Hey everyone! It’s been a while! But hey let’s not kid ourselves, Covid has been pulling the breaks on international travelling for the past two years! But fear not my friends, I have finally been able to travel abroad for the first time since December 2019…who would have thought it would have been so long!?
About a month ago, I decided on a whim that I was done with this non-travelling non-sense and I booked a trip to Barcelona. Why Spain you may ask? Well, to be completely honest it was not on my Travel Bucket List but I went for a few reasons. First off, I was going to go solo without my husband and I wanted to go somewhere he had already been so he wouldn’t miss out on anything. Secondly, although travel restrictions are easing up, travelling still requires a bit more organization than it used to. But being a double-vaxed Canadian, there were no restrictions for me to enter Spain other than to fill a form and obtain a QR Code. The only thing I had to do was to get a Negative PCR test (beware, Antigen tests are not accepted) 72h prior to coming back to Canada.
*** A Few tips if you’re planning on traveling during the pandemic.
1 – Consult on a regular basis the IATA Travel Center website to have a current update on the travel restrictions for any destination in the world. It is updated daily.
2 – Also, If you don’t happen to have a direct flight to your final destination, don’t forget that you need to abide by the restrictions of the other countries you’ll be transiting through.
Leaving from Ottawa (Canada), my options were to transit through the UK, France or Germany. I paid a little extra and chose Germany for various reasons. One, UK required a Covid Test to enter. Two, the French airline did not have checked baggage included in the price. Three, I always enjoy flying with Lufthansa, so I ended going through Germany.
ACCOMMODATION
I did a little bit of research before booking and I’m glad I did! My Hotel was pretty amazing! I stayed at the B Hotel in Eixample. I’ve had bad experiences in Europe before where some rooms I’ve booked were as big as closets, so now I tend to pay some extra attention to the size of a room before I actually book it. I booked this one through Expedia. It included my round-trip flights and 6 nights at the B Hotel and I paid $2 200 CAD. The Standard Room was perfect, I had a King size bed all to myself and the room was very spacious and clean. The size of the room was 28 m². It was ideally located in Plaça d’Espanya which is one of Barcelona’s most important squares. And the Metro station is right across the street where you can catch the L1, L3 and L8. The Matcha addict in me was also very happy that there was a Starbucks in the Lobby. Right next door there was also a very good restaurant called Tapa Tapa where I had diner twice. And icing on top of the cake, the hotel also had a rooftop patio and pool with some pretty amazing views where I caught the sunset on two occasions. So, for all of these reasons, I could not recommend this hotel enough!
HOW TO GET AROUND?
I suggest you get a Metro Card as soon as you arrive in Barcelona. The Airport is connected to the Metro and I got the longest card they had which was 5 days (120h). It was €38.00 ($55 CAD) and it provided me with unlimited journeys on public transport in Barcelona. You can also get cards for consecutive periods of 2 days (48 h) – €16.30, 3 days (72 h) – €23.70 or 4 days (96 h) – €30.80. Since I was there for 7 days I had to purchase another card for the remaining 48hrs of my trip for €16.30 ($23 CAD). So for 7 days I paid a total of: $78 CAD for transportation, pretty decent if you ask me!
The card includes the following means of transportation: metro, bus (TMB), urban railway (FGC, Zone 1), Montjuïc funicular (I wish I would have known since I paid €8 ($12 CAD) extra to ride the Montjuïc funicular… So please learn from my mistakes!), tram (TRAM), and regional railway (Rodalies de Catalunya, Zone 1).
The metro service travel between the airport (Terminals 1 and 2) and Barcelona city centre is also included. Note that it takes approximately 40 minutes.
ACTIVITIES IN BARCELONA
1 – Ciutadella Park & Arc de Triomf
Close to the beach you will find the Ciutadella Park. It was created in the mid-19th century and it used to be the city’s only green space. You will find that it is an oasis in the megacity of Barcelona where you can sit down and relax. The Fountain is particularly stunning! If you are an animal, you will also find a Zoo in the Park.
At the North-West corner of the park is located the Arc de Triomf. The arch was built in 1888 as the main access gate for the 1888 Barcelona World Fair which took place where the Ciutadella Park is now located.
2 – Mercado de La Boqueria
La Boqueria also known as the Mercat de Sant Josep de la Boqueria is a fairly large public market located off La Rambla. It’s a great market to visit to fill your tummy. On my first day in Barcelona that’s where I had my first meal. You will find anything ranging from fish and seafood, nuts, fresh juices, cured meats, fruits and veggies and more. You will also find a few bars surrounded by stools where you can have tapas. I personally chose the Bar Boqueria located on the side of Plaça Sant Galdric since they serve typical dishes of Catalan Mediterranean cuisine.
I had a great chat with Glenn, the server at the Bar and he suggested I try their specialty dish which was Marinated Octopus in Paprika oil and Truffled Parmentier along with a glass of Cava, a Spanish sparkling white wine. It was DE-LI-CI-OUS! While I walked around the market I had previously snagged a Jamón (which is a kind of dry-cured ham produced in Spain) and cheese cone to snack on.
