If you’re looking for sun, sand — and plenty of delicious snacks — Barcelona should be on your radar. Here’s how to do a five-day getaway in the Spanish city.
Day 1: Food Tourism
- If you land in Barcelona in time for lunch, book the set menu at CruiX. This menu gave us a good overview of what Barcelona’s modern cuisine scene was like. Currently, the largest menu is 66 euros, which is a bargain for the quality of food you’re getting.
- Walk off the meal by strolling over to Plaça d’Espanya. It’s also a major transportation hub that can take you where you need to go.
- If you’re up for it, book another tasting menu to compare your earlier experience with a fine dining one. We adored Hermanos Torres. The kitchen is in the center of the restaurant, so you can watch all the chefs in action.
- Finish the night at the drinkery house Sips. The drinks are whimsical and delicious. But don’t take my word for it: It was named the top bar by The World’s 50 Best Bars 2023.
Day 2: Picassos and Picking Produce
- Visit Museo Picasso to see some of the artist’s lesser-known works. The museum is spread over five palaces. Still, you can expect to spend about 1.5 hours or so here. We highly recommend the coffee shop Satan’s Coffee Corner, which is just a few steps away.
- If you’re feeling peckish, stop by La Mercat Boqueria. You can spend hours looking around the fresh produce and products. It’s also one of the best places to get seafood. We ate at Kisoko Universal to get our fix!
- Ramble through La Rambla and the Gothic Quarter. We’re fans of a good walking tour to get our bearings and some exercise in. We did the Free Walking Tours of Barcelona: Gothic Quarter to learn more about the area and its history — and one surprising Christmas tradition. While you’re walking La Rambla, make sure to get an ice cream cone at Rocambolesc!
- Taste the best at Besta. Besta is a neighborhood restaurant you could see yourself at regularly if you lived in Barcelona. It’s known as a seafood bistro, and has an excellent wine list to boot.
- Pick your poison at The Alchemix. Barcelona is known for its cocktail scene so there’s plenty of stops to get your whistle wet. Get a nightcap at The Alchemix, which has an enchanting vibe and alluring drinks.
Day 3: Day Tripper
- Head out of town. On a five-day itinerary, you’ll have to see a little bit of the Spanish countryside. We did an organized Girona and Costa Brava tour to see Medieval Spain and the coast. This tour took us to Girona to get our “Game of Thrones” fix, Pals and Tossa Del Mar for some beach time.
- Get your Michelin stars in at ABaC. If you can’t tell by now we’re big foodies. We opted to stay in the ABaC Restaurant and Hotel, so dining at the 3-star Michelin ABaC Restaurant was definitely on the itinerary. It’s all housed in a giant modern house, complete with an indoor endless pool and an amazing spa. Plus it was unreal to complete a multiple-course tasting menu and take an elevator right to your bed a few minutes later.
Day 4: Soak in Some Sun
- Get more sand time in. We were told the best beach in Barcelona was Playa Bogatell, but arguably the most famous is Barceloneta. Bogatell was a little bit touristy, but not as crowded as Barceloneta so we liked it better.
- Have traditional tapas. Most of the beach restaurants charge tourist prices, but La Cova Fumada in Barceloneta is a hole in the wall that sticks to tradition without raising the prices. It’s been there since 1944 and keeps things simple, with the days menu written in chalk on the walk.
- See the Sagrada Familia. Gaudi’s incomplete masterpiece, La Sagrada Familia, is a sight to behold. It is the largest unfinished Catholic Church in the world, and the design is outlandish and out of this world.
- Tasting more tapas. We did this tapas and wine bar tour to go a little off the beaten path to a less touristy neighborhood. We visited old establishments, newer fusion places and an excellent wine bar. Highly recommend — and you’ll leave stuffed!
- Visit the Dr.’s office. Continuing on our cocktail tour, we stopped by Dr. Stravinksy for some craft libations. It’s routinely ranked top in the world, so we knew we had to have a drink or two!
Day 5: Gaudi and Güell
- Take a peak at Gaudi’s work at Park Güell. Similar to La Sagrada Familia, the architecture and structures in Park Güell are unlike anything you’ve ever seen before — or will see again. You’ll understand why Gaudi was one of a kind.
- Pick up your souvenirs. I loved poking around the shops near the Parc Guell neighborhood in Gràcia. If you want to venture back to the main area, La Manual Alpargatera is a perfect place to buy espadrilles. The shoe shop has been there since the 1940s and still hand makes their products!
