Are you considering a trip to Barcelona but don’t know if it will suit you? Well, we think it’s a fantastic destination with something for everyone, but you don’t just have to take our word for it. We contacted a selection of travel bloggers and asked for their stories of visiting Barcelona. We asked for true tales of who they travelled with, what they did and saw, and what they considered to be the city’s highlights.
In response, we received brilliant stories of travel in all seasons, solo trips, couples’ breaks and holidays with friends. They told us about discovering vegan tapas, embracing the silliness of hen parties, visiting themed bars, falling in love with the architecture and returning to this city again and again.
So, read on for some first-hand accounts of Barcelona city breaks and see if any of them make you think, ‘Wow, this city sounds like the destination for me!’.
A perfect blend of old and new
Barcelona is such an incredible city – the atmosphere on my visit was electric and there was so much to see! It was such a perfect mix between an authentic Spanish city full of history and tradition, and a modern, relaxing holiday destination with beautiful beaches and great nightlife.
It’s true that Barcelona is a touristy city, but tourists flock there for good reason. It’s absolutely packed with attractions for all tastes, from the stunning designs of Gaudí’s buildings to the delicious tapas and paella, you’ll find something to impress every traveller here. And the warm climate and sunny weather add to the appeal too!
One of the highlights for me has to be La Sagrada Familia. Barcelona’s main tourist attraction really did take my breath away. The architecture is just incredible; I’ve never seen anything like it before. Construction began in 1882 and is still not complete; that’s how intricate the design is!
Barcelona is also a great spot for food. You can head to Mercado de la Boqueria to buy fresh produce or eat at the street food stalls and small tapas bars within the market. I also tried beachfront bars that served fresh seafood and cocktails, as well as small, independent cafes and restaurants in the city that felt more traditional, serving sangria and tapas.
You should definitely head to Barcelona on your next long weekend. If you want to experience Spanish culture alongside all the shops, bars and beaches you could ask for, then Barcelona is your ideal destination!
😎 Recommended by Jess Touhig from Sightseekr
A visit to friends inspired us to explore the city
Our main motivation for going to Barcelona was to see our friends’ new house, but the city has so much to see and do that it was impossible to stay home! Instead, we enjoyed two days of laughter, lots of walking, and, of course, some culture.
On the first day, we headed to the Barri Gotic and got lost in its narrow streets. We explored the fascinating cathedral, kissed in front of the famous mural inviting us to do the same, and then rested with some cañas on a terrace in front of the Basilica Santa Maria del Pi.
We wanted to see an exhibition at the MACBA, so in the afternoon, we walked there, enjoying the street art on display in the colourful Raval neighborhood along the way. Once we’d had our fill of contemporary art, we dined on Catalan tapas alongside a delicious Penedés wine in the El Born neighborhood.
On the second day, we spent the morning enjoying the views in Montjuic and having lunch in the lively Poblenou neighbourhood, where our friends live. But the main plan for the day was cultural. Since we were in the modernist capital of Spain, what could be better than to experience Gaudí’s universe up close?
We contemplated La Pedrera (Casa Milà) from outside, then continued along Passeig de Gràcia until we reached the trip’s biggest surprise: Casa Batlló. Visiting this architectural jewel was incredible, we can’t recommend it enough. It is so much more than a typical exhibition that you simply walk through, it felt like we had dived into the sea. The marine world inspires the whole of Casa Batlló, and all the fantastical details: the stained-glass windows, the carved doors, the unique stairs, and the incredible façade overwhelmed us.
Afterward, we headed off the Passeig de Gràcia in search of a quieter place to have dinner. We ended up in a cozy place in the Gracia neighbourhood where we could talk about everything we had seen with our friends.
We enjoyed Barcelona so much, and our time passed so quickly that we promised to return soon, and we don’t rule out returning to Casa Batlló!
😎 Recommended by Inês Nunes from Randomtrip
Barcelona, oh, how you surprised me!
September in Barcelona was a dream – sunny and warm without the crushing crowds of the high season. My boyfriend and I could not have had a better time. So take my advice, skip the summer chaos, and hit up this Spanish gem during the shoulder seasons!
Gaudí’s colourful architectural wonders in Barcelona stole my heart. Every corner is a feast for the eyes, from the iconic Sagrada Familia to the hidden gem, Palau Güell. But the real revelation was Barcelona’s vegan food scene – heaven for plant-based enthusiasts like myself! The only difficulty was visiting as many vegan restaurants as possible during our short time in the city.
