The Ultimate Guide to Barcelona, Spain in 2022
It is crazy to think that I have been living in Spain for a little over a month now, and during this time I have visited museums, been on tours, tried the local food, and more. I’ve received a lot of inquiries on social media seeking travel guide advice, so I’m happy to finally be able to provide you with the Ultimate Travel Guide to Barcelona, Spain. I will be updating this regularly while I am here in Barcelona, Spain, so be sure to subscribe to this blog so you don’t miss any updates! Keep reading if you plan to visit Barcelona, Spain in 2022 and beyond!
Where to Stay:
Numa Stays Roca Rooms & Apartments
During my first two weeks in Barcelona, I stayed in a Numa Stay Apartment. Numa Stays are a concept you may not be familiar with, and I am here to explain it. Numa Stays offers a fast and digital check-in and check-out process. By using your smartphone, you can easily contact someone in this apartment without physical contact.
Mixing technology and taste in the world’s greatest neighborhoods. The Numa Stay locations are also conveniently located in great neighborhoods, so you can start living like a local right away. Numa Stays have other locations around Europe, click here to find out more.
They offer options for short-term and long-term stays! Use code: NANCY-NUMA15 for 15% off any Numa Stay!
Airbnb
During the remainder of my stay, I’ve been living in an Airbnb in the same area as Numa Stay. I will share this listing with you once I leave. However, you can find great Airbnb properties in the Eixample, Gothic Quarter, Sagrada Familia, and Barceloneta areas.
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How to Get Around:
Use Public Transportation
As with most cities, Barcelona has an excellent public transportation system. It’s a convenient way to get around the city and suburbs.
Take advantage of a 48, 72, or 96-hour Barcelona pass to discover the city’s many treasures. Buy your pass here.
Download Cabify
Cabify is the equivalent of Uber. Uber is available in Barcelona, but I noticed it’s a bit more expensive and takes longer to find a ride. I recommend Cabify instead. If you download the app here with my link, you’ll receive $3 off your first three rides. You can also download the app and enter, “NANCYS1876” in the promo code box.
Walking
You can also get around on foot if you prefer! Getting your steps in is an easy and effective way to exercise! That’s what I do most of the time!
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Museums and Attractions You Must Visit:
Buy Museum Pass + Free Transportation now
Casa Batlló
This is one of Gaudi’s masterpieces and is located in the center of Barcelona. In 1904, this home was redesigned by Gaudi from an existing house. Beautiful building, and worth checking out.
Book a self-audioguide tour here.
Sagrada Familia
The Basilica de la Sagrada Familia is an obvious must while visiting Barcelona. It is a large unfinished minor basilica in the Eixample district of Barcelona. It was designed by the Catalan architect Antoni Gaudi.
It’s easily one of the most beautiful and magnificent buildings I’ve ever seen! If you go, audio recordings or a tour guide are suggested.
Skip the line and get a guided tour of Sagrada Familia here.
Casa Mila
Also known as La Pedrera or “The Stone Quarry” due to its irregular rough-hewn appearance – is a Modernista building in Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain. The building was the last private residence designed by architect Antoni Gaudi and was built between 1906 and 1912. Another building I really enjoyed visiting!
Picasso Museum
The Picasso museum in Barcelona is a key reference for understanding the formative years of Pablo Picasso.
You can get free admission every Thursday from 6 pm to 9:30 pm as well as every first Sunday of the month from 9 am to 7 pm. Buy tickets online here.
Museum of Art (MEAM)
This is a magnificent museum showcasing 20th to 21st-century figurative paintings and sculptures.
Moco Museum
This is Barcelona’s newest museum showcasing a diverse collection of modern, contemporary, and unique street art pieces.
Park Güell
Located on Carmel Hill in Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain, Park Güell is a privatized park system composed of gardens and architectural elements. I’d like to visit this park before I leave. Stay tuned!
Buy Museum Pass + Free Transportation here
L’Aquarium Barcelona
It is home to 11000 animals representing 451 species. It is a great place to take the family or to go solo; I love animals and was in the area, so I stopped by! I had a great time.
Barcelona Zoo
Another great place to take your family, friends, or yourself. I visited recently and was surprised at the variety of animals I got to see. I definitely recommend checking it out if you love animals.
Best Views of the City:
- The Carmel Bunker is a great viewpoint where you can see the entirety of Barcelona. It is a short walk for all levels!
- View Barcelona’s coastline from the air on the recently refurbished Montjuic Cable Car. The cable car will take you to the top of Montjuic, from which you can see the port and city from above. Buy Round Trip Tickets here.
- Visit the National Art Museum of Catalonia offers two opened terraces where you can enjoy panoramic views of Barcelona.
- Tibidabo, also known as the Magic Mountain, is the highest peak in the Serra de Collserola. With a height of 1,679 feet, it offers breathtaking views of Barcelona and the sea. The top of Tibidabo has an amusement park, but you can also walk around for free if you don’t want to ride anything.
