Barcelona in a Weekend — An Alternative Guide to the City
( TRAveL guide )
The Mediterranean breeze, the gorgeous architecture and the wide variety of people in Barcelona make it a unique city worth exploring until you can’t walk anymore.
After first going to Barcelona with friends in 2016 and seeing all the touristy spots, I went back last summer and got to properly explore it by myself. I decided to put together a not-so-typical guide to Barcelona so you can also know it as a local would. If you’re visiting Barcelona soon, keep reading!
Here you can find a little playlist I made with the songs that ended up being the soundtrack to this trip.
THE MUSTS
There are so many things to do. So. Many. This would be my top 3:
01
TAKE A FREE TOUR
I always recommend taking a free tour around new cities as soon as you get there, and Barcelona is no exception. I didn’t take it here because the first time I was lucky enough to have my dear friend Vanesa as a guide in my group! But I can recommend SANDEMANs and Civitatis, I have taken their tours in different cities and never been disappointed.
02
WALK AROUND THE NEIGHBOURHOODS
Aside from all the touristy places to see, I would say that wandering around Barri Gotic and Born is one of my favorite things to do — especially if it’s sunny. If you’re looking for a more alternative option, then Gràcia is your neighborhood. It has the cutest spots and the streets are beautiful.
03
HIKE TO SEE THE BEST SUNSET CITY VIEW
My last recommendation would be to grab some drinks and head over to Bunkers del Carmel for some breathtaking views of Barcelona at sunset. I promise you, you won’t regret it. It’s a bit of a hike, but completely worth it.
COFFEE
You know me, and as the coffee addict I am (especially when it comes to specialty coffee), obviously I had to do some research and find the best spots in Barcelona. Third-wave coffee here is a big thing and there are a lot of amazing cafés and roasteries, but I managed to do a little selection of my favorites:
01
SATAN’S COFFEE CORNER
Both locations, the one in the Gothic Quarter and the one in Casa Bonay, are worth visiting. Lovely interiors, relaxed atmosphere, and way better coffee. Bring a book or a notebook and just enjoy a good flat white there.
02
HIDDEN CAFÉ
Closer to Sarrià, was the first café I visited in this last stay, and it did not disappoint me at all. They give you a little card with your order with the details of the coffee that you’re drinking, and as a coffee fanatic, that is really appreciated!
03
NOMAD COFFEE
Some of my favorite cafés in Madrid and Granada carry Nomad Coffee, so visiting their very own café was a must. The interior is lovely, but I found it more of a to-go place, so bring your reusable cup! :)
FOOD
Obviously, the food. We’re talking about Spain, how could I not talk about the food? Get ready because your stomach will be aching to go to these places:
01
LA BONA SORT
Typical Spanish food, lovely service and not excessively overpriced for the location. The restaurant is beautiful and in summer its vibe simply gets magical.
02
PARKING PIZZA
Having heard everyone raving about this one for ages, I simply had to go and try it myself. The spaces in both restaurants are beautifully designed and decorated, and the pizzas… wow. Honestly some of the best I’ve had (and yes, I have been to Italy!).
03
FLAX & KALE
So far my favorite vegan restaurant. Amazing seasonal and real food that nourishes you after a long walk looking at the beautiful facades around Eixample. If you’re in Madrid, you’re lucky because they have opened a restaurant in Nuevos Ministerios… be careful, the bottomless kombucha is tempting.
ACCOMMODATION
In my last trip, I was lucky enough to be hosted by my lovely uncle and aunt. I can recommend staying in the districts Gracia, Sarrià, Raval or Eixample. I put together some of the places I would consider staying if I were to go again:
01
HOTEL
Of course, the comfiest way of traveling is staying in an hotel. Needless to say, if the interiors and the service are equally perfect, then that’s a match!
POL & GRACE HOTEL
The location in this one makes it very special and ideal if you want a more local experience. It definitely looks like a home away from home.
HOTEL PRAKTIK BAKERY
Not only it looks fantastic and has a perfect location, but it’s also a bakery. I don’t know about you, but this sounds dreamy to me.
CASA BONAY
One of Satan’s Coffee locations is right at the door, the interior is impressive and the location is super convenient to wander around Barcelona.
02
HOSTEL
I have traveled quite a bit and a lot of the times I have stayed in hostels, especially if I was traveling by myself or with friends (a lot of them offer double private rooms, so if you’re going with your partner you can also check that!). They normally have a younger vibe and offer activities throughout the week for guests to join. And… they don’t break the bank.
GENERATOR HOSTELS
I always recommend Generator Hostels. I have been to the one in Amsterdam and Hamburg and the experience was excellent both times. The atmosphere in these hostels is always great!
NO LIMITS GRAFFITI
I stayed here when I visited with friends in 2016. It was very well connected and the rooms and common spaces were very good. Now it’s owned by the No Limits chain and it wasn’t when I last visited but I hope it’s as great!
BLACK SWAN HOSTEL
I have stayed in the one they have in Sevilla and it was phenomenal. If in this one the rooms are as clean and the common spaces as nice, then it’s a must!
EXTRA TIPS
You may have heard of La Boqueria, one of Barcelona’s most known landmarks. Well, as essential as it may seem, the truth is that it has got excessively overcrowded and you can barely walk around it. There are more local markets as beautiful as this one and not as touristy — such as Mercat Galvany.
Rooftop bars are a must — I went to the one in Hotel Ayre Rosellón and it was super nice and not as overpriced for the views that you get!
Take the public bikes! Barcelona is a bike-friendly city and the public bike system works perfectly fine.
There’s so much left to say about Barcelona, but I tried my best to put together a list of what I consider essential when going there. I really hope you enjoyed this guide.
See you soon,
x
patricia
