4 Perfect Days in Barcelona

We recently returned from a lovely, but hot, trip to Barcelona. Note to self, next time plan to visit in spring, fall, or even winter. Lucky for us, air conditioning is pretty universal. We rented apartments through VRBO in the Eixample neighborhood, which turned out to be super close to the airport shuttle bus as well!

On arrival, we took a taxi (15 euros for a group of 5), but we took the airport bus on the way back. At 5 euros / person, it was a little pricier, but quick and easy. We settled into the apartments, which had most of the basics we would need for a few days - tabs for the dishwasher, a few trash bags, and even a bottle of cava! After stocking the apartment with food, we headed out for a wander, and found some delicious burgers. Back inside for the evening, it was a low-key day to unpack and plan out the next few days.

Day 1:

We started with a mid-morning walk to La Boqueria after breakfast in the apartment, loaded up with frozen bottles of water to keep us hydrated. The narrow streets reminded me of India - full of tiny shops, restaurants, cafes, and even playgrounds. We did a few loops within the market, discovering the fresh fish section through the back, and the many fresh juice / fruit stands scattered throughout. When the little one fell asleep, we grabbed a delicious lunch at Pinotxo - just a sandwich, fresh juice, and a coffee - but the tapas looked so good. It was a little early in our tapas-eating to know what we wanted in Catalan, but we got ideas for dinner by watching other patrons.

We wandered around the alleys on the other side of La Rambla, popping into shops and taking advantage of free bathrooms in the Jamon Experience. Despite all the walking, we joined the free Runner Bean Gaudi Tour. It stretched to 2.5 hours, but was a fantastic way to get to know the city, the metro, and so many interesting facts about Gaudi and his work. We headed home for a quiet dinner, and another busy day on Saturday.

Day 2: 
Today started a little slower, beginning with Parc Guell. The day was very hot, the metro ride long, and the hills incredibly steep (even with escalators). Once in, we learned the next available entry was 5 hours away (!) and there was really no place to hang out (or for the little one to run around safely). Disappointed and hot, we walked to the opposite end where we could (happily) catch a bus directly home - no hills required! Note the bus fares are higher than metro (2.10 euros pp) and only valid for a single ride - no transfers. Still, worth it for the free city tour and walking break.

We wanted to do Runner Bean's Night Tour but it sold out before we made a reservation. Alas... something for next time.  Instead, we had a long indoor rest before heading out for dinner reservations at Sensi Bistro. We had the chef's selection - just had to tell the waiter there was a vegetarian and a pregnant lady, and the rest was up to them. The food was excellent though a bit pricey - I think you pay extra for the atmosphere and location.

Day 3:
We had booked tickets for 10:45 am at La Sagrada Familia - and even though crowds were thin on Sunday morning, it was great to skip the line. It took about 2 hours to see everything, including the museum and crypt. I've heard the app is a great way to do a self-guided tour but looked up everything online as we walked.

After the museum, we headed to Cervezeria Catalana for lunch, which was packed - a 45 minute wait! The hostess was kind enough to call their sister restaurant Vinitus, around the corner on our behalf though, and secured a quiet, large table downstairs. Perfect, since the little one just fell asleep. The food was amazing and a great value, the service incredibly friendly, and the venue perfect for large groups with small kids.

Lunch was followed by a trip to Barceloneta Beach! Some in our group tried to visit the Picasso Museum (free the first Sunday of every month) but didn't get there early enough for tickets. We took metro to the beach but discovered on  the way back that the bus was far better - more direct, less walking, and far more comfortable. Though the weather was very hot, the ocean breeze was cool, the water just right, and the beach perfectly sandy. We had packed some snacks but were underprepared with beverages and sun cover. For the former, there were plenty of people selling beer, watered-down mojitos, and other cold drinks to beachgoers. After a few hours of sand, sun, and water, we headed back home for a takeaway tapas dinner.

Day 4:
Our last day was a lazy day. We wandered back to La Boqueria mid-morning, wove through the back streets to window-shop, and then spent the afternoon at Ciutadella Park. We went in search of fountains, and found instead lovely shaded playgrounds, and people selling fresh veggie samosas and mango lassis. It was a perfect break from the heat, and a nice way to spend the last day relaxing residentially. Some in our group spent the day at Costa Brava, which looked stunning as well from the photos.

We went to Casa Mila in the evening - around 7 pm was a great time to go since many fellow tourists were already having dinner. We could see the whole thing quickly, audio tour and all. Our final dinner was a tapas break at the delicious vegetarian Teresa Carles. The next morning, as my two-year-old said, it was ciao ciao Barcelona. What a lovely vacation!