A Taste of Spain: 5 Days in Vibrant Barcelona

Barcelona is one of those cities that seems to have it all: striking architecture, world-class food, rich history, and a Mediterranean attitude that invites you to slow down and savor it. It’s been on my list for years—not just as a stopover or cruise port, but as a destination in its own right. Josh and I had passed through briefly in 2013 before our first Mediterranean cruise, but that whirlwind visit barely counted. We left knowing we’d come back someday.

When we found a great cash fare for a business class flight to Barcelona (with a repositioning leg through JFK), we jumped on it. With five days to explore, we were ready to go beyond the highlights and get a real taste of Catalonia. This trip was all about spending 5 days in Barcelona finding those local flavors, experiencing the city’s creativity, and getting to know Barcelona’s unique rhythm.

A Retro Start: TWA Hotel at JFK

Before we even made it to Spain, we took a little trip back in time with an overnight stay at the TWA Hotel at JFK. If you haven’t stayed there, it’s worth the experience. The whole property is a throwback to 1960s Jet Age glamour. Think sunken lounges, rotary phones, and mid-century everything. There’s even a vintage airplane parked out back turned into a cocktail bar. We sipped Negronis while watching jets take off in the distance and pretended we were in an episode of Mad Men.

Our Home Base: Sir Victor Hotel

After our overnight flight and a quick taxi from El Prat Airport, we arrived at Sir Victor Hotel. The location couldn’t have been better. It sits just off Passeig de Gràcia and Avenue Diagonal, giving us easy access to the metro and one of the best holiday traditions in the city: the lighting of the holiday lights along Diagonal. Each night, the whole area glowed with warm white lights that made every stroll feel like a celebration.

The hotel was stylish and modern, with a rooftop pool and bar that gave us views of La Sagrada Familia in the distance. I could’ve spent all day up there with a book and a glass of cava.

Getting Our Bearings: Hop-On Hop-Off Bus

We usually start in a new city with a Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour, and Barcelona was no exception. It’s touristy, yes, but incredibly helpful in getting oriented. We cruised past the Olympic Port, Gothic Quarter, Montjuïc, and Gaudí landmarks. There are two main routes, and we split them up over two days, hopping off here and there for a quick wander. It helped us figure out where we wanted to spend more time later in the trip.

Art, Architecture, and Gaudí

On day two, we took a guided tour of Park Guell and La Sagrada Familia. We started in Park Guell, which is every bit as whimsical and strange as you’d expect. The views of the city from the hilltop park were worth the walk alone. Our guide gave great insight into Gaudí’s vision and his obsession with nature.

From there, we headed to La Sagrada Familia, which was breathtaking in a way photos just don’t capture. The stained glass, the height, the sense of space—it all feels sacred, even if you aren’t religious. We skipped the long line, walked right in, and took our time soaking in the details. It was one of the highlights of our entire trip.

Tapas After Dark: The Barcelona Taste

That night, we joined a Gothic Quarter Evening Tapas Tour with The Barcelona Taste. It started near the old Roman walls and wound its way through tiny alleys and into hidden restaurants. We ate our way through several courses of tapas and small plates paired with local wines.

This tour was a fun way to explore the city at night and learn more about the Catalan approach to dining. Our guide shared food history, cultural context, and neighborhood gossip as we moved from place to place. By the end, we were full, tipsy, and totally charmed by the Gothic Quarter’s atmosphere.

Picasso and Paella: A Cultural Combo

We started the next day with a few hours at the Picasso Museum. The museum is in a series of connected medieval buildings in El Born, which is worth visiting in its own right. Even if you aren’t a die-hard Picasso fan, the early work and the story of his relationship with Barcelona are fascinating.

Afterward, we wandered over to Barceloneta for our Barcelona Secret Food Tour. This one was heavier on history than the previous night and gave us a broader range of bites: jamón and cheese, pastries, tapas, and a perfect seafood paella served seaside with a jug of sangria. The experience was capped off with their “secret dish,” which I won’t spoil here. It was such a good mix of food and storytelling, and I loved seeing both El Born and Barceloneta in one afternoon.

A Day Trip to Three Countries

On day four, we took a break from the city for a long but rewarding adventure: The Original Three Countries in One Day Tour.

We started in the picturesque Spanish village of Bagà, then crossed into France to explore the spa town of Ax-Les-Thermes. We found a lovely bakery to grab some coffee and pastries to enjoy while we explored the natural hot springs and window shopped in the local stores. From there, we climbed into the Pyrenees and crossed the Pas de la Casa pass into Andorra.

Andorra itself was beautiful. We visited a famous Salvador Dali sculpture, ate some empanadas, took in the mountain views, and even squeezed in some duty-free shopping in Andorra la Vella. It was a full day, but it gave us a completely different view of the region, and we checked off a country we probably never would have otherwise, which is always a win for me!

Slow Sunday Strolls and Last Bites

We spent our final morning shopping along Passeig de Gràcia and soaking up a little more Gaudí at Casa Milà (La Pedrera). We grabbed an outdoor table for a leisurely brunch, then wandered through the nearby Gràcia neighborhood, which felt more local and low-key than the city center. If you’re in Barcelona on a Sunday, Gràcia is a great place to take it slow.

That night, we capped things off with a return to a little tapas spot we’d stumbled into earlier in the week. We ordered our favorites and toasted to a trip full of color, flavor, and inspiration.

Barcelona lived up to every bit of its reputation. It’s a city that invites you to slow down, savor everything, and stay out late. And we did just that.

Recommendations

Are you planning your next trip and looking for services that make travel smoother? Here are a few of my go-to recommendations:

• Stay Connected Abroad: I use Airalo eSIMs to avoid the hassle of swapping SIM cards in every country.

• Protect Your Data: NordVPN keeps my internet connection safe when I’m on public Wi-Fi at airports, hotels, or cafés.

  
  

• Travel Europe by Train: I book through Trainline for easy tickets across Europe, including London, Italy, Spain, and France.

  
  

• Relax Before You Fly: Priority Pass gives you access to airport lounges around the world.

  
  

• Find the Right Stay: For vacation rentals, I like using VRBO.

  
  

• See the City with Ease: Hop-on, hop-off tours are a fun way to get oriented. Check out Big Bus Tours in Vienna, Rome, Berlin, Istanbul, and Dubai.

  
  

• Book Tours and Transfers: I often use Get Your Guide and Viator to arrange activities, tickets, and transfers in advance.

  
  

• Hotels, Cars, and Flights: Expedia is one of my go-to sites for comparing and booking travel.

  
  

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