Barcelona: A Gaudi and Foodie Dream

Kicking off our European adventure in Barcelona was the perfect way to be introduced to a whole new side of the world. From the vibrant culture to the welcoming locals and unforgettable food, we found memories waiting at every stop. We flew straight from New York and were welcomed not by sunshine, but by rain—though nothing could dampen our spirits.

Where We Stayed

We rolled our suitcases through the rain-soaked streets, arriving at our hotel only to discover our room had flooded. Not exactly the welcome we expected! But in true travel fashion, the setback turned into a win—the hotel was wonderfully accommodating and rebooked us at a sister property just down the street. Lucky us, it was actually an upgrade, complete with a balcony and a much better view. We stayed at H10 Madison, where we enjoyed a rooftop pool, bar, and sweeping city views—a pretty dreamy way to start our stay.

What I Packed & Why

✓ Raincoat/Umbrella: I know, I know—you think "Barcelona," you think sunshine. But the weather here can be fickle! A light rain layer was a lifesaver.

✓ Comfortable Shoes: This is my #1 travel rule. We walked for miles every day, and a good pair of shoes was the real MVP of this trip. 

✓ Backpack/Cross-body bag: Perfect for hands-free exploring and keeping my passport and wallet safe and close.

✓ Reusable Water Bottle: Trust me on this one. You'll be clocking in miles exploring the city, so having water on hand is a must.

Day One

We kicked things off the right way—with lunch and tapas, of course. Fueled and happy, we wandered through the streets and stumbled on gems like the Archdiocese of Barcelona, the ancient Roman city wall and aqueduct, the fairytale-like Pont del Bisbe, and the lively Plaça de Sant Jaume. 

By evening, it was time for round two of tapas at La Taperia before capping the night with something truly unforgettable: a Barça fútbol game! The energy at the fútbol game was unlike anything we’d ever experienced. We’re used to the loud cheers at American football games, but these fans took it to another level—chanting nonstop for the entire match, perfectly in sync with a giant drum leading the way. The atmosphere was electric, and when Barça clinched the win in penalty kicks, the stadium absolutely erupted. It was pure excitement from start to finish!

Day Two

We spent the day on a guided tour of Park Güell and the breathtaking La Sagrada Familia—two of Gaudí’s masterpieces that left us in awe. 

Gaudí is celebrated for his whimsical, one-of-a-kind designs, but our tour helped us see the intention behind every detail. His bold colors were inspired by nature itself—the greens of the trees, the blues of the sea—and the park, though originally envisioned as a private residential estate, has become a gift to the public. As we walked through Park Güell, we noticed giant stone balls lining the path, which weren’t just decorative—they symbolized the 59 beads of a rosary. Suddenly, every corner felt layered with meaning.

That sense of meaning carried us straight into La Sagrada Familia. This masterpiece has been under construction for nearly 150 years, and even long after Gaudí’s death, his vision has been so revered that generations have kept it alive. Amazingly, his original design was dreamed up with string and weights hanging upside down—then simply flipped to reveal the structure. Every inch of the exterior tells a story from the Bible, beginning at the entrance where you’re greeted by the nativity scene with shepherds and wise men. But once inside, it feels completely different—almost modern compared to the ornate outside. Light pours in through brilliant stained-glass windows, washing the space in vibrant color. On a sunny day, it’s as if you’ve stepped inside a bag of Skittles (suddenly that ‘taste the rainbow’ tagline makes perfect sense).

After the tour, we set off on our own adventure, spotting more of Gaudí’s whimsical creations around the city, including La Pedrera and Casa Batlló. 

Later that evening, we stumbled upon a Lord of the Rings store—which, needless to say, put Jeff in absolute heaven. 

From there, our night turned into a progressive dinner, giving our taste buds a tour of their own. We kicked things off at the restaurant bar in Hotel Barcelona, Terrassa 4 Capellans, then moved on to Taberna Babia where, in true ‘silly American’ fashion, we assumed roasted peppers would be like jalapeño poppers (spoiler: they were not). We wrapped things up back at our hotel, where Jeff grabbed nightcaps from the rooftop bar and we enjoyed them in our room. Honestly, it was the perfect ending to a perfect day.

Day Three

By day three, we traded the bustle of the city for the mountains and made our way up to Montserrat, a monastery perched high on the peaks. We wandered through the abbey (reconstructed after Napoleon, quite literally, ‘came in like a wrecking ball’), joined the Faith Walk, and soaked in the jaw-dropping views from above. Fun fact: during World War II, Heinrich Himmler came here searching for the Holy Grail. Spoiler alert—he didn’t find it, because sadly, life is not an Indiana Jones movie.

From there, we headed back toward Barcelona and stopped at Les Quatre Columnes (Four Columns), a striking symbol of Catalan nationalism. We spent the afternoon exploring the grounds around the Fonts de Montjuïc, wandering past gardens and fountains tucked beside Cascada Monumental. 

To cap it all off, we settled in for dinner at Restaurant Lleones. We then hopped to a few more spots along the way for drinks. A quick tip for my fellow olive lovers: at many restaurants, they'll bring you a complimentary plate of olives as a snack! It’s a tradition I'd love to see back home in Kansas.

Day Four

Our day began with breakfast at a cozy local café, followed by a refreshing stroll down the boardwalk at Moll de la Fusta to take in the stunning harbor views. From there, we walked past La Monumental, an imposing structure so ornately designed that you'd never guess it was a historic bullring. 

With some time to spare, we immersed ourselves in the local scene at La Concepcio, wandering through the vibrant stalls of the outdoor farmers' market. 

The absolute highlight was a hands-on paella cooking class—because you can't visit Spain without mastering the authentic dish! The amazing instructors were a blast, even encouraging us to dance while we stirred our food, which was totally my speed. 

We finished the night on our hotel's rooftop, taking in the twinkling city lights with a final nightcap.

Turns out, Barcelona is just as amazing in the rain as it is in the sun. We only had four days to make the most of it—and trust me, we did. The history, the culture, the food, the people... it all lived up to the hype. Our time here was short, but unforgettable. Now, if you'll excuse me, I have another flight to catch.