Barcelona, Spain

Welcome to the whisper of dreams

Breathe in the soul of the city

Learn what adventure means

Follow me and discover my Barcelona...

If you grew up on a steady diet of Disney Channel like me, then you might recognize these poetic lines from the beloved DCOM, The Cheetah Girls 2. Needless to say, ever since I saw Raven Symone strutting down the streets of Barcelona, I have been dying to visit Spain and have my own “Cheetah Girls Moment”. So, when the opportunity to travel to this incredible city presented itself, I booked my ticket without a moment’s hesitation.

I was finally going to BARCELONA, SPAIN!!!!!

Upon arriving in a new city, finding a place to store my bags is always a top priority, as I refuse to lug around a backpack or duffel all day while sightseeing. Train stations usually have lockers if your accommodations aren't as convenient to the city center, and hostels and hotels usually have complimentary bag storage (though not always, so be sure to check in advance!) In Barcelona, I would be staying at an Air B&B and the host recommended a luggage storage shop just a block away from the apartment. The woman working didn’t speak any English, but thanks to Google Translate, I managed to secure my bags and kick off my exploration.

Pro Tip: If flying EasyJet into Barcelona, keep in mind their carry-on luggage requirements

I had originally planned on bringing a small duffel bag as my carry on that passes the test for other international airlines but would be considered too big for EasyJet. I managed to squeeze in all the necessary items into a backpack that barely passed their strict guidelines. Moral of the story, always check the carry-on restrictions before you leave!

As one of Antoni Gaudi’s most famous and impressive architectural feats, the Sagrada Familia is naturally a hot spot for tourists. In the week leading up to my trip, tickets online were already sold out, so my only option was to hope to arrive in time to purchase a ticket at the door. Unfortunately, all tickets for Saturday and Sunday were sold out.

Pro Tip: Buy tickets in advance. (you would think I would learn my lesson one of these days)

If there is an attraction/museum/monument that you really want to see, reserve your tickets in advance. Even if you visit on a slow day, it can give you peace of mind and assurance that you will actually get in. I didn’t think that a random weekend in October would be a hot time to visit Barcelona, but it was way more crowded than I expected, so be prepared. I was still able to admire Gaudi’s whimsical buildings from the outside, but it was definitely disappointing to miss out on the full experience.

*Sangria Break*

Passing Casa Batllo and Casa Mila (more Gaudi), I stopped at a little café for a snack and sangria. Aside from the architecture, I was most excited to try the Catalonian cuisine of Barcelona – which meant eating a whole lot of tapas and drinking a whole lot of sangria.

The first sangria up to bat was a cava sangria, which was basically a mimosa. Fruity, bubbly and light, making it the perfect mid-day refresher.

Heading towards the Barcelona Cathedral, you may pass the Arc de Triomf (not to be confused with its Parisian counterpart of the same name), which was built as the main access gate for the 1888 Barcelona World's Fair. It now stands tall and proud over the Passeig de Lluís Companys, a spot popular for promenading, bike riding and local events.

Where the Sagrada Familia exudes eccentricity, Barcelona Cathedral has a more classical beauty. Tickets were about 5 euros and included access to the roof where visitors can stand among the gothic spires and look out over Barcelona to the Mediterranean Sea. As you exit through the outer courtyard, say hello to the white geese parading around in what looks like their own tropical palace.

Barcelona really is a city meant to be savored, literally and figuratively. Take your time wandering Las Ramblas, a large street lined with vendors and restaurants offering traditional Catalonian fare. In the surrounding side streets are other local treasures to discover, including Demasie, a bakery that sells every flavor or cinnamon roll under the sun. I definitely recommend the Dulce de Leche roll and the Nutella Bomb.

If you are looking for “healthier” snacks, head over to La Boqueria, a large indoor market where you can get bowls of kiwi and dragon fruit or munch on empanadas while you browse the stalls. It is a lot like Pike Place Market in Seattle, but with exotic flair (which apparently involves shaving meat right off the dismembered leg of a cow. Hoof included).

On a pleasant day, you can find plenty of tourists and locals alike taking in the sea air at La Barceloneta. The beach was crowded with beach volleyball nets and sand sculptors as early evening set in. It was the first week of October and still a pleasant, albeit overcast, seventy degrees. After a full day of walking, all I wanted to do was SIT, so I grabbed a table at a little bungalow restaurant for, you guessed it...

