I've been to Barcelona several times before but not in nearly a decade. My last trip was for work and in my two hours of free time, I only managed one specialty coffee shop and a jog to see the Sagrada Família.
That trip was also in February and I was treated to beautiful sunshine and warm climes — albeit from a conference room. So, when I spotted a great BA Holidays deal for late February, I hit 'book' before you could say, "croquetas, por favor."
There's never a real low season in Barcelona: many of the places I visited were very busy and I needed to book my preferred restaurants and attractions well in advance. The weather was pleasant for winter, though: dry, mild (around 15C most days) and intermittently sunny.
I landed at Barcelona's El Prat Airport around noon and, after a speedy Aerobús transfer, dropped my bag at my hotel in El Born and was loading up on patatas bravas by 2 pm. My flight back to London was at 8 pm on Sunday, which gave me 2.5 days to explore all that Barcelona had to offer.
I landed at Barcelona's El Prat Airport around noon and, after a speedy Aerobús transfer, dropped my bag at my hotel in El Born and was loading up on patatas bravas by 2 pm. My flight back to London was at 8 pm on Sunday, which gave me 2.5 days to explore all that Barcelona had to offer.
My itinerary combines architecture, art, culture, history and food. It's particularly fast-paced, even for me, so feel free to adapt it based on your own travel style and tastes. Read on to find out what I got up to, where I ate and drank and my tips for planning your own long weekend in Barcelona.
My hotel was sandwiched between El Born and the Gothic Quarter: a great base for exploring. As I was too early to check in, I dropped off my bag and headed straight out into the sunshine.
Of the many tapas bars in El Born's warren-like streets, I decided on Bar del Pla. I watched the action from my seat at the bar and devoured my ham croquetas, patatas bravas and Russian salad.
I made two coffee stops (Xiloteca and Hidden Coffee Roasters; stay tuned for my specialty coffee guide) and then browsed the boutiques, like Atelier Madre (leather goods), Flor de Barcelona (design goods), Mercilona (local art and gifts), OMG BCN (design-forward souvenirs) and Terra i Pell (ceramics, leather and jewellery).
Carrer de Montcada is home to the Picasso Museum, but as I'd recently indulged in abstract art in Antibes, I visited its neighbour, Moco, instead. This interactive modern art gallery was just what I needed to embrace vacation mode. I particularly enjoyed the immersive Studio Irma exhibit.
My top cocktail priority in Barcelona was Paradiso, the El Born bar currently ranked no. 4 in the World's 50 Best Bars. I arrived just before it opened and scored a seat at the curving marble counter where I could watch the expert mixology of the welcoming bartenders. Although you can't book, if it's busy, you can join the virtual queue by scanning the QR code outside.
The two cocktails I tried were imaginative, beautifully presented and tasted superb. I started with the Atlantide, featuring gin, mastika liqueur, marine cordial, bergamot and tomato water. Served with a lemon chocolate from a three-Michelin-star restaurant, it was refreshing and unique.
Up next was The Cloud, which combines mezcal, hibiscus, amaro, vermouth, birch syrup and Perrier. But the star of the show is the accompanying cloud made of aerated coffee, which the charming Riccardo batted around playfully before setting on its stand. Sometimes you should play with your food.
There are over 100 Michelin-starred or -listed eateries in Barcelona, but I narrowed my choice to venues with a sub-€100 tasting menu and a relaxed ambience. I booked Besta, a seafood restaurant in Eixample, which my brother and sister-in-law loved.
My favourites were the 'squid carbonara' bite (a fried corn pancake with squid, pancetta and parmesan), the freshest red prawns and the croaker with Brussels sprouts. The service was exceptional and I left full and happy.
I woke to a cloudier Barcelona and walked to La Boqueria, a food market whose origins date back over 800 years. There's an incredible variety of delicious food to buy, and you can also enjoy a meal at one of the food counters.
From the market, it was a short walk to Passeig de Gràcia, known as the 'block of discord' for its mishmash of modern architecture. After admiring Casa Milá from outside, I crossed the street to visit another of Antoni Gaudí's ingenious designs: Casa Batlló.
