By Emily Lauer, contributing writer
I’d been wanting to experience the bustling Catalan capital of Barcelona for years – yet it
remained elusive as travel plans took me to more far-flung destinations. I can now say 2024 is
the year this cosmopolitan city finally stole my heart. My takeaway from this whirlwind stop:
Two days in Barcelona leaves you wanting more! The seaside city offers a rich combination of history, art, culture, food, shopping and fun. Upon arriving in the EL Born neighbourhood, the city’s vibrancy captured my attention. Every street felt alive. The city was busy but not overcrowded. It was colourful. The restaurants I walked past captured the attention of my olfactory sense. And all the people I met along the way were welcoming and warm. I would only scratch the surface of what Barcelona offers – so I tried to make the most of my two days. And when my dear friend, Ed, volunteered to join me, I was guaranteed a great guide and oyster-eating, Cava-drinking companion. It is easy to be overwhelmed by Barcelona’s abundance and would likely take a lifetime to experience all this heart-stealing destination offers. For now, I will relish the countless memories
of 48 jam-packed hours.
Hotel REC – Adults-Only in El Born
Lodging can make or break my holiday – especially when just off a Trans-Atlantic flight and with
limited time to explore. Ed suggested the adults-only Hotel REC – it was centrally located and
included a lovely rooftop terrace and pool. The rooms looked clean and bright. The breakfast
buffet offered a myriad of options. From the moment I entered the lobby of Hotel REC, I felt I’d found my Barcelona home! I must have looked quite weary after my overnight journey as the reception staff welcomed me and cheerfully shared that my room was ready a bit before the standard check-in time.
My Rec Life room was well designed, felt spacious and offered plenty of natural light through
windows. Best of all, it was virtually soundproof despite its street-facing location! Ed’s Life
Corner Suite included a private, fully furnished terrace – where we enjoyed our first sips of
Spain’s sparkling wine. There are so many small touches at Hotel REC – complimentary Cava in the lobby, a life-size neighbourhood map in the lobby (great to get your bearings!) and extras such as a local beer
tasting (which Ed and I enjoyed), tours of El Born and more.
Making the Most of 48 Hours
Barcelona’s list of sights, tours and experiences is long and varied – truly offering something for
everyone. As a first-time visitor, I wanted to understand the city’s history, marvel at the art and
architecture, enjoy the plentiful greenspace and picturesque Mediterranean Sea, indulge in as. many oysters and as much Cava as I could and shop for a few souvenirs. Somehow, Ed and I
managed to accomplish my goals. Here’s how we did it.
Barcelona 101: Sandeman’s Walking Tours
There’s no better way to get your bearings in a city than to walk around with a local. Ed
scheduled a two-and-a-half-hour free tour with Sandeman’s to start our first full day followed by
another three-hour Sandeman’s tour focused on Gaudí and Modernism through the Eixample
District. Marcel, our English-speaking guide for both tours, was well versed in the city’s past and present
as he guided us along streets and through pedestrian-only alleys of the Gothic Quarter and El
Born. There were stops at some of Barcelona’s major landmarks (and architectural treasures) –
Barcelona Cathedral, Santa Maria del Mar, Plaça Sant Jaume and more. Our afternoon tour
strolled down the Passeig de Gràcia and through the Eixample district, where we saw many
examples of Gaudí’s genius before ending at the famed Sagrada Família.
Sagrada Familia
No visit to Barcelona is complete without experiencing the Sagrada Família. We entered as the
afternoon light streamed through the colorful glass panes to create clusters of vibrant colors
throughout the expansive church. It was like nothing I’d ever experienced. Scheduled to finally
be completed in 2026 (the centenary of Gaudí’s death), every surface of the Basilica – both
inside and out – is intricately detailed.
Museums and Landmarks
Dozens of museums can be found throughout the sprawling city. We opted for two that are,
perhaps, not at the top of most visitors’ lists but suited our interests: Museu de la Xocolata and
Fundació Joan Miró. While cacao isn’t native to Spain, the museum offers the history of
chocolate (in Spain) and cleverly uses a chocolate bar as your ticket. The latter, on Montjuïc
Mountain, is a major work of Rationalist architecture that is home to 14,000 pieces by the
Catalan artist. Ed and I could have spent hours admiring the lively and energetic collection.
