As we wrap up our time in the Netherlands, we wanted to squeeze in one more trip. While having our close friends over for taco night, we hatched a plan to take a friends trip to Barcelona. As three couples who have lived in Amsterdam for a few years, we were all craving a break from the dreary grey weather. While not incredibly warm, we knew that Barcelona would provide us the right amount of sunshine, good food, and great wine.
We ended up having the most fabulous time. The four-day trip consisted mainly of eating and drinking our way through the city with a side of tourism. All three couples had been to Barcelona previously, so we were mostly focused on quality time together. I could not have imagined a more perfect way to wrap up our time abroad.
Keep reading for all the things we did (aka everywhere we ate and drank), plus the link to the most EPIC Airbnb for your next friends trip to Barcelona.
Xx, Kelsey
WHEN WE WENT
Our trip took place in mid-February. It’s definitely not the warmest time to go to Barcelona, but we were in desperate need of sunshine and a break from the howling winds in Amsterdam. If I were to go back, I would definitely go in the summer in order to make the most of the beautiful beaches.
WHERE WE STAYED
We were so lucky to stumble upon this epic Airbnb. We definitely took advantage of the shared rooftop (pictured here) and spent an afternoon drinking wine and eating Spanish cheese and Jamon in the sun. This Airbnb has four bedrooms and three bathrooms, so it’s perfect for groups. There was more than enough space for all of us to spread out. The apartment is cleaned daily, and it’s possible to have fresh croissants and bread delivered from the local bakery every morning. The hospitality is great and makes it feel like a great cross between a hotel and an apartment. Lastly, the location can’t be beaten. It’s walking distance to the main shopping drag and very easy to grab a cab to anywhere in the city.
WHERE WE ATE & DRANK
Pez Vela – This spot down by the beach had such delicious paella. It was also a great opportunity to see the W hotel up close. Highly recommend getting a seat on the terrace to enjoy the sun and a bottle of white wine.
Soho House – It is members only, but if you have a membership drinks on the rooftop is totally worth it. A Picante pairs very well with a Barcelona sunset.
El Nacional – Talk about a gorgeous interior. This upscale food market is the epitome of chic. We had dinner at the brasserie, and to be honest we weren’t impressed. It not only felt very touristy, but the food was overpriced and mediocre. I will say that the wine was very good, but I wouldn’t recommend this place. It might be worth stopping by one of the other restaurants or just popping in for a drink.
The Rooftop at Sir Victor – We stopped here for a rooftop cocktail when the terrace at Ayres Hotel Rosellon was full. The rooftop has a great vibe but doesn’t feel distinctly Barcelona. In fact, it reminded me more of Ibiza. They did have great cocktails and fabulous olives, though!
Lokal – A lovely little tapas spot with amazing cava sangria
Besta – A really fun spot with lots of creative shared plates. We had some really fabulous, affordable wine. Highly recommend the kale sprouts – our group ended up ordering like 6 plates.
Hemingway Gin & Cocktail Bar – The coziest little cocktail bar that makes a mean espresso martini. All of the cocktails are very creative, and I would have loved to try them all.
Braseria La Selva – Perfect for meat lovers, but I also had great salmon. Everything here is charcoal-grilled, and the interior is like a secret garden.
Mimo’s Born – Great tapas dinner in the El Born neighborhood. Perfect for a bite before hitting up some of the fun bars in the area.
Dux Gin & Cocktails – A really fun bar with a focus on gin drinks. Another great espresso martini.
Dr. Stravinsky – Loved the vibe of this bar, and it’s on the list as one of the world’s best bars. My drink was a bit too sweet, but I would still go back and order something different. Be prepared to wait to get in, as this place is really popular.
Brunch & Cake – Don’t recommend this breakfast place. The food combinations were really strange.
Boca Grande – We stopped here for a snack, but I can see this place being epic for dinner. It’s definitely very vibey, in a good way.
WHAT WE DID
La Sagrada Familia – This is the one touristy thing the group wanted to do. We had all been before but wanted to see how far the construction had come along. Personally, I saw Sagrada Familia when I was 14 and it was entirely under construction. It was really cool to be able to go inside and see the finished interior.
Wine Tasting – Our group of friends loves wine, so we figured a friends trip to Barcelona wouldn’t be complete without a local wine tasting. This Airbnb experience was totally worth it. It was only 30 euros per person and included 5 tasting pours (plus refills of each glass!) and snacks. Vivian was also super knowledgeable and shared some great local wines.
Park Guell – This was on our list, but we got hit with some rain and didn’t make it. I’ve been before and definitely recommend!
Passeig de Gracia – We walked down this street to do some shopping. It’s mostly international stores, but the Barcelona Zara is one of the best, so I had to make a stop.
Flamenco Show – One of the highlights of our trip! The spot felt very touristy, but the show was amazing. We were all enthralled and really appreciated the culture. Even the boys were dancing around after we left the show.
OUTFIT DETAILS:
Outfit 1: Libaya top (currently sold out) | Coat is, unfortunately, old | Sézane trousers (EU) | Marc Fisher boots
Outfit 2: Le Specs sunglasses (EU)
Outfit 3: Similar swimsuit (EU only) | Asos button-down (EU) | Veja sneakers (EU)
