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Barcelona Trip: All The Details

Want some hints on what to do while in Barcelona? Here are some details from our trip. You can read more about the trip here.
  • We stayed at the Eric Vokel Gran Via SuitesGran Via. I like the apartment-style hotels if we're staying somewhere for more than a few days. There's extra room, in this case the girls got their own bedroom, and we can buy breakfast groceries so we're not starving (read: hangry) every morning.
Thursday
  • It was a quick trip from Paris (less than two hours). We checked into the hotel and they recommended some local restaurants and were to see a family-friendly Flamenco show. 
  • We ate lunch at The Juice House, just a quick walk from the hotel. 
  • Then walked over to the Place d'Espanya to pickup the Hop On Hop Off tour bus, so we could get fully-acquainted with the city. Well worth the money to drive around and see the big sights with the audioguide. 
  • We did the full 'red line' circuit and ended back at the Place d' Espanya and checked out the old bullfighting ring (neo-Moorish) that's been remodeled into a mall. 
  • Dinner at Vesuvius, a pizza shop that was so fresh and delicious. I got the Luna Blanca, which was half pizza and half calzone. 
Friday
  • We were up and out early to get to Flax & Kale by 9:30am. In my research, this place came up several times as one of the best vegetarian, fresh restaurant in Barcelona. And we were not disappointed. It was everyone's favorite meal. 
  • A short walk through the narrow streets of Barcelona and we were at the Picasso Museum. I was going to buy advance tickets, but didn't want to tie us to a schedule. So we waited about 20 minutes in the tickets line. Not too bad, and gawking at the gothic buildings the museum is housed in was plenty entertaining. 
  • The Picasso Museum was much smaller than I was expecting, but you get a good sense of what a genius he was, at such a young age! 
  • Next we walked along Las Ramblas to the Marcat de la Boqueria. Bring cash, because you can get little bites at all the stales. We bought ham, fruit, paella and dried berries walking through the market. It was heavenly. But very very very crowded. 
  • After a little snooze at the hotel, we walked to CruiX for dinner, the local slightly-more-gourmet tapas spot recommended by the hotel. The staff was so friendly and the meal was amazing, duck croquettas and an earthy paella dish were my favorites. And we were the first ones there just as it opened at 8:30. ;) 
    I Love An Old Wall!
Saturday
  • We ate breakfast in the hotel with some bakery items from next door, including a cortado for me (yum!), while Dave was at the gym.
  • We took an Uber down to Barceloneta beach and walked along the shore. Beautiful morning and the girls loved getting their feet wet. Amazing. A highlight for us. 
  • We ate lunch at The Surf House (fresh, delicious!) then walked up the beach to check out the W Hotel, which dominates the skyline. Then along the harbor to gawk at the large yachts. 
  • We ambled through the gothic quarter again, picking up ice cream and shopping, and generally looking around. I loved all the historic buildings that were so well preserved.  
  • We rested at the hotel then walked to Macchina Pasta Bar for a quick dinner. 
  • Then we walked to the Place Reial and saw a 9:30 Flamenco show at Los Tarantos. It was only 30 minutes and a great introduction to Flamenco for the girls. We all loved it. 
    As Close to Seeing Human Fireworks. Goosebumps!
Sunday
  • Had breakfast at the Federal Cafe, another place I found in my research for a savory breakfast. The girls enjoyed the best pancakes we've found in Europe. 
  • Then we walked back to Place Espanya to see the amazing fountains and awesome views from the Museu Nacional d'Art de Catalunya. Lots of stairs but worth it. We walked a bit up into Montjuic but then made a quick decision to check out La Sagrada Familia before we had to head to the airport. 
  • After a quick Uber ride, we walked around the Sagrada for about 10 minutes and found the best gelato place called Farggi -- the strawberry was outstanding. I'm glad we did because the church was pretty amazing. We sufficiently ooohed and awed! 
  • Then we picked up our bags and headed back to the airport for a quick flight back to Paris. 

We were all very impressed with the city. We may have to go back.



Related posts:
Read all about my Barcelona thoughts
More Travel posts 
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