Barcelona, Spain: Exploring the Vibrant Heart of Catalonia
Barcelona:
Barcelona is one of those cities that I have always wanted to travel to since I was a kid. I partly blame this on the Cheetah Girls 2 movie, I mean come on what teenage girl doesn’t dream of living their lives (I’m looking at you too Lizzie McGuire in Rome). With that being said here’s a list of some of the highlights of my recent trip and maybe some do’s and dont’s! Let’s take a look at what’s included:
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Quick Guide:
Language: Spanish
Currency: Euro
Accommodation:
Barcelona has a lot of accommodation to choose from. Here is a good starting point to find the right options for your stay:
Hostels:
If you are more interested in parties, nightlife and having automatic meet ups then maybe a hostel is for you! Check out the options here.
Transportation:
I traveled with my partner for a 3 day and night trip. We flew in from Vienna and arrived around 2pm. The airport isn’t close to the city so plan on an average of about an hour after you land before you will check in to your hotel, AirBnB etc. The flight in was relatively smooth and public wasn’t difficult to navigate at all once we arrived. We took a bus that was about €5 euros and then the subway.
All of public can be accessed by either getting a Barcelona card (24/48/72 hours for €18) or the casual T-10 tickets which gives you a card to stamp 10 times whenever you’d like and can be shared between multiple people. We opted for the T-10 and it worked out really well price wise. We used two T-10 tickets so a total of €20 instead of paying the €18 each for the 72 hours. However, keep in mind that we walked A TON around the city and also took Bird scooters. If you want to save your feet a bit then the 72 hour card might be worth it in the end.
Sites in Barcelona:
Sagrada Familia
Let’s start off with the most famous site in Barcelona: the Sagrada Familia. Honestly, no church has ever compared. It felt like I was in Rivendale and I loved every second of it. The line outside will scare you if you aren’t prepared for it. You NEED to book tickets in advanced, showing up the day off and hoping to get in most likely will not end successfully. I highly recommend getting the fast past tickets and at least one audio guide (it can be shared between 2 people). The audio helps to bring it alive.
Park Güell
The second most famous is Park Güell. This also is best if you book tickets in advance because they are time sensitive. I suggest booking a slot around sunset. It gives great views of the city!
Arc De Triomf
Third site would be the Arc De Triomf. We wanted to walk the park earlier in the day and ended up getting there as the sun was rising right behind it. Highly recommend this time of day !
Extra sites:
View from bunker del Carmel Casa Batlló, Casa vicens
What to Eat in Barcelona:
Barcelona’s vibrant food culture is a feast for the senses, offering a rich blend of traditional Catalan cuisine and innovative culinary creations. The city’s restaurants range from bustling tapas bars to Michelin-starred establishments, making it a foodie’s paradise. Must-try dishes include paella, escalivada (roasted vegetables), and crema catalana. The mercados(markets) like La Boqueria are perfect for sampling fresh seafood, cured meats, and local cheeses. Barcelona’s food scene is deeply rooted in its history and culture, reflecting the region’s love for fresh ingredients and bold flavors. If you want a detailed guide check out some of the coolest restaurants in Barcelona.
Zodiac:
You cannot go wrong on Blai street. There are tons of places that have self serve tapas. My favorite was the Zodiaco. Hands down best meal I had there.
Boqueria Market:
Defiantly take the time to walk around the Boqueria market. All the stalls are not only amazing to look at but there’s tons of things to taste and grab for a quick bite. We ended up getting fresh juice smoothies and they were great!
Granja dulcinea
Granja dulcinea is a tiny little local shop that’s relaxed and nice for a morning breakfast. I suggest the churros ans chocolate. We also had breakfast at Insòlita Gea. It’s a cute little cafe that has good food and drinks.
Extra food:
Bar del Pla (tapas by the coast)Braseria (tapas) NAP (Italian pizza/rude staff)La CUA curta (fondue , romantic)Cerveseria catalana (tapas wide selection)
Activities in Barcelona:
I booked tickets to the Ice Barcelona bar, and yes it’s a bar completely made of ice. You can book 45 minute slots and it includes one drink. They were tasty and my partner loved it. One of the random street statues is El Gato De Botero , a giant cat and was cool to stumble upon. There is also a Casino down by the coast.
RoofTop Bars:
My favorite was the 173 rooftop bar in Crowne Plaza Fira Center. We ordered a bottle of champagne for €21 and just relaxed in the sun by the pool with amazing views. It was a highlight for me.
Serras hotel (views of ocean)Hotel casa fuster Terrat (view of Casa Batlló) Hotel W (harbor views)
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Trip : February 2020
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Happy travels xx
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