I booked online to save money and time, entering at 9:30 am — by the time I left at 10:30, it was much busier. Casa Batlló is well worth the visit: the building was remodelled by Gaudí in 1904, and I loved every detail, from the unique exterior to the stained glass, trencadís mosaics and tactile wood.
The audioguide explains the architecture, decoration and history in more detail, and you can use augmented reality to see how rooms would have looked. I couldn't face the queue for photos on the terrace so I splashed out on a professional photo!
Taking a guided walking tour is my favourite way to dive into a city's history and culture. The Sandemans Free Tour, was an informative and entertaining 2.5-hour walk through Barcelona's history from the Roman settlement of 'Barcino' to the present day.
We explored the streets of the Gothic Quarter and El Born, visiting many of the sights in this historic part of the city, from the Catedral de Barcelona to the square where Columbus got permission to set sail for...well, you know, and the 'blind eyed' sculptures that hint at erstwhile houses of ill repute.
There are lots of other walking tours, so you're sure to find one that suits your schedule and interests.
I had lunch at Bar Joan, a tapas counter in Mercat de Santa Caterina, which was recommended by my tour guide Jordan. After more croquetas (I have a problem!), patatas bravas and padrón peppers, I was revived after my hectic morning.
But more caffeine was needed, so I visited Right Side Coffee in the Gothic Quarter and then Three Marks, en route to my next destination (both were excellent).
Last time I visited, in 2017, Gaudí's masterpiece, the Sagrada Família ('holy family') was still a work in progress. In 2026, it still is, although the work is supposed to be finished this year to commemorate the centenary of its architect's death.
If you only visit one Gaudí building in Barcelona, this magnificent church should be it. And after loving my visit to the Gaudí-restored Catedral de Mallorca last year, it was top of my list. Book your tickets in advance whenever you are visiting and make sure you have them downloaded/printed.
The light is best earlier in the morning (for cooler blue/purple hues) and later in the afternoon (for warmer greens and yellows). I booked a 4 pm entry slot and paid an additional fee to visit one of the church's two towers. I opted for the Nativity Tower, overseen by Gaudí himself and which has an outdoor bridge overlooking the city.
As soon as I entered the church I was immediately in awe of the soaring columns (designed to resemble a forest), intricate details and especially the multicoloured light streaming through the stained glass. My Nativity Tower slot was 4:15 pm, so I went there first, riding the lift to the top. It was then a steep climb down the spiral staircase but the views of the architecture and city were incredible.
I'd hoped to have an aperitif at Sips, another of Barcelona's most celebrated cocktail bars. Sadly, I couldn't make a booking and there was no space for walk-ins, so I had to look elsewhere.
I had various other options saved in my map and The Alchemix was only a short walk away. This speakeasy-style bar, specialising in creative mixology, was a lovely place to spend an hour before dinner. Pisco sours are among my favourite cocktails and The Alchemix's twist, featuring white truffle and a white chocolate rub, was delicious.
My second 'signature dinner' was at Âme (French for 'soul') a small bistro in Eixample where 'Mediterranean cuisine meets French culinary soul'. Head chef Pachi Rodriguez and his two co-chefs also act as hosts, sommeliers and servers, making for an intimate evening where I felt truly at home.
I chose the 11-course 'experience' menu (€84) (the longer 'epicurean' menu is €98) — exceptional value given the quality of the cooking and the whole experience. There are no cocktails but there is an extensive and very reasonably priced wine list.
When asked if I had any dietary requirements, I mentioned my dislike of mushrooms, noting the maitake course. But as Pachi noted, maitake (which grows on chestnut trees) is a "mushroom for people who don't like mushrooms." Roasted and served with cashew cream, foie gras and vinegar emulsion (bottom left in the picture above), it was one of my favourite dishes.
Other menu highlights were the salsify cream with golden beetroot and a Jerusalem artichoke 'cloud' and the thrice-poached Pyrenean trout, served with trout roe and beurre blanc sauce. Each dish was inventive and perfectly balanced, drawing on Pachi's past life as a chemistry student.
