Barcelona is a city of delicious restaurants, eclectic architecture, and beautiful landscapes. It is a popular destination during the summer months, with huge crowds and hot weather. You might want to consider visiting during the less busy months in the spring when the temperatures are milder and there are fewer crowds. If you are unsure where to start, here is a travel guide for visiting Barcelona in the Spring.
Table of Contents
Where to stay
There are three main areas I recommend staying in Barcelona to be close to most of the restaurants and activities: the Gothic Quarter, Las Ramblas, or Exiample. You will be close to most of the attractions, and they are walkable to restaurants and bars. Here is where I recommend staying in each area.
The Gothic Quarter
Right across from the Cathedral is Hotel Colon, a nice hotel with a rooftop with a stunning view of the cathedral. The hotel has top-notch service and a beautiful lobby. If you still want to see the view, you don’t need to be a guest to go to the rooftop. It is first come, first serve, but on the weekends, be prepared to stand in line to go to the rooftop.
Las Ramblas
Boutique Hotel H10 Catalunya Plaza. This centralized hotel has beautiful architecture and a nice terrace that offers luxury. Its affordable nightly price makes for an excellent choice.
L’Eixample
Hotel Jazz. I stayed at Hotel Jazz during my time in Barcelona. It is a big hotel close to the University with larger rooms than you would usually see. It was close to many restaurants and within walking distance to the Las Ramblas area and the Gothic Quarter.
Barceloneta
Another popular area to stay in is Barceloneta. It is close to the beach but a little far from the main attractions. The area has its own clubs close by and sailing tours you can take. It is about a 15-minute drive from the main area, though, depending on what you want to do. Here is where you can stay in the area:
The W Hotel is a higher-end hotel prominently seen on the Barcelona skyline. It offers several restaurants, like Coya, and its own rooftop bars and clubs. If you make reservations at one of the restaurants, you can check out the hotel if you are not staying there.
Getting Around
Barcelona has many transportation options. You can take a taxi, Uber, bus, or metro from the airport. We mostly used taxis and Uber. Uber also has taxis available on its app, and the taxi services have their own app called FREENOW.
One note: during busy times around dinner, getting an Uber or taxi through the apps is very hard. I would sometimes wait 15-20 minutes to be connected to a car only to flag down a taxi. Another plus is the taxis here are not corrupt and try to get over on you, which leads me to flag them down instead of using an app most of the time.
If you want transportation and site seeing there are two hop on hop off buses all over the main areas to take and get around Barcelona. They have different lines based on where you want to go.
Where to eat
Barcelona has so many options for food depending on your preferences. It can be hard to choose a spot with all of the options, so I will give you recommendations based on where I personally ate. There are options to research places on The Fork, Yelp, and TripAdvisor. I liked making reservations on The Fork because they had special deals at the restaurants when you paid through their app.
There are also several markets in each neighborhood with food stalls. The most popular market is Mercado de la Boqueria, right in the center of Las Ramblas. It is a must-visit to experience and get inexpensive food options.
Breakfast and Brunch
Most breakfast restaurants open late (at least for me), from 9 to 9:30 am, so if you want to eat earlier, there are not a lot of options unless you eat at your hotel. We ate at the hotel one of the mornings and then ventured out for a rest. One place that opened early was El Fornet. They open at 7 am and offer coffee, pastries, yogurts, juices, and sandwiches. It’s a good option if you have an early tour and need a quick bite.
Billy Brunch
Billy Brunch has several locations in the area and does not have reservations. We visited the Park location as soon as it opened on a Sunday and were seated immediately. This is their biggest location, so it’s more likely you will be seated quickly. They offer unique breakfast dishes and healthy options.
Eat My Trip
Eat My Trip is a small cafe in the L’Eixample area for foodies. They serve delicious coffee and unique food combinations. They also have healthy options and fun creations to choose from. I got the Macho Benedict, and the presentation was just as amazing as it tasted.
Lunch and Dinner
Honest Greens
Honest Greens in Las Ramblas is a huge restaurant that serves healthy, sustainable food. Its central location makes for a nice siesta after a long morning of sightseeing. Lunch starts at 1 p.m., but before then, snacks and drinks are available at the mini cafe.
Le Romane
Le Romane is a delicious Italian restaurant with many pizza options. I like how they have a deal to select 2-4 flavors in one pizza to share. It was so hard to choose the flavors, and it reminded me of Roman-style pizza.
La Fonda
La Fonda is a restaurant in the Ramblas area that is more elegant but not necessarily fine dining. I mostly had tapas and sangria here.
El Glop Braseria
El Glop Braseria is a traditional Spanish restaurant that is inexpensive and delicious. You don’t need reservations; we just walked in after a day of shopping. They offer tapas, delicious paella, and seafood. Their wine and sangria are very affordable, and you can have a nice meal with several plates without breaking the bank.
Coya
Coya is located inside the W Hotel and is an option if you want to have a night out in Barceloneta and splurge a little. This is a Peruvian-inspired restaurant with a tasting menu. Their drinks are unique, and the vibes are there.
Hotel Colon Rooftop
Hotel Colon Rooftop for drinks and light bites. Most people come here for a view of the cathedral and photo ops. Don’t expect to get full here because it’s not the place for it.
