Few cities in the world can boast year-round great weather, postcard sightseeing, mouth-watering food, and extreme sociopolitical and historic significance. Barcelona, in the heart of Catalonia, is the A-1 example. The city is alive and stunningly beautiful, and this guide will have you living like a local. I’ve had the pleasure of visiting the city in 1991, 2016, ‘22 and in ‘24 when our son was a student abroad. Now, summer of 2025, our daughter is also in the city for an intensive Spanish language program, and I’m sharing my notes both for her, and the larger audience looking for recommendations. Enjoy Barça, she’s a beauty!
A sunny Arc de Triomf in the heart of Barcelona
Food and Drink
A local favorite in the shaded alleys of the Gothic Quarter, Coto brews up some of the best lattes in the city with friendly workers too!
Serves creative Japanese fusion cuisine, featuring unique sushi rolls, hot dishes, and Asian-inspired desserts in a trendy Gràcia neighborhood setting.
Serves tasty Spanish and Mediterranean food like tapas, paella, and burgers, located in the Gràcia neighborhood of Barcelona.
In the famous El Born area, Mexican and Peruvian street food like tacos, ceviche, and gyozas, served in a lively, neon-lit space with inventive cocktails and a DJ-fueled vibe.
Stylish Barcelona hotspot serving fresh seafood and Mediterranean dishes, with a glam cocktail bar upstairs - perfect for dinner and drinks in one chic spot! The ladies’ room has a large outer salon where influencers pose for selfies and a DJ sets up some nights for an additional groove spot on site.
Italian restaurant in Barcelona's El Born district, offering a variety of traditional dishes including wood-fired pizzas, fresh pasta, risottos, and antipasti and they are known for their cheese wheel pasta.
The number one rated cocktail bar in the entire world is Paradiso - with its creative, unique cocktails this is a must-go.
A small, hearty bar in the Gothic Quarter, Milk is famous for its brunch and prawns but don’t miss out on the cocktails either!
A local tradition in Barcelona is pincho-hopping! Away from the crowds in the Poble-Sec neighborhood, carrer de blai hosts dozens of pinchos (tapas) restaurants. The tradition is to get one pincho and one drink at each place, and try to go to as many as possible. A great way to spend a night out and enjoy local cuisine!
L’Ovella Negra is the ultimate pre-discoteca spot if you are looking for a night out in the city. It is a massive beer hall offering sangria, finger food, beer (of course), and tons of bar activities. Located in the marina / poblenou area, this is a great place to catch a game as well.
Bo De B
The perfect small sandwich shop that combines mouth-watering sandwiches and Patatas Bravas. Be prepared to pay cash-only and wait in line - but trust me, it’s worth it and super inexpensive.
To Stay:
Cotton House is a well-located in the Eixample district close to luxury shopping and walkable to many sights. It was short-listed as a great choice for design-minded traveleres and did not disappoint.
Villanelle's stylish Barcelona apartment from Killing Eve is available to rent on Airbnb. Featured in Season 3, this Art Nouveau gem, known as Casa Ramos, is located in the trendy Gràcia district, near Park Güell. The spacious flat includes two bedrooms, a studio, a reception hall, a glass gallery, and a private balcony overlooking the city. Guests can also enjoy a lush garden and a private pool. Built in 1906, Casa Ramos combines historic charm with modern amenities like Wi-Fi and central heating. Whether you're a Killing Eve fan or simply seeking a unique stay in Barcelona, this apartment offers a memorable experience. AirBNB link here
Attractions:
Mount Tibidabo, Barcelona’s highest point, offers the best panoramic views of the city. Also, there’s the most charming little amusement park at the top and a beautiful church to visit and climb its tower for a“heavenly” view.
Camp Nou You cannot understand the city of Barcelona without understanding its pride - FC Barcelona. The home stadium is not only one of the biggest in Europe, but also a place of extreme cultural significance.
There is no Barcelona without Montjuic. The 1992 Summer Olympics put the city on the map - especially for tourists. Alongside the Olympic Stadiums Montjuic offers endless gardens (my favorite being the Theater Grec Gardens), museums, and scenic overlooks. Pictured above is the National Art Museum of Catalonia.
