Barcelona

SHARE THIS PAGE

The jewel of the eastern coast of Spain, Barcelona is the country’s second biggest city and the capital of Catalonia. Famous for its football team and the amazing work of Gaudi, this city has so much to offer.

You’d have a hard time finding anything better than Barcelona for food – Anthony Bourdain

Top destinations:

Barcelona really does have it all, from beaches to bars, shops and sights, food and fancy locations. There is something here for people of all ages, and has something exciting to offer all through the year. Its climate makes it a great option even in the depths of winter, and the wide streets and varied neighbourhoods make it a great place to explore for a jam-packed weekend, or more slowly over a longer holiday.

Not only do you want to make sure you get to visit the key areas of the city, but there are some fantastic locations in the surrounding areas to take a day trip, including beach towns and mountains.

Sagrada Familia

The Sagrada Familia is a popular tourist attraction in Barcelona, Spain. Visitors from all over the world come to admire its unique architecture and learn about its fascinating history. As a tourist, you can explore the exterior of the basilica, marvel at its intricate details, and take photographs of its stunning facades. Inside, you can experience the awe-inspiring interior with its towering columns, stained glass windows, and beautiful decorations.

Parc Guell

Parc Güell is another popular tourist attraction in Barcelona, Spain. It is a public park designed by Antoni Gaudí and is known for its unique architectural elements and stunning views of the city. As a tourist, you can explore the park’s various areas, including the famous mosaic-covered terrace, the dragon staircase, and the nature trails. The park offers a blend of natural beauty and Gaudí’s distinctive style, making it a must-visit destination for architecture and art enthusiasts.

La Barceloneta

La Barceloneta is a popular tourist destination in Barcelona, Spain. As a tourist, you can explore the neighborhood’s beautiful beach, which offers a range of activities such as swimming, sunbathing, and beach sports. The area is also known for its vibrant atmosphere and lively promenade, where you can find numerous restaurants, bars, and shops.

Las Rambas and the Gothic Quarter/Raval

Las Ramblas is a vibrant boulevard that stretches from Plaça de Catalunya to the waterfront. It is lined with shops, restaurants, cafes, and street performers, creating a lively and bustling atmosphere. As a tourist, you can stroll along Las Ramblas, browse through the various stalls and shops, and enjoy the street entertainment. It is also home to the famous Boqueria Market, where you can find a wide variety of fresh produce, local delicacies, and other goods.

Where to stay

Every neighbourhood has something great to offer, so regardless of where you decide to stay you’ll have loads of amenities around you. Some of our favourites are:

Hotel Ciutat de Barcelona

Right in the heart of the hustle and bustle, this hotel is a great option. You can walk right out the door and explore the city, and there are loads of great places to eat nearby as well as loads of shopping. The hotel itself has a great breakfast, a bar to unwind in, and its own rooftop pool. We think the prices are great for everything this place offers.

Hotel Sagrada Familia

If the Sagrada Familia is on your hit list, this hotel is a great choice and in walking distance of the famous basilica. With parking services (not that easy to find in the city), good air conditioning, and a rooftop terrace, it’s a cost-effective option for those staying just a few nights. The rooms are clean and bright and you’ll have everything you need.

Hotel Arts

For a more luxurious stay in Barcelona and fantastic views of the city and its sights, you’ll want to look at getting yourself a room at the Hotel Arts. An amazing place to stay with everything you could want, albeit with a bigger price tag, it really is a fabulous experience and the views alone are well worth it. You can walk straight out and down to the beach, or out to their private pool if you’d rather a sun lounger!

Where to eat

Can Fisher

For a delicious paella and some fresh seafood, try Can Fisher. The waiting staff has a wonderful reputation for being friendly and helpful, which can make all the difference. Get a table on their outdoor terrace and enjoy some fantastic food with even more fantastic views. A place to enjoy, not to rush.

Mercado Santa Caterina

There are some great markets around Barcelona but the Santa Caterina is a firm favourite of ours, with fantastic food to nosey round and a great restaurant on the corner serving dishes using foods available to buy right here. The restaurant itself is rather special with a fantastic atmosphere, with the option to stay in the bar area at the front with some tapas or taking a table for more of sit-down affair.

Pizza Raval

Pizza by the slize is actually really popular with locals and younger tourists in Barcelona and you can find some amazing pizza places. This is a great option when you’re just looking for some good, simple food for a light lunch or dinner. We fid you often get fed up of huge meals when travelling, and this little place is one of our favourites. Be sure to ask what they’ve just taken out of the oven when you pop in to get some of the best, freshest pizza in the city. Enjoy!

Top Tips

If you're a couple

Make sure you don’t miss the beauty of Gaudi’s Parc Guell. A fabulous park in the northern area of the city and well worth a visit. It’s a huge area and has so many beautiful details to see, so if you can stretch to the guided tour it is well worth it at 22€. A general admission is 10€, so there are different price points depending on what you’re happy to spend.

If You’re A Group Of Friends

Explore the winding streets of the Raval and the Gothic quarter, with hundreds of shops and bars to explore. They’re also great to avoid the huge crowds of tourists on the nearby Ramblas! If you’ve got time, walk down to the beach area and get you mix of sun and city.

If you're a family

Tibidabo theme park is a small amusement park high up on Tibidabo with amazing views of the city! At the highest point in Barcelona, the views don’t get better than this. It’s one of the oldest theme parks in the world and a must see. In the winter months check opening days and time because they work on a reduced schedule.

Need to know

Currency
Euros

Best Time To Travel

Barcelona has loads to do at any time of the year, so maybe skip the height of summer to avoid the huge crowds

Tips
– Tipping 10% is expected, 15% for excellent service

Time Difference
– GMT+01:00

Flights
– Directs from Manchester and London – around 2hours 15/30 minutes

Public Transport
– Excellent infrastructure (buses, trams and trains), including night time

Local Laws

Smoking: It is prohibited to smoke in enclosed public spaces.

Drinking in public: It is generally not permitted to consume alcohol in public spaces.

Beach regulations: Barcelona’s beaches have specific rules to ensure safety and cleanliness.

Etiquette

Barcelona is the capital of Catalonia, an area proud of its heritage and local language, Catalan. With a lot of talk of independence from the rest of mainland Spain, you’ll see a lot of flags

Las Ramblas is a hugely touristic area and is really popular with pickpockets. Be careful if you choose to visit this and make sure to keep an eye on your valuables.

Barcelona is a huge city but has a really great metro system that takes you all over the city. It’s an easy way to travel round, but can get quite hot in summer.

Book ahead if you definitely want to visit some of the local tourist attractions, including tickets for the football at the Camp Nou, as things can get booked up quickly.

If you have time, try and visit the Poble Espanyol – a small village built in 1929 with a scale building to represent each area of the country. It’s a great little find and a way to really see loads of the Spanish culture while you’re there!