Ever since I moved to Italy – and undeniably before that too – I have developed a growing fascination with Southern European culture. My curiosity and passion probably stems from all the amazing food I’ve been eating, or simply just the way I spend hours walking around and people-watch in each place I visit. The vibe of this area is truly intoxicating. Another biggie on my list was Barcelona, which I visited for the first time about five years ago and loved every second of it. But my memories of that trip were beginning to fade, so I decided to revisit the city on a whim for the sake of a new adventure. After a missed connection and hours of waiting, I finally arrived for a short but sweet getaway – I had 48h in Barcelona and wanted to make the most of it..
Barcelona is certainly not an overlooked city when it comes to hotspots in Europe, but many backpackers and jet-setters are often short on time. All they might have is a weekend to spare to get a taste of Catalan culture. For them I’d like to share my personally curated step-by-step guide for an easy but memorable weekend getaway in the city of Gaudí.
Day 1: An Introduction to Barcelona
8am Sunrise at Park Güell
Be the first person there and take in that opportunity of having this special place all to yourself. Make sure to explore every single part of it. In the morning hours you’ll get the most beautiful light, and more importantly, tourist-free pictures. Note that tickets are only sold online.
10am The Art of Breakfast at Chök
From Park Güell take the metro to Liceu, stroll down La Rambla and head towards (Carrer de les Ramelleres, 28). It’s a delicious and gorgeous bakery with sweets that resemble a work of art – food art that is. Take a break and enjoy your sweet breakfast.
10.45am Museum of Contemporary Art
Head to the Museum of Contemporary Art (Plaça dels Àngels, 1). It’s just a short and pleasant walk away, and admission is $15. The museum is a great place to find out what the city’s art scene is really all about.
1pm Lunch at Bar Boqueria
Head to La Boqueria – Barcelona’s most vibrant and bustling market – and try your best to grab a seat at . The stall is towards the back-right corner of the market and the experience itself is worth every penny. You’ll watch the staff cook the freshest seafood in front of you in the middle of a lively and energetic food market in the center of the city. If it’s too difficult to find a seat, Bar Central is another great option.
3pm Discover the Best of La Boqueria
Explore the market and sample something you’ve never tried before! Like fresh dragonfruit or juice straight from a coconut.
4pm Walk Around Barri Gòtic and El Born
There are a ton of quaint boutiques and design shops along the small, picturesque streets of Barri Gòtic and El Born. Some of my favourite shops include La Nostra Ciutat and Co…. Both are local Barcelona design stores where you can purchase anything from jewelry to stationery, house goods and tote bags from local artists.
6pm Sunset At The Beach
There is nothing better than watching the sunset from Barcelona Beach. Grab a coffee (or a cocktail) and get some much-needed rest by the sea!
8.30pm The Best of Barcelona Tapas
For dinner I can only recommend Bodega Biarritz 1881 (Calle Vidre, 8). It is a special, highly rated and delicious tapas experience. The space is often extremely crowded, so it’s a good idea to make a reservation before you go.
DAY 2: Advanced Barcelona
9am Breakfast, Juice & Hammocks
For an indulging breakfast try Hammock Juice Station, one of the most interesting juice experiences you’ll ever have. Order a fresh pressed juice or avocado toast and lie back on one of their colorful hammocks for a while.
10am La Sagrada Familia
Gaudi’s ‘centre piece’ for Barcelona, La Sagrada Familia, lies just a short walk away, about 10 minutes. Make sure to go inside and marvel at everything.
12pm Time Travel to 1929 in Plaça d’Espanya
Take the metro to Plaça d’Espanya, an important square and piece of Barcelona history. It was built on the occasion of the 1929 International Exhibition and is a beautiful place for photos.
1pm Get Surreal With Miró
From Plaça d’Espanya, it’s a short walk to the Joan Miró Foundation (Parc de Montjuïc), if surrealist art if your cup of tea. As the name suggests, it is a modern art museum dedicated to the work and life of Miró.
2.30pm Veggies for Lunch
Walk through the neighborhood of Sant Antoni to Veggie Garden (vegetarian) or Restaurante En Ville (gluten free) for lunch. Both are delicious and provide a charming atmosphere.
4pm Hideout in a Garden with Locals
Relax in Jardins de Rubió i Lluch, located within the Institute of Catalan Studies. It’s a quiet place where locals and students hang out, study, draw and grab a drink. The building used to be an old hospital. The walls that surround this small square are approximately 800 years old.
6pm Sunset with the Best City Views
End your day with sunset at Bunkers del Carmel viewpoint. The views are truly the best in the city.
8.30pm Night Out in the Center
Head back to Plaça de Catalunya and La Rambla for a vibrant night of dinner and drinks.
There is truly no need to ever hop in a taxi or rent a bike. I danced my way through the streets, moving with the pace of the city. As energetic as Barcelona seems, life moves in slow motion. Nobody rushes, mid-day siestas are beloved, dinner is always after 9pm and you never show up to a bar before 1am.
To sum up the feeling of this city in words; it’s thrilling and inspiring. And more interestingly – it has made me question, on multiple occasions, why I have never thought about moving there.
This is a guest post by Haylee Barsky.
Haylee is a fashion photographer and digital designer always moving between Rome, Italy and New York City. She has managed to make traveling as part of her full time job through curating her online shop Le Monde Collective, which collaborates with local designers and sells artisanal, one-of-a-kind jewelry she discovers in cities around the world.
