Barcelona, Tapas Heaven
Part of the enduring appeal of Barcelona is the ease with which travelers can wander between neighborhoods.
From a string of golden-sand beaches to fashionable shopping districts, Spain’s second-largest city is a joy to uncover. In one area you'll find Modernist masterpieces by Antoni Gaudí. In another Las Ramblas or a cool Japanese patisserie. With honeycomb-colored cobblestones and century-old shops, there is plenty to discover.
Barcelona may not be the biggest city you’ve ever been to, but it is massive when you consider all the ways you can entertain yourself. Because there is so much to see, the ideal number of days for a trip to Barcelona is between two and five. That should be enough to cover the must-sees, but if you want to explore more in the surrounding area, 10 days would give you additional time to plan day trips either to nearby cava wineries, the Costa Brava, or even as far north as the Pyrenees for a day of skiing.
Everyone will tell you La Rambla is a must-do, but for me, walking the Rambla feels a lot like walking through Times Square back at home – crowded, touristy, and to be avoided whenever possible. Thankfully, the city has more than one Rambla, where you can actually enjoy the slow strolling these city features were built for. In the center, you can venture down the Rambla del Raval with its famous Botero cat sculpture, or go a little bit out of the way to walk the Rambla del Poblenou from Diagonal all the way down to the beach.
Barceloneta is the most famous beach in Barcelona, and the adjacent neighborhood is worth checking out for its narrow streets and great tapas spots, but travel further down if you actually want to lay out on the beach. Barceloneta can get very crowded and noisy with tourists, so walk or cab your way past Port Olímpic to Platja de la Mar Bella. Because all the beaches in Barcelona are artificial, built for the 1992 Olympic games, the sand isn’t the nicest, to be frank. If you can travel outside the city to Sitges or up the Costa Brava, you’ll find more tranquil and scenic beaches.
As soon as I get off the plane, I make a dash for La Boqueria Food Market, About two thirds of the way up the Ramblas, on the left, you will see one of Europe's largest and most famous food markets. This is a place where I love to spend an hour or so feasting the senses.
The Boqueria's grand iron entrance leads to a fully functioning world of food that throngs with both tourists and locals. The floors are slippy with melted ice and fruit skins and the stall holders are loud, but this all adds to the charm of the experience. You will find foods of all varieties and nationalities under one roof.
Dotted around the market there are bars selling both food and drink. They are most popular for lunches but are also an option for a lighter snack.
The most famous of these bars is El Pinotxo, just to the right of the entrance. However, if you struggle to find one of the coveted high-stools here, rest assured that the bars further towards the back of the market are of equal quality. Foods are priced similarly to a quality restaurant. This can seem absurd, as a man carrying a pig carcass passes right underneath your nose, but it also serves to remind you of the freshness of the produce on offer.
