Barcelona

BNA – MAD/BCN

1 Stop: LHR

$490 per person

JFK – BCN

Nonstop

$280 per person

THINGS TO SEE & DO:

  • Parc de la Ciutadella + Arc de Triomf
  • El Born & Gothic Quarter (The best area to get lost in a maze of streets and explore gothic cathedrals) – Picasso Museum, Palau de la Música Catalana, Santa Maria del Mar, Barcelona Cathedral
  • La Rambla + Mercado de La Boqueria
  • Camp Nou + FC Barcelona Museum
  • Park Güell
  • Casa Batlló + La Pedrera – Casa Milà + Casa Vicens
  • La Sagrada Familia
  • Tibidabo
  • Montjuïc + Museu Nacional D’Art de Catalunya
  • Flamenco Show (Tablao de Carmen inside Poble Espanyol)
  • Recinte Modernista de Sant Pau

EATS:

Restaurants

  • Funky Bakers: Bakery – A nice quick breakfast spot
  • Lilo or Billy Brunch: Great sit down breakfast or brunch options
  • Vivari: A nice breakfast cafe, open early with freshly squeezed orange juice
  • Bo de b: A really, really great sandwich shop (Cash Only)
  • SAVTA: Another awesome sandwich shop
  • Bar Mono: Great Spanish tapas restaurant
  • Cachaca: Fantastic Italian restaurant
  • Wok to Walk: Awesome Asian street food
  • Macchina Pasta Bar: A great quick and easy meal

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
  • Bar Sauvage: Fun cocktail bar in the heart of El Born
  • 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 T-Usual is my go to transportation card. It allows for unlimited journeys for 30 days on all forms of transportation (including to and from the airport). You can pick one up at any metro or train station, make sure you have your passport number on hand. The Hola Barcelona Card is another good option, it’s marketed more towards tourist but might be more expensive.
  9. We Casa Barcelona is one of my favorite accommodations I’ve ever had. Rec Hotel Barcelona is also a really great option if you don’t need so much space!
  10. Don’t miss all of the Roman ruins in El Born and Gothic Quarter! 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.