BCN GUIDE

Public Transportation in Barcelona is great!

The metro, bus and tram all run at a very tight pace and until late into the night. In addition, there are several cable cars, funicular railways, railways, sightseeing buses, taxis, local trains, night buses and many other means of transport.

You can find all info on: https://www.tmb.cat/en/barcelona-fares-metro-bus

Gràcia

The streets of Gràcia are filled with several squares that are meeting points for people of all ages who gather over drinks each evening starting around 7pm. Gràcia is the best neighborhood for strolling, bar-hopping and observing the local atmosphere. The neighborhood is packed with all types of restaurants, from local tapas joints to Michelin-star restaurants. You can also find architectural gems designed by Modernist architect Antoni Gaudí, such as Casa Vicens and Park Güell. Being well-connected with downtown, Gràcia is a strategic location for those wanting to be close to the city center but farther from the hustle and bustle.

El Born

El Born competes with Gràcia for the title of Barcelona's trendiest neighborhood, but instead of vegan restaurants and urban gardens, El Born is home to concept stores, art studios and a distinctly international vibe. Formerly a craftsmen’s district, El Born is one of the oldest neighborhoods in Barcelona. Look for century-old shops such as Casa Perris (a grocery store that sells in bulk) and some of the most important landmarks in the city, including Basílica de Santa Maria del Mar, a Gothic church from the 14th century, and Palau de la Música, a music hall and one of the best examples of Modernist architecture.

Barri Gòtic

The historic center of Barcelona is Barri Gòtic, the Gothic Quarter, featuring the oldest buildings in the city. Most of the buildings in this area are neo-Gothic, the result of a massive 19th-century restoration project. Fine examples of original Gothic architecture can be found in the interiors of La Catedral and La Llotja de Mar. For history buffs and first-time visitors to Barcelona, the Gothic Quarter is a must-visit. Even if you've been to Barcelona before, you're bound to find new-to-you bars, restaurants and historic squares hidden down the narrow alleyways. Rambling the labyrinthine lanes is a delight. Being right in the city center, Barri Gòtic is within walking distance from most tourist attractions. Some parts of the Gothic Quarter are known for late-night parties, so keep this in mind when looking for the right neighborhood to stay in.

• Visit La Sagrada Familia

• Visit Casa Batlló or Casa Milà

• Go shopping in La Boqueria

• Visit Barcelona City History Museum

• Visit Fundació Joan Miró

• Enjoy an opera in Liceu

• Visit the Palace of Catalan Music

• Take a tour at Camp Nou

• Visit the Museu Nacional d'Art de Catalunya - MNAC

• Visit the Palau Güell

Paradiso

These days, wherever you are in the world, it's not uncommon to find a bar where every drink comes with some sort of over-the-top service ritual: smoke, fire, dry ice, you name it. That's the deal at Paradiso, which is hidden behind a fridge door inside a pastrami shop in the trendy El Born neighborhood. Giacomo Giannotti’s beautiful menu is packed with seasonal delights with ingredients sourced from the Santa Caterina market. Drinks can take a while to make—artistry of this sort doesn't come quickly—but bartenders are friendly and the place is never too crowded.

Caribbean Club

Opened in 1974 as a rum bar, Caribbean Club looks a bit like the inside of a boat; that is, a really small, galley-like boat that would make most modern speakeasies feel as spacious as a theme park. The nautical theme continues with dozens of tomes about Cuba and a lineup of the tropical cocktails. As you might expect, Caribbean rums in their many forms are the draw here: pitch-perfect shaken daiquiris, silky El Presidentes, and rum Old Fashioneds stirred with love.

Cecconi's

Although Cecconi's is technically a Soho House property, you don’t need to be a member to drink or dine here—which is great news, if you're looking for a place to post up for a few hours and answer emails with a cocktail in hand. The menu doesn’t offer anything too exciting, but does do some excellent, if standard, aperitivi, including a great Sbagliato and delightful riffs on the Americano and the spritz. There's also an intriguing Bloody Mary available during weekend brunch.

The Green Spot

Billed as the vegetarian restaurant that is “veggie for non-veggies,” the Green Spot does indeed manage to please vegetarians and carnivores alike—ideal if you’ve tucked into a few too many plates of fried croquettes and calamari while in town. The menu showcases hearty comfort foods, like fried cauliflower with mint and tamarind sauce and four-cheese pizza with zucchini flowers, but also lighter, healthier options, like grilled vegetable salads. If you have a beard or a full tattoo sleeve, you’ll fit right in with the young, trendy, beach-bound crowd.

Lluritu

Pretend you’re a Barcelonan and check out this local, informal, and affordable seafood bar that bears no resemblance to the tourist traps on Las Ramblas. Lluritu is quickly becoming a favorite in the neighborhood of Gràcia and looks more like a fish shop than a restaurant, with informal seating and a traditional tiled floor. Your best bet is to order a bit of everything to share. Musts include the grilled sardines, grilled squid, and, last but not least, the steamed clams.

Paco Meralgo

Though there are a ton of tapas joints in Barcelona, only a rare few get serious about sourcing top-quality, seasonal produce. Paco Meralgo is one of them. The menu may look similar to what you see elsewhere, but the quality is much better. For a selection of classic tapas, you can't go wrong with patatas bravas (fried potatoes with spicy sauce and garlic aioli), tuna salad with tomato and onion, or the “Obama” cuttlefish croquettes.