By Mary Luz Mejia | Re-Published on September 10, 2023
If you love cities by the sea and are hankering for ideas for local things to do in Barcelona, there's plenty on offer. It's one of Spain's most enchanting cities, with its temperate climate (palm trees included), whimsical architecture, and cutting-edge fashion. What is Barcelona like, you ask? Barcelona takes stunning views, delicious food and good living to the next level. You can get the everyday tourist must-sees from any guidebook, though for another perspective, instead focus on local favorites (as well as intersperse a few famous places in Barcelona) to make your stay stellar.
Skip The Sangria, Grab A Vermut
When we were in Barcelona, my husband and I noticed the drink of choice at lunch among locals was vermut (or vermouth), not sangria. So much so that "l'hora del vermut" was coined as another reason to get together with friends and enjoy an apéritif before lunch, which generally starts at 2 or 3 p.m. In Catalonia, this fortified red or white wine is made with herbs, aromatics and botanicals. It's served in short glasses over ice and garnished with an orange slice and an olive on a pick. You can enjoy vermut at just about any restaurant or bar, or seek out a "vermuterie" that specializes in the libation and its accompanying snacks. The Bar Bodega Chiqui in the Sant Antoni neighborhood is a favorite place for locals to grab a glass of homemade vermouth, served in funky siphons with a side of seafood conservas (think high-end preserved mussels, cockles, squid, sardines and clams) over grilled bread. Or, head to the Eixample district's Morro Fi for a red vermut mixed with gin and an orange slice for an "au courant" cocktail.
You'll want to stick around for Sundays when admission to most city museums is free. Barcelona boasts several fabulous museums to make your stay culturally enriching. There's Museu Picasso in the city's La Ribera neighborhood in the Old City, which displays more than 4,200 of Picasso's works from various styles and periods. For contemporary art lovers, there's the Barcelona Museum of Contemporary Art (MACBA) or the chocolate-themed Museu de la Xocolata. For football fans, try the Museu del Fútbol Club Barcelona. Don't miss the Joan Miró Foundation, dedicated to the work of Barcelona's favorite son, painter, sculptor and ceramicist, on Montjuïc. Pro-tip: Check your museum of choice's website to ensure the Sunday you're visiting is, in fact, free. Or, visit the city in May where "La Nit dels Museus" (night of the museums) offers free visits to many locations from 7 p.m. to 1 a.m.
When we were in Barcelona, my husband and I noticed the drink of choice at lunch among locals was vermut (or vermouth), not sangria.
Pull Up Some Sand, And Enjoy Barcelona’s Film Festival
One of the coolest local things to do in Barcelona has to be the free film festival held on beaches around Barcelona, Catalonia and the Mallorcan coast. Cinema Lliure offers free flicks during the summertime by setting up huge screens on the city's Sant Sebastia beach, as well as further afield on El Prate, Badalona, Mataro, Palamos and Tossa del Mar beaches. Bring a blanket, grab some snacks and drinks, and settle in for a wallet-friendly good time with hundreds of locals and the ocean breeze in your hair.
Mercat de la Boqueria (aka Mercat de San Josep) may be in all of the guidebooks, but that's because the city's most spacious and oldest market is beloved by locals and visitors alike. And who could blame them? Located off the bustling La Rambla, the 25,000-square-foot market includes more than 300 vendors selling everything from just-picked produce, seafood and cured meats to prepared foods, tapas and drinks. There's something for everyone, including sun-kissed ruby-red Maresme strawberries and locally produced Tetilla cheese. This creamy, mild cow's milk cheese is the ideal accompaniment to those strawberries, a freshly baked baguette, some local ham and a bottle of cold Cava (Spain's answer to champagne). Enjoy your picnic in the making in one of the city's many green spaces, or pull up a seat at any of the tapas stalls as the aromas of paella, grilled seafood, and an array of pintxos (little bites) of savory delights tempt you to enjoy them amidst the buzz of the market.
