I’ve pin pointed some of my favourite places on Google maps, so that friends can see what’s good to visit nearby when they’re wandering around Barcelona – art galleries, the little medieval streets, stopping at the occasional bar, sitting in beautiful squares, enjoying the atmosphere, admiring the architecture and trying good food. There’s also an English language comedy club and cinema’s among the many other activities Barcelona has to offer but you can look those up. Click on this link to see a list or a map of my tried and tested recommendations: https://maps.app.goo.gl/TnyqLnhycmJ8cRtB8?g_st=i

Barcelona city walks

I like hanging out in Gracia, Poble Nou, Poble Sec, Horta, Gothic Quarter, El Born, El Ravel and I often walk or cycle there and back. Here’s a list of suggested Barcelona city walks.

1. Passeig de Gràcia to Plaça Reial – 2,7km

This is a good walk to experience Barcelona from it’s wealthy through to it’s not so wealthy barrios and everything in between. Begin at the top of Passeig de Gracia and walk down the most expensive shopping street in Europe, past Casa Batlló (Gaudí house), all the way down towards the sea, over Plaça Catalunya and onto to La Rambla. Keep walking, turning off La Rambla to visit Plaça Reial and maybe stop for an overpriced drink. This takes 35 minutes non-stop but will take much longer depending on how many times you pause to look at the architecture and take in the contents of the upmarket shop the windows.

2. The Gothic Quarter

Weave your way to the Cathedral – walk all around the tiny streets in the whole Gothic Quater. There are some cute galleries along Carrer d’Avinyó and more marked on the map. Walk all the way down the street to the left of the Cathedral, along the old city walls to the little arty square at the end. Cross over Via Laietana into El Born.

3. El Born

Explore all around the 14th century church of Santa Maria del Mar – try the nearby bars and visit the arty shops, enter the medieval churches when they’re open.
Carrer Montcada – there are lots of famous museums and galleries along this medieval street.
El Born Center for Culture and Memory – see the remains of Roman streets.
Parc de la Ciutadella – walk up the stairs of Neptunes fountain and then walk around to find the tropical green houses or Umbráculo’s for a shady rest.
Walk the grand avenue of Passeig de Lluís Companys to the Arc de Triomf and see the buskers.

4. Barcelona seafront promenade

Walk along the 6km of beach promenade starting at Plaça Leonardo da Vinci, explore Barceloneta and end up at the Wave hotel, Plaça de la Rosa dels Vents. 1hr 24 minutes.

5. The Carmel Bunkers – 262m above sea level

Walk up to the Turó de la Rovira and enjoy the 360 view over the city. There is a tiny museum explaining the history of this prominent hill.

• Opening times: 9:00 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. (summer) – 9:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. (winter)
• Price: Free

6. Port Vell

Start your walk at the Columbus Monument and explore all around the port. Go over the Rambla De Mar and past the aquarium (I’d like to go there one day). Come to the monumental mosaic Lichtenstein pop art sculpture and walk along by the sea food restaurants towards the Catalan history museum. Choose your favourite yacht as you make your way to Plaça del Mar, where there are two large scale public sculptures. Perhaps stop at one of the beach bars or watch the buskers. Keep your belongings close, the pick pockets have no shame.

7. Avenida Diagonal

Walk the entire 10.3 km length of Avenida Diagonal. Start at Parc de Cervantes and finish at Plaça Leonardo da Vinci, by the sea. 2hrs 18 minutes without stopping  – but do stop! You can even take a little detour to see Sagrada Familia.

Activities

Visit the fountain in Parc de la Cuitadella on a Sunday to watch the tango and salsa dancers.
Hire bikes and cycle around the port and along the beach promenade.
Watch the America’s Cup – formula one sailing yacht racing during siesta.

Art galleries and museums

I’ve marked my favourites on the map but you can also read my blog post about the art galleries and museums of Barcelona – there’s a lot to choose from!

https://emmaplunkett.art/art-blog/barcelona-museums-galleries/

Drinks

Google the names of these places to find the addresses or look on my Google map to see if you are nearby one.

Negroni with a cheese shaving from Dr.Stravinsky

Visit the 100 year old bars – London bar, bar Marsella, bar del Pi.
Dr.Stravinsky – cocktails with homemade spirits.
La Whiskeria – whiskey cocktails and single malts in an antique setting.
La Confitería – cosy belle epoch interior, changing cocktail menu.
Bodega La Puntual – order a whole bottle of the 2nd most expensive local cava.
Order the ‘vermut de la casa’ anywhere (not Martini).
Local white wines from Penedes
From Rueda region order the verdejo wines.
La Granja Dulcinea near plaza del Pi – Viennese hot chocolate and churros.
Czech beer – Bar Balcony, Pivobar, Black Horse Pub.

Food

Pinxtos at Golfo de Bizkaia Born

There are many, many more restaurants that I haven’t tried yet but you are welcome to try the places I like:

Ziryab Fusió Tapas Bar – Try the tasting menu. The staff are champions of deaf culture!
Restaurant Petra – authentic Catalan cuisine with a twist.
Golfo de Bizkaia Born – pinxtos (pictured).
Bar Bitàcorai in Barceloneta (get there early) – order fish or anything.
La Taqueria in Poble Nou – authentic Mexican, try the Piratas tacos and ask for the hottest sauces.
Restaurant Cantonès – authentic Chinese.
Look up the Michelin star restaurants if your budget allows.
Go to the top floor of the bullring by plaza España at sunset for a meal and the view (the interior escalators are free to use).
Oysters at La Boqueria, the colourful indoor municipal market (closed Sunday).
Anita Gelato – the best ice cream in Gracia.

Modernist Architect Antoni Gaudí

The emblematic Gaudí Dragon Stairway at Parc Güell

Basílica de la Sagrada Família (Gaudí church) is definitely worth a visit but you’ll need to book tickets online a week in advance to see the inside – outside is just as impressive in a different way.
Parc Güell – you can buy tickets on the gate.
Casa Batlló – with the skull balconies.
Gaudí Palace – I haven’t been to this yet.

You can Google “Gaudí’s architecture” to see the long list of the buildings he designed in and around Barcelona.

Remember you can look up the descriptions on Google, of all the monuments and public art that you pass along your way.

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