Relaxing Day in Barcelona: Top 5 Things to Do
Casa Batlló is a must-visit site in Barcelona.
Barcelona, a lively and beautiful city in northeastern Spain by the Mediterranean Sea, fascinated me with its creative style, diverse history, and impressive buildings. The streets overflowed with color, and the aroma of delicious food filled the air.
After a whirlwind week in Paris, where I museum-hopped and monument-marathoned, I arrived in Barcelona yearning for a different kind of adventure - one dedicated to utter relaxation and de-stressing. My friend and I agreed: no more cramming museum visits into our schedule, no more sprinting from landmark to landmark. This would be our Barcelona escapade of leisurely strolls, delectable meals, and unhurried indulgence.
If you are looking for a same relaxing experience, follow me on my top five things to do in this vibrant city.
-
Enjoy arts and architectures by the famous, Antoni Gaudí
Foodie tour at local markets
Indulge in Spanish chocolate
City exploration with an artistic lens by foot
Relaxing by the Beach
1. Enjoy arts and architectures by the famous, Antoni Gaudí
Gaudí is known worldwide as one of the most important architects ever. His style is recognized for its imaginative and playful design, filled with vibrant colors and intricate details. Barcelona is closely associated with his work. His famous creations, including Sagrada Familia, Park Güell, and Casa Batlló, attract millions of tourists annually.
Gaudí's buildings are characterized by organic and natural shapes, such as curves, smooth lines, and textured surfaces. The structures seem lively and dynamic, inspired by nature's beauty. He also worked with ceramic artists, stained glass artists, ironworkers, and carpenters to make sure every detail matched his vision. He developed new ways of building and using materials, pushing the limits of what was achievable. I love how Gaudí's designs blend seamlessly with their surroundings. Instead of standing alone, his buildings are carefully incorporated into the environment. Gaudí also considered things like sunlight, fresh air, and the existing landscape to create beautiful and practical spaces. So make sure when you are in Barcelona, include a visit to see his works.
For a relaxing day, visit Casa Batlló would be the most convenient because it is located right in the city center. This magical house was designed and constructed between 1904 and 1906. And it is Unesco World Heritage Site. Casa Batlló is a stunning example of Catalan modern architecture that reflects nature and creativity. The renovation was a huge project, with Gaudí and Batlló collaborating closely to create a beautiful and practical building. Gaudí used various materials like stone, ceramic, and glass to craft a distinctive design. The facade is remarkable, featuring white stone adorned with colorful mosaics, and balconies shaped like a dragon's back. The roof is also made of white stone and includes a lantern resembling a dragon's head. Inside, the marble staircase is adorned with mosaics, the dining room has stained glass windows and a tree-like fireplace, and the library boasts wood bookshelves and a stained glass ceiling.
After admiring the work of Gaudí, walk over to El Nacional Barcelona for a nice fancy lunch or visit Plaça de Catalunya for a lovely stroll and shopping.
2. Foodie tour at local markets
The markets in Barcelona are vibrant, fun and enjoyable and it is definitely a foodie paradise! The markets are full of fresh fruits, veggies, seafood, and meats. Trying local foods like cured ham, bread with tomato, and Basque small bites are top things you should sample at the markets.
For the first timer in Barcelona, it may be hard to choose which one to visit. But don’t worry, I’m here to help! There are two markets that I would like to recommend for a relaxing day.
1. The Mercat de Sant Josep de la Boqueria or known for short as La Boqueria
2. The Mercat de Santa Caterina to
La Boqueria is the most famous market in Barcelona and there is a good reason why. La Boqueria, is a large public market in the Ciutat Vella district of Barcelona. The market is colorful and vibrant with lots of fresh produce and ready to eat food. Going to the market is also convenient as it has an entrance from La Rambla, not far from the Liceu, Barcelona's opera house. A little tip, on the way walking to the market, don’t forget to grab a morning coffee at a hip cafe called Dalston Coffee Barcelona. The coffee is flavorful and delicious. While walking around the market, get yourself some fresh juice and just enjoy exploring.
Update: The famous Pinotxo moved to a new location at Sant Antoni market, aiming for a more local feel and away from the touristy areas. Pinotxo used to be located inside the La Boqueria Market. This iconic tapas place been serving food since 1940 and I can confirm with you that the food is really great! They moved to the new location in early 2023 when the beloved Juanito and the face of the bar for many years passed away.
So if you want to visit this legendary tapas bar, don’t forget to visit them at the new location. Sant Antoni market also seems like a great market to visit, so you can consider adding it to your list. I have not been yet so let me know what you think!
Mercat de Santa Caterina is another great market that you should not miss. From the Barcelona Cathedral, you will notice a wavy, brightly colored roof. This market is filled with amazing food just like La Boqueria.
When comparing La Boqueria and Mercat de Santa Caterina, the main difference is the atmosphere. La Boqueria is popular among tourists, so it's busier and has more shops, making it feel more chaotic. On the other hand, Mercat de Santa Caterina has a relaxed dining area where you can sit and enjoy your meal.
To make the most of your visit, go to La Boqueria in the morning to avoid the rush, and visit Mercat de Santa Caterina in the afternoon for a leisurely lunch.