After breakfast, I hopped on the L4 metro line to Alfons X. From there it was a 20-minute uphill walk to Parc Güell, a landscaped park featuring more Gaudí designs. The Lesseps stop on the L3 metro is better for access to the entrance closest to some of the park's most famous places.
Book tickets online if possible, as walk-ins often have to return much later or may not get in at all. I booked for the first slot, 9:30 am, and there was a queue outside when I arrived at 9:15. Luckily, once the doors opened, I was inside quickly.
I went straight to the Banc de Trencadís — the serpentine bench in Plaça de la Natura featuring vibrant trencadís mosaics and overlooking Barcelona. It was already busy so I had to wait a while for a clear shot.
I spent 90 minutes exploring the park, from the Monumental Staircase (with its tiled lizard, El Drac) to the columns in the Hypostyle Room and the fairytale-like Guard House. I also climbed up to the Hill of the Three Crosses, which had panoramic views.
After a busy start, I slowed the pace with a wander through the nearby Gràcia neighbourhood. I didn't have time to visit Casa Vicens, another Gaudí gem, but I could still enjoy the colourful building from the outside.
I spent the next hour wandering around Gràcia, heading generally south. There are some lovely squares great for people-watching, like Plaça de la Vila de Gràcia. And if you're peckish, Origo Bakery is well worth the probable queue (try the 'mica' for a coffee-infused sweet treat).
As the sun had finally come out, I took the metro to Montjuïc, the verdant hill to the south of Barcelona. You can usually take a funicular to the top but it was out of action so I made the climb on foot.
There's a lot to see in and around Parc de Montjuïc. If you have more time than I did, Fundació Joan Miró is a wonderful place to experience contemporary art. And if you have a free evening, it's where you'll find the Magic Fountain (but check the schedule).
I wandered from mirador to mirador enjoying the skyline views, where the Sagrada Família jostles for attention next to brutalist structures. I then took the Telefèric de Montjuïc (cable car) down to the port. Stand at the back or on the left as you descend for the best city views.
I made it to the beach! In warmer climes Barceloneta Beach is absolutely rammed. But on a sunny Sunday in February, it was perfect. It was too cold to swim (for me, at least) but I dipped my toes in the sea and then sat on the golden sand, taking in the views.
It was a few minutes' walk to Bar Jai-Ca, a characterful tapas bar that recently celebrated its 70th birthday. There was a queue for tables but I nabbed a stool at the counter. The pan con tomate, prawn croquetas and bomba (potato croquette stuffed with ground meat) were very tasty. But the artichoke with anchovies and pistachio pesto was my favourite.
I spent my last 90 minutes roaming the labyrinthine streets of the Gothic Quarter. I peeked in at the Roman columns at the Temple d'August and passing under the Pont del Bisbe, which reminded me a little of Oxford and Venice.
The Gothic Quarter is an excellent place to shop and to pick up a few souvenirs or gifts to self. As I'd spent all my pennies on Gaudí and gastronomy, I just bought a trencadís fridge magnet and some coffee beans from Right Side. Shops that caught my eye included: Cereria Subirà (candles), La Manual Alpargatera (shoes), L'Escon Libreriaquera (books) and Yümi (jewellery).
Barcelona is a great city to visit year-round. Its temperate and sunny Mediterranean climate means even the winter months often have pleasant weather as well as (relatively) smaller crowds and (usually) cheaper hotel rates.
July and August are usually extremely crowded and can be stiflingly hot, even with the sea breeze. If you're set on some Barcelona beach time, consider the shoulder months of June and September.
Barcelona is also host to a lot of big trade shows and events. If accommodation is looking busy or expensive, it's worth checking whether there's an event going on and potentially moving your preferred dates.
On a short trip, I'd recommend staying centrally, in El Born, The Gothic Quarter or Eixample. This means you're within walking distance of a lot of the main attractions and best places to eat, drink and shop and good access to public transport.
I stayed at Boutique Hotel H10 Montcada, which is in a great location on the boundary between El Born and The Gothic Quarter. The L4 metro station is just across the street and it's a short walk from Plaça de Catalunya for the Aerobús. I got an amazing deal with BA Holidays: return flights and two nights' accommodation with breakfast for about £300!
