Travel Guide & Review: Barcelona

My third stop on my first European trip in 2017 after Glasgow/Edinburgh and Paris was Barcelona. I was blown away by entertainment, fun, and magic the city brings in the two days I was there. It was there that I tried a real Spanish omelet and went to a beach outside the U.S. in the Mediterranean Sea for the first time. Plus, I went to a Hard Rock Café outside the U.S. for the first time, too.

Originally founded as a Roman city in the first century AD, the earliest settlement has been subject for debate and of legend. It has grown into one of the most important, cultural, and heavily tourist cities in Europe as well as the world. The city is also well-known on the sports scene having hosted the 1992 Summer Olympics as well as numerous international football championship matches. It’s home to one of the most popular teams as well as FC Barcelona plays there.

It’s unique blend of adventure, culture, history, and entertainment have captivated many visitors.

I was only able to stay for two days, so I didn’t get to everything. And like most any other big city, you’re never going to. But what fun Barcelona is though and I’ll highlight what I’ve seen there.

Quick Facts:

Language: Catalan, English

Currency: Euros

International airports: BCN

Railway/train/metro: Barcelona Metro

Official website: Barcelona Official Tourism

Transportation

BCN Metro was my main source of transportation besides just walking to where I needed to go. I flew into Barcelona from Paris and left to Madrid from BCN airport.

Attractions/sites:

Magic Fountain of Montjuic

Out of all the fun things in Barcelona, Magic Fountain was my favorite. It’s a fountain unlike any other you’ll see in the world that is only a short walk away from the Espanya Metro Station. You’ll pass by Font dels Tres Mars on a round about, Venetian Towers, and you can see Arenas de Barelona(Barcelona Arena) on the way over on Placa d’Espanya Square, too. It lights up the sky with a mixture of colors with theme music from The Lord of the Rings and the 1992 Olympic theme. This is a must-see at night, and is one of my favorite attractions I’ve seen anywhere. Trust me when I tell you that you won’t regret it and make sure you do this if nothing else while in Barcelona.

Camp Nou Stadium

As the current largest football stadium in terms of seating capacity in Europe — and third largest in the world — Camp Nou is the place you want to go if you’re a sports fan. It’s also home to F.C. Barcelona, who are one of the most well-known sports franchises in the world. They offer tours during the summer, which is what I chose to do when I went to the city. It’s a self-guided tour, and one that allows you access to most anywhere in the venue.

Placa d’Espanya Square

This sits right in the middle of everything in the Metropolitan area of Barcelona. It’s easy to get to from the Espanya Metro Station. The square is home to Font del Tres Mars(on the round about), Venetian Towers, Magic Fountain of Monjuic, Arenas de Barcelona, fountains, and more. This is a must-see in Barcelona!

Tibidabo Amusement Park

If you have kids, Tibidabo Park is the place you want to take them to. They have rides and attractions galore, and it gives you the best views of the city because of where it sits. My favorite ride was the Talaia, which is a vertical, rotating balcony that at its highest point is 550m(over 1,800 feet) above sea level. The Temple of the Sacred Heart is another impressive attraction that gives you an amazing view of Barcelona — especially the Collserola Mountains and it’s tower from the outside of it — and you can easily spot it near the entrance of the park. The Talaia and Temple of the Sacred Heart give you the best views of the city, beaches, and mountains. If you want an all-around experience for everyone in the family with amazing views of Barcelona, this place delivers that and then some. I could’ve spent all day here. Make sure you put this park on your to-do list.

Arenas de Barcelona

I wasn’t originally going to go up due to time constraints, but I found out that Arenas de Barcelona was open late at night to go to the top of the venue. And, I’m glad I made the decision to go. The views towards the Magic Fountain at night with a lit sky is worth the price of admission alone. That’s not including that it was an open air top that was completely accessible on the very top floor. I can’t speak for how it looks during the day, but when the Magic Fountain is lit up with colors at night in the distance from Arenas de Barcelona, you’ll not be disappointed with the scenery of it.

Sagrada Familia

Sagrada Familia was under construction when I went in 2017, but it’s still one of Barcelona’s main attractions. It’s definitely an eye-catching, unique structure that is easily recognizable upon approaching it. Regardless if it’s under construction or not, this is one place you should visit when you go to the city.

Catalunya Square

Barcelona is a big party city, and you can look no further than Catalunya Square as evidence of that. At night, it’s very loud and congested, but a very vibrant scene. There are endless amounts of restaurants and it’s also in the middle of most attractions close by. What a time it is on the main square of the city.