The places I enjoyed most were the tapas restaurants serving traditional goodness and the sushi restaurants, which were a real a game-changer. I’m usually torn at restaurants, not knowing what to choose, but with vegan tapas, it was problem solved! We ordered several plates and shared a wide selection of delights. And the vegan sushi? Hands down, the best I’ve ever had.
Barcelona, you won me over with your sunshine, Gaudí magic, and plentiful vegan food. If you’re on a plant-based journey, this city is a must-visit on your next adventure!
😎 Recommended by Tina Riegelnegg from Veganderlust
A stein of sangria, please!
I’ve visited Barcelona several times and always enjoyed it. But one of my most memorable trips has to be when I went with a group of friends on a hen party.
Choosing the perfect destination for a hen party can be tricky. Your guests need to arrive from various places, you’re catering to a range of tastes, and some locations do not welcome large groups (especially those waving around inflatable flamingos). But Barcelona was perfect!
It was super easy to coordinate arrivals from airports across the UK and France. Plenty of places were more than happy to welcome us with our matching T-shirts and silly props. And the abundance of things to do in Barcelona meant we could squeeze in all sorts of activities.
We stayed in a waterfront hotel in Barceloneta, which added a lovely beachy element to our city break. We made the most of the March sunshine, wandering along the beachfront promenade, stopping at cafes and bars for laid-back cocktails and delicious tapas and enjoying views of the Mediterranean.
Of course, we spent a few hours in pursuit of culture, exploring the historic streets of the old town, admiring the mediaeval and modernist architecture and marvelling at the Sagrada Familia. Then all sensible behaviour ended as we headed to Las Ramblas and ordered sangria that arrived in two-pint stein mugs. Much hilarity followed as we enjoyed our ridiculous (but tasty) drinks in the sunshine and laughed as the bride-to-be made friends with the living statues and street performers.
Amazingly, we were still going strong in the evening and enjoyed a fantastic night out, starting with a dinner of fusion tapas alongside a flamenco show before partying the night away in the bars of the Gothic Quarter.
In short, Barcelona was exactly what we wanted: a friendly, welcoming city where we could enjoy the sights while having a whole heap of fun. I can’t recommend it enough as your next city break destination.
😎 Recommended by Anita Gait, freelance travel writer
Dramatic designs and delicious dishes
If you’re looking to delve right into the heart of Spain’s vibrant culture, there’s no better place to do it than the bustling city of Barcelona. As someone who has solo traveled to this lovely city multiple times, I can attest that it is full of mesmerizing architecture, incredibly tasty food, and a rich culture well worth exploring.
On a recent Barcelona city break, I spent one of my few days admiring Gaudí’s architectural masterpieces. From Casa Batllo to the spectacular Sagrada Familia, you can see the passion and stories he weaves into all his designs. Another highlight of my trip was going around tasting the amazing food, enjoying tapas and pintxos alongside refreshing sangria! Truly, Barcelona is full of delicious treats and dishes at a relatively affordable price compared to elsewhere in Western Europe!
The third highlight of my time in Barcelona was the atmosphere. The city is always full of life, but if you find yourself overwhelmed by the commotion, there are tons of green spaces that you can retreat to.
All in all, I believe Barcelona is a city that will appeal to everyone. But if you want specific reasons to visit, the food and architecture are at the top of my list and should be on yours too!
😎 Recommended by Kristin Lee from Global Travel Escapades
One visit is never enough
I’ve been lucky enough to visit Barcelona twice in my life and both times, I was left in awe of the city’s history and beauty. Each time I vowed to return so I could wander through the Mercado de La Boqueria, take in the sunset from Park Güell, and eat my way through the Gothic Quarter again.
My first visit took place on a study abroad spring break when my interests, and those of my travel comrades, aligned closer with the bar-hoppers and view-seekers than the museum dwellers. We started the trip by taking in the views and artwork at the famous Gaudí masterpiece, Park Güell. After visiting another of his famous works – Casa Batlló – we hungrily combed our way through the Mercado de La Boqueria, snacking on fried seafood and fresh fruit.
In the afternoon we wandered underneath the Arc de Triomf and enjoyed cocktails on Platja de la Barceloneta before heading to a delicious dinner of assorted tapas at Bodega Biarritz in the Gothic Quarter. Then, it was time to try out Barcelona’s famous nightlife scene!
The night started with a bang and flaming shots at Chupitos, a Spanish bar known for its creative (and sometimes risqué) shots. From there, we continued to Dow Jones – one of my favorite bars in all of Europe. This quirky place is stock market-themed, with the drink prices changing constantly depending on how many people are ordering them. Once per hour, the stock market “crashes,” and everyone storms the bar to make the most of very cheap drinks.