My room was small, but quiet and comfortable, with thoughtful touches like biscuits and candy and a custom amenity kit. You can also help yourself to sweets and snacks in the characterful lobby bar. The rooftop bar has fabulous views over the cathedral and city centre, though sadly, the jacuzzi was being renovated. There were hot and cold buffet items in the included breakfast.
From El Prat Airport, I took the Aerobús to Plaça de Catalunya, which was a short walk from my hotel. Buses run up to every 5 minutes (route A1 from Terminal 1 and A2 from Terminal 2) and the journey takes about 35 minutes. A return ticket costs €13.30 and you can purchase online or by card or cash at the airport bus stop.
You can also take the Renfe train from Terminal 2, which costs €5.90 one way and takes about 30 minutes. Finally, metro L9 runs from Terminals 1 and 2 to the city centre every 7 minutes; you may need to transfer to another line to reach your destination.
It's worth planning the route to your hotel in Google Maps to see which option offers the best combination of price, speed and convenience.
Although you can explore central areas of Barcelona like El Born and The Gothic Quarter on foot, there's also an excellent public transport network, with the metro, trams, buses and even cable cars!
Depending on how much you expect to use public transport, it may be worth buying the Hola Barcelona Travel Card, which offers unlimited journeys on most forms of transport within your chosen time period.
Two cheaper, more flexible options are the T-Casual (10 single journeys for €13; excludes airport metro stations) and T-Familiar (8 journeys for €11.50; can be shared by multiple people; excludes airport metro stations) cards. Single fares are €2.90, so T-cards work out cheaper if you think you will be making four or more journeys.
Once I was in Barcelona, I only ended up taking the metro twice on Sunday so it was cheaper to just buy single tickets, as the Montjuïc Cable Car and Aerobús aren't included in multi-tickets.
My biggest advice for making the most of your time in Barcelona is to decide on your top priority attractions well in advance and book for your preferred time slot. I usually prefer to leave booking until closer to my stay so I can plan around the weather, but the Sagrada Família in particular is often fully booked.
I found that places like the Sagrada Família, Casa Batlló and Parc Güell were really busy even in February. Visiting earlier in the day can mean fewer queues and crowds (especially if a cruise ship has just docked).
For packing tips for Barcelona, check out my recommendations of tried-and-tested products for travel. For this trip, I one-bagged using my Osprey Daylite 26+6 Expandable Travel Pack, which easily fitted under my BA airplane seat.
Spain is Central European Time, one hour ahead of the UK and six hours ahead of US Eastern Time. I learned on my walking tour that Spain only moved to CET in 1940 when General Franco wanted to align with Nazi Germany. It's part of the reason why the Spanish often eat dinner so 'late'!
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MY 3-DAY BARCELONA ITINERARY
FRIDAY
2:00 pm — Tapas, art and shopping in El Born
My hotel was sandwiched between El Born and the Gothic Quarter: a great base for exploring. As I was too early to check in, I dropped off my bag and headed straight out into the sunshine.
Of the many tapas bars in El Born's warren-like streets, I decided on Bar del Pla. I watched the action from my seat at the bar and devoured my ham croquetas, patatas bravas and Russian salad.
I made two coffee stops (Xiloteca and Hidden Coffee Roasters; stay tuned for my specialty coffee guide) and then browsed the boutiques, like Atelier Madre (leather goods), Flor de Barcelona (design goods), Mercilona (local art and gifts), OMG BCN (design-forward souvenirs) and Terra i Pell (ceramics, leather and jewellery).
Carrer de Montcada is home to the Picasso Museum, but as I'd recently indulged in abstract art in Antibes, I visited its neighbour, Moco, instead. This interactive modern art gallery was just what I needed to embrace vacation mode. I particularly enjoyed the immersive Studio Irma exhibit.