Barceloneta Beach

This is the main beach in Barcelona and it marked my first time in the Mediterranean Sea. In July, the beach draws a huge crowd of people from all over the world, and that should tell you all you need to know about it. I wasn’t here for long, but I made sure I went here before I left so I can say I stepped foot on a Mediterranean beach for the first time. So make sure you soak up the sun and bring your beach gear with you when you go to Barcelona.

Hotel

Hotel Lloret Ramblas

This is the hotel I stayed at that is located right by Catalunya Plaza on the square. It’s an affordable hotel in the center of it all with the Catalunya metro station close by as well as numerous restaurants in the vicinity. It does get loud because you can see how close it is to the party scene on the main square. But if you’re single or traveling solo, and on a short stay like I was, this will work more than fine for you.

Restaurants/Grocery

NBA Café Barcelona

I stumbled upon this restaurant/café that was in Catalunya Square during the first night I was there. They have Spanish/English menus as well as a gluten-free one as I was told by the greeter — who was holding a basketball — outside the restaurant. I can’t recall the waiter’s name I had, but he was excellent. He was telling me about NBA players appearing there — like Pau Gasol — and that this is the first NBA Café in Europe. After I ate and watched some NBA on TV there, he allowed me to take a photo with a life-like player of my choice they had on a screen. They had stars like LeBron James and Steph Curry, but I went with Russell Westbrook(shown above). Good food, staff, and hangout if you’re a sports/basketball fan!

Hard Rock Café Barcelona

This Hard Rock is located on Catalunya Square very close to the metro stop. It’s very close to the hotel I stayed at, too. This was the first Hard Rock outside of the US that I visited. Because of where it’s located, it is almost always busy. They have plenty of tables inside and outside for customers. On day 2 after getting back from the beach, I was able to get a table and was done in a little over an hour. Despite it being busy, they got my order out very quickly. I bought a dark blue Hard Rock Barcelona shirt before I left that I wear frequently now. There’s plenty to see close by and not a hard place to find at all either.

Amorino

They had this one next door to my hotel. I ordered a couple of fruit smoothies from here on both nights before going to my hotel room since they open late. It’s not a big place and is more of a to-go order place at Catalunya Square. But it served its purpose and allowed me something to eat before calling it a night.

Masia Tibidabo Restaurant

This is the main restaurant at Tibidabo Park. There’s a lot of negative reviews about the place in terms of customers not being helped in time or food being cold, but I personally did not encounter those problems I read about. However, there isn’t a lot of options close by because it sits on a mountain. Nonetheless, its another place that did exactly what I needed it to do before I ventured back into the city. Even though I didn’t encounter those issues, there’s enough reviews that say otherwise. Be weary of that as well as it being the only option restaurant in the area. For their part, I was treated well when I was there.

My thoughts on Barcelona

Barcelona is one of the most well-rounded cities you’ll visit. From beaches, mountains, fountains, and old/new architecture, it has a lot to offer that not many others can match. No matter if you’re a party-goer, kid at heart, sports fan, or an explorer, this city provides something for them all. If you’re into parties, Catalunya Square is where its at. If you like a touch of magic, then Magic Fountain is a must. If you have kids, Tibidabo Park is where you take them. You can go for the beaches and/or mountains if you choose. It’s also home to one of the most popular sports franchises in the entire world, and they have the largest sports venue in Europe in terms of attendance.

Do be watchful of yourself because pick-pocketing has been an issue there, especially on metros in the summer months. Catalunya Square also has the same issue because of how congested it can be at nights. Just take the normal precautions, and be aware of your surroundings like you would anywhere else.

The Spanish food is amazing and there’s no shortage of places to eat anywhere in the city, especially in Catalunya Square. I love the Spanish Omelet that’s surrounded by potato with eggs(or whatever you choose) on the inside.

I never had a problem with anyone speaking English to me there, so communication for those that know that language isn’t a problem. In fact, you’ll find many places that are at least sub-texted in English by signs in Spanish. It is helpful to know the basics of Spanish and ask “Hablas inglés”(Do you speak English?) before speaking English from the start. You shouldn’t have to do that much there.

Barcelona is very much a party scene, but with plenty of magic to go around. Because of its versatile and well-roundedness, this city has something for every single type of traveler, and it’s easily one of my favorite places I’ve been to.