Our mission is to help you discover, in just 48 hours, the streets of a city buzzing with design, fashion, the latest music, a wide range of hotels, and, of course, some of the most surprising and impressive gastronomic offerings in the world. After all, it's not for nothing that that Barcelona is the Spanish city with the most MICHELIN Stars, and the third most in Europe.
Day 1: Discover the City Center
Morning
A good way to start the day is to stroll along La Rambla, one of the most tourist-heavy streets in the city, from which you can access, through its iconic modernist arch, La Boquería market. Nearby, the legendary Bar Pinotxo is an essential stop for any self-respecting foodie. In its new location, in the nearby Sant Antoni Market, which is much less touristy than La Boquería, you can enjoy a hearty breakfast or a mid-morning snack with some specialties of the kitchen, now run by the nephew of the late Juanito.
If you'd prefer to start the day with something sweet, Barcelona is well known for its pastries, with great bakeries like Escribà located in the middle of La Rambla. Behind the building's spectacular modernist façade, you can find creations from the mind of Christian Escribà, the fourth generation of this family of bakers. The pine nut panellets, the macarons, or his cakes and bonbons, authentic works of haute patisserie in an individual format, are a must.
Less than 10 minutes' walk away, you'll find the Museum of Contemporary Art of Barcelona (MACBA). An obligatory stop for art lovers, this 20,000 square meter space is home to some of the most interesting exhibitions in the city. It has a bar open non-stop from 1pm until late at night, as well as a terrace in the Plaza dels Àngels.
Lunch
A good idea for lunch, without leaving the Raval neighborhood, is Dos Palillos. With Chef Albert Raurich (formerly of the renowned El Bulli) at the helm, this One MICHELIN Star restaurant offers cuisine with heavy influences from Southeast Asia, served in tapas format from one of two unique tasting menus. They also have a sake bar, which has space for eight walk-in diners, serves a more informal à la carte and stocks a selection of sakes, wines, and beers.
Afternoon
One of the great attractions of the city is, without a doubt, its modernist architecture. Paseo de Gracia is one of the most important thoroughfares in Barcelona, with lots of buildings representative of this late 19th-century architectural style, such as Casa Batlló or La Pedrera – Casa Milà. Created by world-renowned architect Antoni Gaudí, the buildings are also very close to some of the most exclusive hotels in the Catalan capital, such as the luxurious Mandarin Oriental Barcelona. Recognized with Two MICHELIN Keys, this hotel occupies the premises of a former bank and among its many attractions is the great gastronomic offering at Two MICHELIN Star restaurant Moments, along with plenty of spaces to relax after a hectic afternoon of shopping in the multitude of boutiques around this central area. Banker's Bar, with ceilings decorated with safes that recall the building's origin, is a perfect place to have a cocktail (or non-alcoholic mocktail), a glass of wine, or a good Catalan cava.Dinner and Evening
In the former Moritz brewery, a building dating back to 1864 that underwent a remarkable renovation in 2011 by renowned architect Jean Nouvel, you can of course enjoy a good beer, but its selection of restaurants aren't bad either. At al kostat, you'll enjoy Catalan-based dishes by Chef Jordi Vilà, designed for sharing and prepared with local produce.If you're after a more refined style of cuisine, then Alkimia (from the same chef) is located on the building's second floor and holds One MICHELIN Star. Diners can enjoy a unique, seafood-focused tasting menu in which Jordi deploys all his knowledge of the 'cucina catalana' and a modern culinary approach. Making it more enticing, the establishment was recognized at the 2017 SBID International Design Awards for Best Restaurant Design.
To end the day, a last drink on the rooftop of the Hotel Pulitzer Barcelona will allow you to contemplate the city from one of its best vantage points, with live music every Wednesday and DJ sessions from Thursday to Sunday. Afterwards, if you're lucky, you can spend an unforgettable night in one of its 91 rooms designed by Lázaro Rosa-Violán Studio. Sleep well!
Day 2: Coffee and Culture
Morning
Barcelona has a good selection of specialty coffee shops where you can enjoy top quality coffee. One of the best known, with several locations in the city and even its own roastery, is NOMAD Coffee. In the large bar of their Nomad Coffee Lab in El Born, you can discover all the different beans and roasts that have gained them such a great reputation among the city's coffee lovers. Only seasonal varieties are served, in continuous rotation, with three espresso coffees, four filter coffees, and between two and four cold options, such as their nitro cold brew. They do not offer sugar, food, teas, or juices, but they do offer a wide selection of coffees, coffee merchandise, coffee gadgets, and books about coffee!
