Barcelona
When you think of Spain, Barcelona is one of the top cities one thinks of. Barcelona (pronounced Bar-tha-lona for locals), is a mecca of culture, architecture, and food. The food really is one of the best in the world. The city is colorful, trendy, and full of life.
Best Time To Go
The best time to visit for warm mild weather is spring with temperatures hovering between 55-68 degrees F (13-20 degrees C) Summer is peak travel season and brings crowds of tourists, and fall and winter are the rainiest season.
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Things To Do
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Basilica de la Sagrada Familia: my favorite church in the world. One cannot accurately describe the beauty and awe striking architecture of this unfinished church imagined by Antoni Gaudi.
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Park Guell: whimsical and almost magical, this park was initially created as a collaboration between Gaudi and Eusebi Güell, an entrepreneur, as an estate for wealthy families. Here you can find the Gaudi House where Gaudi lived for 19 years.
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La Boqueria: a foodie's paradise. Barcelona's oldest market, it boasts an inordinate amount of food stalls, restaurants, and produce. A great place to grab lunch and a few culinary souvenirs.
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Gothic Quarter:
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La Rambla: ramble around this street filled with shops, restaurants, and street artists. Best part is, you can take a break from shopping and have a glass of sangria in one of the sidewalk bars.
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Picasso Museum: if you are a fan of the works of Picasso, you must stop into the museum. The gift shop is a hidden treasure with prints of some lesser known works.
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Off the Beaten Path
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Aire Ancient Baths: after a long day of sightseeing, treat yourself to a massage and water ritual in a spa inspired by Roman bath houses - candles, dim lights and exposed stone add to the relaxing atmosphere.
Where To Eat
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Bar Canete: this tapas bar showcases fresh ingredients, good service, and strong drinks. Service is friendly and impeccable.
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Mari & Casa Debasa: stop by this darling deli and get a sandwich with fresh cheese and cured meats to go.
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La Boqueria: you can't go wrong with pretty much anything you try at the market. Check out Huitres Amelie for oysters or Quin for a more traditional tapas menu.
Re-creating school at Sagrada Familia
BOTTLED
MEMORIES IN BARCELONA
Bimboing by the Bimbo bread Van
Scaring patrons with our ugly crying at dinner
Travel Tips
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People in Barcelona eat dinner late...really late. Be sure to get a snack late afternoon as dinnertime usually starts at 9pm with last tables starting at 11pm.
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Foodies should be warned that food, in general, was good but not excellent with the exception of Restaurant 360. We tried high end, and lower end restaurants and felt the quality of food was "meh."
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Though the City Wall walk is not long, expect to stop and take photos and allow for 2 hours. During peak summer months, start early or late afternoon to avoid the heat. ​
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Hotels in Barcelona
Almanac Barcelona
This 5 star hotel boutique hotel is stylish and contemporary. Located minutes from La Rambla, it also has views of Sagrada Familia. The hotel boasts an outdoor pool and bar, perfect for hot afternoons in summer. Rooms are decorated in off white and wood palette with marble and gold fixtures in the bathrooms. Connecting rooms are available for families.
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Grand Hotel Central
This hotel, built in the 1920s, was the originally the home of Francesc Campo, a Spanish politician. The building was remodeled in 2024, but still has an old majestic feel with beautiful mahogany wood in the reception hall and meeting facilities. The rooms are modern, with mahagony accents to pay homage to the original decor of the home. Located in the Gothic Quarters, the hotel is centrally located near the Picasso Museum, Barcelona Cathedral, and La Rambla.
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Cotton House Hotel
An Autograph Collection hotel, Cotton house was on the Global Gold List of Condé Nast Traveller List of the World's Best Hotels in 2022. This hotel is conveniently connected to a shopping center and centrally located within walking distance from many tourist destinations such as La Rambla and Passeig de Gràcia. The hotel was the former headquarters of the Cotton Textile Foundation, and has kept many original elements of the building such as the marble staircase and some more ornate ceilings, floors, and walls. Rooms are well appointed and airy with large windows and floor to ceiling drapes. Have a drink at the Batuar, a favorite amongst guests.