Did I ever tell you I used to live in Barcelona? After 2 years, I've returned to the city that was home to me for 6 years, and I've created a special Google My Maps guide with all my favorite spots in Barcelona!
This isn't just a list of recommendations—I've organized everything on a map so you can save it and easily check out the top spots I discovered, all set for you to access while exploring the city!
Ready to discover Barcelona through my eyes? From tapas to cozy and original cafes, here is my personal list of favorite places, bars, and restaurants in Barcelona:
CHARMING CORNERS IN BARCELONA
- Plaza Sant Felip Neri
- Plaza de Santa Maria
- Plaça del Sol
- Plaza del Surtidor
- Casa Fuster
BEST RESTAURANTS IN BARCELONA
- La Platilleria: Probably one of my top 3 favorite restaurants in Barcelona. People usually don't venture into this area (Poble Sec), but it has some of the best restaurants in the city.
- Espai Quera: An old mountain bookstore in the Gothic Quarter. It was the first mountain bookstore in the city, and it still has its charm. Now, you can also enjoy small tapas with a glass of wine there. I totally recommend visiting—it’s located in the ground floor of the house where the family that ran the bookstore used to live, and they still manage both the bookstore and the restaurant.
- Bar del Pla
- La Pepita
- La Pubilla
- Bar Centric
- Bar But
- La Colectiva Barranco
- Bodega La Moderna
- Bodeja La Tinaja
- L'Ànima del Vi
BEST BRUNCH & BREAKFAST SPOTS IN BARCELONA
- Molinet Café Antic
- Hotel Praktik Bakery: It is a hotel with a bakery downstairs that serves delicious sweets. It’s become so popular that people go there to buy treats or even have breakfast at the hotel. There's a reserved area for guests staying at the hotel and another section for those just visiting. I used to live next to this hotel when I first moved to Barcelona.
- Billy Brunch: There are a few, but the one on Carrer de Bailèn is my favorite.
- Espai Joliu
- Granja M. Viader: An old café where Cacaolat, a popular chocolate drink in Barcelona, was invented. You can enjoy delicious sweets, try the famous Cacaolat, or have a warm cup of hot chocolate there.
BEST BARS & COCKTAIL SPOTS IN BARCELONA
- Antic Teatre
- Perros Mediterráneos
- Bar Pietro
- Two Schmucks
- 33/45 Bar & Gallery
- Stravinsky
- La Confiteria
MUST-SEE MUSEUMS & BUILDINGS IN BARCELONA
- Biblioteca Pública Arús
- Museo Picasso
- MACBA
- Sagrada Familia
- Casa Batlló
- La Pedrera (Casa Milà)
- Casa Vicens
- Palau Güell
- Palau de la Música Catalana
- Hospital de Sant Pau
- Basílica de Santa María del Mar
- Monasterio de Pedralbes
BEST MARKETS IN & AROUND BARCELONA
- Mercantic (Near Barcelona): It's a lovely market where you can spend the whole day shopping for furniture, vinyl records, antique books, or even watch a movie in an old cinema inside a bookstore. Plus, there are plenty of places to grab a bite to eat.
- Mercat Port Antic: It's a small market, but you can find beautiful art and small treasures that are a bit more special than a souvenir.
And to wrap it up, here's my final tip to make you fall in love with Barcelona: Walk everywhere and allow yourself to get los in its streets-it's full of treasures. Don't worry if you can't see it all; there's simply too much to take in. Instead, slow down, grab a seat at a terrace, and enjoy a relaxed afternoon, no rush. I think you'll enjoy it so much more 🙂
If you're eager for more recommendations or have city suggestions for my next post, please don't hesitate to reach out. I would love to hear from you!
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