Cue the Cheetah Girls and a dreamy guitar boy. That’s your hint that I didn’t know much about Barcelona even though I took seven years of Spanish in grade school — of which I retained nada. No se? It was January, and our group had just been to Prague, Brussels and Paris so we were jazzed about the warmer weather in Barcelona. (If you’re going somewhere cold, dress accordingly; otherwise, it will ruin your trip.) To be honest, I was underwhelmed with my first trip to Barcelona, but this year I gave it a second go and am sure glad about it! And several years later, I ventured back to Barcelona. Barcelona is so much more than a Disney Channel original movie, and here’s what to do in Barcelona:
Eat paella and tapas
My Spanish-speaking friends were quick to let me know that Spanish cuisine is not Mexican cuisine aka no complimentary chips and salsa on the table. But there were some Spanish specialities that I enjoyed. Paella is a large Spanish rice dish with your choice of meat, and it’s hot and fresh. Most places you have to order it as a group because it’s just that big, and they deliver it to your table in a big skillet. Another gotta-try dish in Spain is tapas, which is just small plates. They’re famous for their patatas bravas, or potatoes with a sauce drizzled on top, and I also really enjoyed their Catalan sausage. You can order these as appetizers for the table or just order several for your entire meal. (Good money-saving tip for you right there.)
My friend Débora and I enjoyed several rounds of tapas at Secret Tapas. And not complaining because the very kind waiter gave us free Pisco sours and dessert. Later during our trip, we made a reservation at Meson Barceloneta. I’m not a big seafood person, and I was delighted to see that they had non-seafood paella options.
Las Ramblas
This is the Champs-Elysées of Barcelona with its big name stores and little shops. I hit up one of the massive Zara stores and took advantage of the mega sale. This is a heavy tourist area, but it’s worth a visit. I had some friends who bought the cutest mini cacti at a stall, and I hesitated because I had a feeling they’d get taken at customs. But the salespeople assured me they wouldn’t be; I should’ve stuck with my gut. They definitely got taken at customs, so do not buy the cute little cacti no matter how cute and pokey they are (at least if you’re American).
La Boqueria
This almost 200-year-old marketplace is right off Las Ramblas and oozes bright colors. Hongyu and I enjoyed exploring this bustling market with crepes, fresh fruit, smoothies and meat. It’s a bit overwhelming but so worth it.
La Sagrada Familia
This is a must-see as it’s one of Barcelona’s biggest claims to fame. This church still isn’t finished, and you’ll see construction equipment everywhere. The first time I went to Barcelona, I didn’t pay to go in. But the second time, I gave it a go, and I’m so glad I did. It’s unlike any church or really any religious building I’ve ever seen with its gaudy Gaudi style. And to be honest, the outside is impressive but a little less my style. However, the inside of the church is remarkable and is worth the entrance fee. The stained glass windows are unlike anything I’ve ever seen.
Hospital of Sant Pau
When Hongyu said she wanted to visit this UNESCO World Heritage site, I was all for it but was interested to see what all the fuss was about for a hospital. But I ended up being head over heels for this once hospital, now museum.
Let’s just say I was shook by this Art Nouveau site. Absolutely stunning! I enjoyed this spot way more than La Sagrada Familia. Not only was the architecture astonishing but the history also wowed me. The gardens are garnished with orange trees, and underground tunnels sit beneath the marble staircases. There’s also pink tiled ceilings, so if this isn’t on your itinerary, you’re missing out.
Paradiso
This was one of the highlights of my trip to Barcelona. Paradiso has earned a swath of global awards for best cocktail bar, and I was not disappointed. It’s not just a cocktail but an experience. For example, I ordered the Enigma cocktail, which came in a glass shaped like a head. I opened the “head” to find a scoop of ice cream in the shape of a brain. I saw other drinks going to different tables with foam coming out of them. All that to say, come for a show! You can’t reserve in advance. You have to show up and then enter the virtual queue. We had to wait around 30-40 minutes but were able to explore the area while waiting. 10/10 recommend!
Park Guell
Get your taste of nature whilst being a huge metropolitan area. (This spot is also featured in The Cheetah Girls!!) There are spots you have to pay to see and explore, but much is free. I enjoyed the flowered walls, street musicians and graffitied walls.
Chocolat Box
We made multiple stops to this spot, and wow, I really enjoyed that gelato. ‘Nough said.
Visit the beach
It wasn’t near warm enough to swim, but we Midwesterners (woe is we, landlocked people) had to get a glimpse. Erica and I got up early to see the sunrise, and it was gorgeous. I guess 50s are freezing for the Spanish, so we had the area to ourselves save for a few joggers and dog walkers. The sweet serenity of the morning with the sound of crashing waves is something I can’t shake.
Day trip to Montserrat
I’m glad I made my pilgrimage to Barcelona, but my favorite experience from my time in Spain was our day trip to Montserrat, hands down, no questions asked. We had to take several trains from Barcelona through switchbacks along the mountain for a total of about 1.5- to 2-hour travel time to the spot, and it was an absolute dream. Once we made it to this mountain-side monastery village, we perused the farmer’s market with their fresh muenster cheese and candied pecans. After lunch at the cafeteria (this village is extremely small), we started our hike. I have butterflies in my stomach just thinking about the views of the Spanish countryside. After hiking some, we took the wildly steep cable car up for another view. I could not recommend this day trip any more!
