Oh, Barcelona. I freaking love that city like no other...so much so, that I once seriously considered moving there. I know, I know. I have said that about NYC as well as St Pete...and most recently, Greece - really anywhere in Greece! But Barcelona as a city has held my attention ever since my first visit in...was it 2013?
I think so. I'm too lazy today to scroll through my passport and check the date on the first stamp. I wanted to share Some of My Favorite Things to Do in Barcelona with you today because it's been almost two years since I've visited my favorite city, and I have been thinking about it a lot lately!
Some of My Favorite Things to Do in Barcelona
My oldest and dearest friend, Shelly, finalized her divorce in 2017, as well as celebrated her 39th birthday. Her present to herself? HER PASSPORT! Of course, as soon as she decided to get her passport, we began to plan her first international trip...I knew that the only place that we would go would be to Barcelona.
Not because I love it so much, but because I know her well enough to know that she would love it just as much as I did, for all of the same reasons. So off we went!
Now, this was my third trip to Barcelona, and I had actually been there the year before for two days, right before I set sail on the Carnival Vista for a Mediterranean cruise.
Some of My Favorite Things to Do in Barcelona
Visit St Josep La Boqueria
I love fresh markets, I love shopping, and I love nibbling my way through a new city...and while Barcelona has no shortages of fun places to eat, La Boqueria is my favorite!
You can wander around buying meats, cheeses, fruits, and pastries - basically anything and everything your little heart desires!
My friend and I purchased some meats and cheeses and went outside to have a little late brunch...I can't think of a better way to start one of our last days in Barcelona!
Some of My Favorite Things to Do in Barcelona
Take a Day Tour to Nearby Cities
When I was in Barcelona with Shelly in 2017, we decided on a TripAdvisor day tour to fill one of our days, and choose the Girona and Costa Brava Tour from Barcelona, and booked it while sipping sangria on Las Ramblas.
About the Tour
Discover the coastal splendor of the Costa Brava region on a full-day trip to Girona and Calella de Palafrugell from Barcelona. Travel through the scenic Catalan countryside, and discover the atmospheric streets of Girona’s medieval Old Town. Admire the flagrant fortresses of Pals, absorb the seaside charm of rural fishing village, Calella de Palafrugell, and admire the dramatic landscapes of Begur, the former home of an ancient castle. Receive personalized attention from your guide on this small-group tour.
Now, it was really rainy for most of our trip in Barcelona, and as we were there for about 6 days, you can imagine that the weather put a damper on things on more than one occasion. We'd have a lovely day, and then it would start pouring. Or it would be raining in the morning, and we'd dress appropriately...and then the sun would come out.
We made the most of it and made sure to pack an umbrella each time we left our Air BNB! I love the little tour we did. While we did not have a ton of time in each location, the last - Costa Brava - was by far my favorite and I would love to go back and spend a few days there!
The food was really good at the restaurants, and as this is a tourist town, the people were so friendly! If you are ever in Costa Brava, get the black rice - it is made with squid ink and is a local favorite!
I know that it looks gross, but everyone on our tour LOVED IT! I am allergic to shellfish, and it is served with shrimp...so I had to take their word for it. I had a pork chop and fries. It wasn't very good.
Some of My Favorite Things to Do in Barcelona
Enjoy a Craft Beer at Craft Barcelona
One of our stops while wandering the streets of Barcelona was Craft Barcelona, an eatery and bar with located in Carrer Paradís 4, a small street that joins the Plaça Sant Jaume with Carrer Pietat. Craft Barcelona offers a wide of tapas and craft beers.
They have live music events, monologues, poetry and dance too! We only went there once, but it is a place I would totally hang out at if I lived in Barcelona - and I hope to still find it open when I visit Barcelona again!
Grab Lunch and People Watch at Cuines Santa Caterina
Cuines Santa Caterina is another amazing find...I swear, I find the best places just by wandering the tiny little streets of Barcelona and following my nose to our next eatery!
Located at Avinguda de Francesc Cambó, 16, Cuines Santa Caterina is a lovely restaurant right in the middle of the hustle and bustle outside the market.
Now, they have tapas - every single restaurant in Barcelona has tapas! But they also have little meals as well. Of course, my friend and I spent that entire day wandering around eating and drinking, so we stuck to the tapas everywhere we went, or shared a main course if there was something we absolutely had to try!
Get Sangria ANYWHERE and EVERYWHERE in Barcelona
I love sangria. I love white sangria, red sangria, mocktail sangria - I love it all!
You can find delicious sangria all over the place in Barcelona...I certainly did!
Go Shopping in Barcelona's Many Boutiques
Of course, Barcelona is a major city and has all of the name brand stores that you may want to shop in...hello, Zara? But I prefer to shop at boutiques, stalls and markets. I like handmade, one of a kind items, and I absolutely love not paying store prices for my finds!
One of my favorite finds in Barcelona was this pretty feather ring...it has broken on me since, but I still have it and plan to get it soldered back together once I find someone to do it!
Some of My Favorite Things to Do in Barcelona
People Watch in Placa De Catalunya
One of Angeline and I favorite things to do while we were in Barcelona in 2013 - or was it 2014? EEK! I honestly can't remember! - was to grab ham, cheese, bread and drinks and go sit in Placa De Catalunya and people watch. People come from all over to eat lunch, play with their kids, and just hang out.
There are vendors selling food, drinks, treats and toys for the kids. There are always tons of birds and the kids have a blast feeding them and running around with them!
It is a park, kind of - and at night, there are usually musicians!
Visit the Cathedral of Barcelona
I love this Cathedral, I think it is only the second actual cathedral I have been to and it really won a spot in my heart. It is SO beautiful, and you can see it from many places in the city.
I'd never been inside before my trip in 2017...and boy, did my first entrance fill me with regret! It is breathtaking!
I only snapped these two quick photos, as you aren't actually allowed to take photos...I know! I shouldn't have, but hey...I'm a rebel.
There are so many things to do and see in Barcelona...oh, and eat and drink. If you haven't been yet, I highly recommend that you take a trip there in the near future!
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