July 2019
This trip was a sailing trip in Spain. Hitting the islands of Mallarca, Ibiza, and then city of Barcelona, Spain
Palma de Mallorca
- We sail to Balneario Illetas
- During the day we went to Beach Club Gran Folies
Cabrera National Park
We sail East from Palma . We did a mini hike up to Castillo De Cabrera (an old Napoleonic era prison). Attacked, damaged and rebuilt repeatedly since its 14th-century origin, this squat hexagonal tower guards Cabrera's eastern harbour. At one point it was converted into a prison for French soldiers, more than 5000 of whom died after being abandoned in 1809 towards the end of the Peninsular War. It now enjoys peaceful retirement, watching tourists and not pirates disembarking below.
Clubs:
Amnesia
Formentera Island
It is right off the coast of Ibiza. The water here was so so s blue!
We hit up the Sand bar at S’Espalmador
📍Illetas Beach
Isla De Es Vedra
Sail to Es Vedra (short sail 2-1/2 hours) A historic breathtaking spot on the island.
Barcelona
Now comes Barcelona, Spain. A city on the coast of northeastern Spain. It is the capital and largest city of the autonomous community of Catalonia, as well as the second most populous municipality of Spain
Sagrada Familia, Pay the money to go inside and have the audio tour... It is SO worth it !!
The Basílica i Temple Expiatori de la Sagrada Família, also known as the Sagrada Família, is a large unfinished minor basilica in the Eixample district of Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain. Designed by the Catalan architect Antoni Gaudí, his work on the building is part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
We did the red bus tour in Barcelona and saw so much!!
Things to do:
Gothic Quarter
- Placa Reial: square with great restaurants
Drinks:
- The W Barcelona
Recommendations from friends:
La Pedrera (Casa Mila), Casa Mila is the real name but it was nicknamed “La Pedrera” which means “the quarry” in Catalan because of the rocks that lined the street during its construction. The rooftop offers a great view of Sagrada Familia and Passeig de Gracia. Also, check out the store “Vincon” next door, if you go upstairs you can access the patio and see the rear of La Pedrera. The patio also gives you a glimpse of what the typical interior of a Barcelona block looks like (not many people know this secret).
Casa Batllo You can also pay to enter here, and at night there is a bar on the roof of the building (very pricey). I think it’s best seen from outside though, especially at night when the lights are on.
Hotel Condes de Barcelona The hotel is located on Psg. de Gracia and C/ de Mallorca, the rooftop bar is open to the public and although the drinks are pricey the sunset and nighttime views of Sagrada Familia, La Pedrera, Psg. de Gracia, Torre Agbar (the glowing dildo looking building) are definitely worth it.
Placa de Sant Felip Neri My favorite Plaza in Barcelona, it’s not very famous but very beautiful and a quiet oasis in the city center, you can see bomb damage from the revolution on the building at the back of the Plaza which is now a school.
Jardins de Universitat (University Gardens) Another secret of Barcelona, just across Gran Via from the "placa universitat" metro stop is a building that belongs to UAB (Univeristy), it's a public building though and anyone can enter, in the back of the building are beautiful gardens that are really rare to find in the center of the city.
Placa del Sol This plaza although not that famous gives you a feel for true Spanish life, if you go on a weekend night it will be full of young people having sexy beers (beers bought on the street) before going to a bar or disco for the night. It’s in the trendy, yet untouched by tourism neighborhood of Gracia.
Placa Reial Beautiful, large plaza just off las ramblas lined with palm trees and a large fountain.
Parc Guinardo (The Bunkers) By far my favorite place in Barcelona. It’s one of the best kept secrets by the locals (although becoming more and more popular) it offers breathtaking views of the city, go at sunset as you can see the sunset over Tibidabo and the view of the city at night is a must-see. It’s a bit of a hike to get to, take the metro to Joanic (yellow line), and head up the hill (a gps helps here). It’s such a well-kept secret that asking for directions may not even help, but worth a shot.
Bella (The W Hotel) The hotel has a nice top floor bar that offers great views of the city and the beach.
Parc Guell Designed by Gaudi, super famous, and loads of tourists, but worth the visit. The best time to go is near sunset.
Montjuic Beautiful castle, surrounded by gardens and parks.
Olympic Stadium / La Piscina de Municipal Located in Montjuic. You can enter the pool for 5 euros and swim all day, the views from the pool are pretty incredible and the world championships were just held here last month.
The Magic Fountain Located in plaza espanya at the foot of the “royal palace.” The magic fountain plays Friday and Saturday nights (Thursday and Sunday during the summer) from 8-11 pm.
Las Arenas Old bullfighting rink turned mall in plaza espanya, go to the rooftop (taking the interior escalator (the elevator costs money), great views of plaza espanya and Tibidabo.
Palau de Musica Catalana Located between Jaume I and Urquinaona metro stops, just off via Laietana, interior of the building is beautiful.
