Architecture. History. Flamenco. Tapas. Xampanyet.
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BARCELONA, SPAIN: not many cities can whisk me off my feet like Barcelona. This city is filled with incredible food (can we say, tapas!), beautiful art, architecture, history, and so (so) much more. This will forever be a city that I will find excuses to come back to.
STAY
Possibilities are endless as you start searching through AirBnb and looking for hotels. Two of our favorite hotels to stay, include Casa Bonay and The Cotton House Hotel. Both options are located in what seemed to be an ideal spot to get around, the staff at both hotel options were extremely kind and helpful, the rooms were simple and clean, and the food was all super fresh & delicious. Oh, and did we mention there are outdoor showers at Casa Bonay and a rooftop pool at The Cotton House?? Oh. And PS both have great rooftop/patio situations for sunset viewing.
TOOK NOTE FOR NEXT TIME: Little Beach House Barcelona, Yurbban Passage Hotel, Hotel Brummell, Hotel 1898
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Explore the beautiful streets of Barcelona, and simply see where the day takes you…
Sagrada Família (i.e. The Basílica de la Sagrada Família) is a beautiful (unfinished) church designed by Catalan architect Antoni Gaudí. You will need to purchase tickets ahead of time through the website (recommended: buy the audio version).
Make your way towards the beach for the afternoon, and take a moment to relax. NOTE: The main beach area is typically packed with people. If you walk down to the far end of the beach there are a handful of great dining options and more low key vibes.
Casa Vicens is the first important commission Antoni Gaudí received and sowed the seeds of all his architectural work.
Walk through El Born District for shopping, eats and drinks…
Lastly, we absolutely recommend that you purchase tickets to attend one of the best flamenco shows in Barcelona held at Palau Dalmases. This is one of our favorite Barcelona experiences.
*10/10 would recommend
EAT&DRINK
COFFEE + BREAKFAST BITES
Satan’s Coffee Corner multiple locations. Go for coffee and light bites.
Nømad Coffee cute little coffee shop tucked away in the Gothic Quarter.
Little Fern Cafe. Go for breakfast/brunch/coffee/small bites. Order the banana bread, smashed avo toast and a coffee.
Flax & Kale Spanish, Breakfast, Brunch, Vegan. We recommend going to the location in El Ravel (Carrer dels Tallers, 74, 08001). Go for breakfast, lunch or dinner. “Flax & Kale is the first Healthy Flexiteriano Restaurant in Barcelona. All dishes are designed thinking not only of mere gastronomic pleasure, but also of their nutritional value. 80% of our offer is Plant-Based and the remaining 20% are recipes that include blue fish.”
* 10/10 would recommend
Granja Petitobo located in L’Eixample. Good spot for lunch. Order one of their fresh juices.
TAPAS + APEROL SPRITZ
El Xampanyet Located en El Born. This is an absolute must go. super authentic and amazing food y beverages. we recommend ordering just about everything on the menu y a bottle of their house made Xampanyet. Expect a long wait and be sure to check their hours ahead of time. PS we also recommend stopping in for tapas pre flamenco show or post Picasso Museum visit.
* 10/10 would recommend
El Nacional Located en L’Eixample and w/in a short walking distance if you are staying at Casa Bonay or The Cotton House Hotel. Go if you are looking for a number of different options and/or culinary experiences. The offer “some of the best of what’s cooking in Barcelona”. El Nacional is the first restaurant in Barcelona to offer a multitude of different dining options representing different recipes from surrounding areas.
Ciudad Condal Located en L’Eixample and w/in a short walking distance if you are staying at Casa Bonay or The Cotton House Hotel. Go for late night tapas and for a very authentic spanish/catalan experience. NOTE: They do not take reservations so be prepared to wait for well over an hour if you are with a large party (the bar seating area seats on a first come/first serve basis.. but we wish you good luck in finding a seat).
* 10/10 would recommend
Story Bar, Mediterranean, European. PS we recommend stopping in for an aperol spritz and a cheese board pre flamenco show or post Picasso Museum visit.
TOOK NOTE FOR NEXT TIME: Bar Mut, Cecconi’s, Espai Joliu, Gats Barcelona, Pez Vela (for paella),
WEAR // WHAT TO PACK??
Barcelona is a stylish, yet walkable city. Make sure you pack light (or baggage fees will stack up quickly if you plan to do additional traveling throughout europe), pack comfortably (you’ll most likely walk *many miles per day), but be sure to throw in some (comfortable) heels and a fun dress/skirt for evenings out and about.
Gracias, Bye.
- Last Updated: June 2019 -
@ALLUVTHETHINGS
