Get ready and put on your best walking shoes, because this city has a lot to see, and there’s a ton of ground to cover to see it all!
Barcelona is on the northeastern coast of Spain, in the Catalunya region on the Mediterranean Sea. With a population of over 5.6 million and 27 million visitors each year, you can expect some crowds and time spent waiting in line at any of the main tourist attractions. So, if you keep that in mind and book entry tickets ahead of time, you will have a much more enjoyable experience. Also, there are some less touristy locations I will get to that are a nice reprieve, where you can get a better feel for the local lifestyle.
Unless you plan on spending most of your time on the beach, the best time to visit is during the shoulder season which is April/May, and Sept/Oct. The weather is comfortable and accommodation a bit more affordable.
Mercè festival
If you happen to go at the end of September, that is when the Mercè Festival is happening. it is a 5 day celebration to bring in the changing of the seasons and honour the people of Barcelona. It is a huge party in the streets, full of tradition and fun for all ages. There are parades, free concerts, Human Towers, and feasts to be shared! We had an absolute blast witnessing these events and the abundant energy of the Catalonian people!
Barcelona is a city you could live in for years and still discover new things. I’m going to highlight our favorite neighborhoods and things to do while visiting this spirited city.
*It will be evident throughout this blog that there is an emphasis on Antoni Gaudi and his magnificent structures. Gaudi’s esthetic design has left an imprint on Barcelona that makes it uniquely distinguishable from other cities in Europe…. we really couldn’t get enough of it!
Gothic Quarter
Welcome to the mysterious, romantic cobblestone streets of El Gotic. This was where we chose to stay due to its central location, medieval architecture and narrow pedestrian streets with cozy Tapas Bars and quirky alleyways.
We always try to stay somewhere with easy access to the main attractions, whether that be by foot or a metro close by. The Gothic Quarter is a 15-20 min walk to most of these areas. The only 2 districts we took taxis or the metro to were Gracia and La Barceloneta.
Royal Square or Plaça Reial with its curved archways and neoclassical design is the quintessential spot to grab a coffee or a happy hour sangria. Take in the surroundings, there is a lovely fountain and uniquely designed black iron lamp posts with ivy, serpents, and winged hats by Gaudi himself. I wouldn’t recommend eating here, in our opinion there are much better options on the less touristy streets.
Pla de la Seu Square and The Cathedral of Barcelona. Another great place to people watch and appreciate the neo-gothic architecture. The Cathedral was built in the 15th century, it is 175ft tall and 300ft wide. Up along the roof of the Cathedral, you’ll see numerous mythical creatures and animals. Later in the afternoon street performers and artists come out to perform in the square.
Plaça de George Orwell is a bohemian square named after a British writer who lived in Catalonia. The square has been referred to as Plaça del Tripi (Tripi meaning “tab of acid”). There is a unique sculpture from Leandre Cristòfol in the square. It is rumoured that the artist was on this drug when he created the piece. One evening that we were there, they had an open-air cinema set up right in the square.
There are murals and some dive-type bars that we enjoyed more than any others in Barcelona. We had a particularly memorable time at Bahia Bar one evening. The service was top-notch, and the drinks were cheap!
Bodega Oliva is a funky little Tapas Bar that serves up mouth-watering tapas and cocktails. You can pick individually or go with the chef’s choice. Either way, you are about to enter flavour town, so sit back and enjoy!
El Bosc de Les Fades (Fairy Forest). This somewhat touristy fantasy Café sits next to a wax museum and is a fun place to sit and have a cocktail. Especially if you find yourself in the city on a rainy day and would like a little something to raise your spirits or occupy your kids for a bit.
Las Ramblas
Las Ramblas Boulevard is a 1.2km long tree-lined street that divides the Gothic and El Raval neighbourhoods. It starts at Plaça de Catalunya in the north and goes down to the Columbus monument at the south end, where you can get panoramic views of the harbour. There are many kiosks, street musicians and human statues in this area that look so good that you may be tricked into thinking they are inanimate. This is the most popular street in all of Barcelona, so take some time to check it out. Just keep in mind that it is a very touristy area and pickpockets are plenty.
