Barcelona
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Barcelona is located on Spain’s northeastern coast near Andorra and France. This cosmopolitan city is known for its vibrant art scene, delicious cuisine, quirky culture, and gorgeous architectural sights. Artists such as Picasso and Gaudí called this area their home, and their art can be found throughout the city.
Travel tip #1: Although Spanish is spoken in Barcelona, the language of this region of Spain is Catalan. It’s common to see signs in Catalan, Spanish, and English as well as to have people speak all three languages.
Places of Interest
Barcelona Museum of Contemporary Art: MACBA is definitely worth a visit if you’re into art that makes you think and alters your sense of consciousness. There are various rooms on the museum’s three levels dedicated to different artists and time periods. You can even learn a tad about Spanish history through the art displays.
Picasso Museum: I had chills the entire time I was here—Picasso’s presence was all too real! Get up close and personal with some of his works—there’s glass between you and the paintings—so you can really see his skill. Purchase tickets online ahead of time and pay the extra money for the audio guide, as it provides detailed information about the artist and his art.
Sagrada Família: The Basílica de la Sagrada Família is architect Antoni Gaudí’s most recognized structure. This massive church, although still unfinished, demonstrates Gaudí’s incredible skill and creativity. The impressive spires are part of Gaudí’s original design, which are to represent the Twelve Apostles, the Virgin Mary, the four Evangelists, and Jesus Christ. Due to its immense popularity, purchasing tickets ahead of time is encouraged, especially if you’re visiting during peak season or on a weekend.
Park Güell: Another area where Gaudí left his mark in Barcelona is at Park Güell. It’s one of the city’s most famous sights, with its ceramics, tiling, and winding designs scattered about the park. The vibrant tiles and color choices made this a personal highlight in Barcelona! If you want photos of the iconic mosaic benches near the entrance, it’s best to visit in the afternoon due to lighting.
Casa Vicens: Casa Vicens is the “first masterpiece” of Antoni Gaudí, influencing many of his later works. It was built between 1883-1885 as a summer house for the Vicens family and later declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2005. I absolutely loved this house and highly recommend visiting if you admire Gaudí’s work.
Casa Batlló Gaudí: Another of Gaudí’s works in Barcelona, Casa Batlló is inspired by the sea. It’s supposed to “envoke nature and fantasy,” with the interior of the house featuring beautiful stained glass of vibrant colors. Get a ticket ahead of time, as spots can fill-up quickly!
Barcelona Cathedral: There are 15 churches and cathedrals in Barcelona, each being elegant and interesting in its own way. The Barcelona Cathedral is located int he Gothic Quarter and elicits a visit of you’re in the area.
Bascilia of Santa Maria del Mar: The Bascilia of Santa Maria del Mar is a church in the Ribera district of the city, which is near the Picasso Museum. It was built between 1329 and 1383, during the height of Catalonia’s maritime presence. It is a stunning example of Catalan Gothic style architecture.
La Rambla: A long shopping street that starts near the water and the Christopher Columbus statue (ew). It stretches nearly 1.2 kilometers, featuring lots of shops, restaurants, and bars. This area tends to have more tourists and people, so watch your bags and pockets a bit more diligently when here.
Every World Begins with a Kiss: This mural is pretty neat, as the individual tiles that make up the mural are images themselves. Combined, they create two people kissing. The various pinks, whites, and blues are enticing to look at up-close.
Humana Vintage: A chain of second-hand, vintage stores throughout the city and Spain. They have great sales and the original prices are fairly affordable to begin with. Sustainable shopping in a different city is always a good time!
Travel tip #2: Barcelona is divided into various neighborhoods, but most visitors spend most of their time in the Gothic Quarter. If you’re planning on visiting Park Güell and/or Sagrada Família, it’s easiest to take the metro or a bus to this area of the city; block a good chunk of time out of your day for both.
Food and Drink
Cafetería: Sprinkled across the city and throughout the country, stop into these cafes for coffee and a quick bite to eat. They typically serve pastries, sandwiches, and local favorites. In Barcelona try the pan con tomate at the cafeterías, as this is one of the dishes that the area is known for.
Fruitería: Purchase fresh fruit and vegetables at these stores. The perfect place to pick-up fresh produce as a snack or for breakfast. Spanish produce is exceptionally good, so check-out what’s in season and stock up on tons of it! In the winter months, be sure to try some citrus.
Mercado de La Boqueria: This large market has fruits, veggies, meats, cheeses, seafood, and more. Personally, I love going to public markets to see what the city has to offer and sample food. The fruit juices are delightful, but be sure to eat at one of the stalls towards the back for freshly prepared dishes.
