A weekend in Barcelona

The wheels on your flight have touched down at Barcelona’s El Prat International airport. You’ve gone through passport control, and now you stand in the warm, late evening summer air in one of Europe’s most exciting cities. You’re here for a weekend and time is of the essence. So, grab yourself a taxi and make for the center.

Barcelona

Once you’ve checked in to your room (hotel or Airbnb) and quickly unpacked your bags, it’s time to satiate your appetite because those sub-par, overpriced, cardboard sandwiches you ate on the plane are starting to fade and hunger is setting in.

Tossa

For some terrace side tapas, make your way to Gracia where on the corner of Carrer de Nàpols sits Tossa. Like so many of Barcelona’s best tapas joints, from the outside, it’s fairly unassuming. But, take a seat outside, order a couple of cool beers and pick from a selection of some stunning small plates that include delicious Galician squid, fried artichokes, and delicious croquettes. The service is quick, friendly and incredibly efficient.

Well fed, head home to catch a couple Zs in preparation for the day to come.

Saturday

Breakfast

If you’re staying in an Airbnb, seek out the neighborhood’s local bakery and pick yourself up a couple of ensaimada. This soft, pillowy pastry, heavily dusted in powdered sugar, originates from Mallorca but is eaten widely throughout Spain and is to-die-for. Throw in a couple coffees to kick you into high gear, and you’re set.

Sagrada Familia

Head to Gaudi’s unfinished masterpiece first to avoid the mid-day heat and crowds. This stunning church is an architectural wonder that feels stripped from the pages of a fairy tale. Head inside to marvel and the towering columns built to resemble trees and the dancing light that floods through the stained glass windows.

Gothic Cathedral

Why not make it a morning of churches? After the Sagrada make your way to the Gothic Quarter and get lost in the narrow tangle of the old town’s streets trying to find the Gothic Cathedral. Don’t worry, getting lost is part of the fun. The Gothic Quarter is a beautiful network of streets that point to Barcelona’s history.

Lunch

Via dotravel.com

For lunch move into Barcelona’s most vibrant neighborhood, El Raval. Here, you have your pick of world cuisines, with restaurants serving up everything from Mexican and Thai to Indian and Turkish. If you’re looking for a fantastic kebab, seek out Bismillah Kebabish. Located on a street peppered with fruit and veg stalls, vintage shops and little bars, this place serves up a mean kebab wrapped in fresh, homemade bread.

Find your best Tapas in Barcelona.

Barcelona Museum of Contemporary Art (MACBA)

MACBA, Barcelona’s world-class contemporary art museum houses a permanent collection of more than 5000 works as well as hosts a range of exciting rotating exhibitions. This museum is at the cutting edge of contemporary art. Its permanent collection covers art from the 1940s to modern day and represents predominantly Spanish and Catalan artists.

As the afternoon pushes into evening time to settle in for a beer or two.

Olgod

Named after a small Danish town, Olgod also literally translates to God of Beer. This cozy craft beer bar boasts 30 taps that pull some phenomenal Scandinavian beers (a few local beers are represented too) and is the perfect place to wet your whistle. The place also serves up burgers, wings and other beer food fare too.