Ahh Spain. Tapas, Sangria, Spanish Men... What more does a gal need? Barcelona may not be the capital but it's definitely the tourist capital of the country, with lots of fascinating historical sights and the unique Gaudi architecture the city is synonymous with. But it's not all old buildings; Barcelona also got an exciting urban side, with plenty of fun, trendy neighbourhoods to explore, and a buzzing nightlife.
I only stayed a few days on a recent trip so this is by no means an exhaustive guide. It's definitely one of those cities that doesn't really let go of it's secrets within a short trip - you'd really need to consider a long trip or even moving there to really get the feel of the city. However that doesn't mean it's not fun to explore on a quick mini-break nonetheless!
Things To Know
Language
Both Catalan and Spanish are spoken in Barcelona, and most people you'll come across in the tourist areas also speak English.
When to visit
There's no bad time to visit Barcelona, as the weather isn't too extreme. The Summer months is when it's busiest with tourists, so Spring and Autumn are ideal to avoid the worst of the crowds but still enjoy nice weather.
Safety
Barcelona is as safe as any big city, however it always pays to be careful. It's known for it's pickpockets, so it's worth carrying a secure bag and make sure you keep your valuables close.
Getting Around
There's a decent metro system and you can buy good value tickets that include 10 journeys (which can be split amongst several people, convenient if you're travelling in a group). The centre is fairly small so a lot of journeys are walkable, plus they have uber if you're feeling lazy.
Where to Stay
I was hosted by Barcelo Raval Hotel in the El Raval district for a couple of nights during my trip. It's well located walking distance from the main strip La Ramblas, and many of the other tourist attractions, and has rooms starting from 85 Euros.
Whilst so many hotels can feel a bit cookie cutter and soulless, Barcelo Raval has heaps of personality and a really distinctive style, which makes it such a fun place to stay. Walking in feels a bit like walking into a spaceship, with futuristic decor and quirky design touches. I received a glass of Cava on arrival, which is an easy way to win my heart - can't resist a bit of bubbly!
The rooms are comfortable and well equipped, but the real pièce da résistance are the beds. They're absolutely massive, with a cloud of cosy pillows, and lay claim to being the comfiest bed I've ever slept in. Seriously, I've never had such a good nights sleep (hours roaming the streets of Barcelona probably helped!).
Another thing I loved about the hotel was the 360 degree roof terrace, with breathtaking views of Barcelona, alongside a swimming pool and bar. Perfect for lazy days sunning yourself in the Barcelona heat, and not-so-lazy nights drinking and taking in the city far below.
I'd recommend catching a sunrise or sunset from the roof during your stay - it's gorgeous!
The breakfast buffet is well stocked with the usual hits - tuck into a Full English, or enjoy some sweet treats (who doesn't want a cheeky doughnut for breakfast every now and then?). There's an impressive cereal station with lots of exciting toppings, as well as lots of cold meats, cheeses, and plenty of fruit for the health-conscious. At night the breakfast booth turns into a bar, with a solid cocktail menu (I opted for more Cava, when in Spain and all that!).
The brunch spread at Brunch and Cake by the sea
Brunching in Barcelona
I am unofficial brunch queen - I love my avo and my eggs in the morning whether I'm in London or Lombok, so it made sense to seek out some of the best spots for brunch while in Barcelona.
Brunch & Cake
Brunch & Cake has already made a name for itself on Instagram and within the Blogosphere, and I'd heard rumours of long queues which is always off-putting. Honestly, I wasn't expecting much - more often than not I find these Instagram cafes overhyped with overpriced food and mediocre service.
Not Brunch & Cake though. We turned up around 10 and the cafe was still almost empty (by the time we left an hour or so later, a queue had formed, so get there early!). The menu is one of the best brunch menus I've seen, with so much choice and lots of innovative options. Yes, there's avo on toast (it comes two ways, with fresh fruit), but there's also shrimp benedict with lobster hollandaise (this was my order!) and a house made pumpkin burger on offer. I was with three friends and we all really enjoyed our dishes.
