If you are planning on taking a city break any time soon, seriously consider jumping on a plane to Barcelona! Back in April, my boyfriend planned a surprise birthday trip to the W Hotel for me, and of course, I wanted to capture as much of the trip as I could! So I decided to film my first vlog for my YouTube channel – if you haven’t seen it already, you can check it out here.
I have always been a serious planner, so when I found out we were going to Barcelona I immediately started searching for the best brunch spots, tourist destinations and beautiful shops and boutiques. Whilst we were there, we managed to tick off most of the places that were on my list, but we also enjoyed wandering around the stunning streets of Barcelona and finding some amazing local hotspots. I’ve been lucky enough to travel lots over the years, but after this trip, Barcelona is hands down one of my favorite places to visit so far. So below, I have put together my ultimate guide to Barcelona, filled with my favorite restaurants, tourist attractions, shops and hotels for you!
Places to Stay
1. W Hotel – This hotel certainly cannot be missed! Its beautiful fin like exterior sticks out of the ocean right where the beach meets the city, making it the perfect location. The W is right on the beach, making it great for a morning run or relaxing by the sea, and it is only a short stroll away from Las Ramblas, Port Vell and the Gothic Quarter. I found the location perfect as I’m definitely a beach girl, so it meant I could enjoy the beach, wake up to the breathtaking view and then go explore the city for the rest of the day. Whilst there are lots of attractions to the W Hotel, the newly renovated bedrooms were one of the highlights. Designed almost like a ship, with ocean like prints on the floor and the best view in Barcelona, I don’t think you can beat it! The W Hotel oozes luxury and style, and the staff go above and beyond to look after you and make you stay as magical as possible.
2. Grand Hotel Central – The crystal blue roof pool is definitely the biggest lure of Grand Hotel Central. The rooms are comfortable, minimalist and understated, and the hotel is located slap-bang in the middle of Barcelona. This gives you the luxury of having the pool to relax by, as well as the shops, restaurants and tourist attractions right on your doorstep. The hotel offers a number of fantastic restaurants as well as a city sky bar, offering stunning panoramic views of the city. The Grand Hotel Central is definitely a discrete and luxurious hideaway, amid the bustle of Barcelona.
3. Melia Sky – This hotel is just a ten minute walk from one of the best beaches in Barcelona, in the vibrant district of Poble Nou. You can enjoy the privileged views of the Mediterranean Sea and the skyline of Barcelona from every corner of the hotel. It has a fresh, urban air aimed at making your stay in Barcelona perfect, and the hotel offers superb facilities, exclusive services and impeccable personalised attention. I have stayed in many Melia hotels in the past and have never been dissapointed!
4. Mercer Hotel Barcelona – Mercer Hotel has historical interiors with modern, scandi-looking furniture, and is definitely for those who want to live and feel the old Barcelona. You’re tucked away in local territory so you’ll need your Catalan (not Spanish) phrasebook. This hotel is for those looking for a real flavour of the city with a tonne of culture to boot.
Places to Eat
1. Salt W Hotel – if you love a burger like me, PLEASE try out Salt restaurant when you are in Barcelona! I have never tasted a burger like it! The W Hotel’s beach club restaurant is one of the hottest tickets in town, offering inventive burgers and super-tasty cocktails. It is the best for chilling by the beach and soaking up the buzzy atmosphere of the W with a tasty and filling burger and cocktail.
2. El Nacional – our concierge at the W hotel recommended this place and I’m so glad we decided to check it out. El Nacional is a huge restaurant with different mini restaurant areas where you can try traditional recipes from around the Iberian Peninsula, prepared with the highest quality produce in unique surroundings, reflecting the social and cultural life of Barcelona. The building itself is stunning and definitely worth going to just to see the architecture. We had the BEST tapas here – definitely worth a try.
3. Flax and Kale – for all you health and fitness junkies out there – this is the place to go – it’s your kind of heaven! Flax and Kale provides delicious flexitarian healthy food, which includes veggie raw options and some oily fish dishes. And the most amazing cold-pressed juices! Its motto is ‘eat better, be happier, live longer’ – who wouldn’t agree with that? Flax & Kale is located just off of Plaça de Catalunya and is the perfect breakfast/brunch hangout.
4. Llamber – I had been recommended this restaurant by a friend and it was perfect for a light dinner. The restaurant is in a beautiful outdoors square in an artsy area of Barcelona. We had sharing platters and tapas and were very impressed with the quality of food and service. Although a little pricey, it is a great one to try if you want a local hotspot.
Places to Go
1. La Sagrada Familia – A must see if you’re in Barcelona. It is the most striking church built by Gaudi and attracts over over 3,000,000 visitors a year. It is a work of immense proportions and is revered by the World of Architecture as one of the most original and ambitious modern buildings. Top tip: to avoid queues, book in advance with a tour guide, the tour was so much funb as well as being really informative – just make sure you print your tickets!
2. Passieg Le Gracia – Think Pretty Women! A long strip full of gorgeous designer shops and boutiques . At one end you will find the main square and La Rambla, and at the other end you’ve got Gaudi’s houses with Dior, Chanel, Gucci and more. You will find the best shops in Barcelona; it is very hard to resist treating yourself to a new bag or pair of shoes!
3. Gothic Quarter – You’ll be wandering around the Gothic Quarter without even realizing you are in the Gothic Quarter! Beautiful architecture, cobbled streets, tiny eateries. My advice… just walk, get lost and explore the beautiful city.
4. Port Vell – If you love strolling around harbors surrounded by expensive yachts, you’ll love Port Vell. The yachts in Barcelona are beautiful. The port is another great place for an afternoon walk, run or even better, it take it in the views and treat yourself to an ice cream – the gelato in Barcelona is irresistible!
Top Tips
1. ‘Get lost’ – wander around and get lost in the hidden and beautiful streets of Barcelona – it is the best way to experience the local culture and final secret spots.
2. Eat as much tapas as you can (& ice-cream) and don’t feel guilty! The food is too good not to experience it all!
3. Ask for local recommendations, ask hotel staff, ask taxi drivers, some of the best restaurants we found were recommendations.
4. Be vigilant, luckily I’ve had no issues with bag theft but keep your eyes on your bags at all time as Barcelona is notorious for pick-pocketers!
If you haven’t already – get a flight booked for Barca now!
Olivia x