Indulge In Local, Luscious And Delicious
Most Popular Food In Barcelona
You're spoiled for choice when it comes to food in this city. Of course, some of the most popular food in Barcelona includes pintxos or tapas. They can be found everywhere and include traditional faves like Quimet et Quimet, a small bar locals love for their fabulous selection of montaditos (little open-faced sandwiches) made with razor clams, bonito belly, anchovies and more. If you head to the beach on Barceloneta, the restaurant Salamanca offers a stunning beach view along with a tasty paella or a fideua (a paella-like seafood dish made with thin, short noodles instead of rice). Pair that with a Mediterranean sunset and a cool glass of Montsant rosé, and you're set to soak in the good life on your Spain vacation.
Speaking of a good Spanish wine, wine lovers in Barcelona will find themselves near one of Catalonia's best wine regions, just a two-hour drive southwest from the city. The Montsant DO in the Priorat region includes 16 municipalities that produce some terrific whites, rosés, and reds. You've got 56 wineries to choose from, including the award-winning producers Viñas del Montsant and Orto Vins. Take a tour that includes transportation, so you can sip to your heart's content and enjoy the sun, vines, and views of rolling hills and blue skies.
Vacation In The Beautiful Nature Of Spain
You've sampled the fare, enjoyed the drinks, and now perhaps you feel the need to fill your lungs with fresh air as you take in the gorgeous panoramic view as you experience firsthand what the nature of Spain has to offer both locals and travelers alike. Hike up Montjuïc Mountain to get a view from up high. Barcelona is built on a hill, giving the city layers of dimension best seen from above. Enjoy uninterrupted views of some key landmarks on your Barcelona vacation, including famed architect Antoni Gaudí's La Sagrada Família cathedral, the harbor and the city's various neighborhoods. History buffs can check out the Montjuïc Castle fortress, and sports fans can visit the former 1992 Olympic Park on the mountain with its champion-sized pool (where pop star Kylie Minogue shot her video for "Slow"). If you're not a hiker, you can also climb Montjuïc Mountain by funicular or cable car.
Tourists (rightfully) head to the Gaudí-embellished Park Güell, though locals prefer the Parc de la Ciutadella. It's one of the largest and most beautiful in the city, where you can meander through historic landscape architecture and eye-catching plantings. Take a picnic with you on a sunny afternoon and marvel at the fountains and park buildings that date back to the late 19th century. If you have kids with you, there's a zoo in the park and a placid lake where you can rent a rowboat and daydream as you paddle on calm, blue waters. If you're not a fan of crowds, head to the park in the morning when most locals are still at home.
One of the best things about Barcelona is that you can get to a beach on the city's metro system. Tourists head to Barcelonetta because of its proximity to La Rambla, but you'll want to head further down the line where the locals go. Stay on that subway or bus, or walk further to Playa Bandalona or Playa del Coco, where you'll have lots of golden sand to spread out on and enjoy your beach day while being close to the vibrancy of the city. Bonus points if you're a beach volleyball player, as these beaches usually have a game or two going where locals block and bump with the best of them. A friendly reminder that in Europe, a lot of women choose to go topless on beaches, including the destinations listed here. My advice: Either go with the flow, or adopt a "live and let live" attitude if partial nudity isn't your jam.
Immerse Yourself In A Spiritual Retreat
If you've seen La Sagrada Família, perhaps it's time to take a day trip just outside of Barcelona to Catalonia's most famous monastery, Montserrat. One hour northwest of Barcelona by train, this beautiful Benedictine retreat is famous for not only some of the most breathtaking views of the region but also for its holy grotto. Many make religious pilgrimages here, where it's said that shepherd children had visitations from the Virgin Mary. If you're lucky, you can also catch the world-renowned Montserrat boys choir (L'Escolania Choir) performing a recital of Gregorian chants and other religious choral music at the monastery. Check prior to departing if the choir is performing on the day of your visit. You can hike up to the monastery if you're feeling sprightly, or take a funicular to enjoy the views.
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