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Tours/Activities To Do in Barcelona:
Book a Wine Tour with Spanish Trails
Experience a fun and informative day trip from Barcelona to the Penedès wine region. This is a great experience for wine and cava lovers. On this tour, you will visit two wineries and enjoy generous wine and cava tastings. A traditional lunch will also be served at a winery.
Book your tickets here. Use code: NANCYF for 10% off!
Book a Food Tour with Secret Food Tours
A food tour is one way to discover a city’s local cuisine. Like in Paris, I also booked a food tour with Secret Food Tours. On this tour of Barcelona, you will learn about the history and culture of this beautiful city as well as enjoy Spanish foods and wines from the Catalan region.
Book your food tour here.
Book a Paella Cooking Class
While in Barcelona, you can learn how to make a traditional Spanish seafood paella. You will visit La Boqueria with the chef to buy ingredients and take a walk through the old town. Along with cooking the paella, you will sample some tasty tapas, make sangria, and meet other like-minded travelers! It is an overall fun experience!
Book a Paella Cooking Class here.
Explore the City of Barcelona by Bus
Like most popular cities you can find a Hop-on Hop-off bus tour. It’s an easy way to sightsee across the city, while also being able to hop off and explore it. The Barcelona Hop-on and Hop-off Bus feature 2 different routes with 40 stops to choose from!
Buy a 1-2 Day Ticket here.
Enjoy Mountain Views at Montserrat
A trip to Montserrat, a town outside the city, is highly recommended by tourists and locals alike. Visit a historic monastery on the Montserrat mountain range, and admire some spectacular views on a cogwheel train. The tour can be upgraded to a full-day trip with wine tasting and lunch. Book your tickets here. You can also view my Montserrat Trip Vlog here!
Recommended Spas, Beauty Salons, and Wellness Centers:
Aire Ancient Baths
This is a wonderful place to pamper yourself, spend time with your significant other, and visit with your girlfriends. The Aire Ancient Baths, located in the heart of Barcelona, offer the ultimate relaxation experience.
The Aire Ancient Baths has five different thermal baths, including a salt bath used for floating and a steam room. You can also add an experience (we tried their 30-minute ancient massage), and enhance it with some add ons (like cava and chocolates).
Our experience was truly one-of-a-kind, and we felt very relaxed afterward. You should treat yourself and your partner to this experience! (There are also other locations)
Mayan Secret Spa
Mayan Secret Spa is a space that is dedicated to bringing balance and harmony to the body and mind. My recent 50-minute massage was soothing and relaxing. As part of every treatment, you will experience a complete Mayan experience, starting with the Temazcal, a pre-Hispanic Mayan sauna combined with the Chromotherapy / Sensations Shower.
This spa is located in the Hotel Claris in the Eixample area. Find out more information here.
Nail and Hair Salons
I booked the below experiences through ClassPass – a platform that allows you to access thousands of top-rated gyms, fitness studios, salons, and spas worldwide.
**ClassPass is offering a free month of membership to new members. You can test out your favorite fitness studios on a trial basis and upgrade to a membership to book spa and salon appointments like these!**
>> Start your free membership here! <<
Mahash Nail and Beauty Bar: Passage dels Camps Elisis, 4, b, 08008 Barcelona
Golden Beauty Salon Barcelona: Carrer del Bruc, 80, Local 1, 08009 Barcelona
Backstage BCN – they have multiple locations. I visited the Valencia location (C/ de València, 306)
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Where to Eat:
Below are my recommendations
-Salamanca for the best paella
-ARTiSA for coffee and pastries
-Taquerias Tamarindo for Tacos
-Isla Negra for Filipino Food
-Brunch and Bakery for French Toast and Bottomless Mimosas
-Honest Greens and Flax and Kale for healthy food
-La Manaba for Ecuadorian food
-Thai Gracia for Thai food
-Bella Italia for Italian food
-El Born/Gothic Areas for tapas
Visit the Boqueria Market Barcelona
When you are in Barcelona, you must visit La Boqueria, the world’s most famous market. It is in the heart of Barcelona (Las Ramblas). A wide variety of olives, seafood, fruit, meats, cheeses, etc. can be found here. Definitely worth a visit!
And that is all for now, make sure you subscribe to this blog for more updates on this Ultimate Travel Guide to Barcelona, Spain.
Comments (2)
Marina Teramond
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To tell the truth, I fall in love with Spain and I desire to visit all the cities there, including Barcelona. I’m so glad that I came across your article because I was able to find everything that I needed and get even more inspiration regarding Barcelona. I think that taxis are a really convenient mode of transportation and it is so cool that you mentioned Cabify that has a great deal of advantages. Also, thank you loads for giving us an opportunity to get a discount. I adore getting around on foot because it is the best way to observe a lot of landmarks and lose calories, combining business with pleasure. After reading your article, I made sure that Barcelona is full of splendid attractions and architecture which can’t leave you indifferent. Primarily, I want to visit Casa Batlló because it has a special and not ordinary visual component, hypnotizing its unique beauty.
admin
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Hi Marina! Thank you so much for reading my article! I’m so glad you found it super useful – I love Barcelona, you should absolutely visit it soon! So much history, and things to do, such a beautiful city!! 🙂