Güell Tapas Restaurant: This spot looks small from the outside, but stretches quite far back. This is a good place to eat with several friends to try different dishes at a fair price. Their seafood paella is awesome (even though paella is not a dish from Barcelona)–definitely try it here if you’re hesitant to do so at other places; one paella and two tapas is enough for a party of two.
El Jardí: The cutest little restaurant with exceptional drinks! A little difficult to find, as it’s within a park-like area off a side street, but well-worth the search. This would be a great place for a date night or a simple night out with a friend or two.
Bar del Pla: Loved this cute and hip little bar. Located down the road from the Picasso Museum, it’s definitely a bar to put on your list while in Barcelona. They have great tapas, including duck and shrimp croquettes, as well as a good selection of local wines and beers. Super friendly staff, too.
El Chigre 1769: This bar and restaurant near the Bascilia of Santa Maria del Mar serves classic Catalonian and Asturian dishes, as well as various ciders, vermouths, and regional wines. The seating is more casual and the interior design is a mash-up between modern and rustic.
Tosca del Carne: More high-end, yet still casual, Tosca del Carne serves a variety of Spanish tapas and main dishes. They also have a nice cocktail and craft beer selection.
Paspartu: My sister recommended this bar for its friendly staff and good vibes! I didn’t make it here myself, but was planning on it. About 10 minutes away on foot from Bar del Pla, it’s well-loved by many.
Boldú Provenca: I hadn’t had a good donut in months until going to Boldú! As a spoiled Los Angeles-native, where donuts are plentiful and in high-demand, I’m always on the hunt for a good one. Boldú did not disappoint and had cute holiday designs, too. There are multiple locations throughout the city.
Joncake: You must try this place while in Barcelona! They make different types of Basque Burnt Cheesecake, which is not burnt-tasting in the slightest. It’s very light and the texture comes from its airy, soufflé-like cream cheese-based batter.
Dick Waffle Barcelona: I first saw this place and laughed. However, I later stood in line because the penis-shaped desserts looked pretty good. Indeed, they were quite delicious and it was nice to be able to choose the toppings.
Travel tip #3: Go on a tapa crawl in Barcelona! This is a fun activity in the Gothic Quarter either during midday or at night because of the number of bars and restaurants in close proximity to one another. There are tons of tapas bars and taverns to choose from for a memorable evening out and about.
Transportation and Accommodation
If you fly into Barcelona, you’ll land at Josep Tarradellas Barcelona–El Prat Airport. It’s very close to the city itself, and you can take either the Metro, bus, or taxi to access the city center. The Aerobus is a popular choice amongst locals to get into Barcelona. As of 2021, it cost 5.90 EUR to for a one-way journey. Alternatively, you can take the Metro and connect onwards from there. Taxi is the most expensive option, but the most direct. Download the FreeNow App to your phone rather than hail a cab. Once in the city, you can walk, use the Metro, or bus around Barcelona.
Being a large city, Barcelona has numerous accommodation options. Hotels are plentiful and easy to find, but I really did enjoy my stay at Hostel One Ramblas. This hostel chain is awesome, as they provide discounts, tours, and more for the guests. At this location, they had family dinner every night or took guests to different bars and restaurants. It was a great place to stay as a solo traveller because I was able to connect with and meet people from all over the world, even in a pandemic!
Travel tip #4: Barcelona’s metro system is pretty awesome, as it connects most of the city with ease. Reliable, fast, and clean this was easily my favorite mode of transportation while wandering around. As of 2021, a single ride cost 2.40 EUR.
Climate
The Catalonia Region of Spain has gorgeous weather most of the year, as most of the area is on the northeastern part of the Iberian Peninsula and is south of the Pyrenees Mountains. Catalonia consists of four provinces: Barcelona, Girona, Lleida, and Tarragona. Barcelona is the capital, second-most populated city in Spain, and fifth-most populous urban area in the European Union.
Barcelona is no exception to this sunny, mild weather and has an average temperature of about 21°C/70°F during the day. January is typically the coldest month where temperatures range from 12-18°C in the day. In the warmest month, August, it can get fairly hot with temperatures easily reaching up to 31 °C. It does rain every so often in Barcelona, with October through December seeing the most rainfall. The best time to visit is spring, when the weather is comfortable, the trees have fresh growth, and the city is transitioning out of a winter mindset. I visited at the beginning of winter and really didn’t mind the weather because it made it more comfortable to walk around in!