After a fun but exhausting night out, we spent the next day enjoying a late breakfast at Brunch & Cake, followed by souvenir shopping, then drinks at the popular rooftop bar at Hotel Colón.
My second visit to the city was equally enjoyable yet quite different as I took in different sights. And I’m sure my third visit (which I plan to book soon!) will be different again as I intend to see the view from the Bunkers del Carmel.
The exciting variety of things to do in Barcelona makes it the perfect vacation destination for travelers of all ages, budgets, and interests. And its abundant highlights make it the ideal place to return to again and again.
😎 Recommended by Madison Krigbaum from Madison’s Footsteps
Winter sun and festive fun in Barcelona
My partner and I were travelling through Spain when we decided to take a winter city break in Barcelona. I absolutely loved it, especially since winter is the off-season, so the city’s famous sights were much quieter than they would have been in the summer. And, thanks to Barcelona’s Mediterranean climate, we even enjoyed some sunshine as we ate tapas, drank sangria and explored the city.
One of my favourite activities in Barcelona was visiting Antoni Gaudí’s architectural masterpieces. We admired the iconic Sagrada Familia and other stand-out locations like the fantastical Casa Batllo and unconventional Casa Mila. But it was Park Güell that became my favourite attraction in the whole city.
It’s located a little way out of the city centre in the Gràcia district, so we walked there, which was very pleasant in the winter sun. I loved exploring the gardens and learning about the park’s history which spans over 100 years. The park was named a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1984, and it’s easy to see why, the architecture is so vibrant and unique; you only find these kinds of designs in Gaudí’s Barcelona!
Another highlight for me was exploring the city’s many markets. And since it was the start of the holiday season, this included the Christmas markets that spring up across the city from late November. We had a wonderfully festive time visiting different ones, including the oldest Christmas market in the city, the Market of Saint Lucia, which has been open since the 18th century. The stalls held such unique and wonderful items, we were able to do our souvenir and Christmas shopping at the same time!
This city has so many attractions that make it a stand-out holiday destination. I highly recommend you visit, and consider going during winter to make the most of the city at its quietest. Also, definitely make sure you visit Park Güell, it’s my favourite place in the whole city and the attraction I always think about when I recall my time there.
😎 Recommended by Claire Martin from Europe in winter
Barcelona, a city that dances to its own rhythm
I visited Barcelona for a few days as a solo traveller in search of adventure and me-time, and it did not disappoint! My days were filled with vivid colours, breathtaking architecture, and flavours that continued to dance on my tongue long after I left the city.
Gaudí’s Sagrada Familia was the first stop on my five day Barcelona itinerary. It is more than a church; it is an architectural masterpiece in progress, and the amazing designs left me speechless. And, speaking of Gaudí, entering Park Güell was like entering a fanciful dream. The mosaics, the serpentine benches, the view of the city – it was like a vibrant painting come to life.
Some other highlights of my trip included strolling through the history-filled Gothic Quarter, where the tiny alleyways dotted with shops and cafes transported me back in time. The Picasso Museum, which showcases the artist’s earlier works, giving a unique insight into his genius. The Magic Fountain was a spectacle of light and music, a water dance that utterly captured me. And the nightlife, which ranged from cosy bars in El Raval to roaring clubs on the beach beside the Mediterranean Sea.
And, of course, there was the incredible food! I loved jumping from one tapas dish to the next as I explored the city. Each bite was better than the last as I tried patatas bravas, jamón, and many other treats.
Barcelona isn’t your average city; it’s a captivating place that enchants from the moment you arrive. It’s a thrilling journey that lingers in your memory, from the delicious flavour of your first paella to the soothing sound of the waves crashing at Barceloneta. Don’t hesitate, just go. Take my word for it: you won’t just return with souvenirs, but with a slice of Barcelona forever ingrained in your soul.
😎 Recommended by Lavina D’Souza from Continent Hop
So what do you think?
Did any of those stories have you reaching for your passport? Are you yearning to sample some tapas, sip sangria in the sun and soak up the art and architecture? Well, don’t wait any longer, book your perfect Barcelona accommodation now and start planning your next European city break!
I have been lucky enough to visit Barcelona several times, each for a different reason. I have experienced it on a romantic escape with a partner, on a wild weekend hen party with friends and on city breaks as a solo traveller. Each trip has revealed a different side of the city to me as I strolled the atmospheric streets, revelled in the nightlife, immersed myself in the culture and – on every trip – enjoyed the exceptional food. And I have no doubt that I have plenty more to see on future trips.