Love retirement, as I can now vacation for as long as I like, and a month in Barcelona when the temperatures are below freezing in NYC sounded perfect! The average temperature in Barcelona in January/February, is in the low to high 60’s during the day and high 40’s at night. It was warmer than usual this year and most days were 65-69 degrees with clear sunny skies. We spent multiple days at the beach watching people sun bathing and swimming. Amazing!

With a month, we had enough time to visit our usual haunts as well as explore some new, off the beaten track, museums, galleries and architectural sites. We stayed in a great Airbnb, and are planning on rebooking it for next January for another month.

Hidden Gems

MOCO Museum

After you have checked out the top rated must-sees from your site seeing list, check out the wide selection of museums and galleries for those of you not so interested in the tourist norm!

Palau de la Música Catalana: Barcelona’s Pretty Concert Hall

Palau de la Música Catalana is a gaudy rose-covered wonderland and must see site in Barcelona. This magnificent concert hall was designed in 1905-08 by Lluis Domènech i Montaner — an architect who was just as famous as Gaudi at the time. You have to see it to believe it. Musicians love its acoustics. Tourists love its unique design. It’s a veritable symphony of stained glass, mosaics, sculptures.

Museu Frederic Marès

Step into the world of renowned sculptor Frederic Marès. Located in the heart of the Gothic Quarter, this hidden gem boasts an extensive collection of sculptures, artifacts, and curiosities amassed by Marès during his lifetime. From medieval religious art to intricate sculptures and an assortment of quirky everyday items, the museum offers a fascinating glimpse into the artist’s eclectic taste. Take your time to explore this unique space and enjoy the unexpected treasures around every corner.

Museu Marítim de Barcelona

Set sail for the Museu Marítim de Barcelona, where you’ll explore maritime history through a rich collection of ship models, maps, and more. Housed in the medieval shipyards, the museum offers a unique insight into the city’s naval past. The jewel in the museum is the impressive full-scale replica of the 16th-century royal galley, which took part in the Battle of Lepanto.

Museu Banksy

The Banksy Museum takes you on an enchanting journey with Banksy, the master of street art, who has become a world-famous artist. Even though he is recognized as a world-renowned artist, Banksy has nevertheless managed to preserve his anonymity while continuing to shock us regularly with murals and happenings of all kinds. This was one of our favorite finds and loved the unique immersive experience.

Museu d’Historia de Catlunya

A great find as the museum takes you on a journey of the history of Catalonia from the Stone Age to the present day. Unlike other museums, it was not born out of the need to exhibit a previously existing collection, but with the desire to become a point of reference in the dissemination of the country’s history and collective heritage.

MOCO

The Moco Museum is an independent museum with a wide range of inspiring modern, contemporary, and street art – they have three locations in Amsterdam, the Netherlands and Barcelona, Spain. In their collection, Moco exhibits Jean-Michel Basquiat, Banksy, KAWS, Keith Haring, Damien Hirst, Yayoi Kusama, Hayden Kays, David LaChapelle, Guillermo Lorca, Takashi Murakami, Nick Thomm, Andy Warhol, Studio Irma, and many more. They not only offer an unparalleled collection of art to reflect on modern society but also offer immersive experiences.

Hospital de Sant Pau

Stunning Art Nouveau architecture, a UNESCO World Heritage site has a fascinating history that dates back to the early 20th century. Once a fully-functioning hospital, the complex now hosts exhibitions, concerts, and other events. The beautifully restored pavilions are adorned with intricate mosaics, stained glass windows, and vibrant ceramic tiles. And as a bonus, the hospital is far less crowded than other tourist spots. 

Top Rated Must See Sights

Sagrada Familia

Sagrada Familia – Our first visit every trip to see the progress and feel the awe of this magnificent Basilica. It is funded by private donations, is still under construction today and is expected to be completed by 2030 (but our guide told us, with Spanish time, it is more like 2040).

La Sagrada Família is not only considered to be Gaudí’s most recognized work, but also his best. Even if you’re not all that interested in architecture, you’ll find this masterpiece, like Gaudí’s other work, a feast for the eyes and full of symbolism. Gaudí’s main goal for La Sagrada Família was to teach people about Catholicism through architecture. The best place to see this is right outside the church. The four towers represent the 12 apostles and the intricately carved façades at the base show the life of Christ, from birth to death and then resurrection. La Sagrada Família’s interior is just as striking, from the smooth, nearly white stone columns to the rows of vibrant stained-glass windows.

Casa Batllo – Of all the Gaudí apartments in Barcelona, this is probably the most recognized (it’s also a UNESCO World Heritage Site). Casa Batlló is known for its vibrant colors, intricate tile work and skeletal terraces. The unconventional façade is inspired by the legend of St. George, the patron saint of Catalonia, who is said to have slayed a dragon to save the king’s daughter. The roof depicts the dragon’s scaly back, while the skeletal balconies and boney windows are said to represent the dragon’s previous victims (the legend goes that someone would be sacrificed every day so the dragon wouldn’t take the whole town).