El Ravel Neighborhood
This is a colourful neighbourhood full of street art, cool bars, restaurants, and vibrant nightlife. It has a seedy past but has been given some love and attention over the years and has become a rich mix of galleries, boutiques and gathering places of fused cultures.
La Rambla de Ravel Street is a focal point of the area’s renewal project and has been distinguished by the large sculpture Botero’s Cat by Columbian artist Fernando Botero.
The Palau Güell Mansion designed by Antoni Gaudi in 1888 inhabited the Güell family until they moved to Güell Park, which is a must-see while in Barcelona. This dark and mysterious estate with black iron and ceramic mosaic chimneys is a museum that you can tour and get a fantastic view from the rooftop.
We can’t go to a city without checking out a local market. La Boqueria has a plethora of eye candy and goodies to try. This is truly one of the best ways to get a feel for what the people in the region eat. You can sample the fruit of the gods and the goodness of the sea. I always try not to eat before going to a local market, because I like to treat it like a smorgasbord and try a bit of everything!
Güell Tapas is a cozy narrow restaurant tucked into a side street, with a rustic atmosphere. This is THE place to order Paella! Honestly, it was our second favourite paella we had in Spain (next to a restaurant in Valencia). Paella is made to share, although we won’t tell if you just want to scarf it down all by yourself! They also make great mojitos and Sangria along with tasty tapas. Make sure to leave room for their very popular Crème Brulé!
Gracia Neighborhood
Gracia is a quieter area with more locals, located north of the of the city centre. It has a hipster, artsy vibe full of murals, boutique shops, restaurants, and bars and because it’s a little further away from the tourist spots, things tend to be a bit cheaper here. It is easily accessible by metro or taxi.
Park Güell is in this area. Aside from Sagrada Familia Church, this was our favourite of Gaudi’s creations, and I wouldn’t want to visit Barcelona without seeing it. This 66 acre park up on Carmel Hill is a magical place to discover. Gaudi designed the buildings to be the residential dwelling of Eusebi Güell and his family but became a fairy tale park full of whimsical elements inspired by nature. The view from the hill is worth the trip alone.
*During the summer months there are films and concerts held here. You can find information and get tickets from the MUHBA website.
Head to the quaint plaza of Placa del Sol to sit amongst the locals at Marcelino 1968. This cool little joint is the perfect spot to order up some of their delicious Tapas and sip sangria or one of their crafty cocktails and chill out to great tunes.
Another place we recommend at Placa del Sol is Sol Soler. It is a laid back place to enjoy affordable tapas and a nice cold beer. We especially enjoyed the patatas bravas, mushrooms and croquettes!
Here in the Gracia neighborhood, we stumbled upon Elephanta Gin Bar Cocteleria (Heads up, it doesn’t open until later in the day). We quickly became huge fans of this little place. If you are a gin fan, do yourself a favour and seek this place out. To this day, we haven’t had a better gin drink and that says a lot, because we like our gin!
Passeig de Gracia
This is one of the most famous streets in Barcelona. It is in the Eixample District and connects the heart of the city to Gracia. Here you can wander the street, visiting Gaudi’s sites, shop for Prada (or just window shop) or sit at one of the many rooftop bars and take in the view of one of the most beautiful streets in the city. The architecture along Passeig de Gracia is simply unparalleled.
Three of Gaudi’s main attractions are found in the Eixample District:
Casa Mila
Casa Batlló
Sagrada Familia
*Remember to book your tickets ahead of time if you want to have a look inside. If you love architecture, I wouldn’t hesitate to tour Casa Batlló and Sagrada Familia, they are both incredible! Casa Batlló looks cool any time of day, but make sure to visit Sagrada Familia in the daytime when you can appreciate the ornate details of this epically tremendous church.
Now after all that exploring, you deserve a cocktail! I have two great places in the area for you to check out!
Alaire Terrace Bar This is a rooftop patio located in the Condes de Barcelona Hotel, with a fantastic view of the street and Casa Mila. It is a bit pricey, but the atmosphere makes up for it.
Hemingway Gin & Cocktail Bar This is a very cool and cozy spot that has innovative cocktails with fresh ingredients and an artistic flair! It is the kind of place you’ll want to sit and chat for hours while ordering up different cocktails just to see what artsy creation will be presented to you next!
