Travel Guide: Barcelona, Spain
The Barcelona EDITION Rooftop Bar
Wow this city is a special one. Imagine a beach town, with Spanish flare, infinite bars and restaurants, tiny alleys full of shops, and good people. You’re pretty much guaranteed amazing food, and some of the most beautiful churches and parks in the world. It was a very safe city as a whole and extremely easy to navigate by foot and subway.
I already cannot wait to go back. There is so much to explore!
FOOD AND DRINK:
Hands down the best food we had in all of Europe. We stayed fora week and never had a bad meal or drink! Make sure to get the local specialties when you visit: Cava (sparkling wine) and Paella (Spanish rice and seafood/chicken dish).
Below are the places we were recommended and enjoyed. The starred ones are our top favorites!
Creps Al Born: Mexican tequila bar (get the red light drink) ⭐️
Sauvage: Cocktail bar
OBE Restaurant: Italian wine and the fantastic carbonara ⭐️
Taverna El Glop: Paella (chicken and veggie paella was amazing) ⭐️
Edition: Rooftop bar with a beautiful city and ocean view (first image in this blog) ⭐️
Chivuos: Classic American burgers and pulled pork
Caravelle: Great menu! Burger and huevos rancheros were both fantastic
Salad House: Make your own salads
Mercado de La Boqueria: Lively city market with endless meal options and fresh food (great spot to get basic groceries)
Surf House: Outdoor restaurant overlooking Barcelonetta Beach. Loved the shrimp roll ⭐️
My Bar and Temple Bar: Irish pubs next to each other (great spots to watch sports games)
W Hotel / Eclipse Bar: Rooftop cocktail bar overlooking the city and beach (just look it up and you’ll understand)
Vegetalia Born: Great vegan paella
Vrutal: Casual and tasty vegan spot ⭐️ (get the Mac and cheese, blind date burger, and fried cauliflower)
Paradiso: Cocktail bar
Dr Stravinskys: Cocktail bar, scientist themed
BURRITOS: Make your own burritos, tacos, bowls, etc. ⭐️
Space Cowboy: Night club / cocktail bar
Shrimp Roll and Burrito from the Surf House
Paella and Cava at Taverna El Glop
Snacking on potato chips and a smoothie at Mercado de La Boqueria
PAELLA COOKING CLASS (AIRBNB EXPERIENCE):
Cook Classic Paella With A Chef
This has to be one of the most fun Airbnb experiences out there. It was an English-friendly cooking class of 10-15 people, and each group made a different paella recipe to share. The music was loud, your glass of cava was never empty, and the host and his team were hilarious. They walk you through every step of the recipe, and when finished you all sit together at a community table and enjoy everyone’s different paella recipes. 10/10 experience!
VEGAN FOOD TOUR (AIRBNB EXPERIENCE):
Spanish Vegan Cuisine in Barcelona
We are by no means vegan or vegetarian, but we tried this tour to explore some new dishes and styles of cooking and it did not disappoint! Everything was so tasty that we went to another vegan restaurant the next day (Vrutal). Highly recommend this experience!
HOTEL:
In the perfect, safe, area between two of the greatest neighborhoods in Barcelona (Gothic and El Born). Walking distance from almost anything and spacious, nice rooms with a rooftop pool.
TRANSPORTATION:
Metro/Subway System: This entire system is beautiful and super easy to navigate (especially through Google Maps - click the train icon when getting directions somewhere and it’ll sync to the metro system). You can access anything from it! Get a 10swipe card for the metro too if you plan on staying a few days or more! We regretted not doing this and ended up buying all our tickets individually, which cost more in the end.
Aero Bus: Hands down the easiest transportation from the airport to the city center (about 11 euro each). Do this over a cab any day! Same for your route back to the airport.
Google Maps: Whether you’re walking, taking the metro, a cab, scooter, car, the bus - whatever. It is your best friend and very accurate.
La Sagrada Familia (Basílica de la Sagrada Família)
Park Güell
Barcelonetta Beach
ACTIVITIES AND SIGHT SEEING (IN ORDER):
We had trouble prioritizing experiences to to with our tight schedule and long list of to-do’s, so here’s our opinion from top to bottom!
Sagrada Familia: This is a no brainer. One of the most beautiful churches in the entire world and you’ll understand why when you get there. Even if that’s not typically your vibe, go. Make sure you do the audio tour!
Barcelonetta Beach: Such a fun spot to be. Walk as much of it as you can! Marinas, sailboats, tons of sun bathers, fun bars and restaurants, and good energy. You’ll likely end up visiting this area many times after you go once!
Las Ramblas: The classic Main Street in the heart of Barcelona, connecting some of the best neighborhoods. Huge promenade full of people, tall trees, tons of stores and restaurants.
Walk Around Several Neighborhoods:
El born (bars and restaurants)
Gothic Quarter (bars and restaurants)
El Rival (foodie area)
El Poblenou (foodie area)
Gràcia (family oriented, laid back)
Park Guell: A beautiful park on top of a foothill that overlooks the city. Designed by Gaudi!
Montjuïc / Park Olympica: Another pretty foothill that overlooks the city and bumps up to the ocean. Nice area to get a good nature walk in and see where the 1992 Olypics were held!
Mount Tibidabo: The furthest foothill/mountain away from the old town area of Barcelona. Beautiful 360 views of the city, ocean, and surrounding mountain ranges and cities. There’s also an amusement park at the top (full of families and a long line when we were there). Was about 15 euros each to get to the top via train without doing the amusement park. Other than exploring the church and grabbing a snack there’s not much else to do up here(which is why this one is lower on the list). But still worth it if you have time!
Montserrat: Didn’t have time to do this but it was recommended by many people! A gorgeous mountain range about an hour from Barcelona, with a monastery up top. Google this one and you’ll understand.
Okay, okay! That’s all for now! If you made it this far, thanks for reading.
I hope you love this city as much as I do. Enjoy your stay and fell free to reach out if you have any questions!
Cheers!
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