Foodie & Traveler
Discover the gastronomic treasures that Barcelona hides, from its traditional tapas to its most avant-garde restaurants.
LUCAS
Welcome to Barcelona, lovers of good food and tireless explorers! I’m Lucas , your passionate host, and I’ve prepared an experience for you that combines the city’s rich food scene with fascinating local discoveries. Be ready for an experience that will captivate your senses and allow you to immerse yourself in the authentic Barcelona! 🥳
Today we will start in Eixample, and we will go to the Urgell stop on L1 of the Barcelona metro. Once here we had breakfast at Eixampeling is a happy and colorful cafe where we can surround ourselves with the best vibes, and then head to Plaza España and enjoy Montjuic.
Inside Montjuic there are too many things to see, so it will take us all morning. Some of my recommendations are the following: Historical Botanical Garden, just behind the imposing National Museum of Art of Catalonia. Admission is free, I describe the place as one of those hidden corners in Barcelona, that little is known about and apart from the place itself which is super beautiful, the fact that it is little known gives it its charm.
At the end we headed to the Greek Theater Gardens , an essential place where you will find a mini amphitheater worth visiting.
Another alternative is Montjuic Castle which was originally built in the 17th century as a military fortress, and has been the scene of important historical events, such as the bombing of Barcelona in 1842 and the Spanish Civil War. It is located on a hill overlooking the city of Barcelona, so it offers impressive panoramic views. From the battlements of the castle, you can see the entire city, the port and the Mediterranean Sea.
From here I recommend eating in a privileged place in Barcelona, little known if you don’t frequent the area, is the Restaurant Òleum located inside the Museum. From start to finish it is quite an experience. And the atmosphere lends itself to it, what better than eating inside a museum. In case you want to have another option, mine is Bodega Amposta , a little further away but excellent in terms of quality-price, it is also a cozy restaurant.
In the afternoon I propose the Gràcia neighborhood, a neighborhood with a special atmosphere with a much more rural past, breathing its Catalan spirit and its more street culture. It is considered a town within a city.
The afternoon is focused on cultural elements and symbols of the Gràcia neighborhood. Our first point of reference will be the Residential building by Mario Català Nebot, in the beginning no one understood him, but over time his creations have become an object of worship with psychedelic windows and wavy shapes. Many Barcelonans call it the Barcelona pool.
Then we will go to Passeig de Sant Joan, here we will find two sculptures with symbolism, on the one hand the Little Red Riding Hood Fountain, is a curious bronze image from 1921. It shows an empowered Little Red Riding Hood as if she had subdued the Wolf. A few meters away we find The Fountain of Hercules , they say it is one of the oldest statues in Barcelona, it was inaugurated in 1802 and was built to celebrate the wedding and visit of King Charles IX.
Last but not least, Plaça del Poble Gitano is the history of Gràcia and a tribute to the gypsy heart of the neighborhood.
And from here we head to Plaza del Sol emblematic and meeting place of the Gràcia neighborhood, ideal for having a drink in a unique atmosphere. What better than to put yourself on the scene and go to Coffee of the sun, its most legendary bar. In addition, there are modernist style buildings in its surroundings.
To finish dinner in Nüa, a futuristic and healthy restaurant that I love. And to end the day a cocktail at Marcelino 1968 .
Note: Liiffe recommends booking restaurants and events in advance to ensure availability, as well as checking schedules, as they vary seasonally.
PLACES OF INTEREST
Eixampeling
Eixampeling is a cheerful and colorful brunch restaurant in Barcelona. Their menu offers delicious toast, eggs, pancakes and cocktails, as well as coffee and other specialty drinks. An ideal place to enjoy a late breakfast or an informal meal in a casual atmosphere.
Open every day from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Historical Botanical Garden
The Jardí Botànic Històric de Barcelona is a small botanical garden located on Montjuïc mountain. It was created in 1930 and houses a collection of plants from all over the world. The garden is divided into different zones, each with a different type of vegetation. There is a Mediterranean garden, an Alpine garden, a Canary Islands garden and a cactus garden. Open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. every day.
Greek Theater Gardens
Teatre Grec Gardens: a green oasis on Montjuïc with panoramic views of Barcelona. An ideal place to walk, enjoy the outdoors and attend open-air shows at the Greek Theater.
montjuic castle
Awesome. The views are spectacular. The grounds are very well maintained and have a cafeteria as well as many areas to sit to enjoy the castle. The history up to the present day is well explained in the audio guide. I recommend renting it because the information narrated was more digestible than the descriptive signs. At lunchtime it was quite quiet, as the afternoon progressed it began to get busier. On Sundays from 3pm entry is free.
Open every day from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Restaurant Oleum
Òleum Restaurant, located in the MNAC, offers you Mediterranean cuisine with exceptional views of Barcelona. Enjoy a creative and seasonal menu in an elegant setting with a mirrored ceiling.
Monday closed. Open from Tuesday to Sunday from 12:30 to 4 p.m.
