
Transportation:
Getting To Barcelona
Airport – Barcelona is very easy to get to from the east coast of the U.S. and anywhere in Europe. Not to mention, it is cheap to fly to the Spanish city. When I traveled here, I was bouncing around through Europe and came from Venice, Italy. The flight was just under €100 (you read that right, it’s less expensive than flying to Florida from NYC) and was a quick two-hour trip. My mom met us by flying in from Newark, NJ on a one-way ticket, which was also inexpensive considering how much a plane ticket would usually cost in the summer months. A non-stop flight will take about 7 and half hours from the East Coast and if you are coming from the West Coast of the U.S., you are most likely going to have to make a stop on the East Coast to get there as there are little to no options for a direct flight.
Train – If you are hopping around Europe or Spain taking the train is a budget friendly option while witnessing some specular landscapes. Madrid, Seville, and Valencia are a few popular cities in Spain.
While in Barcelona
Public Transportation –
- Metro – The Barcelona Metro system is really easy and efficient. There are nine different lines that are color coded, but the main lines to take to get around to the popular parts of the city are the green, yellow, and blue lines. There is a metro map that you can follow with all the lines, routes, and there stops. There are different passes you can by whether they are single, weekly, or monthly. To buy a pass you purchase that at any station with the “I” indication at the ticket booth. Be cautious of the time you are traveling as the metro does not run all night. Most trains run from 5:00 am to 24:00 (am) Monday through Thursdays, 5:00 am to 2:00am on Fridays, and all hours of operation on Saturdays and Sundays. The L9 is the line that travels to the airport and operates daily from 9:00 am to 12:00 pm.
- Bus – There are over 100 bus lines that run through Barcelona, making it very easy to travel in the city. Although it can be a little confusing on which bus to take, your accommodation can tell you what the nearest line is. There is also a bus map to figure out which route to take to your destination. Each bus line has a different timetable of when the buses run; the general times the bus run are from 5:00 am to 22:00 (10:00 pm.)
Taxi/Uber/Private Car Service –
- Uber – If you are a loyal Uber customer, then you are in luck as Barcelona is one of the few cities in Europe to have access to Ubers service. When I visited in 2020, this was a great way to great around the city from a night out, and the prices were less than one would pay to get around New York City. Start booking, rack up those Uber points, and make sure to keep you star status high.
- Taxis/cabs – Taxis are easily accessible throughout Barcelona and easy to hail. No matter where you are in Barcelona, you will be able to take a taxi to your destination. The great part about the cab is that they are fairly affordable and clean.
Renting ATVs / Cars / Scooters – Unless you plan to explore outside of the city for a long period of time, there is no reason to rent a vehicle as public transportation is easily accessible and the city it easy to move around. Not to forget that hailing a cab is effortless and affordable.
I cannot wait to visit Barcelona in the warmer months and experience the beach and summer vibes the city has. Although visiting in the winter I was able to cover a lot, as a soccer fan I want to witness a soccer game at Camp Nu and discover more of the amazing restaurants and bars the city has. Not to mention, Ibiza is on my bucket list and there is no easier way to get there than flying into Barcelona first.
From the amazing art pieces by Picasso, phenomenal architecture by Gaudi, delicious sangria that I could not stop drinking and all the tapas and paella you can eat, Barcelona is a must visit European destination for your next holiday. Espero verte pronto!
Best Wishes,
Barcelona