Barceloneta Beach is the most popular beach in the city and perfect for walking, running, swimming, and even eating out on the terraces
Parc de La Ciutadella is the perfect place for a picnic, a quaint canoe ride, and magical sights. With beautiful botanical gardens and fountains, this is truly one of the greatest urban parks in the world.
Parc de la Ciutadella Parc de la Ciutadella is a beautiful park in Barcelona, perfect for relaxation and outdoor activities. It’s free to enter and located near the Arc de Triomf. The park features the stunning Cascada Monumental fountain, a peaceful lake where you can rent a rowboat, and the Barcelona Zoo with thousands of animals. You can also explore the Castell dels Tres Dragons, a modernist building housing a museum. The park is great for picnics, jogging, and cycling, and on Sundays, locals often dance salsa. It’s also close to the trendy El Born neighborhood, making it a great spot to unwind and enjoy the city.
Must-see Gaudi Gaudi is probably the most important name in terms of Barcelona’s architectural history and style. His most famous work is La Sagrada Familia, the most notable part of Barcelona’s skyline and its breathtaking beauty is projected to be finished in 2026. Park Guell is the second most famous tourist attraction in Barcelona - originally built to be an exclusive neighborhood in the city but instead turned into a park and scenic overlook of the city blessed with Gaudi art. Finally, Casa Battló and the neighboring houses in Passeig de Gracia are a further look into the creative mind of Gaudi. All of these places fill up fast so make sure to book tours in advance!
Park Guell Park Güell in Barcelona is a must-see, designed by architect Antoni Gaudí. It’s known for its colorful mosaics, winding paths, and stunning city views. Key highlights include the iconic dragon statue at the entrance, the serpentine bench, and the Hypostyle Room with 86 stone columns. Originally meant as a housing project, it became a public park and is now a UNESCO World Heritage site. While some areas are free, the Monumental Zone requires a ticket. The best time to visit is early morning or late afternoon to avoid crowds.
Casa Batlló Casa Batlló is the marquis example of Gaudí’s golden touch. Smack in the middle of the city’s main shopping district, this architectural masterpiece offers an escape from the bustling boulevards of E’ixample. Originally built as a house for a wealthy family, the design is unlike anything you will ever see. The guided tour offers a fascinating history of the house!
La Sagrada Familia La Sagrada Familia is the number one attraction in Barcelona, and for good reason. Building started in 1882 by Gaudi and is still not finished. The church has three sides that tell stories about Christ. Inside, the columns look like trees, and colorful stained glass fills the space with light. There will be 18 towers, with the tallest one for Jesus. It’s a UNESCO World Heritage site, and you should buy tickets ahead of time.
GET HYPED
Almost as much as I love to travel, the anticipation and planning of an approaching journey provides almost as much joy as does the actual voyage. In additon to making reservations and itinerary-planning, a cultural toe dip via films and literature always ramps up my anticipation of a new place. Here’s my list of great Barcelona-related media to dive into:
THE SHADOW OF THE WIND by Carlos Ruiz Zafon is one of my all-time favorite books and is set in Barcelona. Beautifully written, set in a bookshop and rich with the mysteries of the secrets of this centuries-old city, it will not only make you ache to visit the place but I swear you’ll hear the whispers of the narrator in your ear when you tread the same streets.
KILLING EVE The streaming series starring Jodie Comer and Sandra Oh adapted for television by Phoebe Waller-Bridge moves the murderous anti-heroine Villanelle to the Catalan capital. I loved the series and was particularly awestruck by Villanelle’s “sweet pad” in Barcelona. Imagine my surprise when I learned that the apartment is for rent (see above) and was also the set for All About My Mother directed by Pedro Almodovar. We had an incredible stay at the flat - it is important to know that the rental is a section (though private) in the larger home which is occupied by a kind architect and his family.
VICKY CRISTINA BARCELONA This 2008 Oscar-winner is laugh-out loud funny and won Penelope Cruz her first Oscar and offers some beautiful glimpses of the city.
