Barcelona, Spain - January 2026
- chrissihuf
- Apr 16
- 5 min read
Updated: 2 days ago
Brief History/Information
Barcelona sits along the Mediterranean coast and is one of Europe’s most visited cities, known for its architecture, culture, and deep historical roots. In the 20th century, Barcelona became a center of modernist art and architecture, led by figures like Antoni Gaudí. In 1992, Barcelona hosted the summer Olympics, which helped boost tourism.
Barcelona
What we did… Walking Tour w/ Bar Crawl
Barcelona has many transportation options, (we actually used Uber) but here they are:
Train/bus
Barcelona Card - The pass gives you access to some of Barcelona’s top attractions, including Sagrada Familia (with options for basic entry, tower access, or guided tours), Park Güell’s Monumental Area, and the Hop-on Hop-off Bus Tour. Plus, discounts on other Barcelona attractions.
Hola Barcelona - 2 days (48h) 17€, 3 days (72h) 24€, 4 days (96h) 31€, or 5 days (120h) 38€. Hola Barcelona Travel Card is a non-transferable travel card that allows you make as many journeys as you like using: metro and bus (TMB), Montjuïc funicular, urban railway (FGC, Zone 1), tram (TRAM) and regional railway (Rodalies de Catalunya, Zone 1). Hola Barcelona Travel Card includes metro service travel between the airport and Barcelona city centre.
July 1995:
We stayed at NH Collection Barcelona Podium, with a very good Continental breakfast. Then went to Montjuïc Castle, the funicular is very high and very scary but a great view of the city. We walked past Lluís Companys Olympic Stadium. We went to a bar named our Café D‘En Victor and had sangria. We took the metro to Sitges Beach, ate at Restaurant la Dona.
Café D‘En Victor - had sangria.
La Marea - restaurant it was OK but kind of expensive.
La Poma Restaurant - very good, means the apple.
Montjuïc Castle - the funicular is very high and very scary but a great view of the city.
January 2026:
We drove from Zaragoza to Barcelona, which was a nice three hour drive, and dropped the rental car off at the airport.
We came to Barcelona in January 2026, because my husband had a work function. The plane ticket from Seattle, Washington to Barcelona, Spain was so inexpensive, we had our daughter, meet us there. We stayed at the beautiful TEMBO Barcelona. Upon checking in to the hotel, we quickly hit the ground running... and didn’t stop for three days!
Hash Museum - a renovated 16th century castle. Don’t let the name fool you! This isn’t just for people that like hash, it’s actually a very good and detailed museum… we learned so much.
Assalto - came in for a late snack and it did not disappoint! The food, service, drinks, and prices were all fabulous.
The Gothic Quarter (Barri Gòtic) - this area is amazing… from the architecture to the shops to the restaurants.
Koku Kitchen | El Born - we were looking for something other than Spanish food and found this amazing place! The servings are enormous.
El Born - try to wander down the side streets with fewer people because there are so many little art studios, shops, etc. that don’t cater to tourists.
The Old Irish Pub - on La Rambla. What a great Irish Bar!
Sharma Climbing Gym - my daughter is an avid climber and really enjoyed herself. Orient yourself with the EU climbing color codes before you go.
Nevermind Bar - This is a cool, hard-rock bar with skating/skateboarding inside.
Mallorca -
Basílica de Santa Maria Del Mar
Bornet - a fun place to get a drink and snack.
Honest Greens - what a fabulous place to eat. The food is fresh and fantastic.
The Arc de Triomf in Barcelona - is a red brick triumphal arch built as a civil monument for the 1888 World's Fair, not for military victory, and is located at the top of the Passeig Lluís Companys, leading to the Parc de la Ciutadella.
Flamenco Palau Dalmases - This was so much fun! We got the VIP seats, that gives you first row and a drink. Close to Picasso & MOCO Museum, in the Born neighborhood.
Bar Marsella - Opened in 1820 in El Raval. This bar is said to be Barcelona’s very first bar and everyone from Picasso to Hemingway is rumored to have been a regular at some point in this establishment’s long history. The bar is cash only.
Restaurante Olé Mallorca - came here after visiting La Segrada Familia with two vegetarians, and it was delicious (even for a carnivore like me).
Casa Batllo - We saw it, took pictures, and went in the gift shop only.
Fronda Pasaje BCN - This is the most amazing and delicious restaurant I’ve been to in a while. It’s totally VEGAN, but you’d never know! They have a tasting menu (everyone at the table has to get it though-we did), and an à la cart menu… you can’t go wrong with anything you eat here (remember, I’m a carnivore).
La Segrada Familia (UNESCO World Heritage Site) - 45€. The Sagrada Familia began with architect Antonio Gaudí, it is an architectural icon. The project of this minor basilica began in 1882 and is still under construction.
Park Güell (UNESCO World Heritage Site) - 18€, 9:30-5:30. This is an enormous park and very beautiful. Enjoy it early without the mass of people, get your ticket online (there is a little online difficulty).
Casa Vicens (UNESCO World Heritage Site) - 20€, 9:30-4 (the first house Gaudí designed). It is wonderful and not too well known.
La Pedrera/Casa Mila night tour (Gaudí tour at night) (UNESCO World Heritage Site) - it’s a private small group tour and the guides are very very knowledgeable. There are insane views of the city as well and they let you enjoy a glass of cava in the courtyard after the tour.
Day Trip to France & Andorra
On this day, we did a tour from Get Your Guide (Guided Day Trip to Andorra, France, and Spain). We don’t do tours often, but this one sounded good. We left about 7:00 in the morning, and got back about 8:00 in the evening. It was a long day, full of information. The bus was comfortable enough, but did not have any restrooms or charging plugs for electronics.
Montserrat
July 1995
Took the train to Montserrat. We saw the funicular that goes over a valley and a 90° angle up to the monastery. We were very scared but with the bullet and went for it. It wasn’t a bad ride and we took great pictures where we got up there. We then walked up about 2 miles to a cross and a house way up the mountain. Headed back down to the monastery to see the black Virgin Mary Christ bronze, that’s 1000 years old.
January 2026
We took one day to explore Montserrat, and we’re so happy we did! Montserrat is a unique, multi-peaked mountain range near Barcelona, Spain, famous for its jagged "sawtooth" rock formations, the historic Santa Maria de Montserrat Benedictine monastery, and the revered Black Madonna statue (La Moreneta). The name "Montserrat" means "serrated mountain" in Catalan, describing its distinctive, eroded peaks made of conglomerate rock. Natural Park: It's a protected natural park with numerous hiking trails, including a popular route to the highest peak, Sant Jeroni (1,236m).
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