It’s been a few years since we wandered the streets of Barcelona together, but it has always remained a city we want to return to — to once again dive into that Spanish charm. So yes… Barcelona it was.

We visited early in spring. While it was still freezing cold in the Netherlands in March, we headed off for a long weekend in Barcelona. Shorts may have been a little too optimistic at that time of year — but a polo shirt was definitely doable!

Hotel & Transport

We booked a hotel in the city center. It was a bit more expensive, but ideal for us since we love to explore cities on foot and enjoy going out to dinner in the evenings. We stayed right on the Passeig de Gracia, in a beautiful and luxurious hotel with breakfast included. Though in Barcelona, breakfast wasn’t a necessity — there are plenty of delicious bakeries where you can grab a bite in the morning.

We explored the city entirely on foot, but you can also get around easily by hop-on-hop-off bus, bicycle, or electric scooter. Public transport is well-organized and widely used. Keep in mind: the coastal parts are flat, but when visiting Park Güell you’ll have to walk uphill a bit. We found the city easy to navigate thanks to its block-style layout — you can always figure out where to go.

Our Favorite Spots in Barcelona

Park Güell

Located in the district of Gracia, this park is filled with Gaudí’s famous colorful mosaic designs. There’s an entrance fee, but it’s totally worth it. We didn’t join any tours, though they were available. Instead, we simply wandered around, enjoyed the sunshine, and admired the stunning views over the city. Even if you don’t make it to the park during your trip — don’t worry. Gaudí’s creations can be found all over Barcelona. Keep your eyes open!

Sagrada Familia

When we visited, the Sagrada Familia was still heavily surrounded by scaffolding — construction had been ongoing for years. This iconic basilica, designed by Gaudí and listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, began construction in 1882 and is still being worked on today. The end is finally in sight, though. Even half-finished, it had already claimed its spot as Barcelona’s central attraction.

Camp Nou – FC Barcelona Stadium

We had tickets for the match between FC Barcelona and Getafe CF. We were eager to see the stadium and watch the team play. Kick-off was late afternoon, and we first walked quite a distance through the city to get there — no problem, as it allowed us to see a new part of Barcelona. The stadium is huge, but surprisingly easy to enter. It’s clear that many European tourists come here for the same reason we did.

Our seats were high up along the side. We noticed the stairs were incredibly steep (not ideal if you’re afraid of heights) and the seats quite narrow. But the view and atmosphere made up for everything. Because the stadium lies slightly elevated and open, we could see planes flying past at eye level and even catch glimpses of the coastline. Beautiful! We were lucky with the sunny weather and the result — they won 6–0, which made the day even better!

The Harbor & Beach

Another highlight is the harbor and beach area, where you’ll find a lovely promenade and impressive old ships. It’s a great place for a relaxed stroll. Do keep in mind that cruise ships often dock here, which can make it quite busy.

A Few Surprises in Barcelona: • Late dining: You can find all kinds of restaurants in Barcelona, but tapas taste best with a good Spanish wine. Keep in mind that locals eat very late — if you walk into a restaurant at 8 PM, you’ll mostly find tourists. For locals, that’s still too early! • Snowboarders on the bus: While sitting on a sunny terrace with a beer, we suddenly saw two people at a bus stop in full winter gear — snowboards included. They were apparently heading to a nearby ski resort. Quite a funny sight in the middle of a sunny city! • Price of a beer: We expected drinks to be a bit pricey… but at La Rambla (one of Barcelona’s most famous shopping streets), the beer prices shocked us. Always check the menu first! • City blocks: Barcelona is incredibly easy to navigate thanks to its perfect grid layout. From above, the city looks like a checkerboard. You’ll never wonder which way to go.

We found Barcelona to be a fun and surprising spring city trip — definitely worth visiting!