4:30 pm — Heavenly cocktails at Paradiso
My top cocktail priority in Barcelona was Paradiso, the El Born bar currently ranked no. 4 in the World's 50 Best Bars. I arrived just before it opened and scored a seat at the curving marble counter where I could watch the expert mixology of the welcoming bartenders. Although you can't book, if it's busy, you can join the virtual queue by scanning the QR code outside.
The two cocktails I tried were imaginative, beautifully presented and tasted superb. I started with the Atlantide, featuring gin, mastika liqueur, marine cordial, bergamot and tomato water. Served with a lemon chocolate from a three-Michelin-star restaurant, it was refreshing and unique.
Up next was The Cloud, which combines mezcal, hibiscus, amaro, vermouth, birch syrup and Perrier. But the star of the show is the accompanying cloud made of aerated coffee, which the charming Riccardo batted around playfully before setting on its stand. Sometimes you should play with your food.
7:30 pm — The Besta seafood tasting menu
There are over 100 Michelin-starred or -listed eateries in Barcelona, but I narrowed my choice to venues with a sub-€100 tasting menu and a relaxed ambience. I booked Besta, a seafood restaurant in Eixample, which my brother and sister-in-law loved.
I went for the nine-course tasting menu (€78) but there's a 12-course option for €95. The menu is a surprise but every course — except dessert — offered a different taste of the sea. Even the G&T was made with seaweed-infused gin!
My favourites were the 'squid carbonara' bite (a fried corn pancake with squid, pancetta and parmesan), the freshest red prawns and the croaker with Brussels sprouts. The service was exceptional and I left full and happy.
SATURDAY
8:30 am — Breakfast at La Boqueria
I woke to a cloudier Barcelona and walked to La Boqueria, a food market whose origins date back over 800 years. There's an incredible variety of delicious food to buy, and you can also enjoy a meal at one of the food counters.
I had my heart set on the egg dishes of El Quim and arrived early to secure a seat. I'd planned to order a wedge of the signature tortilla, modelled above by the titular executive chef, Quim Márquez. But I was won over by the fried eggs with Iberian ham and potatoes, which were so good.
9:30 am — A first glimpse of Gaudí
From the market, it was a short walk to Passeig de Gràcia, known as the 'block of discord' for its mishmash of modern architecture. After admiring Casa Milá from outside, I crossed the street to visit another of Antoni Gaudí's ingenious designs: Casa Batlló.
I booked online to save money and time, entering at 9:30 am — by the time I left at 10:30, it was much busier. Casa Batlló is well worth the visit: the building was remodelled by Gaudí in 1904, and I loved every detail, from the unique exterior to the stained glass, trencadís mosaics and tactile wood.
The audioguide explains the architecture, decoration and history in more detail, and you can use augmented reality to see how rooms would have looked. I couldn't face the queue for photos on the terrace so I splashed out on a professional photo!
11:00 am — A stroll through Barcelona's history
Taking a guided walking tour is my favourite way to dive into a city's history and culture. The Sandemans Free Tour, was an informative and entertaining 2.5-hour walk through Barcelona's history from the Roman settlement of 'Barcino' to the present day.
We explored the streets of the Gothic Quarter and El Born, visiting many of the sights in this historic part of the city, from the Catedral de Barcelona to the square where Columbus got permission to set sail for...well, you know, and the 'blind eyed' sculptures that hint at erstwhile houses of ill repute.
There are lots of other walking tours, so you're sure to find one that suits your schedule and interests.
1:30 pm — Lunch at the (other) market
I had lunch at Bar Joan, a tapas counter in Mercat de Santa Caterina, which was recommended by my tour guide Jordan. After more croquetas (I have a problem!), patatas bravas and padrón peppers, I was revived after my hectic morning.
But more caffeine was needed, so I visited Right Side Coffee in the Gothic Quarter and then Three Marks, en route to my next destination (both were excellent).
4:00 pm — Visiting the Sagrada Família
Last time I visited, in 2017, Gaudí's masterpiece, the Sagrada Família ('holy family') was still a work in progress. In 2026, it still is, although the work is supposed to be finished this year to commemorate the centenary of its architect's death.
