March 13, 2024 7 ways to get the best of Barcelona, Spain
People don’t often need much convincing to head to Barcelona, but in case you do, Barcelona, Spain’s second-largest city, is home to 1.6 million residents, 68 parks, a world-class football team, several universities, and ten beaches. Barcelona is a hotbed of culture, creativity, and sophistication, and one visit usually will not suffice. A city that feels like a town, one of its biggest draws is its energy. This city is one of scrumptious boozy lunches, delayed dinners, and even later drinks. Here are our seven top travel tips for Barcelona.
1. Party with the locals
Barcelona’s social calendar is jam-packed with countless local festivals ranging from the weeklong Festes de la Mercè in September, celebrating Catalan culture, to San Joan in June, when the beach plays host to a firework-filled nightlong party to commemorate the Summer Solstice.
2. Hit the beach
It would be criminal to forgo Barcelona’s four miles of decadent coastline. Barceloneta is the city’s most famous beach and a prime spot to sit back, sip a cocktail, and people-watch. Should you wish to avoid the fanfare and energetic doughnut salesmen on Barceloneta’s sands, head over to Nova Icaria, Bogatell, Mar Bella (the only official nudist beach), Nova Mar Bella, Llevant, Somorrostro, Sant Miguel, or Sant Sebastià.
3. Ditch the group bike tour
Long-term residents of this fair Catalonian city are well and truly tired of having to compete with three-deep bike lanes in the narrow streets. If you’d like to be in with a chance of making any local friends, you know what to do.
4. Take a walk
The size of Barcelona is perfect for discovering on foot. Pretty much wherever you roam, there’s a stunning vista waiting to be discovered. Since those big group bike tours are essentially persona non grata, stretch your legs on a brisk stroll instead.
5. There’s more to life than Las Ramblas
Las Ramblas (the primary tourist focal point) is rammed with low-cost hostels and hotels, which is the ultimate hunting ground for travelers searching for the fun spots. If Las Ramblas isn’t your scene, however, there are certainly quieter, ritzier establishments slightly off the beaten track. The W Hotel will certainly afford you decadent, cascading views over the cityscape and the Med. During a recent visit to the city, we got our hands on a lovely pad through MH Apartments in Tetuan, although they have properties splashed all over Barcelona. Gracia is full of postcard-worthy narrow streets, Born is residential and hip, and El Raval is viewed as being somewhat rough around the edges.
6. Do take in the gastronomy
Being spoilt for choice is a gross understatement when it comes to munching in Barcelona. La Boqueria is a public market just off Las Ramblas where you can get impeccably fresh fruit, an affordable lunch snack, and of course, all types of jamon (ham).
By no means can you leave the Barca without enjoying Paella or traditional Spanish Tapas. Go to Blai 9 for the prettiest Tapas and Pintxos offerings to pick on. If a quaint café is more your scene, find your way to Brunch & Cake, which bears the slogan “in grandmothers we trust”. For the best food recommendations, be sure to check out which restaurants the locals are filling up the seats at. Xiringuito Escribá is one such eatery along Bogatell Beach. The beachside bars or ‘Chiringuitos’ also sometimes play host to beach parties.
7. Go with the flow
Chances are that if you don’t have fixed plans for any given evening, you’ll find yourself falling into something magical. For a more concrete itinerary, make friends with Time Out Barcelona and or join a Facebook group prior to your arrival.