3 – Park Güell
Before going to Spain, I had heard of Antoni Gaudi and his amazing architectural Catalan creations. The first one I visited was Park Güell which is a park composed of gardens and architectural elements.
Eusebi Güell was very wealthy and he met the young architect, Antoni Gaudi, following a visit to the World Fair held in Paris in 1878, where he had seen Gaudi’s work at the Spanish Pavilion. The pair then become lifelong friends and associates.
The park was built from 1900 to 1914. In 1984 is was declared a World Heritage Site by the UNESCO.
I purchased my entrance ticket at the park for €10 / $14 CAD.
4 – Hospital de Sant Pau
Rare are the times where you can visit a former hospital while travelling! And this one is worth seeing. The former Hospital de la Santa Creu u Sant Pau is a stunning complex built between 1901 and 1930. It was a fully functioning hospital until 2009. It is now a museum and cultural center.
Although the hospital’s current 26 buildings date from the 20th century, the Hospital de la Santa Creu was founded in 1401 when six small medieval hospitals merged.
A self-guided tour is €15 / $21 CAD.
5 – La Sagrada Familia
The Sagrada Familia is honestly the most breathtaking basilica I’ve ever seen! Once again Gaudi has surpassed himself!
The construction began in 1882 and the Basilica is still under construction to this day! Gaudí devoted the remainder of his life to the project, and he is buried in the crypt. Relying solely on private donations, the Sagrada Família’s construction progressed slowly and was interrupted by the Spanish Civil War. It was anticipated that the building would be completed by 2026, the centenary of Gaudí’s death but this has now been delayed due to the current Pandemic.
You can visit the Sagrada Familia for €25 / $38 CAD and know that you must purchase your tickets online!
6 – Half-Day Trip to Montserrat
I absolutely do not regret booking this half-day trip to Montserrat!
The Monastery of Montserrat is just gorgeous! And when we got there in the morning it had a gloomy feel to it with all the fog. Fortunately for us it dissipated as we went up the Funicular to get a view from the top. Our little group hiked our way back down giving us an incredible experience.
I had booked my trip in advance on Expedia for $105 CAD which included the transport from Barcelona, the Funicular ride and a guided tour. Some of us also had a typical Catalan snack called Mel i Mato which is fresh cheese with honey.
7 – Casa Milà (La Pedrera)
Another masterpiece created by Gaudi which was his last private residence project! It was built between 1906 and 1912 and it was commissioned by the Milà Family. The Milàs wanted a new house with the idea of living in the main floor and renting out the rest of the apartments. The pre-existing building was demolished and the new building was built. The name “La Pedrera” (the stone quarry) is in fact a nickname assigned by the citizens who disapproved of its unusualness.
The building has a spectacular terrace on the roof and fun fact, the chimneys are said to have inspired George Lucas in the creation of Darth Vader and the Storm Troopers in Star Wars!
The entrance fee is €27 / $38.50 CAD.
8 – Carrer del Bisbe, Carrer de l’Allada-Vermell & Cathedral of Barcelona
A Couple Instagrammable spots in Barcelona are the Carrer del Bisble and the Carrer de l’Allada-Vermell located in the incredible Gothic Quarter.
The Cathedral of Barcelona next to Carrer del Bisbe is also worth the detour!
9 – Barceloneta Beach & Cable Car
Did you know that Barcelona is located by the ocean? It is indeed located on the northeast coast of the Iberian Peninsula, facing the Mediterranean Sea. So, you’ll find many beaches in Barcelona and from Barceloneta you can take the cable car all the way up to Montjuïc.
The cable car ticket is included in the Metro pass. Otherwise it’s €8.90 / $12.50 CAD for a one way ticket.
10 – Montjuïc Castle
At the top of Montjuïc, you’ll find a Castle. The Castle is an old military fortress that dates back to the 1640’s. I really enjoyed visiting the Castle.
The entrance fee is pretty cheap at €5 / $7 CAD but you’ll get in for free if you are visiting on the first Sunday of the month.
To go back down I opted to take the Teleferic that brings you close to the Palau Nacional. The one-way ticket cost me €11 / $15.50 CAD.
11 – Palau Nacional
The Palau Nacional is located at the bottom of the hill of Montjuïc. The Palau was inaugurated in 1929. Since 1934 it has been home to the National Art Museum of Catalonia. There’s usually a fountain show at the bottom called the Magic Fountain Show but unfortunately due to the Pandemic it has been temporarily suspended. So I did not get the chance to experience it but apparently it is beautiful!
12 – Casa Battló
Casa Battló was the last Gaudi masterpiece I had the chance to visit and it did not disappoint! Unlike Casa Milà, Casa Battló is a remodel of a previously built house.
The main reason why Josep Battló purchased the property is because it is located in the middle of Passeig de Gràcia which is an area where the prestigious family could draw attention to themselves.
In 1904 Gaudi was commissioned by the Battló Family to remodel the 1877 pre-existing property. Gaudi had complete carte blanche and no limitiations for this project.