Demasié, a pastry shop that focuses on American-inspired pastries, also has several locations. Rolls, cookies, and cakes delight those who come to its Carrer de la Princesa spot to enjoy treats created by the descendants of a family of pastry chefs, established in Barcelona since 1897. They also have vegan options, so everyone can enjoy a bite of the sweetest thing in town.
After this plentiful caloric intake, it's time to visit the Museu Picasso and get lost in the rooms of one of the great museums of Barcelona, dedicated exclusively to the work of the painter from Málaga, with 5,000 works in its permanent collection.
Lunch
Without straying too far from the area, Estimar is an excellent choice for lunch. Chargrilling, the best seafood selected by the Bocanegra family, and the good work of Chef Rafa Zafra all combine to excellent effect in this small restaurant that, in the words of Ferran Adrià, is "the seafood restaurant of the 21st century." Quality raw materials and simple preparations are a winning formula here and, if you're not yet covinced, just ask Mick Jagger, who has already visited a few times himself.
Afternoon
To travel to Barcelona without exploring two of its most iconic tourist treasures, Park Güell and the Sagrada Familia, is to miss two of the most fascinating examples of Catalan modernism. Both the park, declared a World Heritage Site in 1984, and the imposing cathedral, despite being unfinished, are true emblems of the city.Close to both is The One Barcelona hotel, recognized with a MICHELIN Key, from whose elegant roof terrace you can enjoy some of the best panoramic views of the city while having a drink or a bite to eat.
Another of Barcelona's great attractions is its many gourmet grocery stores, such as Colmado Múrria, a curious establishment founded in 1898 in the heart of Eixample. There you can discover a select variety of produce (cheeses, smoked meats, sausages, oils, preserves, wines...) in a beautiful space with modernist touches. It also has several restaurant areas where you can try more elaborate creations, and don't miss the fantastic façade and signage outside!
Dinner
A great way to end this trip is to enjoy the work of twins Sergio and Javier at Cocina Hermanos Torres. In a former industrial warehouse, renovated to house this Three MICHELIN Star restaurant, the chefs deploy all their considerable skills across a unique tasting menu based on seasonal produce, with an optional wine pairing to complement the cooking. This truly is an exciting gastronomic journey, with each dish executed to perfection and reflecting the best of the Mediterranean.
One last drink? A visit to one of the bars designed by the renowned bartender Javier de las Muelas is a must. At Dry Martini Bar you'll find an excellent selection of cocktails, which have made Javier much-revered in the local mixology scene. As the name suggests, the bar specializes in dry martinis, but you can also enjoy anything from their extensive menu of classic cocktails, as well as other more innovative concoctions. They also offer a small selection of tapas to accompany the drinks.
To rest up before the journey home, the boutique hotel Casa Bonay offers a very different experience to what travelers may be used to, as the team make their guests feel like real Barcelona locals, rather than mere tourists. The hotel's 67 rooms, almost all of them with outdoor spaces, exude good taste and simplicity, very much in line with what this wonderful city is all about. It's also home to a variety of eateries and events.
Address Book
Mercado La Boquería: La Rambla, 9, 08001 Barcelona
Bar Pinotxo: Carrer del Compte d'Urgell, 1 – Mercado de Sant Antoni, 18-21, 08011 Barcelona
Escribà La Rambla: La Rambla 83, 08002 Barcelona
MACBA: Plaça dels Àngels, 1, 08001 Barcelona
Sake Bar: Carrer Elisabets, 9, 08001 Barcelona
Casa Batlló: Passeig de Gràcia, 43, 08007 Barcelona
La Pedrera – Casa Milà: Passeig de Gràcia, 92, 08008 Barcelona
Banker’s Bar: Passeig de Gràcia, 40, 08007 Barcelona
Fàbrica Moritz Barcelona: Ronda de Sant Antoni, 41, 08011 Barcelona
Nomad Coffee Lab: Passatge Sert, 12, 08003 Barcelona
Demasié: Carrer de la Princesa, 28, 08003 Barcelona
Museu Picasso de Barcelona: Carrer de Montcada, 15-23, 08003 Barcelona
Park Güell: Carrer d'Olot, 12, 08024 Barcelona
Basílica de la Sagrada Familia: Carrer Mallorca, 401, 08013 Barcelona
Colmado Múrria: Carrer de Roger de Llúria, 85, 08009 Barcelona
Dry Martini Bar: Carrer de Aribau, 162, 166, 08036 Barcelona
Hero Image: An aerial view of Barcelona (© GettyImages)
