Barcelona is one of Europe’s most dynamic cities, grounded in centuries of culture and celebrating the best of art and food.
But aside from the tourist trail the city offers many hidden treasures among its streets, especially in its hub and historical centre.
Barcelona is a great city to explore by foot and with the metro system it’s quite easy to get to attractions like the famous Park Guell which showcases Anton Gaudí’s amazing architecture and design. The metro offers the option to buy single tickets but if you plan on using the metro frequently, you’re probably better off buying a 10 trip ticket or a 2 day pass.
Avoid Las Ramblas for shopping, it’s nearly always too jam-packed and boasts tourist prices. Instead explore other places like the Barri Gòtic (Gothic Quarter) or Gràcia where you can amble around the many cafés, shops and cinemas.
One thing that Barcelona definitely does right is food and the passion is palpable. The city is home to many spots that house world-class Iberian foods.
La Boqueria, Barcelona’s famous food market you will see an astonishing array of gorgeous food on display, perfect for purchasing vegetables, sweet things and all sorts of meat.
Similar to shopping, if you’re looking for good places to eat it’s probably best to head away from Las Ramblas for dinner. Though the locals tend to eat quite late, you can still pretty much find food at all hours of the day. Consider grabbing food at around 5.30pm and then head along for tapas in a bar. Gresca, though a bit pricey and needs to be booked in advance, offers amazing Catalán and French food. But if you’re on a budget, Can Eusebio in El Poble Sec has gotten rave reviews for its cheap eats but decent food.
If you’re feeling adventurous, check out the local food tours of the city, where you’ll discover amazing places to check out.
If you’re a party-animal, nightlife in Barcelona can last all night long and well into the morning. There are hundreds of bars, pubs and clubs to choose from with the locals heading out usually on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays – Ciutat Vella is an incredibly popular spot for nightlife with Plaza Reial and Carrer Dels Escudellers perfect for if you want to drop in to random places.
Looking for more chilled atmosphere? The bars along the Platja de la Barceloneta are a bit quieter and more relaxed for those who want to head away from the energetic centre.
For those on the tourist track and to see the city’s most impressive buildings and parks, you’ll want to see all the Parc de la Ciutadella as well as the Parc de Joan Miró, and the Montjuïc castle.
Antoni Gaudí’s work in Barcelona is remarkable and even if you just stroll around, you’ll come across various examples of his work, the most famous of course being the Sagrada Família and Park Güell. Aside from Gaudí, Palau de la Música and Casa de les Terrades are worth taking a look at.
During the holiday season and summer, prices to Barcelona from Dublin range from between €150 – €200, off-peak return flights can be less than €90 return with Ryanair.
There are some great deals available from HerHotels.ie on accommodation in Barcelona and our picks include Melon District Marina Residencia (€68), walking distance from Museu de la Musica and Teatre Nacional de Catalunya and Barcelona Urbany Hostel (€40), located in the heart of Barcelona, right next to the Sagrada Familia, very close to metro stations, train station and bus routes.
Or if you fancy to splash out, AC Hotel Gavà Mar (€148) is on the beach and close to Olympic Canal and Anec Blau Shopping Center. This 4-star hotel is within the region of Church of Colonia Guell and Fira Barcelona.