Amposta Winery
Amposta Winery in Barcelona: traditional cuisine with innovative touches, using top quality products. A cozy atmosphere with a rustic and elegant touch, perfect for enjoying tapas, main courses and seasonal tasting menus.
Open every day of the week.
Residential building by Mario Català Nebot
Mario Català Nebot’s residential building in Barcelona is characterized by its brutalist façade with geometric shapes and materials such as exposed concrete. Its innovative and avant-garde design makes it a benchmark of post-war Catalan architecture.
Little Red Riding Hood Fountain
The Little Red Riding Hood Fountain, located on Paseo de San Juan in Barcelona, will surprise you with a tender image of the girl next to the wolf, in a different version of the classic story. Work of the sculptor Josep Tenas, it dates back to 1921 and has become a charming meeting point in the city.
The Fountain of Hercules
The Fountain of Hercules, located at the confluence of Paseo de Sant Joan and Còrsega, is the oldest public fountain in Barcelona. Built between 1792 and 1802, it stands out for its sculpture of Hercules fighting the Nemean lion, flanked by two lions pouring water from their jaws.
gypsy village square
Plaça del Poble Gitano is a unique space that combines history, culture and community life. It is an ideal place to learn about gypsy culture, enjoy the atmosphere of the Gràcia neighborhood and celebrate diversity.
Sun Square
Plaça del Sol, in the vibrant Gràcia neighborhood of Barcelona, captivates with its bohemian charm and cozy atmosphere. Surrounded by cafes and terraces, this square becomes the social heart of the neighborhood, where residents and visitors enjoy a relaxed and authentic atmosphere.
Coffee of the sun
From 12:30 onwards, only meals will be allowed on the terrace. They have a pizza place with several recommendations. And several certificates from LeRoutard.
Open every day of the week.
Nua
NÜA is a smart casual restaurant with a modern and elegant atmosphere. The menu features light dishes and desserts that can be ordered through interactive menus.
The restaurant is located in the heart of Barcelona, near the Diagonal metro station. It is open for lunch and dinner, and is a popular spot for locals and tourists alike.
Marcelino 1968
Marcelino 1968 is a charming restaurant in the heart of Gràcia, Barcelona. It offers a mix of traditional tapas and modern dishes with a creative touch, made with fresh and seasonal ingredients. The atmosphere is cozy and the service attentive, making it an ideal place to enjoy a lunch or dinner with friends or family.
Open every day of the week for lunch and dinner .
HOW TO MOVE
Exploring the historic center of Barcelona on foot is an enriching experience, especially if you walk through emblematic areas such as the Gothic or Born, where its medieval streets offer a labyrinth full of history. Walking becomes the best way to immerse yourself in the architectural heritage of the city in areas such as l ‘eixample or near the Sagrada Familia. In addition, the area around the cathedral is completely pedestrianized, and for ease of travel, there are a variety of public transportation options, such as buses, trains and the metro, available nearby.
Barcelona has a network of more than 240 km of bicycle lanes, a good number of bicycle parking lots, as well as specific signage and traffic lights, among other services. For everyone’s safety and in order to ensure a good coexistence, it is essential that you respect the traffic rules.
You can combine cycling with public transportation. Check with the various operators for conditions and schedules to do so:
Subway: www.tmb.cat | Bus: www.tmb.cat | Tram: www.trambcn.cat | FGC: www.fgc.cat | Rodalies: www.rodalies.gencat.cat | Renfe: www.renfe.com
It is mandatory to park the bicycle in the specific anchor points or subway parking lots.
To tour the city in an active and ecological way, you can take a guided bike tour or rent one from any of the following rental companies:
BAMBOO BIKE TOURS
Contact details: Notariat, 6, 08001, Barcelona : Tel: 634 055 284 : Web: www.bamboobiketour.com
BARCELONA CICLOTOUR
Contact details: Tallers, 45 – Local interior, 08001, Barcelona : Tel: 933 171 970 : Web: www.barcelonaciclotour.com
BE BIKE TOURS BARCELONA
Contact details: Passeig de Lluís Companys, 10, 08018, Barcelona | Tel: 931 890 040 | Web: https://www.barcelonaebiketours.com/
MOTORCYCLE:
In Barcelona you can also rent scooters that allow you to tour the city.
The best known and most commonly used companies in Barcelona are:
- Electric scooter rentals in Barcelona (acciona.com)
- Yego: www.rideyego.com
In Barcelona it is easy to get around by bus and reach any part of the city and the metropolitan area.
Tickets: modalities and prices
The card that can be purchased to use the metro, tram and suburban trains or FGC also serves for the bus, thanks to the integrated fare system, which allows you to use the various means of transport necessary to make a trip with a single transport pass for 1 hour and 15 minutes. There are different types of transport passes
Single ticket: 2,40 €.
T-casual (1 0 trips) : 11,35 €
T-Familiar (8 trips) : 10 €.
Day subscriptions
Schedules:
The schedule varies depending on the lines. Most of them start running between 5 and 8 am and finish their service between 10 and 11 pm. The timetable and frequency of each bus line can be consulted at the bus stops or on the website.