*Sangria Break*

The flavor of the evening was a white wine sangria, served in a miniature pitcher. White wine sangria isn’t my favorite and I would rate the Barceloneta Sangria a 5/10.

Pro Tip: Take the Metro

I had a false sense of confidence in my stamina and thought that it would be no problem to walk from La Barceloneta to my Air B&B after a day spent walking all over Barcelona. I was rewarded with blisters, aching feet and sore back for my trouble. The metro is very easy to use, so hop on a train and cut down your travel time drastically. Your body will thank you.

After a quick cat nap, I was back out on the streets by 9pm looking for my next meal. Recommended as a small and intimate restaurant favored by locals, La Alcoba Azul is tucked away in the Gothic Quarter surrounded by boutique eateries. There was a waiting list, but I managed to find a spot at the bar where I could sip my drink and admire the belle-epoch aesthetic. The mint julep was refreshing after a long day of sweating and touristing and I eventually got seated outside in the warm evening air to enjoy a selection of tasty tapas.

If there is one thing you should know about me, it's that breakfast food is one of my all-time favorite 'cuisines'. Give a girl a short stack and a cup of coffee and she can conquer the world. When planning my breakfast stop in Barcelona, the plan was originally to check out Brunch & Cake, a restaurant recommended by a friend.

However, I happened upon Ugot Bruncherie, a vibrant spot offering brunch staples with Middle Eastern flair and an extensive cake selection. I ordered the chai hot chocolate and French toast with pear, figs and drizzled in decadent honey. Not your conventional IHOP order, but worth the detour!

Located near the Arc de Triompf, the Parc de la Ciutadella is a small oasis in the middle of the city. My favorite area included a large fountain where a dance class swayed under the palm trees and children chased giant bubbles. For decades, this park was the only green space in the city after it's construction in the mid-19th century, and now is home to a lake, museums and a zoo.

*Sangria Break*

After walking around the park, it was time for snacks and a drink. Stopping at the Place Garibaldi (or Place Reial), you can find several restaurants offering tapas and paella. I ordered a plate of Iberian ham with tomato-olive oil bread and two bombas - a.k.a. little potato balls stuffed with meat and covered with a magic sauce gifted by the gods. Needless to say, these were aptly named and were THE BOMB. Paired with a traditional red wine sangria made for a delightful midday snack.

Energized from those starchy bombs of goodness, I started towards the distant castle on the hill. The path to Montjuic looks daunting, but luckily, you can hop on a funicular and then a gondola to get you to the top. I chose to take the gondola up to the castle but walk back down the hill through the gardens. The castle is free on Sundays however, it was a bit underwhelming. Besides the beautiful ocean view, there is not much to see at Montjuic.

With the day inching towards sunset, my Cheetah Girl's moment had finally arrived. Purchasing tickets for Parc Guell that morning, the only available time slot was 7pm, and the twilight hour turned out to be a magical time to experience this famous landmark. Entrance to the park itself is free, and there is plenty to explore once you are there. The tickets get you into an enclosed area to see the famous snake bench and other Gaudi installations. Only a certain amount of people are allowed in per time slot to keep the crowds at a minimum, though you will still have to jockey for a position on the bench if you want the city of Barcelona in the background.

Before leaving Barcelona, I needed to try the quintessential dish that Spain is known for. Back in Las Ramblas, I sat down at a touristy restaurant that promised a good deal on tapas and entrees. Not to mention they served their sangria in a glass as big as a fishbowl.

And OH. MY. GAUDI. I LOVE PAELLA.

I was a bit hesitant to try the most popular seafood paella, but my travel companion assured me this was the best way to go. And she was not wrong. If I could eat tapas, bombas and paella for the rest of my life, I would be happy. You are not allowed to leave Barcelona without trying this amazing dish.

Wandering around the last hours of the evening, savoring the tastes and smells and vibe of this beautiful city, I found myself in a random restaurant, sharing a bottle of wine with the proprietor, eating everything on the menu and chatting about sports, music, food and every other topic under the sun. It was the perfect ending to a whirlwind, yet utterly magical trip.