If you only visit one Gaudí building in Barcelona, this magnificent church should be it. And after loving my visit to the Gaudí-restored Catedral de Mallorca last year, it was top of my list. Book your tickets in advance whenever you are visiting and make sure you have them downloaded/printed.
The light is best earlier in the morning (for cooler blue/purple hues) and later in the afternoon (for warmer greens and yellows). I booked a 4 pm entry slot and paid an additional fee to visit one of the church's two towers. I opted for the Nativity Tower, overseen by Gaudí himself and which has an outdoor bridge overlooking the city.
As soon as I entered the church I was immediately in awe of the soaring columns (designed to resemble a forest), intricate details and especially the multicoloured light streaming through the stained glass. My Nativity Tower slot was 4:15 pm, so I went there first, riding the lift to the top. It was then a steep climb down the spiral staircase but the views of the architecture and city were incredible.
I then explored the rest of the church using the audio tour on the official app. It was a bit temperamental and not that easy to follow a logical route but provided context to help me make the most of my visit.
7:00 pm — Cocktail alchemy
I'd hoped to have an aperitif at Sips, another of Barcelona's most celebrated cocktail bars. Sadly, I couldn't make a booking and there was no space for walk-ins, so I had to look elsewhere.
I had various other options saved in my map and The Alchemix was only a short walk away. This speakeasy-style bar, specialising in creative mixology, was a lovely place to spend an hour before dinner. Pisco sours are among my favourite cocktails and The Alchemix's twist, featuring white truffle and a white chocolate rub, was delicious.
8:00 pm — A call to Âme
My second 'signature dinner' was at Âme (French for 'soul') a small bistro in Eixample where 'Mediterranean cuisine meets French culinary soul'. Head chef Pachi Rodriguez and his two co-chefs also act as hosts, sommeliers and servers, making for an intimate evening where I felt truly at home.
I chose the 11-course 'experience' menu (€84) (the longer 'epicurean' menu is €98) — exceptional value given the quality of the cooking and the whole experience. There are no cocktails but there is an extensive and very reasonably priced wine list.
When asked if I had any dietary requirements, I mentioned my dislike of mushrooms, noting the maitake course. But as Pachi noted, maitake (which grows on chestnut trees) is a "mushroom for people who don't like mushrooms." Roasted and served with cashew cream, foie gras and vinegar emulsion (bottom left in the picture above), it was one of my favourite dishes.
Other menu highlights were the salsify cream with golden beetroot and a Jerusalem artichoke 'cloud' and the thrice-poached Pyrenean trout, served with trout roe and beurre blanc sauce. Each dish was inventive and perfectly balanced, drawing on Pachi's past life as a chemistry student.
SUNDAY
9:30 am — Postcard-perfect views at Parc Güell
After breakfast, I hopped on the L4 metro line to Alfons X. From there it was a 20-minute uphill walk to Parc Güell, a landscaped park featuring more Gaudí designs. The Lesseps stop on the L3 metro is better for access to the entrance closest to some of the park's most famous places.
Book tickets online if possible, as walk-ins often have to return much later or may not get in at all. I booked for the first slot, 9:30 am, and there was a queue outside when I arrived at 9:15. Luckily, once the doors opened, I was inside quickly.
I went straight to the Banc de Trencadís — the serpentine bench in Plaça de la Natura featuring vibrant trencadís mosaics and overlooking Barcelona. It was already busy so I had to wait a while for a clear shot.
I spent 90 minutes exploring the park, from the Monumental Staircase (with its tiled lizard, El Drac) to the columns in the Hypostyle Room and the fairytale-like Guard House. I also climbed up to the Hill of the Three Crosses, which had panoramic views.
11:00 — A stroll through Gràcia
After a busy start, I slowed the pace with a wander through the nearby Gràcia neighbourhood. I didn't have time to visit Casa Vicens, another Gaudí gem, but I could still enjoy the colourful building from the outside.
I spent the next hour wandering around Gràcia, heading generally south. There are some lovely squares great for people-watching, like Plaça de la Vila de Gràcia. And if you're peckish, Origo Bakery is well worth the probable queue (try the 'mica' for a coffee-infused sweet treat).