El Born District
The main points of attraction here are:
The Picasso Museum There are over 4,000 of Picasso’s works on display here. Picasso lived in Barcelona for many years and this museum reflects his works from 1890-1957.
Palau de la Musica Catalona The interior has been compared to a giant Faberge Egg. It is a stunningly beautiful building and concert Hall, designed by Lluís Domènech i Montaner. It has been listed a UNESCO site. Well-known for the ornate mosaic pillars, elaborately detailed ceilings, and monumental acoustics. This would be an amazing place to see a concert.
Parc de la Cietadella This green oasis in El Born provides that relaxing atmosphere that one can crave after a few days of busy site seeing. You can take your time and stroll through the park while looking at the many monuments and enjoying the huge array of vegetation. The Cascada fountain by Gaudi and the Arc de Triomf, which was built as the main entrance to Barcelona’s World Fair are a couple of the stand outs.
La Barceloneta
If you are looking for beaches, then this is the neighborhood for you. It is in the Ciutat Vella District and just a short metro ride on the yellow line 4. The palm tree lined boardwalk along the beach has many restaurants and bars to choose from. It is a party place with a chill vibe that attracts tourists and locals alike. You’ll see fisherman houses, ultra-modern buildings, war ships, catamarans, and super yachts. Spending a day here, is a nice break from the busyness of the city.
Primavera Sound Festival
This is one we would love to attend one year! It is a music festival featuring a wide variety of music that takes place late in the spring. They have had some major players over the years, such as Arcade Fire, and the Smashing Pumpkins, but they also like to support new talent and honor the great legends. Most of the festival takes place at the Parc del Forum over a 3 day weekend, although there are concerts city wide.
Hot Air Balloon Ride
This was one of the craziest things we’ve done to date, although when I booked it, I didn’t really think about the reality of it. I just thought to myself… those Balloons look so pretty, and it would be so cool to see Spain from up above.
The reality was holy sh*t, we are way the heck up here, high in the f^&*ing sky! We weren’t scared; the experience was unbelievable… it almost felt like we were in a dream, and we loved it!
One of the guys we went with (Bruce) was super uncomfortable and spent most of the time holding the centre of the basket with clenched hands and a clenched mouth. We all tried to make him feel better and had some fun teasing him to try to make him laugh. There was 6 of us and our skilled pilot, who had 20 plus years under his belt.
We were up over 2600 feet floating around the blue sky with the only sounds coming from our basket and the torch that kept us in the sky. It was especially cool to watch the other people in their balloons rise and drop around us. I didn’t realize until after we landed and spoke to these people that we were doing the very same thing.
Landing was an adventure. They had a jeep follow us along the countryside when we were getting ready to land. They were there to help retrieve the balloon and drive us all back to the base. We were told to crouch down low as we skimmed the surface, with a little bump-bump and a safe stop back down to earth. We celebrated the day with prosecco and snacks and Bruce celebrated his appreciation to surviving the day!
We got up before the sun came up, met some great people, and checked off a bucket list experience! The company we booked with was Ballooning Barcelona. We had an incredible day and felt safe and well taken care of.
Barcelona is a vibrant city full of spirited people. The history is rich, the food is delicious, and the architecture is stunningly beautiful. If you choose to put this city on your list of places to go in Spain, I hope you find these tips helpful!
Thanxs for Stopping By!
For more cool things to do in Spain, check these out…
Sounds like you had a great time , the architecture and art work are beautiful . Just saw a piece on u tube about the sculptor that did the round cat statue , amazing work . Such a colourful culture and cuisine , lots of great memories and tips for others to make great memories for themselves in the future . You’ve got to try your hand at reproducing some of those amazing recipes .I had also caught a documentary on the curved buildings in the city .Lots to grab people’s attention travelling through that area . Side note , read your article on the gorge in Washington state what a concept for people to meet others from all over at music festivals and camp together ! I even knew the artists you were talking about , they really have some big names play there , Thanks for letting me stop by !!!❤️
Thank you! I have made many different tapas we had on our vacation and got a special pan for paella and look forward to trying it out this winter!