Road trips are a great way to explore Spain and its majestic countryside – use these tips and great road trip itineraries from Wine Tourism Spain
Barcelona
Travel blogs and features from Barcelona, Spain in Catalonia
Barcelona Travel Guide
The ultimate guide to the best things to do and see in Barcelona
Spain’s second largest city, and one of the coolest on the Mediterranean, Barcelona is home to some stunning architecture, contemporary art, pristine beaches, a growing vegan scene and tapas, making it perfect for a quick weekend break or a longer stay. Start here with my basic Barcelona travel tips, or jump down below to read my latest Barcelona travel blogs.
When to Visit
Barcelona is a city best visited in summer, in order to properly take advantage of its beaches and laid-back outdoor culture. Nonetheless, there is cool stuff happening all around the city at all times of the year, so even in the dead of winter, you’ll find something cool to do!
Fall is still a good time to visit Barcelona for good weather without some of the summer crowds, and spring (especially April and May) can be quite warm too.
Top Things To Do
Visit the Miró Museum – Though Barcelona is obviously very famous for the works of Gaudí, Dalí and even Picasso, this may be the best museum in the city. With a massive collection of sketches, tapestries, sculptures, photographs and books by and about Joan Miró, as well as a lovely garden, this place is a must for any visit to Barcelona.
Make your own sundae – At Eyscream and Friends in the neighborhood of La Barceloneta, you can customise your own ice cream by choosing from their unusual flavors and toppings. Perfect on a hot, sticky day!
Hang out on a beach – Take your pick of any of Barcelona’s amazing beaches, all of which are within easy reach of the city by foot, bike or public transport. You could easily spend an entire day on and around one of the more central beaches like Nova Icaria, Bogatell or San Sebastià having a picnic, going in the water, lounging on the sand or drinking from vendors selling cocktails up and down the stretch of sand.
Barcelona Tours
There’s so much history to learn about in Barcelona it can be a little overwhelming to tackle it by yourself.
LGBTQ – Gay Barcelona Travel Guide
Gay-friendly businesses can be found all over Barcelona, though historically the neighborhood of Eixample has always been the center of gay life and it’s where you’ll find the highest concentration of gay bars and clubs in the city.
A day trip to nearby Sitges, another gay mecca in Europe just 30 minutes away by train, is also a worthwhile thing to do on a gay trip to Barcelona. There’s almost always something queer happening in Barcelona, but here are a few of the best annual events you should know about in gay Barcelona.
Barcelona Pride, June – With a diverse and fun program of live performances, street fairs, competitions, workshops and cultural events, Barcelona pride may be one of the most eclectic and fun-filled prides in Europe.
Circuit Festival, August – Perfect for club kids, muscle bears and fans, the (in)famous Barcelona Circuit Festival is a two week long collection of parties featuring international DJs, outdoor festivals and even a waterpark event!
International Gay and Lesbian Film Festival, October – Taking place in various cinemas across Barcelona, this film festival goes on for more than a week every year and highlights feature and short films from every corner of the world on diverse topics relating to the LGBT community.
More gay travel resources here.
Barcelona Hotel Deals
Barcelona has plenty of cool and quirky hotels, as well as all the big chains you’d expect. They can get full when there’s a conference or special event in town, so consider booking in advance. I’ve found that using Booking.com, Agoda.com or Hotels Combined can be useful for finding last-minute deals.
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Barcelona Travel Blogs
5 great cities in Europe for young travelers – these are budget-friendly destinations that make for great trips and first-time European travelers
One of Europe’s coolest cities, Barcelona is a mecca for European hipsters with countless cool things to do, including awesome nightlife, food & more
A night out drinking absinthe in Barcelona at the legendary Bar Marsella – where Hemingway, Picasso, Gaudi and Dali used to get their drink on.
A little insight into my travels to Barcelona—and why this most recent trip made me realize I really do love Barcelona
Barcelona, Potsdam and Brighton are all home to some important and extensive Orientalism & Chinoiserie architecture around Europe.