We stayed in the Hesperia Hotel Presidente on the central street Av. Diagonal. It was a pleasure to stay in this area, mainly because it felt very neighborhoody and the street itself is lined with palm trees and beautiful to look at. Plus there are loads of coffee shops and restaurants nearby. What's more, you can walk to major shopping areas and famous tourist sights!

Eating

Ok, I could go on for days about the food. Eating great food is one of my favorite things to do and there's no short supply in Barcelona. For brunch head to Brunch & Cake, a cozy hipster-style restaurant on Carrer Enric Granados with an atmosphere that matches even the coolest Berlin spots but with food so delicious you could weep. Tip: go hungry and start with the pancake followed by a turkey-egg-bagel combo that comes with a side of guacamole and peanut powder (!). There will likely be a queue, but trust me, it's worth it.







For lunch head to Tapas 24, a trendy little hole in the wall. This cafe-style tapa joint is owned by renowned chef Carles Abellan. Tip: sit outside in the sun and load up on the amazing chicken croquettes.


For dinner check out Cachitos on Diagonal, a swanky restaurant with gourmet menu, a wine list that wows and unique atmosphere comfortable enough to stay in for hours. Tip: order starters (my favorite was the papas fritas with aioli) and go all out for the main dish - I indulged with the prime rib. Ask the waiter for wine pairing and if you're feeling especially adventurous, give the dessert menu a whirl.


For drinks with a view head up to Martinez, a restaurant overlooking the harbour on Montjuïc with an outdoor patio and lively atmosphere. The cocktails here are great and the music make for a welcome place to kick back (especially after hiking up Montjuïc).

Shopping

Barcelona is home to tons of shopping areas. In the western part of the city, there is a 4km stretch of designated shopping street - the largest in Europe! Diagonal Av. itself is a great area for shopping with stores ranging from upscale to your average. For an all day shopping extravaganza, take the metro a few stops south to the Plaça de Catalunya. This is the thriving heart of the city and home to massive shopping centers along with a giant plaza to enjoy the sun.



My favorite part of shopping in Barcelona was hitting all the sales in Zara, Massimo Dutti, Pull & Bear and more. I found these traditional Spanish brands not only way cheaper in the homeland but also with lots more to choose from.

Tip: Skip La Rambla all together. It's a famous street stretching from Plaça de Catalunya all the way to the harbor but attracts all the tourists and therefore, all the tourist traps. Most travel/shopping guides will tell you to check it out - but I didn't based on recommendation from a friend and I definitely do not feel like I missed anything. Plus, from what I heard and read, the pickpockets prey on La Rambla goers.

Sightseeing

You've probably heard of Gaudí, the famous architect renowned for his dream-like structures that define Catalan Modernism. His famous Sagrada Família is a UNESCO Heritage Site and worth the €18 entrance fee. Purchase tickets online for cheaper rates and to skip the queue. If you're into this sort of thing, there is also the Park Güell and Casa Batlló (amongst other tourist sites) although I didn't visit these places.



Montjuïc is basically a big hill overlooking the city (technically the suburbs) on one side and facing the harbor on the other. Home to the beautiful Palau Nacional, botanical gardens and a massive magic fountain, Montjuïc is a nice little hike from the metro stop Paral·lel and a great way to spend an afternoon in the Catalan capital.

For a sunnier stay head to Barceloneta Beach where there are stunning views of the ocean, sandy shores and a host of beach activities like volleyball, sailing and seafood. Because it's January, we had to forego our beach experience and opted instead for a lovely stroll around the zoo area, where you will also find the Arc de Triomf, a gate built for the 1888 World Fair (a year before the Eiffel Tower was built in Paris for the 1889 World Fair).





The Gothic Quarter is the heart of the city and a bustling area intersected with tiny streets and original medieval squares and structures. The architecture itself is a treat to see, plus this area is home to famous museums like the Museu Picasso which has the world's most extensive collection of work from the artist.

I'm convinced that Barcelona is one of those cities that no matter where you go or what you do - you can't really go wrong. What do you think? Have I missed something that you just have to do/eat/see in Barcelona? Let me know in the comments below!