– BARCELONA ANTICS –

Hi guys, I hope you’re all having a great week so far. I just managed to catch up on all of my recent style and travel posts and this Barcelona Travel Guide is the last before I catch my next flight this Friday – exciting times! I had the most amazing three days in beautiful Barcelona with my sister and I got to see, do and eat lots so happy out. In this post I have included everything from where I stayed and where I visited to listing a few of my favourites food and drinks spots so grab a cuppa, have a read and let me know if you have any questions.

More importantly…let me know when your trip to Barcelona is! <3

– ACCOMMODATION –

We stayed in the Leonardo Hotel Barcelona Las Ramblas for 2 nights. It took us about 30 minutes to get there from the airport and because we had an early start we decided to skip the metro this once and get a taxi. The fare came to €29 which wasn’t too bad considering it was an airport run. I asked the driver how much it would cost before we got in – always a good idea.

 The hotel staff very kindly gave us an upgrade and left a little note and chocolates on my bed as it was my birthday. This was such a nice gesture. Major brownie points here. Our was room very spacious, it had air conditioning, two flat-screen TV’s with satellite channels and tea and coffee making facilities. We also had two balconies.

Guests can make use of computers with internet access, available in the hotel reception area and there is complimentary wifi. The staff at reception were very friendly and helpful and they also provide maps and lots of information on Barcelona’s tourist attractions. You can also arrange car rental there.

– THINGS TO DO AND SEE –

Sagrada Família

The Sagrada Família (Basilica and Expiatory Church) is a large unfinished Roman Catholic church in Barcelona, designed by Catalan architect Antoni Gaudí (1852–1926). Gaudí’s work on the building is part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This place was top of my list and it was only a 25 minute metro ride away. It’s a stunning building and in a really nice area. There is a small park in front and loads of areas to sit down, relax, have a bite to eat and soak up the sun and views. We headed to park Guell after this which was only another 25 minutes away by bus. Tip – I would suggest going there early to avoid crowds.

Gothic Quarter

The charming Gothic Quarter has narrow medieval streets filled with bars, clubs and Catalan restaurants. The Museu d’Història de Barcelona shows remains of the Roman city. Lots of people were selling leather and jewellery near the Cathedral of Barcelona so we were spoilt for choice and ended up shopping for at least an hour.

 Barcelona Cathedral

The Cathedral of the Holy Cross and Saint Eulalia, also known as Barcelona Cathedral, is the Gothic cathedral and seat of the Archbishop of Barcelona, Spain. We stopped off here on our first day and it did not disappoint. Another beautiful building in the centre of the city. There were lots of high street stores close by and we weren’t stuck for coffee shops and cafes. A must when visiting Barcelona. For more information on visiting hours, concerts and services etc…click here. 

Montserrat Mountains

Visiting Monsterrat was the highlight of my trip to Barcelona. These mountains are known to be a special, mystical place for the local Catalan people. It’s home to the statue of the Virgin Mary of Montserrat, who’s known to perform numerous miracles, attracting millions of pilgrims all over the world.

– Getting There –

 

La Rambla

La Rambla is a street in central Barcelona, popular with tourists and locals. It stretches for 1.2 kilometres connecting Plaça de Catalunya in the centre with the Christopher Columbus Monument at Port Vell. La Rambla forms the boundary between the quarters of Barri Gòtic, to the east, and El Raval, to the west. If you are looking for souvenirs this is a great spot. There are also some really nice foodie places. Tip – pickpocketing is a known problem here so watch out.

La Boqueria Market

The Mercat de Sant Josep de la Boqueria, also known as La Boqueria, is a large public market in the Ciudad Vieja district of Barcelona and one of the city’s tourist landmarks, with an entrance from La Rambla, not far from the Liceo, Barcelona’s opera house. The market has a very diverse selection of goods. Every kind of food imaginable can be found at this found. I picked up the nicest smoothie while we were wandering around. If you’re a market lover then check this one out. For more market info click here. 

Park Güell

The Park Güell is a public park that is full of beautiful gardens, architectonic elements and incredible views. It is located on Carmel Hill which belongs to the mountain range of Collserola – the Parc del Carmel is located on the northern face. We caught a bus here after visiting Sagrada Familia and we were not disappointed. We walked about the main park area (which is free) and got some great shots of the city skyline. For more check out their website.

 – WINING & DINING  –

Flax & Kale

Flax & Kale is the first Healthy Flexitarian Restaurant in Barcelona.  80% of their dishes are plant-based and the remaining 20% are recipes that contain oily fish. Their menu was very impressive and we were (once again) spoilt for choice. I ordered a veggie burger and a strawberry and yogurt dessert. Each dish was perfectly presented and the staff were lovely. To make a reservation or view their menus click here.  Note – This is a popular spot so be prepared to queue for a table.

Brunch & Cake

Salad for breakfast? Pancakes for dinner? Why not?

This place is beyond amazing! You have to queue but it’s worth the wait. The food is just incredible, and the food here was by far the best we had on our trip. I would visit this city again just to come here.

The options are healthy and decently priced. They have tea, juice, coffee and smoothies for drinks. Ps. their ice coffee is out of this world. The food is a mix of pancakes, eggs, toast, açai bowls, salads, and more elegant healthy food. They mix tons of flavors together that you wouldn’t think of and make them work. Common ingredients were avocado, matcha, fruit, eggs, and seeds. The Eggs benedict dishes were delicious (I ate my own and almost half of my sisters dish – yes I love my food) and the pancakes and açai bowls are unforgettable. Make this place top of your foodie list. For more check out the website. 

Luzia

A brasserie located on the Ramblas, serving tapas, salads, pastas, sandwiches and wood oven pizzas. Lots of mediterranean food and options here. I had a tasty pasta dish with a glass of red and it did not disappoint. Click here to view their menus.

Via 70

You will find this wine and tapas gem on La Rambla – you can’t miss it. I ordered a glass of Sangria and the waiter came back with a large jug of the stuff. I wasn’t going to say no (and it was sooo good). This was €14 but it was about 4 glasses worth so not too bad. I also ordered Paella and that did not disappoint either. For more click here.

Le Pop Cocktail Bar

Located in the cosmopolitan heart of Barcelona, Le Pop Cocktail Bar is a great spot for a few cocktails. It was only about 10 minutes from our hotel and just beside La Rambla. Our waiter was really friendly and you could see that they put a lot of time and effort into each cocktail which really made it a special experience. Click here for more.

(image credit – Le Pop Cocktail Bar)

– THAT’S A WRAP –

There you have it – my Barcelona Travel Guide. I tried to include as much as possible but if you have any other questions feel free to comment below. Where to next? I am off on my next trip this Friday so keep eye out for more travel antics. If there is anything in particular you’d like me to blog about next let me know. You can catch me on Snapchat: duffyloikes, Instagram, Facebook and Twitter! <3

Thanks for reading!

Until next time…