5 of Barcelona’s best activities (that aren’t the Sagrada)

My best friend in Amsterdam is moving back to the US, so we took a trip last weekend to Barcelona as our last hurrah. I had been to Barcelona years ago, but this time around I really got to explore the city. Since every other travel guide for Barcelona mentions the Sagrada Familia, I wanted to offer you a few other points of interest. Don’t get me wrong – the Sagrada is a must-see (as an aside, I saw the inside for the first time and it was spectacular!), however I think the city has so much more to offer. With that being said, here are 5 of Bacelona’s best activities – that aren’t the Sagrada Familia.

A note on where to stay

My friends & I found the most incredible Airbnb, right on the edge of the Eixample neighborhood. It had 4 bedrooms & 3 bathrooms, so it’s perfect for a group or a large family. It’s actually a serviced apartment, complete with daily housekeeping, filtered water service, and croissant & pastry delivery. And the best part? Spain is the sunniest country in Europe, and this Airbnb has a gorgeous rooftop pool!

The view at the famous Parc Guell is incredible, but I prefer visiting Montjuïc for scenic views. It’s a quiet escape off of the beaten path, and absolutely worth visiting. Montjuïc translates to “Jewish mountain”, as it was home to a medieval Jewish cemetery. All of the sites in the area offer a fantastic view of the city, but Montjuïc Castle is my favorite spot to see Barcelona.

One of my favorite things about traveling is trying the local cuisine. I’m always an adventurous eater when I travel (snails & frog legs have never scared me), so I ate a ton of Spanish dishes in Barcelona. Here are a few of my favorites that are a must try.

• Paella: Paella is my favorite Spanish food – rice cooked in a shallow metal pan, topped with meats and vegetables. The dish originated in Valencia with rabbit & chicken, but these days there are numerous seafood options including scallop and lobster. Barcelona is famous for a special version of paella called fideuà, made with short pasta noodles. The best paella we had (and our most memorable group dinner) was at Besta, pictured below.
• Crema Catalana: If you’re a sweets fan, trying crema Catalana is a must. It’s a vanilla custard that looks (and tastes) very similar to creme brûlée.
• Pan con tomate: Also known as pa amb tomàquet in Catalan, pan con tomate is a staple in Barcelona and one of my favorite tapas dishes. It’s just crunchy bread topped with crushed tomato, olive oil, and salt, but somehow it always tastes incredible. The best we had was at Lokal, a great spot for tapas.
• Jamón ibérico: If you’re a carnivore, you’ll love the jamón ibérico. It’s delicious on it’s own, but my favorite way to eat it is with some bread and olive oil – or pan con tomate!

Most travel guides rave about the Eixample neighborhood, which is actually where we stayed – and although we loved the location, my favorite neighborhood was El Born. Less of a grand feel as the (albeit stunning) Gaudi and French-inspired architecture of Passeig de Gracia, El Born feels more local and traditionally Spanish. With winding alleys full of boutiques, trendy bars, and tiny tapas spots, you’ll love getting lost in El Born. In fact, some of the bars in the city are there, including Dux and Dr. Stravinsky.

Ok, hear hear me out on this one. I know a flamenco show sounds like a tourist trap. And right up until the show started, I did feel like we had landed in one. The entrances are a bit tacky and plastered with advertisements, and the stage is a little shabby. But the shows themselves are absolutely incredible, and one of the best activities in Barcelona. The dancers, singers, and guitarists are all so talented and passionate about what they do. You’ll get lost in the music and the emotion, and leave with a true appreciation for the art of flamenco. There are plenty of locations in the city to see a show, but we enjoyed this one.

I’m working on my wine certification, so I really enjoy learning about local wines when I travel. But even if you don’t know much about wine, you will love this wine tasting experience.

A sommelier will briefly explain some of the main regions and grapes of Spain, and you’ll get to try 5 fantastic wines. The pours are also quite heavy (she came back around twice!), so it’s definitely worth the €30. Since it’s located in the center of the city, it’s also perfect if you have limited time in Barcelona.

That’s it for this guide, but if you’re looking for more tips for your trip to Spain check out the must-do activities in Ibiza.