First Timer’s Guide to Barcelona, Spain
BARCELONA, Spain
For our short 3-day stay in Barcelona, I wanted to max out our time exploring the city and went way over the top when it came to my homework for restaurant research. While there are plenty of great day trips from the city, we decided to just max out our time exploring the city and eating our way through Barca.
We visited Barcelona in mid-June and were really unsure what to expect with the weather. While it was more on the cool and breezy side during the evenings (and unforunately, rainy), the days were warm. Maybe not swimsuit weather warm, but still great weather.
Anyways, here’s an organized list of all the notes I complied when planning our stay in Barcelona!
We stayed at W Barcelona which my husband insisted upon; we had a killer view of the whole city and coastline.
Barcelona, Spain – Travel Guide
Must-See Attractions
Gaudí Architecture – Be marveled at the works of Antoni Gaudí, including the Sagrada Familia, Casa Batlló, and La Pedrera.
Parc Güell – Explore this colorful and whimsical park designed by Gaudí.
Sagrada Família – Gaudí’s masterpiece, still under construction (maybe forever) but absolutely breathtaking. Buy your tickets online through their site in advance; you will download the app to get your tickets. Easy.
El Born Neighborhood – Wander through this charming district filled with boutique shops, tapas bars, and historic sites, great barhopping and nightlife.
Paseo de Gracia – Barcelona’s luxury shopping street, home to designer stores and architectural gems.
Barri Gòtic (Gothic Quarter ) – Get lost in the medieval streets, admire the Catedral de Barcelona, explore hidden plazas, cafes and rooftop bars.
Others: To-Do List
Buy an On/Off Bus Ticket – Convenient for exploring Barcelona’s key attractions.
Rooftop Drinks at Ayer Hotel – Enjoy incredible rooftop views of the Sagrada Familia.
La Boqueria Market – Visit later in the day for the best experience, but you don’t want to miss this food market.
El Corte Inglés – A nine-story department store with an epicure section in the basement.
Lunch/Drinks at Hotel Majestic – Dine on the 10th floor with great views over Paseo de Gracia.
Cafe con Leche – A must-try staple of Barcelona’s café culture.
Tapas & Paella — more to come on these Spanish favorites
Popular Neighborhoods — La Rambla, El Born, Barceloneta (Beach area), Barri Gòtic
Rooftop drinks overlooking Catedral de Barcelona in Barri Gòtic
Food Recommendations
Breakfast & Bakeries
Patisseria Hofmann – Renowned pastries and sweet treats.
Funky Bakers / Funky Eatery – A trendy spot for baked goods and breakfast.
Tapas & Local Cuisine
Tapas is the Spanish style of ordering small plates, appetizers, “tapas” to share or order enough to make a small meal out of it! Be sure to try paella anywhere you get the chance. Paella is a classic Spanish dish that is made by cooking rice and usually a variety of seafoods or meat in a shallow dish. It’s so yum.
Bar del Pla – Excellent traditional tapas.
La Vinya del Senyor – Great wine selection with small plates.
Can Paixano – Known for cava and casual tapas.
Golfo de Bizkaia – Must-visit for pintxos.
Cal Pep – Seafood tapas specialist; excellent calamari!
La Cova Fumada – One of Barcelona’s oldest tapas bars, perfect for lunch.
Bodega Sepúlveda – Traditional Catalan dishes.
Bodega Biarritz 1881 Tapas Bar – Cozy tapas spot with a lively atmosphere.
El Quim de la Boqueria – Located inside La Boqueria, famous for its fried eggs and seafood.
Cerveseria Catalana – A popular tapas bar (sister restaurant: Flautas II).
International Cuisine & Unique Dining
Brugarol Barcelona – Fusion cuisine with a focus on fresh ingredients.
BENZiNA – Italian cuisine with a modern twist.
Parking Pizza — great thin crust pizza, great Greek salad near Sagrada Familia
Bun Bo Vietnam – Vietnamese food in Barri Gòtic
Cocktails & Bars
Paradiso — cool speakeasy with interesting drinks served in even more interesting ware
Mariposa Negra Cocktail Bar — cool spot to have drinks while waiting for your spot at Paradiso
Boadas Cocktails – Classic cocktail bar with history.
El Jardi – Outdoor drinks in a charming garden setting.
Two Schmucks on a Terrace – A fun and trendy cocktail bar.
Bar Salvatge – A must-visit spot for natural wine lovers.
W Lounge & W Bar — the lounge & bar at W Barcelona has chill vibes and excellent mixed drinks, and I mean really really good.
Day Trips from Barcelona
Girona – A medieval town with colorful houses and Game of Thrones filming locations.
Montserrat – A scenic mountain range with a famous monastery.
Sitges – Acoastal town with beaches and a lively atmosphere.
Tarragona – Ancient Roman city with well-preserved ruins.
Costa Brava – Gorgeous beaches and hidden coves along the Mediterranean coast.
