WHY GO: It's got it all, culture, hikes, great food and the beach!
FOR HOW LONG: Book in a week. It's possible to get an intro to Barca in a weekend break... but you’ll certainly be coming back for more!
WHAT'S MY BUDGET: Allow for £50-£60 per day for food and stuff to do
WHERE TO STAY:
GETTING AROUND: Barcelona may be the biggest metropolis on the med, but it’s really walkable. If your feet are getting achey, the metro is just over €2 for a single anywhere, and the hop on/off bus is good too, they offer 3 routes that hit all the Gaudi hotspots whilst taking in the stunning scenery in between.
LANGUAGE: Everyone will tell you the Catalonians are insulted if you speak to them in Spanish… my
experience was the opposite! They were really welcoming of my poor attempts! English is widely
known but you may need a phrasebook if you're planning on getting a cab.
(ERIN EDIT: Charlotte actually has impressive Spanish skills.)
For a city where the main attractions are, a Church which has been under construction for over 100 years (no I haven’t added a zero) and a fake beach made to fool Olympic fans into believing the city wasn’t just an ugly port… Barcelona cannot be beaten when it comes to beauty and style. Nestled between the Collserola Mountain range and the majestic Mediterranean, Catalonian’s Capital is a cultural paradise offering up more than anyone can, metaphorically, chew on in just a couple of days. One of the best things about Barcelona is that there’s so much going on, but on the other hand, it makes it bloody hard to write about! In fact, it’s easy to be daunted by how much Barcelona has on offer, but lucky for you I’ve put it all down into digestible chunks below. GET CHEWING. (Or in Catalonian, MASTEGAR)
where to go, and WHAT TO embrace
MOUNTJUÏC
I recommend an afternoon for strolling about Mountjuïc but you could easily spend the day. We went up in the cable car because, well, I’m a sucker for a view. Surrounding the fortress you can stroll through some pretty nature trails, spy the needle and Olympic stadium and meander through the Botanical gardens. And keep reading for the best way to stop for a refreshment just like a local right here!
TIP: Make sure you have a map as it's a large area and not the easiest to navigate! But it's pretty enough that you won't mind getting lost.
In fact, Lonely planet layout a great day trip itinerary for Mountjuïc. If you're feeling it, check it out.
Football fan or not, get yourself to a match! The stadium holds 99,000 people and is amazing to behold. The Spanish love their football so the atmosphere is electric.
TIP: Have your beers before as the Camp Nou is an alcohol free stadium! Oh and take snacks… they are over-priced and LAAMMMEE in the stadium and the queues are long!
BEACH
Not somewhere we could frequent in January, but you should also avoid the main beach in the summer. It’s packed with tourists and litter. (There are plenty of beaches you can travel to and that’s what the locals do.) I’d still recommend a stroll or cycle along the front though as the view is beautiful and there’s plenty to se-a. (SORRY FOR THAT ONE)
BARRI GOTIC
I’d recommend staying near the Gothic Quarter. The streets are narrow and lined with rows of beautiful gothic architecture to get lost amongst.
Take in all the wonderful sights and smells at this busy food market, home to plenty of locals coming for their weekly shop. It’s great fun and you can get some lovely churros and a coffee in the cafes surrounding it.
TIP: Make sure you go when you’re hungry as there is plenty to try; from meats and cheese to smoothies and sweets.
They offer private tours for groups up to 6 people; bigger the group, cheaper the price. It’s 3 hours, packed full of info, see ALL the top sites and you get to find your bearings - all rolled into one. WORTH THE DOLLAR!
TIP: You can choose your start time for this tour and I recommend planning it to finish at sunset. It finishes with a ride along the seafront and there’s nothing more pleasing than taking in those pink orange skies across the beautiful big blue.
LA RAMBLA
This is one I’d recommend avoiding. It’s a long street of tourist traps, expensive restaurants, men selling drugs, prostitutes grabbing your bits and annoying punters trying to get you in the Irish bar for a free shot… wait… why am I dissuading you?? Right…the prostitutes actually want to steal from you and you’re in Barcelona – get out of the Irish pubs already! My advice: Walk up to it, look left and right, take a snap, carry on walking.
CATEDRAL
A cheap alternative to going up La Sagrada Familia (see below). You can pay €7 and head right to the roof in this impressive Catedral. A short lift ride takes you up to a panoramic view of the stunning city.
