I ♥️ Barcelona. I’ve loved it since the moment I stepped out of the airport bus onto Plaza Catalunya for the very first time over a decade ago.

The grand tree-lined boulevards of the Eixample, the instantly recognisable architecture, the easygoing attitude of a mediterranean city (yet that doesn’t completely shut down in the off season)! Barcelona is buzzing with creative energy and there is something going on at all times.

In 2014 I spent a year living in a compact but beautiful studio apartment in the eaves of an old bank building, my balcony surrounded by carved cornicing with views over the rooftops to the gothic cathedral like a pointy ice cream cone in the distance.

I had the most fun imagineable, made friends from all over world and have always left a piece of my heart there. I’ve returned many times over the years and even got married near Barcelona in 2019!

I love spotting all the things that have changed upon each visit, and am often asked for my favourite addresses and things to do. So here are my favourite haunts in the Ciudad Condal from my time spent living there & all the lovely time I’ve spent there since!

(I originally put together this guide in March 2020, but have updated it in February 2022 as sadly some of my old favourites didn’t survive the tough times of the Pandemic. 🙁)

Getting There: I always use Skyscanner to compare and find the best possible flights (using the “whole month” search option when I’m flexible with dates).

Skip ahead to Breakfast & Brunch, Coffee, Easygoing Lunch Spots, Tapas, Celebration Dinners, Addresses By The Sea, Rooftop Terraces, Cocktail Bars, Things To Do & Where to Stay in Barcelona.

Breakfast & Brunch

Go-to places for breakfast, brunch, coffee and lunch…

Coffee / Grab + Go

Easygoing Lunch Spots

(Almost all of the places mentioned above serve lunch and almost all of the following also serve brunch, but I’ve categorised them separately anyway).

More newcomers I have have heard amazing things about include: Inquiet, Xuba Taxos and Gandul (specialising in charcuterie and small plates).

Tapas

Celebration Dinners

By The Sea (Chiringuitos)

Rooftop Terraces

Cocktail Bars

Things To Do

Stay

My favourite neighbourhood has always been the Eixample - from here you can easily stroll through the Old Town / down into the Borne (another one of my favourite areas), and beyond to Port Vell and Barceloneta. It has fantastic Metro access to the whole city and the airport bus conveniently drops off + picks up here, so you can’t go wrong.

Special mentions go to the Kimpton Vividora Hotel and the H10 Casa Mimosa for their stunning rooftop spaces, views and excellent value for money.

Where are your favourite places to spend time in Barcelona? I’m always looking for new places to try and would love to know any tips you might have!

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