BARCELONA & GRANADA, SPAIN
Barcelona is an excellent destination for the summer, because it offers pretty much everything you could want out of a vacation: lively beaches in the morning, a restless night life, delicious food, historical sights, great shopping, and beautiful streets to walk through. Whether you're traveling with family or friends, there are activities for everyone to enjoy. I would also recommend taking some time to visit Granada; the town is absolutely gorgeous and not to be missed; and all you need is two-three days to see it all.
BARCELONA
TO STAY
Open to members as well as outside guests, Soho House is one of the best addresses to stay in Barcelona. Set in an 18th-century building in the Gothic Quarter with contemporary Catalan interiors and views of the marina - it's both cool and convenient. Its location is well-connected to the city's cultural hub and within walking distance to major landmarks like Catedral de Barcelona and the Picasso Museum on one side, and the scenic Port Vell and Rambla de Mar on the other. It's a great place to stay for style, atmosphere, and location.
A boutique luxury hotel in the heart of Barcelona's lively Eixample neighbourhood, Almanac is a great place to stay if you're looking for a central and commercial location. It's just around the corner from Passeig de Gràcia, which is one of the city's biggest luxury avenues lined with designer shops, upscale restaurants, and iconic Modernista buildings like Casa Batlló and Casa Milà. It's also within walking distance to landmarks like Catedral de Barcelona and Plaça de Catalunya, and not too far from the Gothic Quarter.
For a typical five-star luxury stay, Hotel Arts by the Ritz-Carlton is one of the city's top choices. Located in Barcelona's tallest building along the waterfront and beach promenade with sweeping views, it offers more of a disconnected and idyllic experience. It's a little farther away from the city's historic hub and commercial centre, which means most of the major landmarks and shopping avenues are not within walking distance; but if you're looking for a resort-style holiday this place is for you.
FOOD & DINING
Not only is it one of Barcelona's most recommended dining spots, Bar Cañete also established a world-famous reputation as one of the best tapas bar. It's been a hotspot for years and has remained rightfully so. The menu offers a balance of small tapas and larger plates, as well as famous house specials. The atmosphere is both intimate and lively, set in a small rustic space where the focus is less on style and more on substance. They're open all day and almost always busy, so book a table in advance.
A small, rustic tapas bar for a traditional experience. El Vaso De Oro is a 'if-you-know-you-know' kind of place, frequented by city locals and culinary travellers alike. With only a few seats on the bar, diners are sat side by side, served plate after plate of tapas and cold glasses of house-brewed beer (which is as much of a speciality here as the food). Busy and bustling with a vibrant atmosphere, it's a very enjoyable spot for a quick lunch or a lively evening. Open from noon to midnight, walk-ins only. Located in La Barceloneta neighbourhood between the beachfront and Gothic Quarter.
EL XAMPAYNET
Another traditional bar for simple plates in an old-school setting, El Xampaynet sits third to Bar Cañete and El Vaso De Oro for some of the best tapas in the city. They're also famous for their cava selection, which is the 'champagne of Spain' and a great pairing with tapas. It's a little small and cramped by the bar with a few tables in the back; but if you don't mind a quick bite or standing by the counter, it's a fun experience. Located in El Born, just a short walk from Catedral de Barcelona or the Picasso Museum. Closed between lunch and dinner, walk-ins only.
Paella is an essential meal to have in Barcelona and Maná 75 is almost entirely dedicated to it. Huge pans of paella made to order in an open-kitchen, with a variety of seafood toppings to choose from, as well as vegetarian or meat options. It's a very generous portion to share, which makes it a fun place for family-style dining. Set along the beachfront with a spacious indoor restaurant and a scenic terrace. It's slightly touristy or gimmicky but if you just want a big pan of paella, this is it.
Contemporary dining in a bistro setting. Batea serves traditional Catalan and Galician cuisine with a modern flair and a focus on seafood, seasonal ingredients and market produce. It's a small-plates concept, which means you can order one of everything to share. Nice for a light and fresh take on regional cuisine. Located in the lively Eixample neighbourhood, just off of Passeig de Gràcia. Reservations recommended.
Set within the famous modernista Casa Sayrach building, La Dama is an elegant restaurant with Gaudian-inspired interiors and a romantic atmosphere. The eclectic menu is easy to please all tastes, with a mix of Spanish, Italian and French inspired dishes. Perfect for a nice lunch in the Eixample neighbourhood or an atmospheric dinner.
A classic seafood restaurant known for its generous sharing platters and family-style dining. It's one of Barcelona's older establishments and it's one of those places you'll either love or hate, but should try at least once. The menu is generous in variety, with plenty of choices for starters, seafood platters, wild fish cooked to order, as well as paella. It's a great place for big groups especially. Its central location on the lively Passeig de Gràcia also makes it a convenient choice for lunch or dinner in the area. Book a table in advance.
