As a Couples Travel Concierge, I’m often asked for “different” ideas for honeymoons, anniversaries, or vacations. Barcelona is a different and great year round destination offering good value and great experiences. Barcelona is a fabulous city that will capture your heart you from the moment you arrive.
Barcelona is located in the northwest part of Spain in an area known as the Catalonia Region. Barcelona is Spain’s second largest city and the capital of the Catalonia region. Barcelona is a very diverse European destination with a great combination of modern flair and traditional influences. Barcelona retains a firm grasp on its past, with medieval treasures, gourmet foods, trendy bars and clubs, and traditional designs. The two thousand-year-old city is steeped in cultural heritage with vibrant art and architecture.
Barcelona is also a foodies paradise! The people of Barcelona are serious about their food. A special mixture of sea and mountain dishes will temp your taste buds with seafood, meat, and aromatic mountain herbs, spices, and other foods. It’s important to take note, in Barcelona, people eat later that what we are accustomed to in the United States. Lunches are usually served around 2 or 3 in the afternoon and dinners not until 9 or 11 at night.
The most famous street in Spain, the tree-lined boulevard Las Ramblas, is lined with cafes, restaurants and shops, and is usually jam-packed with shoppers. As soon as the sun sets, the city’s many bars and restaurants come to life. The bars and nightclubs are open well into the early hours of the morning. Las Ramblas is a definite “must do” on your visit to Barcelona! I love sitting at one of the sidewalk cafes with my beverage of choice and just observing; it is a mecca for people watching.
Are you in to architecture? 
The city has become a destination for world-famous architects, many inspired by Barcelona’s native son, architect Antonio Gaudi. In fact, the city’s skyline is most famous for Gaudi’s masterpiece, his unfinished Sagrada Familia cathedral.
You may want to take a stroll through Güell Park, where the imaginative integration of architectural elements in a natural setting holds in store many visual surprises for visitors.
Another great option is the Magic Fountain which is located in breathtaking Montjuïc Park. The water in the fountain performs by dancing through various routines, accompanied by music and color. It is truly stunning! If you enjoy museums, there are plenty of museums in Barcelona. There is a Picasso museum in the Gothic Quarter that houses many of his early works, both oils and drawings.
A few basics about Barcelona:
- The currency is the Euro
- Primary languages are Spanish and Catalon
- Best weather is May – July
- Best value is November – February
- Spain is a conservative country, so skimpy tops and too-brief clothing are inappropriate for visits to churches. Catalonians normally dress well and stylishly; modest dressing is advised for tourists.
In general, Barcelona is a reasonably safe city to walk around in, even late at night. The biggest danger is petty crime—pickpocketing, bag snatching and assorted scams.
A few simple precautions will help keep you out of trouble: Don’t carry money, credit cards or documents in back pockets, breast pockets or backpacks. Leave valuables in a safe-deposit box at your hotel. Wear purses, bags and cameras slung around your neck or across your chest and keep them close to your body in crowds. Don’t set them down at your feet or in adjacent seats in outdoor cafes or on trains and buses—keep your hand on them. Never leave any item of value unattended or inside a parked car.
Barcelona offers a wide range of accommodations and is easily accessible from most major US gateways. If you choose a hotel in a centrally located area, you’ll have no need for a rental car in Barcelona.
Let me know when you are ready to experience Barcelona!
Happy Travels,
Kelley