A group of 9 of us were in this lovely city. Our group included 4 adults and 5 kids ranging in ages 8-15. To say we packed a lot into our trip is an understatement. We definitely wanted to do everything we could and make the most of our trip. I think we managed to do that. Barcelona is fun, vibrant and diverse. There is something for everyone. You can choose your perfect combination of activities mixed with relaxation. We did have a few hiccups with delayed flights and such but overall we made it to our destination and it was definitely worth it! I love traveling and giving my children diverse experiences. They love it as well and have learned to be open and flexible to new experiences.
Where to stay?
Arts – Great hotel near the water. The beach is a walk down a busy boardwalk with a happening vibe. The hotel is a short cab ride to city center and has a nice lobby bar and pool area.
More hotel ideas include:
W – Located on the beachfront with great water views.
Mandarin – This hotel is located in the center, therefore, offering a more walkable city experience.
Edition – Located in the city center with great luxury amenities.
El Palauet – Luxury suites that are good for a family with children.
What to do?
Beach Days – The great thing about the beaches are that there are many and they are close by. You can enjoy city and beach all in the same day. There are people giving you massages very inexpensively as you relax in a beach chair. The water is clear and beautiful. What can be better!
Sagrada Familia – Lovely place, interesting story and a must see when visiting. The details in the structure being built are works of art and amazing to see in person. Picture cannot do justice to how amazing this structure is.
Casa Batlo Gaudi – A top experience for our family. It is definitely worth it to get a ticket that includes the tablet experience. You are able to get a much for enriching experience with way that is very interactive. Everyone enjoyed this experience.
Boqueria Market – This is a great place to visit to enjoy a variety of small bites. It is a large food hall with colors and people. We enjoyed this, however, it is very busy so make sure to be ready for crowds. Well worth a visit!
Flamenco show – While you are in the city, take in a show with traditional Flamenco dancing. The talented artists are impressive to watch.
Fundacio Joan Miro– Here is an art museum that could be interesting if you are an art enthusiast. This was not particularly a favorite of our group, however, it could be interesting if you love this kind of thing and it does not take much time to see. This museum is a save for last if you have time and run out of other things to do in Barcelona.
Picasso Museum – This museum is more for the art enthusiast. If you only had a few museums to choose from I would keep this for that you see after you see the others first. I felt if was more about his life and less about seeing his artwork.
Where to eat?
Picnic – Yummy place for a nice brunch. The atmosphere is casual yet welcoming and the food is comforting and fabulous.
Bar Cenete – This restaurant was a hidden gem. It has a casual vibe upon entering and then we were taken to be seated in an unexpected way. We were led to the back through the kitchen. On the other side of the kitchen was a second dining room with quaint cozy vibe. The food was fabulous and the wines were great as well. Worth a visit!
Benzina – This is a very cool Italian place with a great youthful vibe and great cocktails. This restaurant is a refreshing mix of trendiness and comfort food in one.
Solomillo – If you are a steak lover, this is the place to eat. The experience is very unique and the menu items were all outstanding. My favorite was the tomato toast. Simple but yummy! This was a memorable dining experience with a lovely courtyard dining experience.
Parking pizza – Easy and fresh pizza! The ingredients are natural and flavorful. Yummy and great after a tiring day of running around.
Cooking class – This was a must experience! There is option to include shopping at the market and returning to cook or you can simply do the cooking experience on its own. The instructor was fun and welcoming. We all participated in making a meal including Paella. We all had a fun memorable evening. This was perfect for a group of mixed age adults, teens and kids.
Where to shop?
Barcelona has a lot of shopping options. There is something for everyone. You can shop for local designs as well as global designs. There are designer shops as well as affordable shops. The options are endless. Here are a few suggestions:
La Ramblas – Lots of restaurants and shops to walk around in the get a nice idea of the energy or the city. This has a lot of tourist shops for sure but fun to see.
Passenger de Gracia – This area has the largest stretch of luxury shopping in Barcelona if this is what you are looking for. The street is very nice and quaint and has many restaurants along the way.
Avinguda Diagonal – Here you will find lots of variety of local as well as global brands. On a hot day this is nice because you can walk around indoors and beat some of the summer heat.
El Born – Here there are many boutique shops with one of kind items and off beat local brands.
These suggestions are based on my experiences in just 5 days in Barcelona. There is so much to do that your trip can include as many or as few things as you would like. There is such an amazing blend of culture in this lovely city . I cant wait till I can return someday!
Destination Defined... 