Barcelona: Get the most out of your stay in the capital of Catalonia

Staying with us at the NH Collection Barcelona Constanza means you’re right beside the classiest shopping mall in Barcelona, L’illa Diagonal, where you can find everything from trendy sports apparel to high-tech electronics to unique food products. 

And just ten minutes from the hotel on foot will see you at the large Pedralbas shopping mall, which includes the vast El Corte Inglés department store. Bear in mind that shops here tend to open a little later than other European cities, around 10:00, but usually don’t close till 21:00, so you’ve plenty of time to pick up a bargain! The Bus Turistic sightseeing bus is a neat way to shop at the same time as you see the city’s landmarks – just hop off if a store catches your eye!

1. Explore the Barcelona streets!

To discover the real Barcelona you don’t have to stray far from Plaça Concordia, a popular meeting point for locals and tourists alike so, if you love a vibrant atmosphere, try the bars and restaurants on these Barcelona streets. 

On one of the many sunny days Barcelona enjoys, savor a snack on the large terrace of the Centre Cívic Can Deu cultural center, where you’re likely to hear some live jazz. Later, for dinner, we’d recommend the hidden garden at Fragments Cafè; it’s a true oasis.

2. Art and Museums

For one of the most essential things to do in Barcelona for art lovers, head up Avinguda Pedralbes to the gothic-style Reial Monestir de Santa Maria de Pedralbes, which has a fascinating permanent collection of artworks from the 14th to 20th century, as well as varied temporary exhibitions. The always-cool interior of the nearly 700-year-old building is also a perfect escape from the blazing summer sun. 

For music lovers, the Palau de la Música Catalana and the Liceu offers a first-class performance schedule year-round. The Palau is a modernist building dating back to 1908 and has been declared a World Heritage Site. The Gran Teatre del Liceu that has given rise to world-famous singers such as Montserrat Caballé and Josep Carreras, has been open since 1847 as an opera house.

The Museo Picasso pays homage to the brilliant Malaga-borne painter who created a good part of his work in Barcelona. Visiting is one of the can’t-miss things to do in Barcelona.

You don’t have to like soccer to appreciate the museum of one of the most famous clubs in the world. FC Barcelona’s Camp Nou Experience takes you on a trophy-filled journey through the club’s history, along with a tour of the iconic stadium. Find more information about sporting activities in Barcelona here.

3. Wine bars, entertainment and tapas

Evening entertainment is close at hand when you stay with us. A great plan is to begin at Plaça St. Juame (where Barcelona’s City Hall, “Casa de la Ciutat”, is) and then walk to Plaça Sant Felip Neri, a charmingly quiet square with tiny fountains in its center and edged by old church walls, which still show signs of bomb damage from the Civil War.

Stop for a drink on the terrace of Robio Estesa, then wander through the narrow, dark streets of Barri Gotic to Witty’s, a classy, hidden-away restaurant with the added bonus of live music on Thursdays. Always worth an evening stroll is Avinguda del Paral·lel, which indeed runs parallel to the Equator, and dubbed Barcelona’s Broadway, thanks to the theaters, cabarets and music halls found there. There’s a little gem of a place just off this street, Quimet i Quimet, a wine bar that’s tapas heaven: the perfect pre-show venue.

If you’re looking for a historic place to have lunch or dinner, the Los Caracoles restaurant has been operating in the Gothic neighborhood since 1835 and meals have been prepared for Picasso, Robert de Niro, Jimmy Carter, John Wayne, Ingrid Bergman, and Pavarotti on its hobs. 

In the Paseo de Gracia district, El Nacional has become popular, a multi-space restaurant that is open from midday until the early hours of the morning. With numerous spaces, such as the Brasería, the Tapería or the Lonja de Pescado, it is ideal for the traveler looking for a meal during off-hours.

But if there is one place that epitomizes Barcelona in terms of atmosphere, multiculturalism, and love for the good life, it’s the La Boquería market in the middle of Las Ramblas with over 300 stands offering fresh land and sea products from around the world. It also offers options for a casual meal and drinks. A place to truly feel the Mediterranean capital’s pulse.
Barcelona really does know how to do tapas and there’s a selection of fabulously different options. 

For Japanese and international cuisine on two delightful floors try Negro-Rojo and for Japanese with an added Brazilian twist head over to Ikibana Paralelo. Craft beer is becoming ever more popular in Spain and Cerveseria El Tap gives you a wonderful selection to mix-and-match with mouth-watering mini-morsels. One of my top tips for fine dining is Via Veneto, which proudly displays its Michelin star. And right here in the hotel legendary Sicilian chef Andrea Tumbarello crafts the finest Italian food in all of Barcelona in Don Giovanni.

