Spain is one of those places where everything just seems to flow. The tapas, the nightlife, the people, are so incredibly beautiful it feels unreal. And while the entire country, in general is pretty epic, it’s the city by the sea that will instantly capture your heart.
Between mouth-watering paella to stunning coastlines to the most magical architecture you will ever see in life, here are a few of our favorite places to stay, play and eat.
STAY
Sir Victor
Set next to Gaudí’s masterpiece Casa Milà, Sir Victor is all about style. Boasting 91 uber-chic guest rooms, some of the most incredible views of the city, a delectable restaurant, and a cool rooftop pool, it’s the place to see and be seen. This stunning haunt also included a state-of-the-art gym and a spa that offers a collection of treatments that meld ancient and modern wellness practices.
EAT
Disfrutar
Arguably one of the most revered restaurants in Barcelona, Disfrutar is a treat for those who like to think (and eat) outside the box. With a powerhouse team of superstar chefs Oriol Castro, Eduard Xatruch and Mateu Casañas, each plate is crafted with the utmost imagination, and made with the type of precision that’ll bring tears to your eyes. It’s that good.
Tickets
Ranked number 20 on the World’s 50 Best Restaurants list for 2019, deconstructed tapas is the name of the game here. Equipped with a Michelin star, this brainchild of Adrià brothers is a place where every dish is a work of art, and reservations get booked out months in advance. Dining here is an event of epic culinary proportions.
PLAY
La Sagrada Familia
Though it still remains unfinished to this day, La Sagrada Familia is one of the most important (and most-visited) destinations in Barcelona. Masterfully designed by Gaudi, his work on the building is part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Gaudi dedicated his last years to this project, so a visit here should most definitely be on the top of your list. Come marvel at the architecture, and stay for a peek of Gaudi’s final resting place (a crypt within the La Sagrada Familia walls).
Park Güell
Walking through this park feels like what I would imagine walking through a Doctor Seuss book would feel like. It’s one of the rooted in his analysis of geometric shapes. It’s imaginative, it’s baroque, it’s easily one of the most insane collections of architectural genius you will ever see in your life. Trust me, you don’t want to miss this.
La Barceloneta
Is Barcelona really Barcelona without the beach? (Hint: no.) This long stretch of palm-tree lined promenade is the place where revelers go-to nosh on fresh seafood on the sand, soak up the rays, and cruise the seas in a glitzy yacht. Grab one of the many local bikes for rent, and ride along the shores to really soak everything in. And when you get thirsty, treat yourself to one of the many beach bars.