12:30 — Miradors of Montjuïc
As the sun had finally come out, I took the metro to Montjuïc, the verdant hill to the south of Barcelona. You can usually take a funicular to the top but it was out of action so I made the climb on foot.
There's a lot to see in and around Parc de Montjuïc. If you have more time than I did, Fundació Joan Miró is a wonderful place to experience contemporary art. And if you have a free evening, it's where you'll find the Magic Fountain (but check the schedule).
I wandered from mirador to mirador enjoying the skyline views, where the Sagrada Família jostles for attention next to brutalist structures. I then took the Telefèric de Montjuïc (cable car) down to the port. Stand at the back or on the left as you descend for the best city views.
14:00 — Barceloneta Beach and a last lunch
I made it to the beach! In warmer climes Barceloneta Beach is absolutely rammed. But on a sunny Sunday in February, it was perfect. It was too cold to swim (for me, at least) but I dipped my toes in the sea and then sat on the golden sand, taking in the views.
It was a few minutes' walk to Bar Jai-Ca, a characterful tapas bar that recently celebrated its 70th birthday. There was a queue for tables but I nabbed a stool at the counter. The pan con tomate, prawn croquetas and bomba (potato croquette stuffed with ground meat) were very tasty. But the artichoke with anchovies and pistachio pesto was my favourite.
15:30 — Going Gothic again
I spent my last 90 minutes roaming the labyrinthine streets of the Gothic Quarter. I peeked in at the Roman columns at the Temple d'August and passing under the Pont del Bisbe, which reminded me a little of Oxford and Venice.
The Gothic Quarter is an excellent place to shop and to pick up a few souvenirs or gifts to self. As I'd spent all my pennies on Gaudí and gastronomy, I just bought a trencadís fridge magnet and some coffee beans from Right Side. Shops that caught my eye included: Cereria Subirà (candles), La Manual Alpargatera (shoes), L'Escon Libreriaquera (books) and Yümi (jewellery).
WHEN TO VISIT
Barcelona is a great city to visit year-round. Its temperate and sunny Mediterranean climate means even the winter months often have pleasant weather as well as (relatively) smaller crowds and (usually) cheaper hotel rates.
July and August are usually extremely crowded and can be stiflingly hot, even with the sea breeze. If you're set on some Barcelona beach time, consider the shoulder months of June and September.
Barcelona is also host to a lot of big trade shows and events. If accommodation is looking busy or expensive, it's worth checking whether there's an event going on and potentially moving your preferred dates.
WHERE TO STAY IN BARCELONA
On a short trip, I'd recommend staying centrally, in El Born, The Gothic Quarter or Eixample. This means you're within walking distance of a lot of the main attractions and best places to eat, drink and shop and good access to public transport.
I stayed at Boutique Hotel H10 Montcada, which is in a great location on the boundary between El Born and The Gothic Quarter. The L4 metro station is just across the street and it's a short walk from Plaça de Catalunya for the Aerobús. I got an amazing deal with BA Holidays: return flights and two nights' accommodation with breakfast for about £300!
My room was small, but quiet and comfortable, with thoughtful touches like biscuits and candy and a custom amenity kit. You can also help yourself to sweets and snacks in the characterful lobby bar. The rooftop bar has fabulous views over the cathedral and city centre, though sadly, the jacuzzi was being renovated. There were hot and cold buffet items in the included breakfast.
GETTING THERE
From El Prat Airport, I took the Aerobús to Plaça de Catalunya, which was a short walk from my hotel. Buses run up to every 5 minutes (route A1 from Terminal 1 and A2 from Terminal 2) and the journey takes about 35 minutes. A return ticket costs €13.30 and you can purchase online or by card or cash at the airport bus stop.
You can also take the Renfe train from Terminal 2, which costs €5.90 one way and takes about 30 minutes. Finally, metro L9 runs from Terminals 1 and 2 to the city centre every 7 minutes; you may need to transfer to another line to reach your destination.
It's worth planning the route to your hotel in Google Maps to see which option offers the best combination of price, speed and convenience.
