Long Weekend in Barcelona

Jun 4, 2016 | 2016, Barcelona, Beach, City, Museum, Spain

A few Barcelona highlights

Barcelona has been at the top of our must see European cities list for quite some time, and it definitely didn’t disappoint. We opted for a long weekend in May, hoping for less tourists and sunny weather, the former I’m not sure if ever possible and the latter I’m not sure if ever not possible! We took a Thursday evening flight from Gatwick, which unfortunately took four hours instead of two since French air traffic control was on strike… and returned on a late Monday morning flight back to London. Though we would have loved to stay longer, three full days was perfect for a first visit.

We stayed at an absolutely lovely AirBnB in El Poble-sec, which was a perfect for location and had an amazing, sunny roof patio. We typically opt for AirBnBs, occasionally paying a bit more than a hotel – we’ve graduated from hostels – but easily worth the money as we have our morning coffee and breakfast at our travel home, and often cook a nice dinner at least one night of our stay with fresh market ingredients (see our Barcelona feast later in the post).

For the three days, our (unplanned) route was as follows:

Day 1, Friday
• Morning run along Passeig Marítim
• Lunch at Mercado de La Boqueria
• Walk along La Rambla to Plaça de Catalunya
• Visit Casa Milà
• Picked up local beers and market snacks in Gràcia (LOVED this neighborhood)
• Relaxed in Park Güell (with drank beers and snacks)
• Dinner at Cafe Manila (recommended by a friend, greeeat cocktails)

Day 2, Saturday
• Morning run along Passeig Marítim
• Meandered through Barri Gotic (Gothic Quarter)
• Visited Cathedral of Barcelona
• Tapas at Bormuth (Excellent!)
• Walked by Arc de Triomf on our way to La Sagrada Familia
• LOVED La Sagrada Familia and Nativity Tower (definitely worth it! Purchase tickets in advance)
• Picked up seafood at Mercado de La Boqueria
• Cooked and at dinner on our AirBnB balconey

Day 3, Sunday
• Morning run along Passeig Marítim (again!)
• Lunch at La Tomaquera (favorite food of the trip – must like snails)
• Tried to rent paddle boards in La Barceloneta but weather was too windy
• Tanned on the beach
• Spicy ice cream from La Heladeria Mexicana
• Meandered around Parc de la Ciutadella
• Paellas for dinner at Elche

Extra notes
• Take the bus to and from the airport, each and cheap
• Get locked out of your AirBnB, call Cerrajeria BCN at +34 659 53 65 36