Casa Mila – It is known for its wavy stone façades and intricate carvings that can only be attributed to Gaudí’s quirky style. Casa Milà was originally constructed as a home for the commissioners of the building (Pere Milà i Camps and his wife), who also requested the complex included apartments for rent.

Park Guell – Gaudí’s Park Güell is as whimsical as parks can get. The park was originally supposed to be a housing community for the rich, commissioned by Eusebi Güell. Güell hired Gaudí but the project eventually folded due to the land’s incompatible building conditions. Gaudí continued on, modeling the park after gardens he had seen in England (Güell means English in Catalan) and building around the natural elements of the land instead of tearing them down.

The park covers more than 45 acres and features everyday park props with a twist that is quintessentially Gaudí. Instead of numerous benches spread throughout, here visitors will be greeted with one long, wavy stone bench adorned with vibrant mosaics and equipped with views of the ocean. And instead of drab administrative buildings, the welcome centers here look like buildings you’d see in a Dr. Seuss book. You’ll also find plenty of picturesque pathways that weave along verdant vegetation, down cascading tiled staircases and through jagged stone columns and tunnels. 

Picasso Museum – When you feel like you’ve hit your Gaudí limit, head to the Picasso Museum for a change of pace. While most people know Pablo Picasso for his distorted portraits, this museum displays his work on a timeline of sorts, allowing you to follow his progression from the more controlled works of his early years to the very whimsical paintings and sculptures from the end of his career. They currently have a special Miro – Picasso exhibit which is described as “a dialogue between two artists who transformed the art of the 20th century with their own voice and unprecedented visual intensity”. Highly recommended.

Barcelona Cathedral – Towering above the center of the Gotic district is Barcelona’s principal cathedral. The Gothic cathedral’s construction began in the late 13th century, though it wasn’t completed until the mid-15th century. The church is stunning both inside and out, with elaborate altarpieces, stained-glass windows and impressive statues. Stroll through the cloisters to see its pond, home to several geese, and climb to the roof of the cathedral to get an eyeful of the spire up close, as well as prime city views. There is also an interesting Museum that is included with your entrance fee.

Restaurants

Hofmann – https://hofmann-bcn.com/restaurante-hofmann/ – Hands down our favorite restaurant this trip. It was perfect in every way; the food, the service and the atmosphere. They earned a Michelin Star but the price is reasonable and the atmosphere relaxed and friendly. They do a fixed menu only and each course was interesting, beautiful and delicious. Very highly recommended.

Hisop – Another Michelin 1 Star but completely the opposite of Hofmann. Food was fine, but the service was “unfriendly” with a space that looked unfinished and a stiff atmosphere. Stay away!

Batea – https://bateabarcelona.com/en – Recommended by our favorite Spanish restaurant in NYC, Tomin. This restaurant was our second favorite. Great, creative take on the local cuisine, friendly and helpful staff (with the chef’s coming out to chat and make recommendations). Highly recommended.

Dos Pebrots – https://www.dospebrots.com/ – Another recommendation from Tomino and was again spot on. Creative tapas and friendly, casual, environment. The center of the restaurant is an open kitchen that the tables sit around so you can watch the chefs cook (also a bar around the kitchen where you can eat if you like).

Casa Loiea – https://casalolea.com/ – A third recommendation from Tomino! Great tapas and small tastes. Very casual (they also serve breakfast and lunch) and friendly.

Gravin – https://gravinristorante.com/quienes-somos – Sometimes you just need a different taste and we were craving Italian food after three weeks of Tapas and Spanish dishes. The owners were from Puglia, and they cooked traditional dishes but put a modern spin on them. All the pastas are made in-house and were delicious.

Darvaza – https://darvazabarcelona.com/ – A restaurant centered around fire, with a large blazing oven where most of the food is cooked. Fun environment, food was good (not amazing but enjoyable), Recommend the Wild bluefin tuna brioche, Cochinita pibil tacos, and Grilled seasonal vegetables.

Pau Claris 200 – A hidden gem that we found last minute and booked for Valentines Day dinner. We received a very warm greeting, given a choice of tables, and chose one by the window with a view of the lively street. The menu isn’t miles long but it was definitely interesting. The two chefs use different flavor combinations that really work and which made each course memorable (scallops with white chocolate need to be tried!). All in all, with great service and delicious food, I would recommend a visit.

The following three restaurants we keep coming back to year after year. All have wonderful food, great service and atmosphere, and reasonable prices. I have reviewed them in my previous posts.

Found these great tapas bars where you wait in line to dine and the lines are pretty long (you can also contact them for a reservation). They all are very casual and reasonable.

Gaudeix del teu proper viatge a Barcelona!

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