With so many amazing cities around the world, it’s hard to choose where to travel to next. Barcelona attracts nearly 16 million visitors each year and it’s no wonder people flock to this city. With amazing architecture, culture, food, art, hiking, and beaches, there are countless reasons why you’ll love visiting Barcelona.
So what’s Barcelona like?
For those that aren’t familiar with Spanish culture, it is one that enjoys a laidback lifestyle. This means tons of amazing food and drinks, siestas and quality time spent in the sun.
Barcelona is our favorite Spanish city thanks to its spectacular international food scene, incredible selection of museums and great location on the Mediterranean. It’s one of the most visited cities in the world and it’s easy to see why. In just one day you can stroll past beautiful architecture and amazing history, plus visit city centre beaches or hike up a nearby mountain.
However, that’s not all. Barcelona has quickly become a tech/startup hub and a great place to spend time as a remote worker. With countless coworking spaces and events, it’s a wonderful place to network. Plus, if you’re looking to brush up on your language skills they speak both Spanish and Catalan there, although most everyone speaks English too.
Barcelona is one of the best places to start your work and travel adventures as it’s a large, modern city with everything you need.
Climate
With a great climate year-round, and 320 days of sunshine on average, this city is fantastic at any time of year. That said, tourists flock to Barcelona in summer (July and August especially). So if you prefer to visit when it’s less crowded, the shoulder seasons (March – June) and (September – December) are recommended.
Food
Spain takes its cuisine very seriously and there are quite a few restaurants in Barcelona that have Michelin stars. Not to worry though if fine dining isn’t your thing because Barcelona has restaurants of all kinds. Spain is known for tapas and sangria but there’s so much more than that. Head to less touristy spots, not right on the main drag, for a much better meal (and price).
We recommend Tantarantana for tapas in El Born, La Cala Barceloneta for breakfast / coffee by the sea, and Can Ros for authentic paella in the old fishing village of Barceloneta. There are so many restaurants to choose from though, we shared a list of more of our favorites here.
Neighborhoods
We always recommend living in the seaside neighborhood of Barceloneta as you are just a minute or two walk to the beach, and a close walk to the city center. Living in the old city, Ciutat Vella, or Eixample is great too. They are lovely places to wander, shop and eat in. Gracia is also a fantastic neighborhood to base in, with great restaurants and large squares full of people eating and drinking in the sun.
Community & Happenings
Barcelona has a very large expat community as people from all over Europe, and the world, desire to call it home. This is largely due to its fantastic climate and reasonable cost of living. This means there are always vaarious meetups and events going on, and something for everyone. You can also check out what’s happening, and when, by visiting TimeOut Barcelona for weekly happenings.
Weekend Trips
Being based in a large hub like Barcelona means you have access to cheap flights all over Europe (sometimes for as little as $2/flight!). It’s quick and cheap to hop over to Italy or Germany for the weekend.
If you’re looking for something a little closer to home, you can head up the coast by train and beach hop. You can also take the train into Southern France to visit the charming town of Collioure. A high-speed train will get you to Madrid or Paris in just a few hours. You can also rent a car (or take a BlaBlaCar) anywhere that isn’t on a train line.
A more touristy day trip from Barcelona is a trip to Montserrat. We recommend taking the train, then opting to hike rather than take the funicular to the top. You’ll get some exercise and see some amazing views. If you’re into hiking there are hundreds of amazing spots just a quick train or car ride away from Barcelona.
Finally, visiting a winery or taking a cooking class is something visitors often want to do in Barcelona. If that’s you, our team can recommend some amazing spots for you.
The city really has something for everyone, with fantastic food, art, history, shopping, beaches and more. It’s no wonder our founder, Meesen, is based there. To book your trip to Barcelona, get started below!