All the tapas dishes we ordered at Mercat de Santa Caterina were fantastic. But pimientos de padrón (Tapas-Style Blistered Green Peppers) was my favorite. They are typically served fried or grilled and are known for their unpredictable heat level. I’m Thai so I love spicy food but don’t worry, I think you can handle it ;)
Rolled out of bed, and straight to the market I went, no plan, no makeup, just ready for breakfast. Just chilling in a chilled city.
3. Indulge in Spanish chocolate
Spanish chocolate is yummy and so delicious. If you got sweet tooth just like me, this is the city for you! Spanish chocolate is renowned for its intense flavor and smooth texture. Crafted primarily with premium dark chocolate, often has at least 70% cocoa solids, it delivers a deep, rich chocolate taste that's far from overly sweet.
The traditional way to prepare Spanish hot chocolate involves melting the chocolate directly in milk, creating a thick and creamy beverage perfect for dipping crisp churros. When in town, you can buy Spanish chocolate brands such as Valor home too.
For the best churros and chocolate sauce experience, I highly recommend Be Chocolat. It’s definitely the best! My friend and I had to have it twice before we left Barcelona. Its churros are light, crispy and not oily. The chocolate sauce is creamy, thick and rich! Imagine dipping that churro into rich chocolate sauce, it is heaven inside your mouth!
Besides this menu, Be Chocolat has many varieties of chocolate such as chocolate bar, chocolate truffle and more. So whatever you want, they have it in this shop. Be Chocolat has a few locations in Barcelona but I recommend you to visit Be Chocolat Gòtic branch in Gothic Quarter so that you can make the most of your day by visiting nearby attractions such as Picasso Museum and Cathedral of Barcelona as well. Two birds one stone!
But if you're craving other kinds of sweet treats like cakes and donuts with chocolate, here are my favorite spots.
Go to Lukumás for the best home-made chocolate donut. Its donuts are fluffy, light and so delicious. It goes so well with coffee.
Another great spot that you should not miss is Chök The Chocolate Kitchen, a bakery chain dedicated to all things chocolate. With five locations across the city, Chök offers a haven for chocolate enthusiasts to indulge. And the best part? Two of those locations, including Chök Ramelleres, are completely gluten-free, ensuring everyone can enjoy a slice of heaven. Chök Ramelleres is near to the iconic La Boqueria market, just a five-minute stroll. So why not make it a pit stop on your market adventure?
4. City exploration with an artistic lens by foot
This is probably one of the best things you can do for free. All you need are an open heart and your two feet. Barcelona is famous for being easy to walk around. It's easy to get to the main sights, beaches, and neighborhoods on foot because everything is close together. Barcelona has lots of areas where cars aren't allowed and wide sidewalks, so it's safe and comfortable for pedestrians. The weather is usually mild, so it's nice to walk around all year too!
Along the journey, I’ve stumbled upon many great sites without planning such as the well-known street, Las Ramblas street, Arco de Triunfo de Barcelona, La Sagrada Familia and more. This shows that you can get lost in the city and always discover something.
But if you have to choose one area to explore by foot, I would recommend Passeig de Gràcia district. The Passeig de Gràcia in Barcelona was a grand street in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, connecting the Plaça Catalunya with the Gràcia district. It was a popular spot for wealthy families, and its modernista buildings are like an outdoor museum. The street was filled with horse-drawn carriages, trams, and well-dressed people. Architects like Gaudí, Puig i Cadafalch, and Domènech i Muntaner designed impressive buildings along the boulevard, such as La Pedrera, Casa Batlló, and casa Amatller. The street is also known for its unique paving stones by Gaudí and stylish streetlamps by Pere Falqués, along with high-end shops.
How to get to Arco de Triunfo de Barcelona
How to get to Passeig de Gràcia
How to get to La Sagrada Familia
Another great thing I love while exploring the city by foot is finding the street arts. I think this is a cute quirk that Barcelona has. To me, colorful wall arts represent the creativity and fun loving side of the locals.
5. Relaxing by the Beach
Thanks to the Mediterranean climate, Barcelona has a nice warm weather with cool breeze. Just a 15-minute walk from Old Town Ciutat Vella, you can reach the beach. Isn’t it amazing that you easily transport from being in the city to the beach? It’s definitely the charm of the city.
Barcelona has 4.2 kilometers of uninterrupted sandy beaches. These beaches are perfect spots to chill and relax. The most popular beaches are Barceloneta Beach and Sant Sebastià Beach. Both are close to each other and they offer facilities such as lifeguards, showers, and beach bars.
How to get to Barceloneta Beach
How to get to Sant Sebastià Beach
If you don’t want to swim, you can just enjoy people watching.
Many people have shared incredible Barcelona landmarks already so I hope you enjoy my suggestion of "chilled" way to explore the city! These top 5 activities are my personal favorites, and I hope they add a dash of joy to your Barcelona journey.
I can't wait to visit the rest of Spain's rich culture and history in future. Perhaps some future blogs will take you on that adventure too! For now, I hope my tips prove useful for a safe and fun Barcelona trip for you. Keep an eye out for more fun blogs in the future!