Oassis Natural Cooking
Oassis natural cooking delicious healthy food options in the middle of all the shopping. On busier days, you should make a reservation.
Pizzeria da Nanni
Pizzeria da Nanni has a very delicious pizza within walking distance from Hotel Jazz. Get the primavera, but anyone is good!
Flax and Kale
Flax and Kale is a healthy restaurant with vegan and vegetarian options. I sat on their rooftop Terrance, which had a garden full of fresh ingredients. Although there are many plant-based options, they do have salmon, but it is mostly vegan and vegetarian. I got the salmon sliders and kombucha. They sell their kombucha in the front, and I bought at least three during my stay.
Gallo Nero La Rambla
This was a hidden gem we stumbled upon on Las Ramblas. They had a delicious tasting menu, accompanied by good music and a fun atmosphere.
Tapas Food Tour
If you want to have recommendations and jumpstart your trip with a tour of food I would suggest taking a food tour. They guide you along the streets and take you to the local spots to get tapas and authentic Spanish food. Here are a few I recommend:
- Barcelona Tapas and Wine Experience Small-Group Walking Tour
- Barcelona Tapas Walking Tour; Food, Wine & History
- Barcelona Walking Food Tour With Secret Food Tours
What to do
There is so much to fill your days with in Barcelona and the surrounding areas; it really depends on the weather and preferences. The city is very walkable, so you can visit many of the sites on your own if you do not opt for a tour.
Do a photoshoot
Register for a professional photoshoot to have a momento of your time in Barcelona. I booked a photoshoot in the Gothic Quarter on Airbnb Experiences. We got to have a brief tour of the quarter and beyond and captured amazing pictures.
Take a free walking tour
I always do free walking tours in every country I visit. I always want to learn something about the city’s history, and I find the guides on free walking tours do the best job. I signed up on the Guru Walk app and they have a lot of options. You can ask them all of the questions you want and even get recommendations.
Visit popular landmarks
Barcelona has several notable landmarks around the city that you can visit. The stunning architecture helps Barcelona stand out internationally and cannot be missed. Many of these locations require advanced registration to guarantee your visit. Book early because they sell out quickly.
- Park Guell– A breathtaking park that offers eclectic structures and colorful scenery. Using the mosaics popularized by Antoni Gaudi, it’s a popular spot for tourists and locals.
- La Sagrada Familia—This impressive church has been under construction and is still not finished after over 100 years. It is another mindchild of Antoni Gaudi.
- Casa Batllo and Casa Mila– Located on the same street, are more creations of Antoni Gaudi and his modern art around the city. They contain futuristic modernism with impressive views.
- Parque de la Ciutadella- A free park with a beautiful, centered structure surrounded by a crystal blue pond. With a free garden, greenhouse, and zoo. This park attracts locals and tourists for its beauty and space. On Sundays, you will see people salsa dancing.
- Arc de triumph— steps away from the park. This structure is a copy of the one in France but just as impressive. It’s a definite photo op.
Escape the city
Barcelona has several close attractions that make for partial day trips and an escape from the bustle of the city.
Sailing and wine tour
This was one of the highlights for me. We sailed on the Mediterranean with world sailing adventures to the Bouquet Dalella family winery to explore the property and taste wine. The weather was perfect at 70 degrees. It was not too cold on the water.
Take a tour of Monserrat
Monserrat is a mountain about an hour away from the city, offering tantalizing views and history. You can visit it in several ways, such as taking a train or a hike.
Costa Brava
If the weather suits you, take a tour of Costa Brava and explore the little medieval town for a different perspective.
Unwind at the spa
Barcelona offers several spas and traditional Hammams around the area. We decided to spend a few hours at one of them to relax from being on our feet all day. We spent the afternoon at Rituals D’Orient. What I liked about this Hammam was the price and packages they offered. All you need is a swimsuit, and they will provide the rest.
Take a day to shop
Finally, the shopping in Barcelona is endless. From small local shops to international brands, there is no shortage of shopping to suit your needs. Zara is plentiful in Barcelona, with many items I can’t find in the U.S., so it is worth a visit. In addition, designer brands are available at a lower rate, and with the VAT refund, you can splurge and not feel guilty.
Some other useful tips for Barcelona
Compared to other cities in Spain, it was easier to communicate in English. Although I know enough Spanish to get around, it was not mostly needed since many people are bilingual. I guess it’s because there are so many expats from English-speaking countries. I felt pretty safe walking around alone, and although I was warned of pickpocketing, I did not experience any issues. I always wore my Lululemon cross-body bag facing front to be safe.
Tipping is not generally expected, except for tour guides and spa treatments. If you do tip, 10% would suffice. If you are exchanging money, shop around and compare the rates. We went to three different locations, and the exchange rate got better and better at each one. Cash isn’t generally needed, except if you want to tip. Taxis all take cards.
Dress in layers for springtime in Barcelona. The mornings may be chilly, but as the day goes on, it gets warm and sunny. At night, it gets a little cooler but not freezing. I had a leather jacket and was fine. Currently, Barcelona is experiencing extreme drought, so they are taking sustainable measures. You may not see all of the fountains, or some hotels may limit pool use.
Overall, I felt incredibly safe in Barcelona. You can spend the whole day doing something different every day. It’s an excellent spot for any type of travel, from solo to Bachelorette Parties; there is something for all to enjoy.
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