Night bus
They are called NitBus and cover a large part of the city and its surroundings.
Most of the night bus lines start between 22.40h and 23.40h, and end between 5h and 6h in the morning.
Barcelona has a service of more than ten thousand cabs, easily identifiable by their yellow and black colors.
You can take a cab at any of the 300 cab ranks (including those at train stations, airports, bus stations and cruise terminals) by calling one of the companies, using the free MYTAXI app for downloading. or by raising your hand in the street to see a free one. To hire specific services (languages, seven seats, etc.) we recommend that you hire cab services by phone.
Adapted cabs
People with reduced mobility can request the service of an adapted cab. These vehicles provide the same service as any other cab, operate with a taximeter and apply the same fares as other cabs. All cabs in the city are required to transport guide dogs without surcharge.
. There are also vehicle for hire (VTC) services such as Uber, Cabify or Bolt (with cheaper prices).
At the arrival points of travelers in Barcelona, such as train stations or the airport, you will find several car rental companies to meet your mobility needs. Some of the best known are:
- www.europcar.com
- www.sixt.es
- www.pepecar.com
- www.hertz.es
In addition, there are car sharing options, such as www.ubeeqo.com, where you can rent vehicles by the hour as required.
You can take a boat ride around the Olympic harbor area, which will give you a unique perspective of the city from the water. More information on prices and boarding areas can be found at: www.citysailing.es.
Barcelona has an extensive commuter train network.
- FGC that are managed by the Generalitat de CatalunyaFerrocarrils de la Generalitat (FGC): Weekdays from Monday to Thursday, Sundays and holidays: 5h-24h. | Friday: 5h-2h. | Saturdays and eves of 1/1, 6/24, and 9/24: continuous service.
More information about Barcelona’s metro, funicular and railroad services:
TMB: Tel. 900 701 149 | www.tmb.cat
FGC: Tel. 012 | www.fgc.cat - Renfe Rodalies.
They have train lines that connect with all the towns near Barcelona.
On the website: www.rodalies.gencat.cat you can find all the lines and even the timetables in real time.
METRO has an integrated fare system, which allows the use of the various means of transport necessary to make a trip with a single transport pass for 1 hour and 15 minutes. There are different types of transport passes in Barcelona, valid for the public transport network (metro, buses, tram and suburban trains), such as the T-casual card, valid for 10 trips, the T-Familiar, valid for 8 trips, or day passes (2, 3, 4 and 5 days).
Single ticket: 2,40 €.
T-casual: 11,35 €.
T-Familiar: 10 €.
Weekdays from Monday to Thursday, Sundays and holidays: 5h-24h. | Friday and holiday eves: 5h-2h. | Saturdays and eves of 1/1, 24/6 and 24/9: continuous service. | 24/12: until 23h.
The TRANVIA or TRAM. This means of public transportation, complementary to the subway, which had disappeared in 1971, is today an accessible, ecological, fast and comfortable system.
There are two tramway lines in Barcelona: the Trambaix (T1, T2, T3), which originates at Plaça Francesc Macià and reaches the towns of L’Hospitalet de Llobregat, Sant Just Desvern, Sant Joan Despí, Sant Feliu de Llobregat and Cornellà. And the Trambesòs (T4, T5, T6), which allows you to travel from the Olympic Village and Plaça de les Glòries to Sant Adrià del Besós, passing through the Forum, or to Badalona.
Schedules
Weekdays from Monday to Thursday, Sundays and holidays: 5h-24h. | Fridays, Saturdays and holiday eves: 5h-2h.
Transportation cards: If you plan to use public transportation regularly, consider getting a rechargeable public transportation card. They offer discounts on individual tickets:
- Casual Card A single-person pass valid for 10 integrated trips from 1 to 6 zones, with which, in the case of a single-zone ticket, 75 minutes are available between the first and last validation. The time limit is increased by 15 minutes for each zone. Not valid for Aeroport T1 and Aeroport T2 metro stations on line L9 Sud.
You may also be interested in the T-familiar, which is a multi-person pass valid for 8 trips in 30 consecutive days.
- T usual card: Personal and non-transferable pass valid for an unlimited number of trips for 30 consecutive days from the first validation. It must be accompanied by an ID card or equivalent document. The number of the document serving as proof must be printed on the ticket. Valid for Aeroport T1 and Aeroport T2 metro stations on line L9 Sud.
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Card T grup:
Multi-person pass valid for 70 trips in 30 consecutive days from the first cancellation, with 75 minutes between the first and the last validation in the case of a zone ticket. The time limit is increased by 15 minutes for each zone. Not valid for Aeroport T1 and Aeroport T2 metro stations on line L9 Sud.
- Airport ticket:
Non-integrated single-person metro ticket that allows you to make a trip between Aeroport T1 and Aeroport T2 stops on line L9 Sud and the rest of the metro network.
For more information, please refer to the conditions of use of the tickets and the section From the airport by metro, where you will find practical information about the metro service in terminals T1 and T2.
Check schedules and routes, especially if there are events or holidays that may affect the transportation service.
