Top 10 Things To Do In Barcelona! (Activity + Food)

When you live somewhere for a long time, it eventually starts to feel like home so I ended up with a long list of cool places to go to and things to do in Barcelona. It includes not only spots to visit but restaurants to try out too and that is why I'd like to share it with you, happy travels and bon appetit!

1. Parc Guell & Paralelo Ice-cream

20min walk (ew, I know but so worth it!)

This is a must, as it's one of Gaudí's famous works of art and is worth visiting. You'll most likely be walking for a long time, so why not cool down with a little treat? The best ice cream I had in Barcelona was from Paralelo, though it's not close by, this ice cream spot is a great introduction to the neighborhood - Gràcia - and offers wonderful gelato with a variety of flavors, making it great for cooling down in the hot weather!

Looking for a closer option? I've got you! 

Try the nearest one: Cloud Italian Gelato - How to get there!

2. Sagrada Familia & Choose Your Pick!

 

If you go to Barcelona and don't go see this unfinished masterpiece, you've definitely missed out big time so make sure you head there at least once and check their website for free entry dates. The masses are free, and you can stay at the end to wander around for a bit in the restricted area where Gaudí is buried. After you can stop by two highly recommended places above which you can choose from depending on your mood! 

La Taqeria - Mexican Spot

Burger Spot (Permanently Closed) - Try out Madre Taberna Moderna for authentic spanish food!

3. Gracia & Sol De Nit (Tapas)

Whether it's night or day, Gracia is a wonderful neighborhood to spend time in; it's charming and vibrant and has a lot of local shops and restaurants. I loved going there for tapas, and my favorite spot was Sol De Nit (translation: night sun), the patatas bravas were always piping hot, crispy, and generously coated with their sauce, and the croquettes were always on point! 

Sol de Nit - Location - ¡Buen provecho!

4. Arc de Triomf & La Uramakeria (Sushi)

6min walk 

 

La Urumakeria has the best Asian food I have had in the city so far, and I love how close it is to Arc de Triomf. It's a nice way to walk off all the food and see the street performances where kids are usually playing with bubbles.

5. Las Ramblas & Cafe De L'Opera / Granja M.Viader (Churros)

7min / 4min walk

The Ramblas is a must-see; it captures the heart of the city, and it's featured in the Cheetah Girl movie (if you know, you know!), if you find yourself peckish for churros, here are two of my recommendations. The first is Café de L'Opera, which is located right on the Rambla, so you can enjoy these delicious treats outdoors or inside. Their interior is pretty antique, old-school Barcelona, and cozy, bringing you back in time. The churros come with dipping chocolate and sugar, which is perfect for the people who have a sweet tooth! 

The second place is further down the Rambla and hiding in one of the little lanes. It's called Granja M.Viader. The decor is also quite vintage but charming, and the churros are cheap; it's the chocolate that is a bit pricey but worth it. You can get one and share it with your friends. Their churros are topped with sugar and are very well-cooked and enjoyable! 

6. Teatre Grec + Macchina (Pasta)

8min walk

  

Teatre Grec is a great local park with nice views of the suburban area. Walking to it is a scenic way to get to know the other side of the main city. It is a bit uphill, so do wear comfortable shoes!

In the area is one of the chain restaurants called Macchina which serves amazing fresh pasta with toppings you can choose from right in front of you. I chose the vegetarian-style pasta with aubergine, spinach, and rich tomato sauce to go with a glass of red wine (p.s this was when I drank, I'm now sober since 2022 praise the Lord!). They give you a portion of Parmesan to top it off, which makes the dish even better!

7. Rambla Del Mar + Tropico (Brunch)

13min walk

 

If you're looking for a place to catch the sunset, I'd recommend Rambla del Mar, as there are seats, restaurants, a shopping mall, and lots of birds flying around, which create a peaceful atmosphere when they're not staring you down for your food!

There's a lovely brunch spot called Tropico that serves specials such as tacos to pancakes with lovely, colorful hot drinks. The closest location has now been closed and moved close to Plaça de Catalunya. If you haven't explored that area and you're hungry for brunch, I recommend stopping by!

Another option I found closer to Rambla del Mar, if you're looking for authentic Spanish food, try out Restaurante La Dentellière - their paella is very flavoursome!

8. Barceloneta + Picarn / NAP Pizza

3min walk

 

The Barceloneta beach is one to visit and a fantastic spot for a picnic, you can only catch a glimpse of the sunset there as the sun sets the opposite way but you can catch the sunrise which is truly beautiful and worth waking up early for. If you are going to eat there and don't want to be caught off guard by the touristy restaurants, these two places are reasonable for your wallet and lovely to eat! 

Check out Picarn if you're up for kebab with or without the wrap, filled with lots of veg, and delicious sauce, and comes with chips too. Another filling option is grabbing drinks from the local convenience stores and then getting pizza from NAP, heading to the beach, and taking in the view of the ocean.

9. Parc Ciutadella + Cremat 11

4min walk

 

Avo Toast, Passionfruit Pancakes (Back), Banana Pancakes (Front)

Parc Ciutadella is one of my favorite spots because it's pretty versatile and I've spent each time there differently, whether it's reading books with a friend in the sun, renting the little boats to cruise around the lake with the ducks, or watching jive and aerial silk classes happen in the gazebo, it never gets old. 

If you're like me and love brunching with your friends and live for an aesthetically pleasing plate of food then you'll love Cremat 11 as it has all of that. Their pancakes are absolutely thick and filling so I wouldn't eat anything beforehand if you want to finish it and it's worth the price too!  

10. Montjuic + La Terazza Miro 

12min walk

 

 

                    

Montjuic is where the magic fountain is, depending on the time of year there's a fountain light show each night which is recommended to see but I haven't seen it since the pandemic but it could be back and the fountain is still great to admire and take a few photos in front of. 

La Terazza Miro is honestly the cutest restaurant I've been to because the dessert was like a baby plant yet it tasted yummy and we got the chicken and avocado with their patata bravas which was also delicious too!

You can also check out the visual diary of my time in Barcelona on my channel if you haven't already!