GETTING AROUND
Although you can explore central areas of Barcelona like El Born and The Gothic Quarter on foot, there's also an excellent public transport network, with the metro, trams, buses and even cable cars!
Depending on how much you expect to use public transport, it may be worth buying the Hola Barcelona Travel Card, which offers unlimited journeys on most forms of transport within your chosen time period.
Two cheaper, more flexible options are the T-Casual (10 single journeys for €13; excludes airport metro stations) and T-Familiar (8 journeys for €11.50; can be shared by multiple people; excludes airport metro stations) cards. Single fares are €2.90, so T-cards work out cheaper if you think you will be making four or more journeys.
Once I was in Barcelona, I only ended up taking the metro twice on Sunday so it was cheaper to just buy single tickets, as the Montjuïc Cable Car and Aerobús aren't included in multi-tickets.
PLANNING YOUR TRIP
My biggest advice for making the most of your time in Barcelona is to decide on your top priority attractions well in advance and book for your preferred time slot. I usually prefer to leave booking until closer to my stay so I can plan around the weather, but the Sagrada Família in particular is often fully booked.
I found that places like the Sagrada Família, Casa Batlló and Parc Güell were really busy even in February. Visiting earlier in the day can mean fewer queues and crowds (especially if a cruise ship has just docked).
It's also worth checking out the Barcelona Card, which includes admission to 25 museums, as well as free public transport. Depending on which attractions you want to visit, it can work out a lot cheaper. There's also the Go City Pass, which is more expensive, but includes more attractions including the Sagrada Família and Parc Güell.
Barcelona is one of the world's best cities for foodies and while you will always find somewhere to eat — and it will probably be great — it's best to book in advance if you have your heart set on a particular eatery or bar.
Barcelona is one of the world's best cities for foodies and while you will always find somewhere to eat — and it will probably be great — it's best to book in advance if you have your heart set on a particular eatery or bar.
NEED TO KNOW
For packing tips for Barcelona, check out my recommendations of tried-and-tested products for travel. For this trip, I one-bagged using my Osprey Daylite 26+6 Expandable Travel Pack, which easily fitted under my BA airplane seat.
Electricity
As with many European countries, Spain uses round, two-pronged ‘type F’ plugs.Language
Barcelona is located in northeastern Spain in the autonomous community of Catalonia whose official language is Catalan. Castilian Spanish (Castellano) is also an official language and many residents are bilingual.English is also widely understood, especially in tourism and hospitality. But it's always appreciated if you can learn a few basic words and phrases in Spanish or Catalan (the below examples are Castellano; find their Catalan equivalents here):
- Hola (OH-la) — hi
- Buen día (BWEN DEE-ah) — good morning
- Buenas tardes (BWEN-ass TAR-dess) — good afternoon
- Buenas noches (BWEN-ass NOH-chess) — good night
- Por favor (por fa-VOR) — please
- Gracias (GRAH-thee-ass) — thank you
- Adiós (ah-dee-OHS) — goodbye
- Sí (SEE) — yes
- No (NOH) — no
Money
Spain's currency is the Euro (at the time of my visit, 1 GBP was worth €1.16 and 1 USD was worth €0.86). I used a credit card or contactless payments almost everywhere during my trip. The only time I needed cash was to tip my tour guide; I also left small cash tips in a few tapas bars. In some venues (especially higher-end eateries) you can add a tip, if you wish, via the credit card machine.
Time zone
Spain is Central European Time, one hour ahead of the UK and six hours ahead of US Eastern Time. I learned on my walking tour that Spain only moved to CET in 1940 when General Franco wanted to align with Nazi Germany. It's part of the reason why the Spanish often eat dinner so 'late'!Wifi/mobile data
I paid £5 for a 3 GB Spain eSIM package through Airalo, my favourite eSIM provider. I had good coverage throughout my trip and despite Instagramming my heart out, I still had a little data left at the end. Want to try Airalo on your next trip? Sign up using my referral code — REBECC3024 — and we both get $3 Airalo credit.Found this post helpful? Please consider supporting my blog by buying me a coffee.
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