Barcelona, Spain: Your Essential Weekend Itinerary

Barcelona, the second most populous city in Spain, is a cosmopolitan cultural mecca. Founded in 15 BC as a Roman city, this city is renowned for the architectural works of Antoni Gaudí and Lluís Domènech i Montaner, which have been designated UNESCO World Heritage Sites. The host of the 1992 Summer Olympics, the city has grown exponentially as one of the world's leading tourist, economic, and cultural centers.

Tickets

An extravagant Michelin-starred tapas bar, Tickets is owned by Ferran Adrià, founder of the legendary El Bulli, and his brother Albert. The restaurant is decorated like a circus big top and features seasonal menus, consisting of tapas and small plates. An open kitchen allows guests to view the production process of delectable delicacies like mackerel marinated with lime and chili, tuna belly painted with Iberian cured ham fat, steamed razor clams with ginger, liquid ravioli with Payoyo cheese, or half roast bonito with garlic-sauce jelly, just a few of the experimental dishes served at this restaurant. The drink list includes a carefully curated selection of Spanish wines, as well as beer and sangria. Visitors should plan on making a reservation several weeks in advance.

Barcelona La Sagrada Familia Early Access Tour

One of the highlights of Barcelona is La Sagrada Familia, an unfinished basilica designed by architect Antoni Gaudí and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. By taking the early access tour, you can skip the line and be accompanied by an expert guide that will walk you through the cathedral and the story of its creator, Antoni Gaudí. The hour and a half tour explores the church's breathtaking interior, which is built as a Latin cross with five aisles and supported by enormous vaults that rise 230 feet in the air. Below the church, visitors can view artifacts related to the construction of the church, considered Gaudí’s greatest masterpiece. The museum's collection features drawings, models, and photos that chronicle the building's ongoing construction, which is expected to be finished in 2026, on the centennial of Gaudí's death.

Barcelona Cooking Class

Barcelona is one of the world’s most renowned culinary destinations. Don’t miss the chance to learn more about Spanish cuisine during your stay in the city. A local chef will guide you through the preparation of a four-course banquet, which will be enjoyed with wine. Participants can also take a guided tour of the exquisite Boquería Market, featuring the best fruits, vegetables, meats, seafood, and cheeses. The course, which is limited to 14 people, is a great chance to socialize and learn the secret to incredible tapas, tortilla or paella, as well as crema catalana or arroz con leche. Located in the heart of Barcelona, this cooking school provides everything you need to prepare a great meal. As a souvenir, you’ll receive a recipe book to prepare delicious Spanish meals for friends and family.

Can Solé

This elegant eatery featuring white linen tablecloths and waiters in jackets has been in business since 1903. It began operating as an eatery for fishermen working at the Barceloneta port and has remained a local staple since. Specialized in seafood dishes, such as arròs caldòs - rice broth with squid and langoustines, and zarzuela - casserole with ground almonds, saffron, garlic, tomatoes, mussels, fish and white wine, Can Solé focuses on traditional dishes made with freshly-sourced ingredients. Favorite dessert dishes bisque glacé with hot chocolate, orange pudding and roll puff pastry filled with crème brûlée.

Barcelona houses a great number of museums, including The National Museum of Art of Catalonia, which displays a collection of Romanesque art, the Barcelona Museum of Contemporary Art, which focuses on post-1945 Catalan and Spanish art, and the Fundació Joan Miró, Picasso Museum, and Fundació Antoni Tàpies, which hold works by their namesakes. The city is also home to numerous architectural masterpieces, such as the Palau de la Música Catalana and Hospital de Sant Pau, designed by Montaner, and Park Güell, Palau Güell, Casa Milà (La Pedrera), Casa Vicens, Sagrada Família, and Casa Batlló, designed by Gaudí.