The service was friendly and helpful too - when my friend didn't like her coffee (the peanut butter latte, it was divisive!) she was brought another free of charge.
Brunch & Cake have several venues. We visited the one 'by the sea', so I can only comment on my experience there.
The eggs benedict and acaii bowl at Trópico, El Raval
Trópico
We found Trópico after a hasty Tripadvisor search of the local neighbourhood, hungry for eggs. It's a cute spot conveniently situated in El Raval - like Brunch & Cake, get here early or risk queuing. The restaurant is inspired by travel, with lots of exotic flourishes from the menu (which hosts both brunch classics and international favourites like tacos) to the quirky decor.
I shared the Eggs Benedict and the Pork Tacos. Both were tasty, though the tacos were quite simply done - actually closer in style to the traditional street food style you'll find in Mexico than the inventive Western interpretations. The service was hit and miss, but overall it's a good spot if you're craving a brunch fix (particularly an Instagrammable one!).
Things to Do
Park Güell
One of Barcelona's most impressive examples of Gaudi's flamboyant design style, the park is composed of gardens and architectural elements in harmony, with views overlooking the city. Most famous are the rows of benches (shown above), however half of these are currently under construction, so it can be very busy (I had to queue to grab this snap!). It's not a huge area, but it's definitely worth a look around as it's such a distinctive space and completely unique to the city, however be prepared to brave queues. The main garden area is free, however you have to buy tickets to access the Gaudi bit - I'd recommend buying them in advance online as they're cheaper, and timed slots sell out fast on the day.
Palau de la Música Orfeó Català
Full disclosure, I mainly wanted to go to the Palau for the sake of the gram. However, even if you're aren't looking to nab *that* shot with the pillars (see: top of post), it's still a beautiful space to visit. The music hall was built in 1905, and still hosts concerts to this day. The decor is lavish, filled with statues, stained glass, and intricate mosaic detailing. It's verging on an eyesore in places, but it's nonetheless quite the spectacle.
There are self-guided tours in the morning (which I wish we'd done, to allow more time to snap pics!), otherwise there are regular guided tours throughout the day (preferable if you're interested in learning about the history of the building).
Dining & Drinking
Bún Bò Vietnamese
Our first night in Barcelona, we got Vietnamese (as you do) at Bun Bo, a fun spot in the Gòtico. We were lured in by the promise of 3.50 EUR mojitos, but stayed for the cheap and cheerful (and tasty) f00d (and more mojitos, obvs). The menu is varied, with starters like spring rolls and chicken wings, to mains including pho and Vietnamese sandwiches. I enjoyed the sharing starter platter, which including a mix of small starters with dipping sauces. It's simple, unpretentious food, and great drinks.
Gats Restaurant
We visited Gats in Raval for an 'upmarket' night out - with it's hip industrial aesthetic and relaxed but chic vibe, it's a slightly more polished yet unpretentious place for dinner. The menu is a little on the pricey side, but the food is worth it - they do a couple of delicious paella options, and you can get some traditional tapas to share, or order from their selection of classic international mains. I enjoyed the croquettes and patatas bravas, and the mountain style paella was also a great choice. Service was pretty mediocre - we felt rushed and somewhat unwanted - however this may have just been an off experience.
Again, this guide is far from exhaustive, but just outlines some of the places I enjoyed during my trip. I'd love to know if you have any tips to share for Barcelona - have you visited, and if so, where would you recommend!
Anouska loved the reviews,the locations and the pictures,just a wonderful job.
Anouska loved the location,the reviews and the photos just wonderful
Great pictures and guide. Did visit Barcelona. It is a very vibrant city but sometimes the mass produced, tourist food in restaurants can be such a let down!
Looks like an amazing trip and wonderful photos. You have a great sense of style too :) We are an online jewelry store and we would love to collaborate with you as we are always on the look for bloggers to review our products. Please check it out here https://www.surewaydm.com and email us for further details and info. We look forward to hearing from you.
You have a great sense of style too :) We are an online jewelry store and we would love to collaborate with you as we are always on the look for bloggers to review our products. Please check it out here https://www.surewaydm.com and email us for further details and info. We look forward to hearing from you.