Barcelona is a brilliant city break destination anytime of the year. I’ve teamed up with Avis who offer car hire in Barcelona, to share some of the best things you’ll love about this city with each and every visit.
This post was sponsored by Avis, however all opinions are my own.
1. THE LOCATION
Situated in north east Spain, Barcelona is perfectly positioned for a weekend getaway as it’s just 2 hours away by plane from London and Bristol with cheap and regular direct flights available year round. It’s also a popular cruise destination with the Mediterranean Sea, sandy beaches and the beautiful Balearic Islands on its doorstep.
For those considering a road trip, the city is around 2 hours from the French border and less than 3 hours from Andorra and the Pyrenees mountains.
2. THE ARCHITECTURE
The buildings in Barcelona have a wonderful mix of styles from pretty patterned townhouses around La Rambla to the characterful nooks and crannies of the old Gothic Quarter. Eccentric architect Antoni Gaudí has a well established presence in the city, the most famous of his works being the Sagrada Família.
He has in-fact six other monuments built in this unique style in and around Barcelona, including the House of Bones and Park Güell, just 20 minutes north of the commercial centre by car.
3. THE FOOD
My visits to Barcelona have been all too brief so I’ve only scratched the surface of the Spanish cuisine here. The La Boqueria market on La Rambla offers a nice flavour to the local diet with fresh fruit and sea food stalls. The Barcelona Travel Guide from Avis is a very useful resource for foodies as resident writer Ben Holbrook shares some local delights like Syra Coffee, and where you can find the best churros in town – yes please!
For those who enjoy fine-dining there’s 21 Michelin-star restaurants in Barcelona, as well as nearby wineries like Torres to explore (view my Spanish wine tasting tour by clicking here).
4. THE WEATHER
Barcelona’s temperature in the summer months is often around 30°c by day, so venturing down to the marina or the beach is probably a good idea to keep cool.
If visiting with family, consider splitting your time between the city and holiday resorts further down the coast like Salou, which is close to Port Aventura theme park and waterpark. The spring and autumn temperatures are a lot more comfortable for exploring the city, and you’ll also benefit from it being a quieter time of year for travellers.
5. THE HISTORY
As mentioned, the Gothic Quarter is a historical hub where narrow streets intertwine and reveal Barcelona’s Roman origins. There’s many attractive squares with cafés and restaurants to stop off around here, as well as the grand 13th century Cathedral in the centre.
Just 7 miles north of the city by road is also Tibidabo, one of the oldest theme parks in the world where you can take The Sky Walk and enjoy one the best viewpoints across Barcelona.
I think Barcelona has a lot to offer visitors, and writing this post was a helpful reminder just how much there is to explore both in and around the city. I’ll be returning later in the year for the day and can’t decide between an afternoon relaxing in the parklands and beaches, or immersing myself in the history and culture of this colourful city.
What aspect of Barcelona most appeals to you? Let me know!