This time I headed to Barcelona for 24hours. It was a quick stop over before I headed on my first ever cruise among the Shipsomnia. And although we only had a day in the city, we made sure to see as much as we could and still have a relaxing day.
Transport
In most cities you can buy a 24hour travel pass, however in Barcelona we managed to get a 48hr pass for around €14. This took us from the airport all the way to the docking harbour. Last time I went to Barcelona I spent the majority of my money on cabs and to be honest, the metro stations are a delight compared to London so I really didn't mind travelling around underground. Most of the stations are right next to key touristic points so you really don't have anything to loose.
Hotel
We were lucky enough to spend the night at Hotel Granados 83 which is two minutes from Provenca station. The room we has was extremely beautiful. It was a three storey hotel room with two bathrooms and access to a private pool.
I was utterly shocked at the size of our room as it looks quite small from the outside, but we were pleasantly surprised to see that we had such a large suite to ourselves. The hotel is a small boutique hotel with beautiful art deco pieces within the hotel and the rooms.
As we had one of the suites we had access to the roof terrace with a plunge pool. As Hotel Grandos 83 is in the city centre, the views are not that great, but they have made the area as relaxing as possible with a lot off different seating areas. As the weather was so great we managed to sit out on the terrace that evening and have a quiet night before a busy day.
Our suite had both a downstairs shower and an upstairs bath which I made full use of. There's something about hotel baths. They're generally a lot bigger than the ones back home and I find it so relaxing after a long day of travelling.
The hotel also has a great bar located on the lobby, as well as a wonderful terrace where you can sit and enjoy your breakfast or a drink from the bar.
In June, there are a lot of festivals and events going on in the city so it's important to book in advance to avoid disappointment.
Food
The night we arrived as soon as we unloaded our suitcases into the hotel we wanted to head out to eat somewhere quite local. The friendly concierge at Hotel Granados 83 recommended a few different places just across the road from the hotel and we decided to head into Cu-Cut. Personally, when I travel I like to go to places that have been recommended to me by a local. There's nothing I hate more than not having a proper meal. I don't think I'm alone here when I say that I genuinely get so upset (near tears) if I am hungry and don't have a proper good meal.
Cu-Cut is a traditional Spanish tapas restaurant with a vast amount of different fish dishes. The next time I head to Barcelona I would love to try a delicious paella. So if anyone has any recommendations do let me know!
Touristic Spots
If you ever find yourself in Barcelona for a short (or even a long time) there are three places that you must visit.
The first is possibly the most famous, Park Guell. It stole my heart two years ago and I never managed to see the whole park so I knew I had to head back on this occasion to see the entirety of it's beauty. People from all ages and cultures can appreciate just how beautiful this park is. With ruins to gorgeous flowers, there's something for everyone. And despite the police best effort to keep the park touristic friendly, there are people selling cold water on every corner so there's no fear of being dehydrated.
The majority of the park is free to walk around, but if you wish to head into the Monumental Zone it's €7 and must be booked in advance as entry is limited to certain times.
The next must visit site is Sagrada Familia. This cathedral is still being built and is estimated to finish 2026-2028. They started building in 1882 and it's so fascinating to see how they are building such an intricate building. If you do wish to head inside the cathedral, it's best to book in advance to avoid long queues.
Lastly, you must visit La Boqueria the fruit and vegetable market. For a food lover, or anyone who likes pretty colours, the fruit market is a mesmerising experience. All your senses are heightened and the fruit are very reasonably priced and taste absolutely delicious. So if you're ever in Barcelona, make your way down to La Ramblas and feast your eyes on one of Europe's largest and most famous markets.
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