Museums There are several options Catalan History Museum (my favorite) in barceloneta, Chocalate Museum (in el born), MACBA modern arts in el Raval, Picasso in el Born, several others but these are my favorites. The Dali museum is a day trip in Figuerres, if you have the time it’s worth it.
Las Ramblas (La Boqueria) Very very touristic area but worth seeing. La Boqueria is the old market in the center of the Las Ramblas. (WATCH OUT for PICKPOCKETS)
Arc de Triomf and Parc de la Ciutadella Walk or take the metro to arc de triomf (red line), walk from the Arc into the park. The park is small so you can walk the whole thing in less than an hour, be sure to check out the fountains.
Laberint de Horta Nice quiet labyrinth park, not many tourists visit, beautiful gardens, nice escape from the city.
The Cathedral located in the city center at the end of port de la angel off of plaza catalunya. Beautiful city cathedral in the oldest part of the city.
Mercat de Santa Caterina Located opposite of Via Laeitana from the cathedral, a modern version of la Boqueria. The building was designed by one of Catalunya most famous architects (next to Gaudi).
Beaches
Stray away from Barceloneta unless you can get a spot just at the foot of The W Hotel, lots of tourists and pick-pockets and people selling things. The further north you go, the better. Olimpico, Bogatell, Marbella are my favorites. If you really want the best beaches grab a train to one of the villages north of the city or Costa Brava. A train to the south can also give you great beaches; Gava del Mar, Villanova, Casteldifells, and Sitges.
Outside of the City
Really only worth it if you have a long time in BCN but here are some tips for day trips:
Costa Brava by far the most beautiful beaches in Spain, it’s the Spanish Riviera, a little tough to get to because you have to take a bus or a train then bus, takes probably two hours but really worth it if you have the time.
Montserrat really beautiful mountain + monastery about an hour and a half outside of the city.
Figurres if you like Dali, the museum here is great
To eat…
Lateral (calle del consell de cent 329) modern tapas
La Xampaneria Carrer de la Reina Cristina 7 (Barcelonetta) - Hole in the wall Cava bar (only 2 euros a glass), not for the claustrophobic as it gets very crowded. Try a sobrasada con queso bocadillo (sandwich).
Cal Pep Placa de les Olles 8 (El Born) – One of the most famous tapas bars in Barcelona. You’ll probably have to wait or stand to eat, or both…but it’s worth it.
Cerveceria Catalana Carrer de Mallorca 236 (near Passeig de Gracia) – My personal favorite for tapas, it has become very popular so prepare to wait, or go on a weekday (Monday –Wednesday).
La Paradeta Carrer Comercial 7 (Ciutadella) – Great FRESH seafood, you choose what you want and they prepare it.
Kaiku Plaza del Mar 1 (Barcelonetta) Kind of tourist area and spot, but my favorite paella in town, another good option is el rey de la gamba which is much more touristic and just down the street.
La Caseta (Montjuic) http://www.lacaseta.org/ - This isn’t the easiest place to get to or arrange eating out, but that’s what makes it so cool. You’ll probably need a reservation, and to arrive here you’ll have to walk from the castle of montjuic…some taxi drivers may know how to get you here. It’s barbecue style setting with amazing views of the port.
Pim Pam Burger Bigai, 1 (El Born) – I know it’s burgers and you’re in Spain, but these are the best burgers in town.
Brunch and Cake Brunch in eixample
Tickets really tough to get into, but probably one of the best restaurants in the city
I'll try and think of some more.
Many, many other good options but these are a few that I can think of. I recommend heading a little away from the tourist centers, La Rambla, Plaza Catalunya, Plaza Espanya, and go to Gracia or Eixample. Stay away from the places that have the generic menus (photos of the food = generic food supplier).
Nightlife…
There are a million options for nightlife in Barcelona but depending on what you’re looking for these are my favorites.
Subrosa Located just off of Placa Reial, it’s a whole in the wall bar, but has amazing fruit drinks made with fresh ingredients.
Opium Barcelona - By The Beach
Alsur Café Just across from the Palau de Musica Catalana, a very relaxed bar with excellent mojitos.
Razzmatazz This is a huge club in the Poble Nou neighborhood it has 6 or 7 rooms, each with different music genres. There is a 15 euro cover on every night except for Wednesday when it’s free.
Apolo Another big club with a different theme every night, Thursday nights is anti-karaoke which is fun with typically above average karaoke performances.
Bar Mediterraneo (Carrer de Balmes 129) My favorite place for live music, mostly quiet, acoustic sets, mostly local crowd.
La Firra (Carrer de Provenca 171) Located in Eixample, very nice (and local crowd) disco.
La Terrazza (Avinguda del Marquès de Comillas, 13) Outdoor disco in Montjuic/Plaza Espanya, the draw to this one is that it is outdoors.
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