Greenspace Provides An Urban Oasis. While on the tree-covered Montjuïc, a ride on the Montjuïc Cable Car illustrated the expanse of Barcelona – providing an unparalleled panoramic view. The modern cable car, with only three
stops, is the city’s shortest public transport line. While time to simply wander through Barcelona’s many tree-filled parks was limited, a short walk through the Jardins del Mirador del Alcalde (a terraced hillside) offered expansive views
over the port of Barcelona. My next visit will absolutely include time to relax and enjoy Parc
Güell.
A Sunset Sail Is Never a Bad Idea
Whenever I’m in a seaside location, I prioritize time on (or in) the water. It’s where I feel the
most at peace and present. When our original plan was thwarted by a stormy forecast, we
quickly found a new sunset sailing experience to enjoy. It included drinks, snacks and a live
musician, who treated us to the melodic tones of an acoustic guitar as we sailed. Our small
group of eight found commonalities and the conversation flowed. We even convinced Ed to sing
some Sinatra – It was a fine rendition of “That’s Life” and indeed this was the life…..
Oysters, Cava and Catalan Specialties
Ed and I focused our initial Barcelona exploration on our favourite part of most holidays: sampling
the local cuisine. Dinner at Casa Leopoldo was the perfect choice for our first Catalan meal.
A remodeled classic in El Raval, we were taken by the colorful tiles that ensconced the walls.
The menu presented the greatest hits of Catalan specialties, and every dish we tried was as
delicious as the one before. We indulged in oxtail croquettes, pan con tomate (the crispiest and
best I ate in Barcelona), and monkfish and seafood stew. Catalan Crème Brulé and chocolate
coulant with vanilla ice cream melted in our mouths, providing a sweet finish to balance the
savory start. At the end of our sightseeing days, we opted for restaurants close to Hotel REC and enjoyed
the picturesque atmosphere of Carrer del Rec Comtal in El Born. Quillo Bar hit the spot when
we didn’t think we had the energy to eat. It offers an exciting culinary fusion, blending the best of
Andalusian and Catalonian cuisines. After a selection of classic tapas, we enjoyed the prawn,
squid and cuttlefish paella accompanied by a local lager. When thirsty and a bit peckish on our last day, we ventured to the Gothic Quarter to the rooftop bar of the Hotel Colón. Overlooking the stunning Barcelona Cathedral, we devoured two dozen
oysters and a bottle of Cava before heading back to El Born. And with just 12 hours left in Barcelona, we capped our visit at Elsa y Fred, a charming and cozy gastropub next to the hotel. We enjoyed the splendor of tastebud-tantalizing tapas – from
patatas bravas to pan con tomate and Iberian ham croquette. All washed down with refreshing
red sangria.
Shopping
Souvenir shops are plentiful in cities that rely on tourism as an economic driver. I steer clear of
mass-produced trinkets plastered with a city name, looking instead for locally made items –
such as jewelry, a purse or other accessories. I also enjoy returning home with unique-to-a-
destination foods, spices and beverages.
Having consulted my trusted Rick Steves guide, I knew exactly what I wanted to bring home and
where to find it: a pair of espardenya (commonly known as espadrilles) from La Manual
Alpargatera. Tucked away in Barri Gotic between the Ramblas and Plaça Sant Jaume, the small
storefront on Carrer de Ferran is a shoe-lover’s paradise. You can even watch the shoes being
crafted as you shop. Styles and colors abound – so I bought two pairs to remind me of this
unforgettable adventure. For full information on visiting Barcelona visit – www.visitbarcelona.com and www.catalunya.com – Fly from Cleveland to Barcelona via Dublin with www.aerlingus.com and also from Dublin to Barcelona with www.aerlingus.com Ryanair and Vueling – For further information on travels in Spain visit www.Spain.info
Born with an insatiable desire to explore, Emily’s favourite and primary hobby is travel. Through annual family holidays touring the U.S. East Coast to her first trip to Europe at age 13, she became captivated by new cities and experiences. Today, Emily’s love of travel extends to her career as she promotes her hometown of Cleveland, Ohio, to travelers in the States and overseas. Even before working in the travel industry, she used all her paid time off work to visit friends in places like London, Moscow, Hong Kong and Singapore and extended business trips to include weekend stays in cities across the U.S. Emily’s loftiest travel goal is to visit every continent. She’s down to three remaining.