On the eastern coast of the peninsula of Spain, resting on the Balearic Sea, lies one of the most comprehensive cities in Europe. Barcelona is the second most populous city in Spain and I believe it has it all. Beautiful beaches, rich history, abundant culture, delicious and affordable food. Not to mention amenable weather, an easy subway system, and simple transportation to and from the airport. All of these factors add up to make this one of my favorite cities in Europe. I have been coming to Barcelona for the last 15 years and this is a city I could very happily live in! Here is my list of the best of Barcelona.
Explore with Steel Donkey Bike Tours
Whenever I arrive in a city, my favorite hack on day 1 is to do a bike tour. Bike transportation allows you to cover a lot of ground while picking up interesting tidbits of information from the guide. Once I have toured the city by bike, I can get my bearings a lot easier for the rest of my visit. With a sense of the layout of the city I then return to the places I want to see more of later in the week. I have been on many bike tours, in many cities, and Steel Donkey is one of the better ones. Small groups, personalized attention and educated guides make for a fun 4 hours of Barcelona exploration!
Visit Gaudì’s La Pedrera at night
La Pedrera (or Casa Mila) is the last private residence designed by Antoni Gaudi, and one of his most famous pieces of architecture. Touring this building anytime is interesting and informative. However, over the past 10 years, I have done the tour of La Pedrera at night several times. I always recommend it to others as a great way to see Casa Mila. On the tour, you have the opportunity to learn about the building, and see the rooftop (which is amazing and cannot be seen from the street). The night time tour gives you the added enjoyment of a light show and a glass of cava. Extra Bonus – time the tour with sunset for a great view of the city including the Sagrada Familia.
Drink a cappuccino on the steps of the MNAC (Museu Nacional d’Art de Catalunya)
Housed in the National Palace of Montjüic, MNAC is Barcelona’s main art museum. It sits .prominently atop a hill at the end of the very regal Avinguida de la Reina María Christina. For me a perfect afternoon is to climb the museum steps at the end of a long day and enjoy a cafe from the outdoor stand. It is a beautiful view to behold at any time of day and especially magical at sunset. I love to soak in the sounds of a local musician serenading the crowd while I stare at the Venetian columns and the perfectly manicured shrubs along the Avinguida. From April until September, you may glimpse the fabulous Montjüic Fountain light show in Plaza d’Espanya. The museum itself isn’t bad either.
Explore the neighborhood of El Born
Tucked away behind the Gothic Quarter, El Born is my favorite neighborhood in Barcelona. I was lucky enough to spend 3 weeks in an apartment there with my kids a few year back. We loved so many things about it. The meandering cobblestone streets, the unique little boutiques and the terrific restaurants. Also the proximity to Barcelona beaches, and Ciutadella Park – especially on Sundays. Recently I had an amazing meal of fresh and delicious tapas at Taller de Tapas Argenteria.
Try a Scavenger Hunt
If you’ve ever read my blog before, you know I love a good scavenger hunt. Our guide from Steel Donkey Bike Tours told us this fun fact that makes for a great scavenger hunt. In 2015, Barcelona’s City Council passed a program to preserve the long standing Barcelona shops. Threatened by the pressures of increased rents these shops were in danger of closing. Thirty two of these shops were awarded the highest level of protection by the city. This guarantees the preservation of both exterior and interior assets. Each of the 32 shops are marked by a plaque on the sidewalk. One such shop is an amazing fruit and nut store near the Picasso Museum called Casa Gispert. Its the only shop of its kind that still roasts their own nuts on premises. Make it a goal to find all 32 plaques on your next trip! Hint: Several are located in the Ciutat Vella.
Experience the whimsy of Parc Güell
Parc Güell makes my list of favorites but only barely. This is because I remember the days when you didn’t need a timed ticket to get in. And when you didn’t have to wait in line just to get the privilege of taking a photo in front of one of Gaudí’s Hansel & Gretel like gatehouses. Alas, none of that is possible anymore as hordes of tourists line up year round just to see the Parc. You will need a timed ticket for entry into La Zona Regulada which you can get on the park website. Time it to coincide with the sunset for an even better experience. Note: La Zona Regulada still allows you to see all of the undeniably amazing work of Gaudí only now the experience will be crowded.
Eat Palmeras
One of the best things about Spain are the palmeras cookies. Layers of flaky puff pastry are rolled into a palm tree shape and baked with sugar. The best ones are then covered in chocolate. I have been spending time in Spain since my high school days and always look forward to these delicious treats. When I studied in Madrid at university, I ate a Palmera every single day! Last week I found this one that was modeled after a NY black and white cookie. Covered half in regular chocolate and half in white chocolate. Yum!
Visit Altair Bookstore
Altair Bookstore is defnitely worth a visit if you love travel as much as I do. Located on Gran Vía de les Corts Catalanes, this two story bookshop and cafe has everything a traveler could ever imagine. From general guidebooks to specialized guides, to coffee table books, to a plethora of maps, this store has it all. My favorite was the “old school” message board for travelers looking for an adventure buddy.
Thanks for the scavenger hung ideas!!!