Before we head back to Ibiza for the Weekend at the End of September we are taking the Boys to Barcelona on September 1st for 3 Nights. Boys are 15 and 17 and we are looking for things to do
We haven’t been before, I’ve only done Barcelona via the Airport stopover one Winter on the way to Ibiza. I’ve done a Stag Do in Benidorm but nothing else on the mainland. So it’s all new for us. I know of Las Ramblas and the Sagrada Família
Football won’t be an Option with Barcelona redeveloping and it being a Monday-Thursday day wise for our Stay
We are staying at the Hotel & Spa Villa Olímpic@ Suites
in that timeframe, I would focus on one or two areas. Here's a few options for beginners:
Check to see if the Barça Museum is open - always worth a visit
If you head to the sea, maybe do the cable car and check out Barceloneta - there's still a few quirky old bars like Absenta. For food, the new Time Out market in Maremagnum is a good place for a pitstop. I wouldn't bother with the beach. It's packed and dirty and you're constantly hassled. If you really want the sea, then head down to Sitges 35 min on train.
Barrio Gotic will be packed but needs to be done. Try Xampanyet for food in Born, get there before it opens. queues are massive. If you want something slightly more local Petra do my fave catalan dishes in that area
The two main hills are worth a visit. Of the two, Montjuic is easier to access by metro funicular. There's a park, the Miro museum and Poble Espanyol which are great for a mooch. Olympic pools too open to public. Tibidado is harder to get to, but has a good funfair with amazing views of the city.
the Rambles is tourist tat central but worth visiting Plaça Reial, which still has a unique character. The Boqueria market is famous, maybe too famous, but fun to eat there at the stalls
If you head into Raval, watch your bags and be streetwise. It's generally ok though, esp in daytime. That's where the cool museums are eg CCCB and MACBA and where all the skateboarders and record shops are (+ keith haring mural)
Gracia further up the hill is the artier, crustier end of town. Sol is the best square and nice tapas at the Sol bar.
And if you need to chill, Ciutadella is good fun to sit on grass and watch all the buskers and drummers and stuff
It's tempting to cram it all in, but will be knackering in the Sept heat
Hope that helps
