Barcelona Tips and Tricks

Planning a trip to Barcelona? Robert and I put together a little list to make it the best adventure possible! Want to know where to stay, where to eat and what to do?? Read below and enjoy!

Where to Stay:

So far we have had really great experiences with Airbnb. We used their website to find an apartment in Barcelona and it worked out really well for us. Want something low key? In the best and most lively neighborhood (El Born!)? Want to feel like a local? Then we would recommend this apartment! Our hostess was great, the apartment was small and nothing fancy, but perfect for us and for a fun stay in this lively city!

What to Do: 

• Park Guell. This parked is covered with Gaudi's architecture and is definitley worth the trip. It is full of tourists and beautiful vibrant colors. Book your tickets ahead of time here. 

• La Sagrada Familia. This is another Gaudi creation and is pretty incredible. It is unique and different from other churches in Europe. Construction was started 100+ years ago and it is still going on...like I said very unique. Pay a small fee to go inside and get a glimpse inside his mind.
• La Rambla. A bustling street full of little trinkets! Just be sure to watch your pockets. And right off of La Rambla is my favorite...
• La Boqueria. This market is the best...read more below!
• Barceloneta Beach. Going during the summer?? Enjoy an afternoon on the beach! It is a great way to relax those aching feet. Maybe even take a picnic to enhance the experience (that's what we did!).
• The Neighborhoods. One of our favorite things to do was explore neighborhoods while popping in and out of fun shops. Our favorite neighborhood by far was El Born...it is so lively and full of shops, places to eat and beauty!

• Shopping. You have to go to Art Escudellers. This place is full of beautiful pottery in the most vibrant and beautiful colors. This was our chosen Barcelona "souvenir". We bought beautiful bowels that we have already used with dinner...functional and stirs up great memories! They package it where you are able to take it on the plane, which is what we did, or if you want to go crazy and buy lots of pieces, they will ship it all the way to the USA!

Where to Eat:

•  Must Try? Tortilla de Patata (Spanish Omlette), churros con chocolate and a favorite of mine, Magdalena, a Spanish muffin.

• La Fabrica- for incredible empanadas! The ham and cheese is the best, as well as everything else on the menu, you can't go wrong. It is in my favorite neighborhood, El Born, and is the perfect afternoon pick me up. 

•  La Boqueria- probably the best market in Europe. It is full of fresh fruit, juices, pastries, seafood, meats and everything else you can imagine. It is such a fun and delicious experience. Either go for a meal or snack, either way you will leave full and very happy.

•  A picnic at the beach! It was a little too windy (ok way too windy) the day we went, but if you have a beautiful sunny day? Grab food at local shops and enjoy a relaxing afternoon.

•  Milk. Robert and I love brunch, like love love brunch. This place is the perfect stop. Our favorite? The fruit and granola, soo good and so fresh.

•  Le Cure Gourmande. Delicious cookies and the perfect souvenir for all those loved ones back home.

• Travel and Cakes. An even more perfect brunch stop. Probably the best banana bread you have ever had and french toast donuts... need I say more? No, but I will! They also had plenty of savory options that looked incredible as well.

• Bo De B. A fun and unique stop, especially among students. A sandwich is the most popular option, it is heavy and good and definitely worth a stop!

• Eyescream and Friends. Yummy ice creams, plenty of toppings to choose from (hello caramel and oreos) and a really cool presentation. We enjoyed this place so much, we stopped twice!

• Euskal Etxea. Pinchos...a yummy bite of food presented on a toothpick. Choose from an assortment, how ever much you want, enjoy a drink alongside and at the end pay per toothpick. It is a very fun experience, but beware it is not super filling and adds up quickly. 

• Quimet and Quimet. We were not able to stop here but heard it is the best for Tapas. It is in El born neighborhood and when we passed it, it was packed full and looked like such a fun atmosphere!

Enjoy your adventure!