Barcelona's Secrets

Insider Tips

If you buy goods (clothing, purses, shoes …) ask the cashier for a tax reimbursement receipt. Once you get to the airport, there is a kiosk where you can give them all your receipts and get money back on the taxes you spent.
Looking for bars and clubs? A lot of them are underground but you can also find them along Barceloneta beach. My favorite club is Pacha and I would recommend getting on the guest list early.
The best places to book an Airbnb are in The Gothic Quarter or Las Ramblas.
In terms of transportation, taxis are cheap, you can also rent bikes or purchase a ticket for the Hop on Hop off Tour Bus linked below.

Top Things to Do

1. Basílica de la Sagrada Família

Sagrada Família is an unfinished Roman Catholic basilica designed by Antoni Gaudi. Gaudi is the most well known artist in Barcelona. He’s designed or has had influence in most of the top destinations in the city. To make the most of your time in Barcelona, I would recommend taking the Hop on Hop off Bus Tour. The tour makes stops to all the following recommended locations including Sagrada Família. The reason Sagrada Familia is so impressive is because the outside is a series of bible stories created in art form. When you buy a ticket they will offer a guided listening tour of these stories, definitely worth it. Also, it’s best to visit just before sunset because as the light hits the stained glass windows, it reflects a rainbow onto the pillars. If you do decide to visit, the tickets are sold by time of day so you might consider purchasing the day before or in the morning to make sure you get a spot.

2. Tibidabo

Mount Tibidabo is a church on a hill, across from a little theme park. There aren’t many rides, but it’s fun for the kids or anyone who likes a good ferris wheel. The real attraction is the church, which you can climb all the way to the top and see all of Barcelona. In terms of getting to Tibidabo, if you have trouble walking uphill or long distances I would take a taxi. If not, you can take the Hop on Hop off Tour Bus (linked above) which will drop you off about a 10 minute walk (uphill) to the church.

3. Park Güell

Park Güell is another masterpiece by Gaudi. As you walk through the park you’ll find Güell’s artistic flare within the gardens and architectural elements. You could spend at least half of the day exploring the grounds and I would suggest bringing along some snacks to sit down and have a picnic. Getting to Park Güell requires a good amount of walking so if you find it difficult to walk for long periods of time, I would suggest taking a taxi to the top of the park.

4. The Gothic Quarter

If you love boutique shopping and good food, this is the place to be. There is an overwhelming amount of unique small shops for goods & clothing, definitely instagram worthy. After dining and shopping, you can explore the Cathedral of Barcelona (pictured below) and Gaudi’s first project, the Placa Reial. Both of these historic works of art call the Gothic Quarter their home. I found this article to be the most in line with what I thought were the top 10 things to do in the Gothic Quarter.

5. Barceloneta Beach

If you know me, you know I love a good beach, and Barceloneta beach is one of my favorites. The best part is that there are bars and restaurants along the beach, directly on the sand. They are all pretty expensive and the food is not the best in the city but it is convenient and you can use the beach lounge chairs as long as you want if you make a purchase. If you would rather bring your own food, there are people selling beers & beach umbrellas so you don’t have to bring your own (just bring cash). Don't forget, the beaches in Europe are topless! As you move along the beach you’ll know once you’ve arrived in the nude zone. During the Summer, the water is warm enough to swim so bring a suit… or not.

Bonus: Magic Fountain Barcelona

The Magic Fountain Show is spectacular! It runs Thursday - Saturday starting at 8pm and not only is it FREE, but it’s a whole hour. You’ll definitely want to bring a blanket to sit on, snacks & drinks to enjoy this show. You can also buy snacks from the nearby vendors, but the lines are long.

When in Barcelona… Go shopping

Shopping Tips

Barcelona is one of my favorite places in the world to shop because I can always find styles that I can’t find anywhere else. They also have options for any budget depending on where you shop. If you’re a high end brand name junkie or if you appreciate well made, long lasting clothing (and don’t mind a higher price tag) try Las Ramblas. If you’re like me and love a good Long Champ bag or any European brand, buy it in Barcelona! The prices are about half of what you find in the US because they are not being imported. If you are looking for a more boutique one of a kind shopping experience, I would try the Gothic Quarter. My favorite little shop is called Claudine’s . They sell some really unique and stylish clothing and accessories.

Top Places to Take Cute Pictures

Sagrada Família

Pro tip for Sagrada Família, the pictures right next to the church are not great. The best location to take those breathtaking Insta pics, is across the street at the park. Walk toward the very back of the park near the benches alongside the water and you’ll find little pockets of sunshine between the trees that make for a perfect frame.

The Gothic Quarter

The Gothic Quarter is swarming with opportunity for pictures. My two favorite spots are taking pictures near the cathedral and near the palm trees in Placa Reial. There are a ton of little alley ways that you can find to take pictures as well.

Park Güell

Every inch of this park is instagramable but if you want the best view, walk all the way to the top for an unforgettable picture of Barcelona. If you go in the evening, the lighting is perfect! You can also make your way to the very bottom where you can find a gingerbread looking house which is another one of Gaudi’s pieces. It is difficult to take pictures without a ton of people in the background but it’s still worth it.

Top Dining & Drinks

Paella

This is my absolute favorite dish in all of Spain. You can find different types of paella all over Spain and in Barcelona you have to try the Seafood Paella. It’s a rice dish with chicken, seafood or both. Typically you can share one paella with two people unless you’re super hungry. One of the best locations that I found for Placa Reial in the Gothic Quarter.

Espit Chupitos

My favorite bar in the world is Chupitos . Chupitos means shots in Spanish & they have over 200 different kinds for only 2 Euros each! The shots all have an awesome twist too! Some are on fire, some crackle in your mouth, some glow in the dark and more! Most of them are mixed so they aren’t very strong. It’s more of an experience and pre-game than a place where you would spend the entire night. I wouldn’t leave Barcelona without trying it!

Mercat de La Boqueria

Do you love fresh juice? Tapas? Meat? Cheese? You’re in the right place! Mercat de La Boqueria is a little piece of heaven for all you foodies. This open market is full of a variety of authentic Spanish cuisine. If you’re overwhelmed, pick up a few tapas and sit at one of the open air bars. If you’re a meat eater, make sure to buy a meat/ cheese cup. You can also buy ingredients to cook with like chili, herbs, veggies and more! Quick tip… make sure to have some cash on you when you visit.

Tapas

Tapas are small bites but often considered a dinner since you order 3-4 per person or more if you’re hungry! The cool thing about Tapas is that you get to taste a ton of your favorite foods rather than just one dish. A few of my favorite tapas that I would recommend are padron peppers, buttered mushrooms and patatas bravas. One of our favorite tapas restaurants was Ex Pintxo de Petrixol where you pick your tapas using toothpicks like a buffet & pay at the end based on how many toothpicks you have at your table.

Sangria

I’ll take a glass of sangria in any country but in Barcelona it’s especially delicious. Spain is known for having amazing Sangria, but I would caution against drinking too much because it contains a lot of sugar. I recommend ordering a pitcher with a meal… every meal!