Barcelona quickly became one of my favorite cities after my second visit to the Catalonian city. And even though a weekend in Barcelona isn’t enough, it’s a good place to start if you’re looking to take a city break in Europe. You might be wondering, “why isn’t a weekend in Barcelona enough?” And my simple answer to you would be that there is just so much to do and a ton to see. And that’s without even touching on the food (which I will talk about in another post)!
A Weekend in Barcelona
Where To Stay
If you’re looking to head to Barcelona, I suggest spending two nights in the Gothic Quarter and then two nights near the beach! Check into Catalonia Magdalenes. The hotel is really beautiful and features a rooftop pool, snacks in the afternoon and early evenings, and spacious rooms. Its location is fantastic and it’s walking distance to most of the popular sites in Barcelona.
After two nights, if you’re looking to switch things up, head to the Hilton Diagonal Mar, which is home to PuroBeach Club. Check out their events! It’s worth staying at the hotel if you plan on spending the day there.
What To Do
I could go on and on about things to do in Barcelona. But, for the purpose of this post, as it’s a focus on a weekend in Barcelona, I will highlight a few!
Take A Guided Tour Of Palau de la Musica
Okay, I’ll admit, I thought that the actual informational section of this guided tour was a bit dry, but it’s still worth it. The Palau de la Musica is a UNESCO Heritage Site and it is absolutely stunning. The architecture and tile work is something that you have to see for yourself. You can only visit on a tour, but they’re offered daily and cost 16 Euros.
Explore Sagrada Familia
This was my second time seeing Sagrada Familia, but only my first time actually going inside. And while the 15 Euro price tag to just enter Gaudi’s church is a little bit steep, it is impressive inside. The colored stained glass was my favorite and the columns and ceiling are so detailed.
There are several different ticket options offered. If we had had more time we probably would have done the tour of the towers. Pro Tip: Cover your shoulders or else they won’t let you inside!
Wander Around The Gothic Quarter and El Born Area
My favorite thing to do when I’m traveling is wander around the streets. And Barcelona makes it easy to do that! All of the tiny streets in the Gothic Quarter and El Born area are so quaint and dreamy. I’d grab your camera and just start walking. Pop into the tiny stores for some handmade crafts and souvenirs or jewelry.
Soak Up The Sun At Barceloneta Beach
This is definitely going to the be the most crowded beach, but it’s worth it to stop by and soak up the sun for an afternoon. Because we only had a weekend in Barcelona, we found time around 4 PM one afternoon and stayed for about two hours. We grabbed mojitos at the beach bar and enjoyed the sea and sand.
Listen To Some DJs At PuroBeach Club
Head to the PuroBeach Club and rent a sunbed. The popular beach club has resident DJs spinning every weekend and even on some weekdays. Make sure to book ahead!
Dance The Night Away
Barcelona has some of the best nightlife in Europe. There’s no shortage of clubs, but my favorite is Opium. Sign up for the guest list ahead of time on their website to avoid the line. You can enter until 2 AM (I suggest heading there around 1:30 if you plan on being there all night). The club is located on the beach, so plan to stay for sunrise!
Pin It For Later:
