Spain
Location / Region Guide
Barcelona
My Connection to This Location
I studied abroad for four months in Barcelona so I have a lot of favorites from this city!
Must Sees
Must-see stops for this place.
Casa Batlló
This redesigned building is one of Gaudí’s notable works. Completed between 1904 and 1906, you can visit the inside of the UNESCO World Heritage site. A self-guided audio tour comes with the tickets or you can upgrade and get a guided tour.
Pro Tip
Tickets are cheaper if you book in advance.
Casa Lolea
They offer five distinct sangrias, each with its own style and flavor profile. My favorite was the red sangria, made with Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot, which paired nicely with the meats and cheeses we ordered.
Pro Tip
You can find the red and white sangria they make in Bevmo (but I highly recommend tasting it for the first time in Spain).
Paradiso
This speakeasy-style bar was ranked number one in the world in 2022 and it earns that reputation. The cocktails are interactive, creative, and consistently well executed. It’s hard to fully describe you truly need to experience it for yourself.
Pro Tip
They now have a QR code you can scan at the door to get into a virtual queue.
Park Güell
A fun Gaudi location to roam around. There are different landmarks, viewpoints, and unique structural components to the park. You can see the house where Gaudi used to live. It has been turned into a museum, Museu Casa Gaudí, but entrance is not included in a standard park ticket.
Pro Tip
A general ticket is 18€ on the official website. Only a certain number of people can be in the park at once. Book tickets in advance and you will have an allocated time to enter. If you try to get them at the park, they could be sold out.
Picasso Museum
So much artwork to look at with an interesting look at how Picasso’s style evolved over time. I’m not usually a big museum person but this one is well laid out and a great place to escape the heat.
Pro Tip
There is free admission on the first Sunday of every month otherwise it is 14€. Free admission tickets are released at 10am on the Thursday before the first Sunday of the month. They go quick so make sure to set an alarm.
Take a Cooking Class
This was one of my favorite activities my dad and I did. We did ours through Barcelona Cooking. It was extremely hands-on, the hosts were incredibly knowledgeable, and the food was delicious. We cooked starters, a main, a dessert. Wine was flowing and laughs were had.
Pro Tip
We did it with a small group which gave us more one-on-one time with the chef.
La Sagrada Familia
An absolute must when visiting Barcelona. Take the metro right to the basilica. Worth the money to go inside but if you can't get tickets I would still recommend going and seeing the outside.
Pro Tip
Book tickets well in advance. The guided tour was really informational. I'd spend the extra money to do it. You can also try and go inside for free during Sunday mass but space is extremely limited and the line starts early. You won't be free to roam after mass so just keep that in mind. Nearby rooftop bars/restaurants will also have great views of Sagrada Familia!
Mercat de la Boqueria
Located right off of La Rambla, this is a great market to try a bunch of local Spanish treats for a reasonable price.
Pro Tip
Jamon Iberico is a must as well as the lobster cristinis (in the image above!) I would go after school just to get those cristinis...often.
The Bunkers
Best lookout for sunset. Bring a bottle of wine and be prepared to walk. It's straight uphill but well worth it.
Pro Tip
Very young crowd.
Camp Nou
The fans/energy at this stadium was unreal. If you have the opportunity to go to a Barcelona FC game go!!
Journal
Journal from this place
These longer entries belong specifically to Barcelona and add the stories behind the guide.
Trip 001
Where to Eat and Drink in Barcelona
Options here are endless...here are my recommendations based on what you are looking for.
Read the journal entry