Everything You Need to Know About Barcelona: From Blanes to Bars
06/10/2025
Few cities juggle contrasts quite like Barcelona. By day, you can wander from golden sands to Gothic spires; by night, the city thrums with music, tapas, and laughter spilling onto lantern-lit streets. With so much to see, taste, and try, the hardest part is knowing where to begin. That’s where we step in — with timings, tips, and tricks to help your Barcelona break flow as effortlessly as sangria in the sun.
Sagrada Família – Gaudí’s Dream in Stone
No visit to Barcelona feels complete without gazing up at Antoni Gaudí’s unfinished masterpiece. The Basílica de la Sagrada Família, with its forest of towers and dreamlike facades, is a love letter carved in stone. Step inside, and light pours through stained-glass windows in a kaleidoscope of colours, as though the building itself were breathing. Be sure to book tickets in advance – spontaneity doesn’t stand much chance against the queue.
Pro Tip: for a quieter visit, go around 6 pm-9 pm – so you can take in the beauty.
Nightlife – Barcelona After Dark
When the sun sinks behind Montjuïc, Barcelona doesn’t wind down – it winds up. The Gothic Quarter’s narrow lanes lead you into moody cocktail bars, while El Born serves up craft gin and live music. For something more bohemian, Gràcia’s squares brim with locals chatting over vermouth. And if you’re tempted to dance until dawn, the city’s beachfront clubs – like Opium or Pacha – spill their rhythms onto the sand.
Pro Tip: Head to speak easy bars first, then enter the beachfront clubs at around 1 am to skip the queues.
Paddleboarding at Sunrise – Dawn on the Water
One of Barcelona’s best-kept secrets? The calm, glassy waters at sunrise. Rent a paddleboard at Barceloneta Beach and glide out as the sky blurs pink and gold. The city behind you still slumbers, but from the water you’ll watch it gently, slowly wake, the perfect antidote to tapas-induced sluggishness. Bonus: it also makes a top-level Instagram reel, which acts as a reminder of Barcelona at its most serene.
Pro Tip: Have an early night beforehand so that a 5:30 am wake-up doesn’t seem too bad.
Day Trip to Blanes – A Coastal Escape
If the urban buzz starts to hum a little too loudly, escape northwards to Blanes. Just an hour by train from Barcelona’s Sants station, this coastal gem is famed for its botanical gardens, Marimurtra and Pinya de Rosa, where cliff edges offer cinematic sea views. The crescent of sandy beach is perfect for a lazy afternoon swim, but Blanes is more than bronzing territory, it’s a place where time slows and cafés serve fresh dishes that taste of sunshine.
Pro Tip: Aim to arrive around 10 am, so you can get the Instagram-worthy pictures before the crowds arrive.
Carrer de Muhlberg – Sunset Above the City
While the famous Bunkers del Carmel technically closes before sunset, don’t worry – the very best view is actually from a spot just above them, and it’s completely free. To get there, take the metro to Alfons X and walk uphill through the winding streets (follow the signs towards Turó de la Rovira), or get an Uber to the address, Carrer de Muhlberg 90, 08024. Many locals also make an evening of it by bringing drinks, nibbles, and even a picnic.
Pro Tip: Research what time the sunsets that evening and get there half an hour in advance.
Lily's Top 4 Tips for a Trip to Barcelona
Meet Lily, from our Copywriting team! She has recently come back from a five night trip to Barcelona, so she's ready to share all of her tips and tricks.
Dining times are different
Meals here start later than you might expect, with lunch usually around 2 pm and dinner rarely before 9 pm. At first, it feels unusual, but once you settle into the rhythm, you’ll enjoy long meals just as the locals do.
Metros
Ubers? Forget them. Barcelona runs on its fleet of an efficient metro system that are cheaper and quicker. Metros run from 5 am to midnight on weekdays and until 2 am on weekends, making them an easy way to travel.
Plan Your Days
Barcelona can be hot and busy, so avoid cramming too much into one day, and spread your sightseeing evenly. Also, taxis and Ubers aren’t always reliable if you're outside the city centre, so leave with plenty of time.
La Rambla Dining
When choosing a place to eat, try to avoid restaurants on the La Rambla as food is often overpriced and flavourless. Instead, wander nearby to El Raval or El Born, where bistros serve flavour-packed dishes.
Your Barcelona Adventure Awaits
Barcelona truly is a city that has it all; golden beaches, awe-inspiring architecture, and irresistible cuisine. Every corner hums with energy, every sunset paints a new masterpiece, and every visit leaves you longing for more. The only thing missing from this picture-perfect scene is you – so why wait? Your Barcelona adventure is ready to begin!
Holidays to Barcelona
