The best way to get through these final days of winter? A weekend getaway, of course.
Depart Friday evening and return Sunday evening, without using any annual leave days.
The destination has to be Barcelona – the perfect spot to spend 48 hours with sun, sea, sangria, scrumptious food, stunning architecture, and museums with all the greats.
Barcelona is a beautiful buzzing beautiful city that fuels the soul. Here’s how to make the most of it in just a weekend.
Friday 7:35pm: Depart London Heathrow on British Airways flight.
Friday 10.40pm: Land at Barcelona airport.
Friday 11pm: Arrive at the W Hotel in Barcelona.
The W Hotel is located down the by water’s edge away from all the hustle and bustle but is still close enough to get to it all. Plus, it’s easy to get to and from the airport.
Being by the sea makes for a really peaceful getaway from all the busy sightseeing done during the day.
The W hotel rooms are cleverly designed to enjoy the epic sky and sea views. Be sure to request a Sea Sky View Room – you will feel like you’re floating on cloud 9.
Friday 11.15pm: Late night tapas and vino at La Barra de Carles Abellan.
As this restaurant is located within the hotel, it’s effortless to get to – essential after a day’s work and flight.
The restaurant is super modern with an open-plan kitchen so you can watch the chefs prepare delicious seafood tapas over the grill.
It makes for a great atmosphere whilst having a relaxing evening over a glass of wine from the extensive wine selection.
The must-order on the menu is definitely the stuffed squid.
Saturday 8am: Up bright and early for breakfast.
My favourite part of a holiday is the breakfast buffet!
Breakfast is served in the Wave Restaurant and there was everything your heart desires, including my favourite: waffles with fresh strawberries.
Saturday 9am: Stroll down the boardwalk.
Start the day on the right sunny side of the street with a stroll down the beach boardwalk.
Enjoy the atmosphere and the calmness of the scenic sea views.
Saturday 11am: See the paintings at the Picasso Museum
The Picasso Museum is located on 15-23, Carrer Montcada in the Gothic Quarter, just a 20-minute walk from the beach.
This cultural hotspot holds the most extensive collections of artworks by the 20th-century Spanish artist Pablo Picasso.
The cost to enter the museum is € 12 and €5 for the audio. As there are over 4,000 pieces of Pablo’s, it’s definitely worth paying extra for the audio guide, as it talks you through his work genres and a few key paintings in depth.
The museum takes you on his journey of artwork, from his first major works up until the very end when he died.
My favourite painting era of Picasso is definitely of his late wife Jacqueline. Pablo Picasso met Jacqueline in 1953, when she was 26 years old and he was 72 (unsurprisingly, the audio guide leaves details of the age gap out). They married in 1961 and their marriage lasted 11 years until his death, during which time Picasso created over 400 portraits of her – more than any of his other lovers.
Saturday 1pm: Lunch in the Gothic Quarter
Get lost in the beautiful maze-like streets of the Gothic quarter, taking in all the beautiful architecture and style.
After having a wander, head towards the Basilica de Santa Maria Del Mar, where on your way you’ll find a large piazza full of tapas restaurants with outdoor seating to enjoy the marvelous view of one of Barcelona’s famous Gothic churches.
The church was built in the 14th century, took 55 years to build and is a rare example of pure Catalan Gothic architecture
Saturday 2pm: Time for retail therapy
After lunch, head towards the main Cathedral of Barcelona. Once you pass the piazza head towards Passeig De Gracia, this will take you to the shopping district.
Here you will find another maze of beautiful small tiny streets filled with shops.
Passeig de Gracia is home to some of the most celebrated pieces of architecture, such as Anthony Gaudi Casa Batlló. Tickets to enter this house cost 25 euro – it is definitely worth a view but as we are limited with time keep moving up Passeig De Gracia to find another spectacular house by Gaudi; Casa Milà – La Pedrera.
Saturday 5pm: Head inside the Casa Milà – La Pedrera
Casa Milà – La Pedrera is located in the heart of Barcelona on 92 Passeig De Gracia and is designed by famous Catalan architect Antoni Gaudí. It’s considered to be one of his masterpieces.
The cost to enter this house is €25 with an audio guide. You can walk around freely and see how people lived back in the day.
Casa Milà – La Pedrera is also connected to the shop Massimo Dutti. Head up to the second floor of the shop to get another glimpse of Gaudi’s work.
Saturday 7pm: Relax at the hotel’s spa.
After a very productive day of being a tourist and walking the beautiful streets of Barcelona, catch a taxi back to hotel and head straight to the spa for some well-deserved RnR.
W Barcelona Spa has seven treatment rooms, with services including deep-tissue massages, sports massages, Swedish massages and facials.
The spa is equipped with a pool, spa tub, sauna and a steam room.
Saturday 8.30pm: Feast at Bar Cañete
Bar Cañete the restaurant listed in every travel guide – Even the taxi driver who picked us up from the airport recommended this place is a must-do.
