Barcelona lies on the coast of northeastern Spain and is the capital and largest city of the autonomous community of Catalonia. For me and my husband, Barcelona was the last European city visited before COVID shut down the world. Our memories, however, of this beautiful city remain strong. The people, the culture, the art, the history, and, of course, its food, make you want to stay or return again as soon as possible.
This is our Barcelona journey. Hope it gives you the inspiration to visit this enchanting city.
DAY 1 – Arrive, Acclimate, Walk
If you have just arrived from the states, you’ve been on a long overnight flight where a good night’s sleep and decent food were not available. Your body clock is off. Respect that. Don’t plan too much for this day. It doesn’t mean you shouldn’t get out and explore. But hold off on any big tourist sites until another day. Walk around and acclimate.
Here’s what we did.
After arriving and getting through customs (no baggage pickup – only carryons for us!), we got our metro tickets to get into the city. No taxi for us. Why? Transportation in European cities is typically affordable, quite pleasant, and easy to navigate. With a bit of planning, it will land us close to our accommodations.
So off we went to Hotel Gotico. Located in the Baixa district, this hotel ticked off all the boxes. And since we couldn’t check in until the afternoon, our hotel reception gladly stored our luggage.
Our stomachs were growling so it was time for some brunch. We found the perfect place near our hotel, Milk Bar and Bistro. With our bellies full, we walked around the Gothic Quarter.
With some planning, I learned that on Sunday mornings, people gather in front of the Barcelona Cathedral, participating in the Sardana, Catalonia’s national dance. It has been a fixture in the region’s town squares for centuries. After church on Sunday mornings, people just turn up, join hands, and dance. It’s quite lovely.
It was time to check in to our hotel, unpack, and wash up a bit before our 4 p.m. Sandemanns Walking tour. This company offers terrific, free tours and we have used their services in several cities, most recently in Paris. Of course, a tip is most appreciated at the end of the tour.
We walked around a bit more and had a takeout dinner at Teddy’s Barcelona. An early evening for this couple so we’d be refreshed for our next day.
DAY 2- Parc Guell, Gracia District and Sagrada Familia
This was a day full of some amazing sites. If you plan it well and book your tickets online, you will easily be able to transition from each site without feeling rushed.
After some breakfast, we headed over to Park Guell. Again, I booked tickets online before we left home.
Due to Park Güell’s location and size, you’ll need to schedule at least half a day for a visit to Güell Park but it will be well worth the visit.
Park Guell is one of the largest green spaces in Barcelona. It was commissioned by Eusebi Güell who wanted to create a stylish park for Barcelona aristocracy. The park contains amazing stone structures, stunning tiling, and fascinating buildings. Antoni Gaudí has created a fabulous forest with this park.
At the top of Güell Park is a terraced area where you get a wonderful view of the park and of Barcelona City.
After the park, we headed over to the Gracia District and wandered the streets. Here we ate lunch at one of the most amazing empanada places, La Empanaderia de Gracia.
We had 4 p.m. reservations at the famous Sagrada Familia. What is to say that has not been said about this beautiful cathedral? I have to say that as beautiful as the outside may be, it was the interior that enchanted us.
After a full day, we headed back to the hotel to rest before heading out to dinner at Arume. YUM!
DAY 3 – Casa Battlo and Picasso Museum
After breakfast, we headed over to Casa Battlo, another Gaudi masterpiece.
After lunch, we came upon a Fat Tuesday celebration.
Our late afternoon was spent exploring the Picasso Museum, which houses an extensive collection of his artworks and is a must-see attraction.
We craved burgers for dinner and Pim Pam Burgers fit the bill.
Day 4- A Day Trip to Montserrat
Click here to read about our adventure.
Day 5- Montjuic and Mardi Gras
After breakfast, we headed over to Montjuic, a massive hill that can be accessed in any number of ways. We chose to hike up to it although you can take the Montjuic funicular train that leaves from Paral-lel metro station. It takes you to the side of the mountain within comfortable walking distance of the fortress, Olympic Ring, and Joan Miro Foundation, three of the biggest sites in the area.
There are quite a few time-consuming attractions here, including several museums including Museu Nacional d’Art de Catalunya, the Caixa Forum, the Joan Miro Foundation, and the Olympic Stadium. There are also the Botanical Gardens. How much time you wish to spend here is, of course, a personal choice. We spent most of our time in the Olympic Stadium, exploring its museums and grounds as well as the Botanical Gardens.
One of the most popular things is catching a performance at the Magic Fountain. Unfortunately, it was not open when we visited. This is more of a summer attraction.
After exploring the area, we took the Port Vell Aerial Tramway, an aerial which crosses Port Vell, Barcelona’s old harbor, connecting the Montjuïc hill with the seaside suburb of Barceloneta.
Barceloneta beach is one of the oldest and most traditional in the city. Enjoy a leisurely walk along the walk and take in the sites. Stop in for some tapas at a local restaurant.
Dinner at Nap Antic for some pizza and tiramisu. YUM!
Day 6- Barcelona History Museum
After breakfast, we did some shopping and then decided to hit Barcelona’s history museum. We recommend it highly and it is probably best done at the start of your vacation to give you a great overview of the city. But no regrets for us!
Our last dinner was at A Tu Bola, where meatballs were the star.
Day 7- Goodbye, Barcelona!
We hope to return one day! To read more about our European adventures, click here.