Where to Eat:
Restaurants
Casa Lolea - Hands down the best sangria I've ever had. They are super famous for their Sangria but also have delicious food. If you only eat at one place in Barcelona I would highly recommend Lolea!
Giorgio Barcelona Restaurante - We loved this place! The staff was hilarious and really kind, and the food was equally good.
Dans Le Noir - This is a really special dining experience where you are blindfolded and put in a pitch-black room to eat your dinner and experience food without the sense of sight. It's definitely something I would recommend trying at least once in your life! It's just fun to eat with your hands and try to figure out what food you are being served (don't worry they tell you afterwards!). The owners are extremely friendly and they have locations in Paris and London. You can make reservations online or by calling!
El Born - This neighborhood has tons of little street cafe's that are super delicious!
Dessert & Coffee Shops:
Gelato - There are so many gelato shops on the streets and all of them are equally delicious!
Cafe's - There are equally as many coffee shops and they are seriously all good. We stopped at so many and were never disappointed!
Where to go for a night out:
Discotecas - There are tons of clubs and bars that are safe for dancing and having fun with friends!
Ibiza - A lot of people take the ferry to Ibiza to go out for the night.
Where to Shop:
General Areas:
Gothic Quarter - Tons of small shops all along the streets!
Las Ramblas - El Corte Ingles, Zara, tons of good jobs (more on those in a second). But be careful to your purse or wallet because people often get pick-pocketed here!
Specific tiendas:
Desigual - One of the most unique shops ever. They have extremely colorful and rare designs that you won't find anywhere else! They do such a good job staying true to their brand and their designs that if you see someone sporting a Desigual piece, you will know it's from Desigual immediately!
Oysho - They have amazing bathing suits and work out clothes that won't break the bank!
Springfield - Really cute and well-made clothes. My favorite scarf ever is from here! There are multiple locations.
&Other Stories - This store is so fun and has unique styles with an Anthropology vibe.
Zara - I love everything about Zara -- the casual clothes, the work clothes, their home section. You just can't go wrong!
Mango - The hipper, Spanish version of J. Crew. Always a classic for good quality basics like skirts, tops, and bags.
What to do:
La Sagrada Familia - One of the most beautiful churches I've ever seen, designed by Gaudi, is definitely a must-see in Barca!
Museo Picasso - Probably one of my top museums. There are so many pieces and they are all unique and special from the different stages of Picasso's life and career. The gift shop is seriously amazing. I bought a huge print to be the center of my gallery wall and a ton of post cards for friends for pretty cheap!
Parc de la Ciutadella - Really beautiful park that's good for a short stroll, or for camping up on the lawn and staying all day with friends to picnic.
Museu Nacional d'Art de Catalunya - It has a pretty impressive collection inside but sitting outside is almost as impressive. It has a huge waterfall and a beautiful view of all of Barcelona. Also a prime people-watching area.
Fundacio Joan Miro - The Miro museum has a really nice layout with super fun and pieces from throughout Miro's life!
Palau Güell and
La Pedrera - Both of these are Gaudi buildings that are stunning but the entry is pretty steep. I've heard that they are both beautiful inside! If you don't want to pay the entry fees, the street view is almost as nice!
Teleférico de Barcelona - These are cable cars that go above the ocean and give a beautiful view of the city. At the top you can stop at a cute (yet super over-priced) cafe and sit and soak in the view before coming back down.
Barceloneta Beach - Who doesn't love the smell of the ocean and your toes in the sand?
Transportation:
Walking - Most attractions are within walking distance!
Metro - The Barceloneta beach is on the other side of town so if you're staying closer to the main city, the metro isn't a bad choice for going to the beach.
Taxi - Good for going to and from the airport and longer distances but generally the metro will be cheaper!
General:
The people of Barcelona are so kind and helpful! They are welcoming and will help in any way possible! I got this pin and pen from our waiter one night who was so excited to have tourists in his neighborhood restaurant. Which leads me to my next point, FC Barcelona is a HUGE deal, like bigger than NFL football in the US. Don't mess with Barca!
Do you have any recommendations to do in Barcelona? Would love to read it in a comment below!
Thanks for reading!
