When I had an opportunity to travel to Barcelona for a few days of work, my schedule was preplanned by somebody else with only brief windows of flexibility. Unlike when I went to London, I wouldn’t be able to pad my trip with an early arrive or delayed return; I needed to take a specific flight there and back. So what did I do? I figured out how it was possible see Barcelona on your meal breaks!
Fortunately the place we were staying was close to the Gothic Quarter. That’s where the majority of the famous landmarks are concentrated.
Plaça d’Espanya
On the way from the airport, we stopped at the Centro Comercial Las Arenas (that’s “mall” in American) for our first meal. The building happens to be directly next to the Plaça d’Espana and has a public access roof terrace with an amazing view.
For arrivers without a strict schedule, this is still an easy-access spot to begin your Barcelona trip. There’s a bus line directly from the airport terminals. You’ll be there in less than 30min. Then it’s another 30min walk (5min via bus or subway) to the Gothic Quarter.
Teatre Grec (Greek Theater)
In El Poble-sec, just south of the Gothic Quarter, lies an outdoor theater that looks like it was airlifted direct from ancient Greece. It’s only about a hundred years old, having been built in 1929 for the Barcelona International Exposition. While I didn’t catch one, it still holds performances of actual greek theatre. Don’t have time to catch a show? There’s nothing stopping you from walking onstage.
Jardí Botànic de Barcelona (Barcelona Bontanical Garden)
The gardens in El Poble-sec are expansive. A meal break’s worth of time isn’t going to allow for nearly as much wandering through the winding pathways as the soft fragrances and gently burbling fountains will tempt you to.
Telefèric de Montjuïc (Barcelona Cable Car)
Warning: not for those afraid of heights. For everyone else, it’s awesome! You’re fully encased in a pod, but there are windows available on all sides for a 360 view. And what a view to behold. Don’t be afraid if you stop in midair. This happened to me and my brain went into overdrive trying to calculate how I would get out and back before my mealbreak was over, but it started again within five minutes (or two mental hours). Not sure if it was normal or not, but if it happens to you: DON’T PANIC.
Castell de Montjuïc (Montjuïc Castle)
At the top of your cable car ride is a castle decked out with siege warfare defenses dating from the 1640s through the 1960s. Not many places can showcase military equipment spanning 300 years that have all seen battle exactly where they still stand today. Even if you aren’t a military buff, you will marvel at the views this tactical bastion allows over both the city it defends and the open sea.
Casa Batlló by Gaudí
Short on time, I only saw the outside of this building in passing. Would liked to have gone in, but the facade alone is worth a look. Catalans are famously proud of Antoni Gaudí, the local architect and designer most famous for the Sagrada Família church (which unfortunately, I didn’t have time to visit) His “Catalan Modernism” style can be found all over. Especially in souvenir stands.
Las Ramblas
According to most of the internet, this iconic street is most famous for its pickpockets. I didn’t have a problem; I frequent Times Square, which has a similar claim to fame. There are many glorious paintings of Las Ramblas, but I found it tricky to replicate on camera. Said paintings and much, much more are available to buy at the many souvenir stands that line both sides. Or you could spend your euros on tapas. What isn’t a souvenir stall has a high chance of being a place to eat.
Mercado de La Boqueria (La Boqueria Market)
On my own, I tend not to eat in restaurants or cafes. I like markets! Just off Las Ramblas is La Boqueria is a food filled maze; packed with comida both ready-to-eat and fresh ingredients to cart away. And the prices really couldn’t be better!
Plaça de Catalunya
The most iconic symbol of Plaça de Catalunya is the fountain. Maybe it isn’t as impressive as the Montjuïc Magic Fountain, which I wasn’t able to get to in time, but I loved its softly glowing cousin. This square is a major hub for mass transit and therefore a convenient meeting place for locals and tourists alike. If you’re not sure where to stay during your trip, aim for anywhere within a block or two of this spot. You’ll be within distance of all the major attractions, even if you can only spare the span of a meal break.
Plan outside your meal breaks and check out the current hours and prices:
- Plaça d’Espanya is free and open 24/7.
- Theatre Grec
- Jardí Botànic de Barcelona
- Telefèric de Montjuïc
- Castell de Montjuïc
- Casa Batlló by Gaudí
- Las Ramblas itself is free to walk down and open 24/7, though shop hours vary.
- Mercado de La Boqueria
- Plaça de Catalunya is free and open 24/7.
While some places are open 24/7, always exercise caution after dark and in crowded areas.
Kaitlin’s Adventure in Barcelona was in December 2016