4. Shopping in Barcelona

Barcelona is a paradise for shopping lovers. The city has become a shopping reference in Europe and Paseo de Gracia is a good example of this fact, where brands such as Valentino, Prada or Vuitton converge. This area has been nicknamed – for good reason – “The Golden Mile”.

Also, staying with us at the NH Collection Barcelona Constanza means you’re right beside the classiest shopping mall in Barcelona, L’illa Diagonal, where you can find everything from trendy sports apparel to high-tech electronics to unique food products. And just ten minutes from the hotel on foot will see you at the large Pedralbas shopping mall, which includes the vast El Corte Inglés department store.

The Bus Turistic sightseeing bus is a neat way to shop at the same time as you see the city’s landmarks – just hop off if a store catches your eye!

5.Barcelona’s architecture

The Sagrada Familia basilica rises up from the skyline no matter where you are in Barcelona, it pulls you in like a magnet and once inside, the delightful surprises don’t let up. There is nothing quite like it in the entire world. Antonio Gaudi’s masterpiece is open to the public, which means you can enjoy an up-close visit.

The tour of Gaudi’s modernist Barcelona includes the Casa Batlló, the Casa Milá – which is also open to the public at night, offering an audio-visual light show – and Park Güell, with its famous colorful dragon.

But Barcelona is more than just Gaudi. It’s a city dating back 2000 years, where the entire history of the Mediterranean Sea converges. Gothic Barcelona can be seen in all its splendor at the Monastery of Pedralbes, featuring the largest Gothic cloisters in Europe. The Cathedral, dedicated to Saint Eulalia, takes us back to Medieval Barcelona, with its narrow streets, reminiscent of the Mediterranean capital’s Roman, Jewish and Early Christian past.

6. The natural beauty of Barcelona

For breathtaking views, you can find numerous lookout points to admire the horizon. The most emblematic is at the peak of the Tibidabo. The NH Barcelona Sants hotel offers rooms with panoramic views of the city and at the NH Collection Barcelona Gran Hotel Calderón, you can take a dip in the pool on the terrace while enjoying the skyline.

This city that is constantly moving also offers little hideaways where you can escape from city life and leave the stress of work behind you. You can take in the large yachts and cruise ships, palm trees and wonderful city views during a relaxing stroll along the Port Vell. The beaches of Barcelona are the ideal place for a bit of leisure and one of the main options for what to do in Barcelona. If you have some free time, and looking for things to do in Barcelona, you can engage in popular water sports such as windsurfing.

The one thing you HAVE to do? Pay a visit to Parc del Laberint (Labyrinth Park), the oldest conserved garden in the city, and a beautiful way to spend some downtime. Need more relaxation? Lose yourself amidst the stunning color of 10,000 fragrant roses in Parc Cervantes, a 20-minute stroll up Avinguda Diagonal. If that walk seems too much, then take advantage of the city’s excellent public transport system. Buses, metros, and trams cover all key areas and a green light on a taxi gives you another good-value option.

7. What to do in Barcelona with children

If you’ve got children with you, give them, and yourself, an unforgettable experience at one of the oldest amusement parks in the world. Tibidabo sits atop the mountain of the same name and even getting to it is a thrill if you go on Tramvia Blau, a tram from 1901, which connects you to the funicular railway to the summit. 

More adventures can be had at the science museum, CosmoCaixa, boasting a planetarium, a rain forest and a ton of interactive exhibitions.

8. Day trips to take from Barcelona

Want to explore further afield? Allow me to recommend two interesting places. If you’re a fan of Game of Thrones you have to visit the medieval city of Girona, one of the main filming locations for the series. Don’t miss the stunning cathedral. 

Another suggestion would be Sitges, a charming coastal town known for its beaches, carnival, and horror film festival. Both can be reached easily by train within an hour from Barcelona.

About Sara Mora

Hi. I’m Sara Mora, I was born and raised in Barcelona, and have been NH Collection Constanza Hotel’s Guest Relations Manager since early 2015. My favorite part of the job is treating our guests as if they were visiting my own home. I love to welcome them, prepare their rooms the way they like, share with them the best tips to explore the city and, above all, create unforgettable experiences for them. For this reason I’m always looking for new restaurants, upcoming exhibitions and new ways to get to know the city where I was born.

Planning your trip to Barcelona? Check out our favorite hotels in Barcelona.