Adventure awaits in Barcelona – find out where to eat, sleep, and play.
Congratulations on booking your flight to Barcelona and creating space in your life for an unforgettable adventure! A magnificent city to explore, it can be mystifying trying to condense all its overwhelming information into a practical itinerary. No need to fret, as this guide will be your companion from the moment your international flight lands at Barcelona Airport. All the heavy lifting of researching has been done, you just need to sit back and worry about what Catalan wine you’ll be drinking during your stay!
Where to Stay in Barcelona
Hotel W Barcelona – beautiful beachfront property
There are many beautiful hotels to stay in the city but there is only one that is synonymous with Barcelona life. The Hotel W Barcelona is a stunning work of art with its giant sail-like structure overlooking the Mediterranean Sea. The fun and stylish hotel is located on a beachfront property and boasts many amenities including a nightclub, award-winning restaurants and a rooftop bar with spectacular views. The Hotel W is world famous for a reason!
Budget-Friendly Hotel Options
For those on a budget, opt for a cheaper hotel located in the city’s Gothic Quarter. It’s a central location and one of the trendiest areas in Barcelona. Full of dive bars, restaurants, and shops, the Gothic Quarter is a gorgeous place to stay. Popular hotels in the area include H10 Cubik and Hotel Barcelona Catedral, which are great inexpensive options for budget-friendly travelers.
Where to Play in Barcelona
Sagrada Familia – breathtaking tourist hotspot
Barcelona’s beautiful gothic architecture is gorgeous and there are a few must-see stops for any design lover to behold. The Sagrada Familia is a tourist hotspot and is both breathtaking and awe-inspiring. The 19th-century Roman Catholic church has been in construction for a whopping 142 years! Sagrada Familia is Barcelona’s most visited attraction, and people queue up in the blistering heat to catch a glimpse of architect Antoni Gaudi’s spectacular building. The inside of the church is just as spectacular as one would expect- stained glass windows fill the inside with a cornucopia of bright colors. Mouth agape, tourists, young and old, twist their necks to view the sprawling altar. Sagrada Familia isn’t just a Barcelona bucket list item to check off, but a life bucket list one as well!
Visit the iconic street Las Ramblas
Las Ramblas Boulevard is an iconic street running through the heart of Barcelona. It is lively, full of vendors and tourists alike. Albeit a bit pricey, you can find any type of souvenir here from beautiful watercolor paintings of Gaudi’s architecture marvels to colorful ceramic tiles with Barcelona written in calligraphy. The market square is a great stop with plenty of restaurants along the path as well. Just be wary of pickpocketers in the area!
Serene and Quiet Parc de la Ciutadella
After you’ve spent all your hard earned Euros at the bustling Las Ramblas, time to switch it up and check out the serene and quiet Parc de la Ciutadella. Located a short walk from the Gothic Quarter, the sprawling park is home to beautiful statues and idyllic waterfalls. It is the perfect place for a picnic or to rent a rowboat for only 3 Euros and explore the lake. Such a steal for an expensive city. After some rowing, you can make your way down to Somorrostro Beach and get that European vacation tan!
Museu Picasso home to Pablo Picasso
An enormous part of Barcelona’s culture is art. The city is itself a canvas with masterpieces on each block corner. While the craftsmanship of heritage buildings is apparent, sometimes it’s what they contain inside that is the real treasure. This is the case with the city’s many renowned art museums. The Museu Picasso is one of the most important ones. Home to the works of Pablo Picasso, one of the greatest Spanish painters, the museum spotlights his masterpieces and the genius’s life’s work. From his Blue period to his famous Abstract era, visitors get an intimate look at the paintings that have made Picasso the legend he is. Barcelona is a fitting city to host such a museum as he spent time in his adolescence here.
Where To Eat in Barcelona
Wait, did someone say Vegan junk food?
There’s junk food, and then there’s vegan junk food. Sounds like an oxymoron, but Vegan Junk Food Bar is exactly that. Their menu items offer all the joy and happiness junk food offers minus the guilt. Junk food and guilt may be synonymous with one another, but they don’t have to be. Menu items in this funky eatery include vegan ribs and vegan sashimi. The vibes are fun with loud blaring music and bubblegum pink walls with thickly lined graffiti. Although it might not be the healthiest option for a vegan, Vegan Junk Food Bar showcases that junk food doesn’t have to be restrictive!
El Nacional – A gastronomic experience
If you are having trouble picking a restaurant in a city where every place is seemingly world-class, check out El Nacional. Located in the heart of Passeig de Gràcia, El Nacional is a giant venue home to four restaurants and four bars! Formerly a historic theater, El Nacional was transformed into a restaurant space in 2014 and has been a favorite since then. The restaurants offer traditional Catalan food, and each restaurant’s section is beautifully designed with plenty of color, greenery, and character. Choose between charcoal-grilled fish at La Llotja or savory crepes from La Parada. Or check out the Oyster Bar and treat yourself to some caviar. There are plenty of options at El Nacional that’ll satisfy even the pickiest eaters.
Award-Winning All Day Dining at Brunch & Cake
In a city where locals usually go out for dinner around 9-10pm, brunch is a huge part of Barcelona life. It’s only fitting then that they have some of the most exceptional spots for lunch. Brunch & Cake is one of those places. With locations throughout the city, the restaurant is absolutely stunning. Beautiful florals and post-modern decor are their staple style, but Brunch & Cake is known for its marvelous edible creations. They take brunch seriously, and their beautiful menu items include all the classics but with a Barcelonian twist. Be prepared to take many pictures of the decor and food and leave with a satisfied stomach.
Book Your Trip to Barcelona!
And there you have it! A comprehensive list of where to stay, attractions to explore and of course all the incredible restaurants that make Barcelona a gastronomic paradise. You’re all set now for your vacation, so raise that glass of Cava and say Salud to an adventure that you’ll be reflecting on for years to come!