When a lot of people think of Spain, Barcelona is one of the first cities that pop into their head. It is rich with history, great food, and of course, tourists. A group of friends and I decided that our Spanish study abroad experience would not be complete without a weekend trip to Barcelona. Here's how we did it.
To get to Barcelona, we opted for the high-speed train from Madrid. Although it was a bit chaotic boarding the train in Madrid, once we were on it was easy, comfortable, and a feasible option, especially if you plan in advance. Upon arrival, we took a taxi to our Airbnb. Like in the US, be aware of the taxi driver starting their meter so you aren't way up-charged. Also, do research on the area that you're staying in before you book. Our Airbnb was in a safe area with a great host, but some of our friends weren't so lucky. We planned our weekend around sight-seeing, great food, and the nightlife. Of course, we went and saw the Sagrada Familia, which was an amazing sight, surrounded by lots of tourists. One thing our Airbnb host did remind us of was the pick-pocketers that are especially prevalent in Barcelona- they can be disguised as anyone from a young child to an elderly woman. He reminded us to always be aware. Other than that, we had a wonderful experience in Barcelona. One of the highlights of our trip was our visit to Monk, a fabulous speakeasy with great music, great company, and great drinks. It's definitely a must-visit while in Barcelona - just make sure to get there early to beat the line!
Monk
Rooftop Restaurant and Bar
Brunch
View from our Airbnb
Monk