TIP: This is also a place for history buffs as parts of the interior date back to the 1500’s!
EMBRACING ALL THINGS GAUDI
The famous, still unfinished, Gaudi passion project. A church with a fantastical façade that feels like it’s been dreamt up in a wild
night at Glastonbury. A must see in Barcelona.
TIP: Don’t bother waiting in the long queues to go inside… it’s an expensive building site and the beauty is the exterior.
This Gaudi masterpiece is only €16 to head inside and be transported into his magical mind. The exterior is often compared to that of a dragon because of its scaley mosaic design and inside the theme continues with the winding and wavy walls alluding to the idea of being inside the creature’s stomach!
One of my highlights of the trip was visiting Gaudi’s park Guell. I recommend booking in advance for the paid section of this, which takes you through the home of Eusebi Guell. Guell commissioned Antoni Gaudi and Joan Martorell to dream up his fascinating home; a place glittering with mosaic design, above impressive columns with stunning views.
TIP: Get there early in summer as it's a tourist trap and it's harder to enjoy its beauty when it's crawling with selfie sticks! Also allow plenty of time to find the entrance within the main Park as it’s not signposted clearly.
There is tonnes more Gaudi and if you just can’t get enough then why not get yourself onto one of the many guided Gaudi tours?
where to BRUNCH
Confession time… I’m a veggie. Fellow plant-lovers, enjoy the below! The rest of you… soz. No, in all seriousness, don’t let the veggie’ness put you off - these places are great and there’s something for everyone below!
TIP: don’t go for dinner before 7:30/8, this is Spain, you’ll look like a loser who’s dining alone.
STYLE: Hipster / Relaxed / Brunch
If you are looking for a top notch brunch spot, look no farther. This one is a little bit hip with the seating mainly around one table and some Shoreditch style décor, but don’t be put off! The breakfast is super tasty and the coffee exceptional.
STYLE: Punk / Vegan / Cool / Laid back / Lunch / Dinner
This super cool authentic vegan bar is a tiny little place just off the beaten track. Serving up tasty American style vegan burgers in a variety of flavours along with some patatas bravas. Closed on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, plus it’s only small so get there early as they don’t let you just hang around drinking at the bar. FLAX AND KALE
STYLE: Stylish / Flexitarian / Modern / SmartCasual / Dinner / Healthy
This might be pretentious foodie heaven. But I was totally blown away. The setting combines factory style exposed piping with a chic modern layout. The food is innovative and exciting –and it’s all super healthy! You can get fish but no meat at this one. They are known for their Juices – don’t miss out!
STYLE: casual / local / vegetarian /dinner
Cost: €7-11
Another adorable vegetarian place that doubles up as a music shop. It’s super cool and you won’t hear any Brits in this little local. The setting is like your nan's old attic, lots of antiques, records, and Spanish flutes stuck in the table. It’s quiet and the food is delicious.
STYLE: lunch / homely / locals
Cost: 2 large portions of different cheeses and bread, €6
We ended up sitting in this adorable lunch spot all afternoon - whoops! They serve over 50 craft beers and some of the best cheese I have ever tasted! It looks like an old church hall with mix matched furniture and is a quiet relaxed spot to rest up.
STYLE: Lunch / Dinner / Romantic
Cost: €7-15
Lit by candlelight and complete with cramped tables, delicious wine and beautiful oil paintings this is the perfect date spot for those who want a true taste of Catalan - (especially for fish-lovers I am told).
where to BOOZE
This cute little bar comes alive at night with fantastic live music. Get in there around 9pm, settle into a seat and watch as the bar packs out with locals out for a dance! Live music kicks off from 10pm.
This jazz bar feels like you’ve walked into a New York apartment. People are sat on the gangway, on the floor, on the steps…anywhere they can fit. All there to enjoy the live music which is played nightly.
This makeshift bar and BBQ is definitely a place for those of you who love to relax with a stunning view. It’s hidden away at the top of Mountjuic. Follow the sea around until you hear the music out of the speakers. Take a seat and someone will come to you.
This cocktail bar has been around since 1891 but it used to be a coffee shop. The cocktails are really good and come in all sorts of weird and wonderful contraptions. The staff are friendly and it’s open late!
Catalonia is not known for Sangria! Don’t try and order it. It is known for Cava though! And what better place to enjoy it than this awesome bar selling solely Catalonian Cava and tapas. MMM!
Comments