Barcelona

BNA – MAD/BCN

1 Stop: LHR

$490 per person

THINGS TO SEE & DO:

  • Parc de la Ciutadella
  • El Born & Gothic Quarter
  • La Rambla + Mercado de La Boqueria
  • Camp Nou
  • Park Güell
  • Casa Batlló
  • La Sagrada Familia
  • Tibidabo
  • Montjuïc
  • Museu Nacional D’Art de Catalunya
  • Picasso Museum
  • Palau de la Música Catalana
  • Flamenco Show (Tablao de Carmen inside Poble Espanyol)
  • Arc de Triomf
  • Recinte Modernista de Sant Pau

EATS:

Restaurants

  • Bo de b: A really, really great sandwich shop
  • Funky Bakers: Bakery – A nice quick breakfast spot
  • El Nacional: Upscale food court
  • Macchina Pasta Bar: A great quick and easy meal
  • Vivari: A nice breakfast cafe, open early with freshly squeezed orange juice
  • Pans & Company: Local fast food for when you’re in a pinch

Food

  • Paella
  • Croquetas
  • Patatas Bravas
  • Jamon Iberico
  • Pa Amb Tomaquet
  • Crema Catalana
  • Bocadillos

BARS:

  • Bar Marsella: Absinthe bar – Picasso and Hemingway would hang here
  • Paradiso: We haven’t been but it’s always ranked one of the best bars in the world
  • Dr. Stravinsky: Cool cocktail bar
  • Espit Chupitos: Only serves shots
  • Dow Jones: When the stock market “crashes” every 30 mins or so, all drinks are then at their cheapest price, otherwise the more expensive drinks are the most popular at that moment (probably filled with American college students but a fun concept)

NIGHTLIFE:

  • Beach front: Opium, Shoko, Pacha (Touristy but a true European nightclub experience)
  • Razzmatazz: Huge club with multiple floors that plays different genres of music
  • Marula Café: A more chill club, sometimes some live funk/jazz music

PRO TIPS:

  1. Barcelona is known for pick pickpocketing – just be aware of your surroundings, especially on the metro, and you’ll be fine.
  2. Visit Park Güell early in the day to avoid the most crowded times.
  3. Visit La Sagrada Familia around sunset and the stained glass inside will be at its best.
  4. Depending on your departure/arrival time and the city traffic, the Aerobús might be the cheapest, fastest and easiest way to/from the airport.
  5. Taking the funicular and cable-car to Montjuïc offers some great views of the city.
  6. We really enjoyed staying near the Arc de Triomf – it’s within walking distance to the old city which is great for getting lost in and grabbing drinks, plus it’s well connected to the metro system and the rest of the city.
  7. Visit Montserrat if you’ve got some extra time. It makes for a great day trip!
  8. The Hola Barcelona Card is a great way to have all of your transportation needs covered with one card.
  9. We Casa Barcelona is one of my favorite accommodations I’ve ever had.
  10. Don’t miss all of the Roman ruins! Barcelona has a history that dates back at least 2,000 years and there are hidden gems throughout the old city.
  11. Watch Cheetah Girls 2 before you go.