This post may contain affiliate links. That means if you click and buy, I may make a commission at no cost to you.
Ah, spring break! That time of year for a teacher is pure magic; it means hitting the pause button and revitalizing before the big push to the end of the semester. Linnie and I were debating on where to go for a week. There were rules involved: we needed a place we hadn’t been, one that would serve as a home base from which to take interesting day trips, and of utmost importance, one that had a strong food culture. We wondered if Barcelona might fit the bill.
Truth be told, we often hit many cities or countries at a time, and on this trip, we wanted to relax a bit and make it easier on ourselves. The planning of this trip started with the hotel. A friend of mine had just returned from Barcelona and stayed at El Palace, the former Ritz Barcelona. That hotel was an absolute gem located in the heart of the city and offering such opulent luxury for an affordable price that included the best breakfast buffet ever. Make sure to at least consider this hotel as your home base.
There are so many things to see and do in and around Barcelona, so I suggest, as I always do, researching options on Viator, my favorite tour website.
Our itinerary
Day 1: As is customary when we travel to a new location, we always book some sort of walking tour with a guide to get the lay of the land. This tour also offered a stop at the famous market called El Mercat de Sant Josep de la Boqueria, or as locals call it, La Boqueria. This extensive market is a delight for the senses and is widely known for its tapas restaurants and its fresh foods. We were in heaven, and honestly, it was one of the top markets I have ever been to in Europe. We walked and sampled before exploring the rest of the city with our guide, stopping at tapas bars which turned into our dinner, and wine tasting.
Day 2: We couldn’t wait to visit the Montserrat monastery and hear the boys’ choir with this tour. This is a spiritual place that is simply a revelation to behold. You can hike to the top ( about 1.5 hours) or take the funicular. Make sure to wear comfortable shoes and dress appropriately. There is a great little market outside the monastery where we bought water and some local treats before moving on to a Cava and wine tasting. I know, I know… more wine!
That evening we attended a Flamenco show with dinner, and it was a highlight of the trip. It was touristy, but for the cultural value, it was worth it–not to mention a delicious dinner.
Day 3: We wanted to see the countryside and explore the Pyrenees, so we booked a day trip called Three Countries in One Day. It included a medieval village in Spain, one in France, and then Andorra. At each stop, we shopped, walked, and sampled local delicacies.
Day 4: Art Day! Barcelona embraces art and innovation, and that is seen directly in the architecture of Antoni Gaudi. This day tour was all about viewing Catalan modernism, and the whimsy and genius of Gaudi’s designs delight visitors and residents alike. We started at La Sagrada Familia, visited the fabulous Park Güell, and toured both Casa Battló and Casa Milà.
Day 5: More wine! You have to know this about us– one big reason we travel is to eat great food and drink wine. This day was all about exploring the incredible Penedès wine region located south of Barcelona, known for its sparkling Cava wines as well as fine dry reds and whites. Spain is a wine lover’s paradise.
Day 6: Exploring Barcelona’s Las Ramblas and Palau de la Musica Catalana provided us with a fond final day in Barcelona. Strolling the famed Las Ramblas is entertainment enough, but we also had to tour the inside of the famous music hall, the Palau. It was a sweet ending to one of the best spring breaks I’ve ever had.
So, if you have a week off, try Barcelona. It exceeded all expectations and fit the bill in an extraordinary way. We could not find a bad meal in Barcelona– the food culture is on point, the architecture is breathtaking, the history and medieval villages are fascinating, and did I mention the wine?