PLACES TO VISIT
Perhaps the most famous landmark in Barcelona, La Sagrada Familia is an architectural masterpiece by Antoni Gaudí. This unfinished basilica is a splendid example of Catalan Modernism with Gothic and Art Nouveau influences. Its massive structure is hard to miss from a distance and its interiors are equally impressive. Geometric designs and colourful stained glass, soaring tree-height columns and a canopy ceiling, it feels very much like a galactic forest. A stunning visual experience. You can also visit the towers for panoramic views of the city. Book tickets in advance because they do sell out early.
In the heart of the Gothic Quarter is Barcelona's official Catholic cathedral and an architectural treasure dating back to the 14th century. This immense and magnificent Gothic cathedral is beautiful on the outside, but its interiors are especially breathtaking. Not to be missed. Respectful dresscode required.
Paying all homage to Picasso, this museum showcases an extensive collection of the artist's earliest drawings and formative pieces - with over 4,000 pieces on display. Spread across five Gothic-Catalan houses, the museum site itself is worth visiting. Located in El Born, just a short walk from Catedral de Barcelona.
GAUDI ARCHITECTURE
Barcelona is home to Gaudi's architectural masterpieces and these buildings are each landmarks of their own. His distinctive and whimsical style is easy to recognise on the streets; you'll know a Gaudi building when you see one but the ones worth looking for are: Casa Battlò and Casa Milà on Passeig de Gràcia, Casa Vicens, Palau Güell in the Gothic Quarter, and of course La Sagrada Familia.
MONTJUIC
Not only is this one of the city's most scenic and picturesque landmarks, it's also a cultural conglomerate of different sites to visit. Including the historic Montjuic Castle and magic fountain, the MNAC art museum and Joan Miro Foundation, Poble Espanyol (a Spanish village showcasing different architectural styles throughout history), the modern architecture masterpiece of Mies van der Rohe Pavilion; and the Olympic Ring. You can also enjoy a scenic cable-car ride to the castle or a stroll through the botanical gardens. A busy and entertaining place to spend a few hours exploring. It's a little outside the city centre but just a 15-minute drive.
For an incredible viewpoint of Barcelona, Tibidabo is a fairy-tale like mountain crowned by a majestic church at the top (the Temple of the Sacred Heart of Jesus). Take the elevator up to the highest storey for a sweeping panorama of the city. Unless you have time to spare, however, you can easily skip this place. There's not much else to do beyond the view and it's quite a drive from the centre (around 30 minutes from La Sagrada Familia or 45 minutes from the Gothic Quarter). Finding transportation up there can be tricky, so plan accordingly.
EIXAMPLE
This central neighbourhood is one of the liveliest and busiest in the city, and an ideal place to start exploring on foot. Eixample encompasses many of the major streets like Passeig de Gràcia and Avinguda Diagonal for upscale shopping and dining as well as Modernista architecture; it also branches out to the central square of Plaça de Catalunya and the historic Gothic Quarter for more sightseeing. There's lots to do and see here, and almost everything is within walking distance.
GRANADA
Just an hour and a half flight from Barcelona, Granada is a small mountain-side city most known for its medieval architecture, Moorish heritage, and sprawling hilltop surroundings. It's old and historic, which means it's not as luxurious as other cities in Spain, but it's a good choice for history enthusiasts and a short two-day trip.
TO STAY
CENTRO SAGRARIO
The most central and commercial district in Granada for a well-connected stay. Plenty of shopping and dining options here as well as sightseeing, including historical sites like Catedral de Granada and Monasterio San Jerónimo. Palacio Gran Via or Seda Club Hotel are both good options.
ALHAMBRA
For a quiet and idyllic stay, Alhambra is secluded by ancient city walls and sprawling hilltops. Crowned by the famous Alhambra Castle and Fortress, it's another historic hub to explore. It feels a little farther out from the centre but it's really only a 1-2 km walk from sites like Catedral de Granada. Enjoy a unique stay in a 15th century monastery at Parador de Granada Hotel; set in the historic Nasrid Palace with Moorish architecture and sweeping views of Alhambra.
PLACES TO VISIT
The most significant landmark in Granada. Alhambra is a 12th century palace and fortress and one of the biggest icons of Moorish history/Islamic architecture. There's plenty to explore but The Nasrid Palaces and Generalife Gardens are the main attractions to visit. Look out especially for the Patio of Lions in the Nasrid Palaces, a gorgeous courtyard with intricately engraved walls and a long reflective pool. Dedicate a full day or at least a few hours to explore.
MONASTERIO SAN JERONIMO
Second to Alhambra, this is another significant landmark to visit. A Roman Catholic monastery with Renaissance-style architecture and a beautiful cathedral. It's a wonderful example of monasterial architecture and a pleasant escape for an hour or two, just steps away from city centre.