It is located at 17 Carrer de la Unió, but be sure to keep your eyes out for it because you could easily walk right past.
There are two areas to Bar Cañete, the casual bar side and the restaurant side. Both have an equally buzzing atmosphere but choose depending on your mood.
Tap into the tapas, the food is designed to be shared. Tthey may be small dishes but they are full of flavour.
The prices can be on the rather expensive side but you can tell it is due to the quality of produce. Definitely book ahead – especially for a Saturday evening.
Saturday 11pm: Las Ramblas
After dinner head on down the beating heart of Barcelona; Las Ramblas, which is on a side street from Bar Cañete.
Las Ramblas is the busiest street in Barcelona as all the tourists flock to this street, some consider it a heinous tourist trap, but one everyone should experience.
Las Ramblas stretches 1.2km and runs from east to west, filled with cafes, restaurants, street performances, touristic memorabilia, and you can find tickets to all the attractions.
Walk down the street and just soak up the buzz and atmosphere.
Be careful of pick pickpockets they roam among the busy street with a preference fo distracted tourists.
Sunday 8am: Breakfast of champions
The W hotel offers two locations where you can enjoy the buffet breakfast, head to Salt restaurant and enjoy the outside seating and sea views.
Or if you want to hit up a cava bar, head to La Xampanyeria, it can be found on a tucked-away street; 7 Carrer de la Reina Cristina in Barcelonatta (a 15-minute walk from W hotel). It was founded in 1969 and serves tapas, delicious cured meats, and epic sandwiches, all washed down with cava.
Sunday 9am: Cycle the city
Start your day at The Head of Barcelona sculpture designed by American Pop artist Roy Lichtenstein for the 1992 Summer Olympics in Barcelona.
With less than 12 hours left in the beautiful city, renting a bicycle is the best way to cover as much ground in as little time possible and super cost-effective.
Down by Barcelona beach you can find Yes Rent bikes and scooters on Carrer Del Judici. The cost of hiring a bicycle for 12 hours iss 12 euros.
Barcelona is a city built for cyclists, there are lanes specifically designed for cyclists making it super safe and easy if you have no idea where you are heading.
Sunday 10am: Stop at Arc de Triomf
Put your Google Maps on and head towards one of the city’s iconic landmarks, the Arc de Triomf.
It was built in 1888 as the gateway to the Barcelona fair, held in the Parc de la Ciutadella. Today it’s filled with tourists and street performers.
Sunday 11am: Lunch outside the Basilica of Sagrada Familia
The next stop is the pride and joy of Barcelona and the most famous landmark church; the Minor Basilica Sagrada Familia.
The Sagrada Familia is located on 401 Carrer de Mallorca and tickets can be purchased online in advance – do this to avoid the long queues!
The construction of the Sagrada Familia began in 1882 under architect Francisco de Paula del Villar but was taken over by Antoni Gaudí in 1883. Gaudí worked on the Sagrada Familia right up until his death in 1926, and to this day the Sagrada Fimilia remains unfinished.
There are lots of little cafes that surround the streets of the Sagrada Familia, I would recommend having a cerveza and a baguette as you take in the beautiful landmark.
Sunday 1pm: Take in the views from Park Güell
Park Güell, situated at Carmel hill, lends itself to the most epic views of Barcelona’s city skyline.
Park Güell was built in the 1900 and in 1984 UNESCO declared the park a World Heritage Site.
Park Güell is situated Carmel Hill in La Salut, a neighbourhood in the Gràcia district. Cycling all the way to Park Güell is a challenge due to the steep hills, so I would recommend parking it up and then walking the rest. Tickets cost €10 euro.
The park has over 10 different areas to explore; from the monumental lizard stairway, the nature square surrounded by a wavy wall of mosaics, beautiful tiles, the large Ancient Greek Columns, and the Austrian gardens.
Sunday 3.30pm: Grab the best churros in Barcelona
After a day of cycling a well-deserved Spanish dessert is in order. Head towards the Le Gothic area to the most famous Churros shop in the city.
Xurreria Dels Banys is the famous family-owned churros shop in Barcelona and it can be found on 8 Carrer dels Banys Nous – it’s tucked away so can be quite tricky to find, but well worth it. The churros are made freshly on the spot. Order a piping hot cone full of churros with hot chocolate dipping sauce.
Sunday 4pm: Early dinner down by the port
Return your bicycles and head down to Barcelonetta port on Passeig de Joan De Borbo. On this street you will find a string of casual dining restaurants and bars, from tapas to fresh seafood.
Enjoy your last moments in the city with a glass of sangria.
Sunday 6.30pm: Head back to the hotel
At the W hotel you can use the spa facilities to have a shower and freshen up before heading off to your flight.
Sunday 8.30pm: Depart Barcelona
Sunday 9.45pm: Arrive at London Heathrow
Back to life. Back to reality. But at least you had a great weekend.
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source https://metro.co.uk/2020/02/29/spend-48-hours-barcelona-12326160/?ITO=squid
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