The house has been nicknamed “Casa dels ossos” (House of Bones). The architecture is very particular and the inside feels like you are in the ocean.
I had previously purchased my ticket online through Expedia for €39 / $52 CAD. You do not want to miss the visit of the interior; you will also get a complimentary audio guide.
13 – Day Trip to Girona (Medieval Villages)
Another incredible experience! I pre-booked this activity with Expedia for $133 CAD. Our small group left Barcelona in the morning and we made our way to 3 Medieval Villages in the province of Girona. They were all different and I had so much fun meeting new people and learning more about the Catalan culture with our guide.
We first visited Besalú, which looked straight out of a medieval movie with its 12th Century Romanesque bridge! Note that in each village our guide gave us some free time to explore on our own.
We then headed to Rupit where its castle was documented in 968! There again we had time to explore, shop and have lunch.
Our final destination was Tavertet, which is the smallest of the 3. But let me tell you…THE VIEWS! I felt like I was in New Zealand, it was incredible!
Honestly if you have time in your itinerary you should take this day trip with Explore Catalunya it was life changing!
14 – Tibidabo
Tibidabo is very particular. Imagine a tall hill overlooking Barcelona with not only a church but also an Amusement Park. How weird is that!? At 512 meters you’ll get some pretty amazing views of Barcelona. On a side note, for most rides you need a minimum of two people so it’s a bummer when you are travelling solo!
The round-trip teleferic ticket to go up to Tibidabo was €12 /$17 CAD
WHERE TO EAT
1 – Eixampeling Brunch: Colourful venue serving brunch and eccentric drinks.
I personally had the Smashed Avo which consisted of a red velvet bagel with guacamole, feta cheese, rocket, seeds and nuts. (€7.95 / $11.50 CAD) To drink I had a Green Happiness Matcha Latte (€3.95 / $6 CAD) and the Magic Unicorn Wee Lemonade which changed colours in front of my eyes! (€4.95 / $7 CAD)
It cost me a total of $24.50 CAD for a delicious brunch!
Address : Carrer de la Diputació, 158, Barcelona
2 – EatMyTrip Brunch and Bakery: This restaurant serves one of the best creative brunches in Barcelona. It is located in the Example Dreta district not too far from Casa Battló.
I had grandpa’s potatoes with melted cheese and truffle sauce (€5.50 / $8 CAD), the magic French toast with salted caramel, whipped sour cream, caramelised banana, forest fruit compote and cookie crumble (€10.50 / $15 CAD) along with a Green Match Latte (€3.50 / $5 CAD). Yummmmmy!
It cost me a total of $28 CAD and was worth every penny!
Address: Carrer del Consell de Cent, 378, Barcelona
3 – Cremat 11: Cozy and trendy industrial-style eatery with outdoor seating, mellow ambience and great food! Located in el Born area. Vegan options!
I had the Vegan Breakfast consisting of pumpkin, roasted tomato, spinach, baby potatoes, avocado, homemade cashew cheese, toasted seeds, parsley and toasts. (€12.50 / $18 CAD) Needless to say I ate the whole thing in no time! Obviously, I also had a Green Match Latte. (€3.90 / $5.50 CAD)
It cost me a total of $23.50 CAD.
Address: Carrer Cremat Gran, 11, Barcelona
4 – El Bosce de Les Fades Cafe: Whimsical bar with eclectic decor & an artificial forest serving local food and drinks. The ambiance is so incredible!
I had a giant Spinach and cheese Empanada, olives with anchovies and a glass of Cava. All for €9 / $13 CAD.
Address: Passatge de la Banca, 7, Barcelona
5 – Tapa Tapa: Affordable Tapas Bar.
Having a Tapa Tapa right next to my hotel (Arenas) was great! I went twice to have dinner when I had big days of exploring. Nothing better than to try different tapas after having a long day!
I tried many dishes:
Olives with Manchego shavings (€2.70 / $4 CAD), Padrón peppers (€3.75 / $5 CAD), green asparagus with Manchego cream (€6.95 / $10 CAD), Garlic shrimps (€7.95 / $11.50 CAD), Squid rings fried in batter with lime zest (€7.50 / $11 CAD), Bread with tomato (€1.95 / $3 CAD), fresh tuna tataki with avocado and mango (€7.10 / $10 CAD), Teriyaki chicken skewers (€5.50 / $8 CAD). With each meal I had a glass of Muguet Cava for €3.20 / $4.50 CAD.
I spent approximately $36 CAD per dinner.
Address: Various locations in Barcelona. The one I went to: Gran Via de les Corts Catalanes, 373, Barcelona
OTHER TIPS AND FACTS
- There are two official languages in Barcelona: Spanish and Catalan.
- If you are travelling solo, you’ll have a hard time ordering Paella at the restaurant for one person.
- Barcelona is very safe but beware of pick pockets in crowded areas such as La Rambla!
- Thank you in Catalan is the same as in French: Merci!
Bon viatge! / Buen viaje!
XX
Mlle Wanderlust
